Clinician Detail

Architecting Exceptional Music Programs: The Fine Arts Administrator at Work

Clinic Synopsis:

Discover the intricate realities of being a Fine Arts Administrator, where your role extends beyond the baton. This workshop will guide you through the process of forming lasting relationships with teachers, community members, and stakeholders, ensuring that your music programs thrive and contribute to the cultural fabric of your area.

Jim Drew - Biographical Information

Since 2011, James Drew has served as the Director of Fine Arts for the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) in Sugar Land, Texas. Prior to this appointment, James conducted bands and orchestras in the Texas public schools for 21 years. Ensembles under James’s direction have been selected as state Honor Band finalists and performed at the Midwest Clinic on four separate occasions. James was chosen as the 1997 Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year by the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. James earned a B.M.E. degree from Oral Roberts University in 1986, where he studied conducting with Franco Autori, retired associate conductor of the New York Philharmonic. Under Gary Garner’s tutelage, James received his M.M. degree in conducting from West Texas State University in 1988. As Fine Arts Director, James has worked to advance the Department’s vision of providing innovative programming led by collaborative artist-teachers in a supportive environment that values excellence in all disciplines. FBISD performing groups and individual students continue to garner state and national recognition. James is an active clinician and has guest-conducted many times at the Midwest Clinic. James was named the 2019 Music Administrator of the Year by the Texas Music Administrators Conference. James holds membership in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, Texas Music Adjudicators Association (TMAA), and Texas Fine Arts Administrators (TFAA). He serves as TMAA President and TFAA Past-President.

Jeff Bradford - Biographical Information

eff Bradford currently serves as the Executive Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the Richardson Independent School District. Prior to this position, he served 9 years as Director of Bands at Lake Highlands High School and Fine Arts Coordinator for the Lake Highlands Cluster in Richardson ISD. Before coming to RISD, Mr. Bradford was the Director of Bands at Sherman High School and Cooper Junior Senior High School. Bands under Mr. Bradford’s direction have performed at the Texas State Marching Contest, consistently earned superior ratings at UIL events, achieved numerous concert band festival Best in Class finishes, achieved national recognition through the Mark of Excellence Foundation, and been named the TMEA Honor Band. Mr. Bradford is honored to be a part of TMEA, TBA, Phi Beta Mu, TFAA, currently serves as Past President of TMAA and Secretary for TFAA. He has also had the privilege of being named to the Who’s Who in America’s Teachers numerous times, Phi Beta Mu Young Bandmaster of The Year, and the Lake Highlands Exchange Club Teacher of the Year. As an arts advocate, Jeff serves on the AT&T Performing Arts Center Community Engagement Committee, supports the Texas Arts Education Campaign, and works closely with the Charles W. Eisemann Center on community arts engagement for the City of Richardson and Richardson ISD. Jeff is married to the love of his life Kylee, who is an Academic Facilitator in Richardson ISD. They have two young kids, Cooper and Brooklyn, and reside in

Peter Warshaw - Biographical Information

Peter J. Warshaw is a member of the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame class of 2024. He. retired as the Fine Arts Director for Leander ISD after a 44-year career in public music education. He received the TBA Lifetime Administrator Award for 2016 and was named Music Administrator of the Year by the Texas Music Administrators Conference in 2014. Previously, Mr. Warshaw served as the Coordinator of Fine Arts in Bryan ISD, as well as Director of Bands at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, TX from 1993-2002. During his tenure at Pearce, the band performed twice by invitation in Carnegie Hall, was awarded the Sudler Flag of Honor in 2000, and was selected as the TMEA Class 4A Honor Band in 2001. He is a life member of the International Percy Grainger Society and received the Grainger Medallion in 1998, in recognition of his distinctive contribution to the music of Percy Grainger. Under his leadership, Leander ISD groups have performed at TMEA, TBA, WIBC, ACDA conventions, and the Midwest Clinic. He is a frequent presenter at TMEA, TBA, CEDFA, the Midwest Clinic, and the Sam Houston State University Center for Music Education, and has served as a guest lecturer at Sam Houston State University and The University of Texas at Austin. He is in great demand as an adjudicator, clinician, and speaker throughout the state and is a published writer, music transcriber, and poet. In retirement, he serves as a clinician and adjudicator and is the Executive Secretary for the Texas Fine Arts Administrators Association.

Kim Blann - Biographical Information

Mrs. Blann serves Keller ISD as the Director of Fine Arts. In Keller ISD she works with She works 42 campus administration teams, partnering with over 200 fine arts educators to offer Fine Arts programming and curricular classes to children from Pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. After completing her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting and Directing, Mrs. Blann spent six years teaching theatre on the high school level. She made appearances at the UIL State meet two of those years. After completing six years in the classroom, Kim Blann began her career as an administrator as Director of Fine Arts for Keller. Kim has served local and state organizations. She is a founder and past president of TTAC, the Texas Theatre Administrators Conference, is the past Administrators Chair for the Texas Educational Theatre Association. Mrs. Blann also serves on the UIL Theatre Advisory Committee, and the Region Executive Music Committee. Mrs. Blann is proud to be a former TETA Founders Award Winner, as well as the TETA Administrator of the Year for 2018, and the Texas Thespians Administrator of the Year for 2023. Kim is proud to serve the Fine Arts educators students, and community of Keller ISD, bringing attention and support to all the Arts is her passion.