Meet Our Directors
The pictures below may include some former directors.
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A note from our Directors
"We are excited about the upcoming year and encourage you to become a member of the Lee Choir Booster Club. With your involvement, together, we can continue our rich tradition of choral excellence."
GUADALUPE RIVERA
Robert E. Lee HS, Director of Choirs
Dr. Guadalupe Rivera, Jr., is the Director of Choirs at Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, TX. Most recently, he was the Director of Choirs at Tuloso-Midway High School in Corpus Christi, Interim Artistic Director of Symphony Viva of San Antonio, and the former Assistant Director of Music at the Corpus Christi Cathedral. Dr. Rivera received a Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in Choral and Orchestral Conducting at the University of Arizona in 2010 under the supervision of Dr. Bruce Chamberlain.
Dr. Rivera, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas and a product of the Corpus Christi Cathedral Choir Program, received his Bachelor of Music Education from Texas Christian University in 1996, where he studied with the late Ronald Shirey and Dr. Ruth Whitlock. He completed his Masters of Music in Performance in Choral Conducting at the University of North Texas in 2005, where he studied with Dr. Jerry McCoy. In 1996, Dr. Rivera had the opportunity to study with the late Robert Shaw at Carnegie Hall in New York
City. Most recently in January of 2014, Dr. Rivera was chosen to participate in the DCINY Conducting Masterclass with Rene Clausen (Concordia) and in 2010
the Chorus America A Cappella Conducting Masterclass, studying with famed conductors Marguerite Brooks (Yale) and Robert Sund (Sweden). In the summers of 2006 and 2007, Dr. Rivera conducted at the Oregon Bach Festival, studying under renowned conductor and Bach scholar Helmuth Rilling and in October 2006 was able to conduct for famed choral composer Morten Lauridsen.
Dr. Rivera is the former Assistant Conductor of the Turtle Creek Chorale, Dallas, TX under Dr. Tim Seelig. As an educator, his choirs continue to receive Superior ratings at UIL Choral contests and many of his students participate in the ACDA National Honor Choirs and TMEA All-State Choirs. In 2011 and 2012, Dr. Rivera was a recipient of the TMISD Igniting the Spirit Teaching Award, an award given to several TMISD teachers for their positive influence on students, and most recently again in May 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. In 2019, Dr. Rivera was chosen as a semi-finalist for the HEB Excellence in Education Award. Dr. Rivera is the past TMEA Region XIV Vocal Division Chair and is a member of TMEA, TCDA, ACDA and TMAA.
LAURIE WASH
Robert E. Lee HS Associate Director
Laurie Alfred Wash, of Odessa, Texas has been teaching publicly and privately for the past thirty-one years. This will be her third year as the Associate Director of Choirs at Robert E. Lee High School. Ms. Wash has taught in the Arlington and Houston areas and most recently served as a voice teacher at Permian High School in Odessa. Wash received her Bachelor of Education at the Hardin Simmons University in Abilene. Ms. Wash is honored to be welcomed into the state-renowned choral legacy at Lee High School and looks forward to continuing to make music with the students and faculty of the Lee High School Choral Department.
ANDREW CARR
Robert E. Lee Freshman High School Choir Director
Andrew Carr, a Philadelphia native, is beginning his third year teaching and his first year as the Choir Director at Lee Freshman High School. He comes to Midland from Nanuet, NY, where Andrew was a choral and theater director for grades 5-12. Mr. Carr received his Bachelor’s in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Ithaca College. He is excited to continue the tradition of excellence and community in the Lee High School Choral Program.