Meet the Directors

Mr. Joseph Chen - Director of Bands

Mr. Joseph Chen graduated with a Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in Teacher Certification from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. His primary instrument is euphonium studying with Mr. Danny Vinson and has been a member of the Spirit of Houston Marching Band for five years, four of which he has been a section leader in the program. Joseph was also a member of the Moores School of Music Wind Ensemble under the direction of David Bertman. He has also studied under Marion West, Eddie Green, Joe Dixon, and John Benzer during his time at the University of Houston. He was also a Moores School of Music Ambassador throughout the academic school year helping with the recruitment and audition process of the music school. Mr. Chen was a part of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity. Positions held include Vice President of Service, Vice President of Membership, and President of his chapter.

Mr. Chen spent his summers as a former marching member of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from 2013-2015 on baritone, and as one of the Drum Majors for his age out season in 2016. He was also the concert Euphonium soloist in the 2014 production Immortal and the 2016 program Propaganda. Other notable achievements with the corps include being awarded the Yamaha Award for Music Education in 2014. He has been a part of the instructional brass staff since 2017.

Previous teaching experience includes three years as a marching technician for the Friendswood High School Marching Band, which advanced to the 6A All-State Marching contest in 2014 and 2016. He was also a private lesson and master class instructor for Crosby High School. Mr. Chen finished his student teaching semester at Dawson High School with Mr. Ryan Agard, and Berry Miller Jr. High with Mr. Chris Bennett.

At Elkins High School, Mr. Chen was awarded the EHS Rookie Teacher of the Year as well as the Fort Bend ISD Secondary Rookie Teacher of the year. He is entering his 3rd year as the Director of Bands after serving as the Associate Director for 5 years prior, and entering his 8th year of teaching and at Elkins High School.

Mr. William Phi - Associate Director of Bands

Mr. Phi is entering his 3rd year at Elkins and his 4th year of teaching. Prior to coming to Fort Bend ISD, he taught in Leander ISD.

Mr. Phi is a graduate of Texas State University, where he received his Bachelor's of Music in Music Studies (Music Education). He studied flute with Dr. Adah Toland Jones, and voice with Professor Myra Vassian. During his time at Texas State, he performed in various ensembles, including Principal Flute in the Wind Symphony, Principal Flute in the Symphony Orchestra, Drum Major and Piccolo Section Leader in the Bobcat Marching Band, the Flute Choir, and the Morris Nelms Jazz Combo. He also served as the President of the Theta Alpha chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity.

Mr. Phi completed his student teaching in Leander ISD at Vista Ridge High School with Mr. Bryan Christian. During his student teaching, he earned the TMEA Student Teaching Scholarship and the TMEA Collegiate Music Educator Award. Other previous teaching engagements include serving as a marching technician at Vista Ridge High School, Klein Forest High School, and Alief Elsik High School.

Mr. Phi's professional affiliations include the Houston Flute Club, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi, Young Band Directors of Texas, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Texas Music Educators Association. He currently serves as the President for the Young Band Directors of Texas.

In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, watching TV, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Mr. Christopher Dial - Associate Director of Bands & Percussion Specialist

Mr. Dial is entering his 2nd year at Elkins High School as the Associate Band Director & Percussion Specialist!

Prior to working at Elkins, Mr. Dial worked as an Assistant Band Director & Percussion Specialist at Cypress Creek High School, the Percussion Specialist at Elkins, the Assistant Band Director at Mance Park Middle School and Director of Percussion for all Huntsville ISD campuses. In May of 2017, Mr. Dial received his Master of Music degree at Sam Houston State University where he studied Percussion Performance under Dr. John Lane and was Principal Percussionist for the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. As a member of the Sam Houston percussion group, Mr. Dial performed "Draping the Walls with Ice" by Jeff Herriott as part of a showcase performance submission and it was selected to perform at Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2017.

Before moving to Texas, Mr. Dial attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he majored in Percussion Performance and Music Education. While at UNCG, he was able to study under Dr. Kris Keeton, Dr. Neeraj Mehta, and Dr. Eric Willie. Mr. Dial was a member of the UNCG Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble. He performed at the College Band Directors National Association Convention in 2013 and was privileged to perform world premieres of works by John Mackey, Stephen Bryant, and Scott Lindroth as well as participate in three commercially-available albums with the wind ensemble: “Finish Line!” (2011), “Arts and Letters” (2014), and “Stories and Sanctuaries” (2015). In his final semester, Mr. Dial participated in a submission to the PASIC College Percussion Ensemble competition that was selected to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2015.

Ms. Jalissa Facundo - Guard Director

Jalissa Facundo is a Houston native; her love for color guard was first sparked at Pasadena Memorial HS, where she was a student leader for several years. Since graduating, Ms. J has served on leadership and as a featured performer with Undaunted at both the local (TCGC) and international (WGI) levels.

As an educator, Ms. J has been an educator in many capacities, recently filling the role of director at Northbrook HS. She also worked on the technical staff at programs such as Pasadena HS and Pearland HS. Ms. J is currently a full-time student; she attends the University of Houston-Clear Lake where she is pursuing a degree in Forensics with a minor in Psychology.

She is extremely excited to join the Elkins family!

First Colony MS Band Directors - Mr. Joseph Slusser & Ms. Breanna Englehardt

Fort Settlement MS Band Directors - Mrs. Theresa Baragas & Ms. Tiffany Ye

Quail Valley MS Band Directors - Mr. Kenny Borak & Mr. Mudussir Quraishi