FALL CONCERT SERIES martin
OCTOBER 6, 2025
Director
JAMIE OVALLE is Director of Orchestras at Martin High School in Arlington, TX. She has been teaching since 2009, with 13 of those years at Martin High School.
Mrs. Ovalle began her music endeavors as a student in Arlington ISD with cello as her primary instrument. She graduated from Texas Christian University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While at TCU, she studied cello under Dr. Jesus Castro-Balbi and performed with the TCU Symphony under Dr. Germán Gutiérrez.
Prior to Martin High School, Mrs. Ovalle spent one year teaching middle school in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. She then spent three years in Fort Worth ISD as the sole director at Meacham Middle School and Diamond Hill–Jarvis High School. Under her direction, these programs tripled in size and earned their first Sweepstakes ratings in recent school history. Mrs. Ovalle joined the Martin Orchestra team in 2013 as an assistant with the late Jennifer Lemin under the leadership of Michael Stringer.
During her time as an assistant, she conducted the Martin High School Symphony Orchestra at the Texas Music Educators Convention in 2015 & 2017. When she became the Director of Orchestras in 2017, Mrs. Ovalle conducted the MHS Symphony at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. The following year, the 2019 MHS Symphony Orchestra was named the High School Honor Full Orchestra and performed at the TMEA Convention for the 3rd time in 5 years. During the same year, the string orchestra was invited to perform in London, England alongside the MHS choir on an international tour. Most recently, the MHS Symphony String Orchestra was invited to perform in Banff, Alberta, Canada in March 2023. She credits all of these honors to the work ethic & heart of the outstanding Martin Orchestra musicians.
Mrs. Ovalle has an incredible husband, Dallas, beautiful daughter, Landry Belle, and a handsome son, Jett Ace. When not on the podium, she enjoys spending time with Dallas, Landry and Jett, participating in church activities, cooking and watching sports.
SAMMY BRANCH is an Associate Director of Orchestras at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. Since 2006 he has also been the conductor of the String Orchestra at the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra. Prior to his position at Martin, he served as the Head Orchestra Director at Gunn Junior High School in Arlington, Texas for 13 years. He is a product of the Arlington ISD from Martin High School, then under the direction of Mr. Bill Huff.
Mr. Branch is a graduate of TCU with Departmental Honors, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree Cum Laude, with violin as his primary instrument. He studied conducting under the direction of Dr. Germán Gutiérrez and violin under the direction of Dr. Curt Thompson. Mr. Branch began his teaching career in 2001, and his groups consistently receive Sweepstakes ratings at UIL music contests and superior ratings at spring festivals. Three times at different festivals his groups have earned Best in Class and Grand Champion awards.
Mr. Branch is also an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and Mu Phi Epsilon. He is also on staff at The University of Texas at Arlington Summer Strings Camp and the Sam Houston State University Orchestra Summer Camp.
Fluent in Spanish, Mr. Branch was born in Mexico City, Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of 5 and began studying violin at the age of 10. When not conducting or teaching, Mr. Branch enjoys golf, road biking, and spending time with his family.
KATRINA ESCOVEDO is an Associate Director of Orchestras at Martin High School in Arlington, TX. Mrs. Escovedo earned a Bachelor of Music with Teaching Certification from the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She studied violin with Dr. Martha Walvoord and performed in the UT Arlington Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Clifton Evans. She is a product of Arlington ISD and is excited to teach at Martin High School where she began her educational journey as a student teacher with the former Director of Orchestras, Michael Stringer.
Prior to her position at Martin HS, Mrs. Escovedo taught at McLean Middle School where she was the Director of Orchestras for four years. While at McLean, her groups earned consistent Sweepstakes ratings at UIL contest and superior ratings at festivals. Mrs. Escovedo also taught at Creekview High School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Arlington High School in Arlington ISD and at both Adams Middle School and Fannin Middle School in Grand Prairie ISD.
Mrs. Escovedo has served on the curriculum committee for orchestral instruction in Fort Worth ISD. She has also coached at the University of Texas at Arlington’s Summer Strings Camp, and served as TMEA Orchestra Division Secretary. She holds an active membership in the Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Orchestra Directors Association.
When she is not teaching or conducting, Mrs. Escovedo enjoys gardening, reading, and watching Gordon Ramsey cooking shows. Most of all she appreciates spending time with her amazing husband, Fabian, and adorable children Leo and Roman.
LESLY GALEANA is an Associate Director of Orchestras at Martin High School in Arlington, TX. Prior to her position at Martin she served as associate director of orchestras at Young Junior High, the orchestra teacher at Ditto Elementary and Wood Elementary (2019-2022) in Arlington ISD for 5 years. Ms. Galeana's groups have consistently received Sweepstakes ratings at UIL, music contests and superior ratings at winter festivals.
She was born and raised in Pasadena, California. Ms. Galeana came to Texas to study music education at Texas Christian University. She was part of the TCU Horned Frog Band for two years and was a part of the TCU Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Germán Gutiérrez. Ms. Galeana had the privilege to study violin with Dr. Elisabeth Adkins and music education with her mentor, Amanda Musser. Ms. Galeana is a graduate of TCU, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education, with violin as her primary instrument.
Ms. Galeana is also an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Mu Phi Epsilon. She has also served as a chamber coach and sectional coach for Fort Worth Youth Orchestra-Jr. String Orchestra. When not conducting or teaching, Ms. Galeana enjoys watching college football, traveling, and kickboxing. Go Frogs!
concert Etiquette
In order to enhance our students’ education in Fine Arts, we teach both performance skills and audience etiquette. Proper audience etiquette shows respect for the talents of the composers, the performers, and for the others in the audience.
Unfortunately, young people in today’s society are seldom exposed to formal concert situations and may be unfamiliar with audience etiquette.
We would like to explain some points of this etiquette to you this evening. By following these guidelines, each of us can contribute to an enjoyable and successful evening for everyone.
All electronic devices should be turned off before entering the performance hall. All patrons in the audience should be seated before the performance begins if at all possible. Please avoid entering or leaving the room during the performance. If it does become necessary, please move only between musical selections.
Talking, whispering, and movement should be avoided during the performance so that performers will not be distracted and those seated around you can enjoy the performance to the fullest.
We love children and are pleased when families attend our concerts together. However, if small children become fussy or loud, they should be removed from the performance area as quickly and quietly as possible to avoid disrupting the performance. We would also ask that children not be allowed to stand on the seats.
Attention should be directed to the performers during the performance.
Applause is welcomed and appreciated. Whistling and cheering are not appropriate in a formal concert setting.
concert orchestra II
LESLY GALEANA, KATRINA ESCOVEDO– CONDUCTORS
DANCE SUITE FOR STRINGS, MVT. I ALLEMANDE
MAURICE C. WHITNEY
IROQUOIS JOURNEY
DOUG SPATA
VIOLIN I:
Jahel Barajas
Camila Campos
Paul Fuller IV
Noeli Govea
Saphara Harper
Rubi Juarez
Caleb Munoz
Liam Perro
Ryan Pinzon*
Damian Rostro
Braylen Stewart
Aiden Vega
VIOLIN II:
Emma Cook
Josiah DaSilva
Santiago Emilio
Noah Fowler
Braelee Grimes
Aaliyah Johnson
Araxi Lopez
Samantha Marquez
Hailie Moreno
Brianna Payne
Andrea Soncrant
Markel Wilson
Emielio Zaragoza
VIOLA:
Elyssa Aguirre
Savannah Allbright
Joshua Anderson
Sophia Arredondo
Olivia Cason
Angel Delgado Jr
Kelsea DeRobio
Lizzie Eastman
Leo Gamez
Charlotte Gilpin
Cody Jensen
Daniel Padilla
Ava Rauschenbach
Andrea Soto
CELLO:
Eden Ceja
Jordyn Easley
Jaxyn Garcia
Taleah Hawkins
Aurora Hernandez
Nathan Kirton
Alex Riner
Niko Valdez
Elena Vongnarath
BASS:
Elijah Harris
Alison De La Rosa Adame
Abdullah Daoud
Alexander Jennett
Ethen Morales
* CONCERTMASTER
concert orchestra I
JAMIE OVALLE, LESLY GALEANA – CONDUCTORS
MARRIAGE OF FIGARO OVERTURE
MOZART, ARR. HOFFMAN
LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
RICHARD MEYER
SOLOIST: JASON PERRYMAN
VIOLIN I:
Kaylee Dang
Quan Dinh
David Langevin
Theresa Nguyen
Angelina Nguyen
Sophia Orozco
Liam Peace
Jason Perryman
Dillon Richard
Nu Nu Shapri
Natalie Tobey*
Austin Torres-Rodriguez
VIOLIN II:
Allen Albawi
Travis Arcuri
Peyton Blake
Elliot Bland
Brody Crawford
Leah Franks
Amani Jalloh
Max Lee
Quan Nguyen
Ily Pipkin
Allison Quintero
Daniela Ruiz-Rueda
Faith Tran
Steven Weaver
VIOLA:
Alayna Bird
Chelsea DeRobio
Leleina Fiame
Lainey Henze
Mikayla Hurt
Evelynn Jensen
Aaron Lim
Fletcher Long
Crystal Luna
Ju Ree Mon
Izzy Murr
Evelyn Tettleton
Riley Weidmann
Chloe Whiteman
CELLO:
Jorge Galvan
Davis Tinshu
Raniyah Yunus
Rushi Patel
Lucas Franco Gil
Miguel Gonzalez
Lilah Bell
Rylee Priddy
Carter Le
Sean Leski
Lillie Haag
Michael Shaw
BASS:
Bella Granados
Lachlan Rodriguez
Jaymes Savoie * CONCERTMASTER
Philharmonia
LESLY GALEANA, KATRINA ESCOVEDO– CONDUCTORS
OCEAN STORM
A. VIVALDI ARR. FRITZ
SOLOIST: JONATHAN RIOS, MARILY MUNOZ
1812 OVERTURE
TCHAIKOVSKY ARR. GRUSELL
VIOLIN I:
Jackson Beary
Olga Chandler
Rohen Hoy
Marily Munoz
Mai Nguyen
Imran Rasul
Jonathan Rios*
Eva Warren
VIOLIN II:
Pearce Carlton
Orine Chisi-Moruri
Nathan Forbes
Brooke Haney
Chloe Herrera
Eduardo Mata
Jaelynn Perez
Braylen Syas
Wynona Walden
Jacob Zavala
VIOLA:
Franco Alvarado
Darius Davis
Ava Gallegos
Amber Gazdzicki
Christopher Gonzales
Mily Mendoza
Angel Perez Galvan
CELLO:
Olamiposi Akintoye
Ava Hoang
BASS: Kaitlin Nguyen * CONCERTMASTER
Philharmonic
SAMUEL BRANCH, JAMIE OVALLE– CONDUCTORS
MAGIC FLUTE OVERTURE
MOZART ARR. MCCASHIN
ADAGIO, FROM SYMPHONY NO. 2
RACHMANINOFF ARR. LONGFIELD
FINALE, FROM SYMPHONY NO. 5
TCHAIKOVSKY ARR. HOLMES
VIOLIN I:
Wyatt Annen
Kristopher Hernandez
Sara Hiatt Pons
Safi Ijaq
Dax Johnston*
Linh Nguyen
Riloh Olivares
Jocelyn Tostado
Leah Wren
VIOLIN II:
Emanuel Calzada
Daniel Chao
Madelyn Gonzales
Chloe Lacy
Trinity Mizelle
Tyler Ngo
Nhi Pham
Mel Provence
Peter Torres
Danika Villanueva
VIOLA:
Nick Anthony
Kayla Baines
Adalyn Bewley
Emma Borgerding
Abigail Haferkamp
Alec Jensen
Zadie McDaniel
Limara Monsivais
Kaylee Savoie
Lillian Walters
Amr Yousif
CELLO:
Evy Ahlstrand
Timothy Brimacombe
Alexis Crabbe
Isabelle Diaz
Aimelee Erickson
Ryan Farnell
Fatima Garcia
Megan Goble
Connor Jackson
Lucille Quedensley
Asdyn Reichenbach
BASS: Preslee Barnett
Zackary Smith
Cillian Stanford
* CONCERTMASTER
symphonic
KATRINA ESCOVEDO, LESLY GALEANA – CONDUCTORS
ICE SCULPTURES
BALMAGES
CELLO SOLOIST: QUIN BEST
THE EVIL EYE AND THE HIDEOUS HEART SILVA
VIOLIN I:
Laura Arteaga
Journey Barrow
Eliana Ceja
Simran Jassal
Armando Lopez*
Sofia Martinez
Elina Nemati
Audie West
VIOLIN II:
Ava Canup
Savannah Kwezani
Ashlynn Martin
Frishta Rasul
Aiden Rose
Tatyanna Valdez
Jamal Williams
VIOLA:
Lynnette Betancourt
Madison Boring
Joslyn Bryant
Myanah Lewis
Emily Lusk
Milton Mejia
Logan Schmitz
Amaya Todd
Bryant Tran
Noah Valadez
CELLO:
Quin Best
Alayna Chavera
Richard Firmin
Jaden Garcia
Ashton Kelley
Eileen Nguyen
Julion Reagan
Uriah Sargent
Mckenzie Witherwax
BASS:
Jazzmin Cary
Alyric Douglass
Jay Peterson * CONCERTMASTER
SAMMY BRANCH, KATRINA ESCOVEDO – CONDUCTORS
SINFONIA IN D MAJOR, I. ALLEGRO ASSAI
JC BACH ARR. DACKOW
ALLEGRETTO GRAZIOSO, FROM SYMPHONY NO. 8
ELLIS ISLAND
VIOLIN I:
Jaxxon Barton
Ava Davila
Jacob Garcia
Christian Gonzalez
Vivien Hunt
Esteban Jimenez
Lorelye North*
Alexis Roberts
VIOLIN II:
Anna Coronado
Meyer
Alisson Espinoza
Ventura
Perry Middleton
Ethan Ostrander
Jessica Sanchez
Kathleen Sanders
Aidamari Tran
Dallas Wiesel
VIOLA:
Andres Aguayo
Richard Bingham
Evangeline Blanco-Viator
Ozzy Brogdon
Vi Doan Nguyen
Dessie Hoskins
George Rosales
Jesse Sanchez
Benton Van Duzee
Zayd Yunus
CELLO:
Evelyn Ceja
Julien Darnell
Jaida Newman
Dylan Powers
Ellie Savell
Liliana Vargas
Weston Weise
Pamela Zuniga
BASS: Gehrig Church Brianna Wheeler * CONCERTMASTER
symphony
JAMIE OVALLE, SAMMY BRANCH– CONDUCTORS
SERENADE FOR STRINGS IN E MAJOR, OP. 22
ANTONIN DVORAK
LYRIC FOR STRINGS
GEORGE WALKER
SINFONIETTA NO. 1 FOR STRINGS
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR
PERKINSON
I. SONATA ALLEGRO
RONDO
VIOLIN I:
Dania Galvan**
Freddy Gutierrez
Aaron Kaye
Joel Lee
Margot Shaffer
Nicole Wagner
VIOLIN II:
Raul Barrios
Evan DeStafeno*
Robert Fletcher
Holly Gamble
Kai Jerkins
Joseph Martin
Isaac McAnally
Yahel Silva
Kayla Tran
Gavin Ye
VIOLA:
Kevin Chen
Quinn Forbes
Ret Givens
Noah Haag
Caroline Jones
Katelyn Lavigne
Crystal Nam*
Taylor Schwarz
Thienan Vu
Sam Wood
CELLO:
Esther Darr
Mason Engler
Teagan Moneymaker
Kaitlin Nguyen
Elise Poling
Thomas Tepedino*
Ethan Tran
BASS:
Nathan Biles
Logan Hawkins
Miles Lewis
Arlo Peacock*
Joss Rattan ** CONCERTMASTER * SECTION LEADER
YOUR TICKET TO FAMILY FUN
The FWSO proudly offers a variety
Mason Engler
Congratulation Mason!
We are so very proud of you!
Robert Fletcher
We are so very proud of you, Kiddo.
You're going to do great things at college.
We love you!
Evangeline Blanco-Viator
We are so proud of the person you’ve become and can’t wait to see where you go from here!
Take a bow and have a great Senior year!
NOAH HAAG
"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 Noah, you have made us all so proud.
Love, Your whole family
PETER TORRES
Peter,
As you reach this milestone, we continue to be so proud of the man you’ve grown to be! There’s nothing you can’t do once you put your mind to it. We’ll be cheering you on as you start the next journey in life!
Love Always, Dad, Mom and Joey
Fatima Garcia
Muchas felicidades por todo tu gran esfuerzo que Dios te bendiga y te cuide siempre que te ayude en todos tus sueños estamos muy orgullosos de ti te deseamos lo mejor, siempre estaremos para apoyarte!
Kristopher Hernandez
KRIS, THROUGH THE YEARS WE HAVE WATCHED YOU GROW AND BECOME THE YOUNG MAN YOU ARE TODAY. AS YOU EMBARK UPON THIS NEW ADVENTURE REMEMBER TO DREAM BIG AND AIM FOR THE STARS. WE WILL BE HERE CHEERING YOU ON EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!
LOVE MOM, DAD, EDWARD, GRANDPA & GRANDMA, TIA & TIO
Congratulations Brianna!
We're so proud of you! Dad, Mom & Brandon
Brianna Wheeler
Preslee Barnett
We are so proud of you Preslee Ann! Love, Mom & Dad
FREDDY GUTIERREZ
We are so proud of you, son. We know you will continue to be successful in all you do. Love, Mom and Dad
Acknowledgments
ARLINGTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
Dr. Matt Smith Superintendent
Dr. Christopher Anderson, Director of Fine Arts
Mr. Gary Barnard, Assistant Director of Fine Arts
MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Marlene Roddy, Principal
Charles Bryant III, Assistant Principal
Kelly McCollough, Dean of Instruction
Robin Griffith-Yates, Assistant Principal
Anne Hartfield, Assistant Principal Oluchi Igbokwe, Assistant Principal
Jennifer McNairn, Assistant Principal
Austin Nuce, Assistant Principal Tunya Redvine, Assistant Principal Landon Smith, Assistant Principal
MARTIN ORCHESTRA CLUSTER STAFF
Boles Junior High – Sarah Willson, John Lee
Moore Elementary – Sarah Willson
Wood Elementary – John Lee
Young Junior High – Zayra Vincent, Carmen Briseño, and Evelyn Arbaiza
Ditto Elementary – Evelyn Arbaiza
Dunn Elementary – Clayton Boyd
Little Elementary – Clayton Boyd
Miller Elementary – Carmen Briseño
MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS STAFF
Jamie Ovalle, Director of Orchestras, Department Chair
Sammy Branch, Associate Director of Orchestras
Katrina Escovedo, Associate Director of Orchestras
Lesly Galeana, Associate Director of Orchestras
Babatunde Onibudo, Director of Bands
Kenneth Ragland, Associate Director of Bands
Byron Walters, Associate Director of Bands
Lauren Bolton, Director of Percussion
Jocelyn Epley Director of Choirs, Christy Dickerson, Associate Director of Choirs
Brad Kerley, Associate Director of Choirs
Kelly Groves, Director of Theater Arts
Nadaha Garcia, Director of Theater Arts
MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA BOOSTER CLUB EXECUTIVE BOARD
President: Melanie Gamble
Treasurer: Brett Church
Secretary: Kathryn Anthony
1st Vice President Fundraising: Nikole Tobey
Fundraising Co-Chair: Kristin Jensen
2nd Vice President Membership: Heidi Savoie
3rd Vice President Communications: open
4th Vice President Special Events: Carla Hilborn
Underclass Rep 1: Melissa Torres
Underclass Rep 2: Sherri Toon
To the Parents and Families of our Orchestra members, who devote limitless hours of listening, encouragement, patience, praise and unconditional love.
Thank you, Donors!
Virtuoso Level:
The Moneymaker Family
Conductor Level:
Biles-Mulhern Family
Concertino Level:
Jeanna Cook-Garcia and Julio
Garcia
John & Cheryl Lusch
Parents of Evangeline Blanco-Viator
Paul and Jennifer Engler
The Gamble Family
Sonata Level:
Aaryn & Marisa Garcia
Brett and Marissa Church
Mr. and Mrs. Tran
Noah and Lillie Fan Club
Sarah and Kevin Walters
Steve and Nadia Jennett
The Brimacombe Family
The DeStafeno Family
Tony and Melissa Eastman
Tommy and Amber Bird
Trent and Bridgett Mckellar
Prelude Level:
Allen and Heidi Savoie
Amanda and Jose Tostado
Amy Dang
Benjamin and Ella Kirton
Carlos & Diana Tepedino
Cory and Susanne Forbes
Douglas and Ellen Hunt
Erasmo & Veronica Zuniga
Grimes Family
Heather and Cam Sanders
Ignacio Ruiz-Perez
Jeff and Kathryn Anthony
Jeremy and Mary Ann Weaver
John & Katy Witherwax
JR and Beth Stanford
Keith and Kelly Soncrant
Kyle and Elizabeth Givens
Mark Middleton
Meahgan Riley
Michael Hurt
Mr. William Smith and Mrs. Jennifer Smith
Richard Firmin
The Barrios Family
The Family of Laura Arteaga
The Torres Family
