Directors
Steve McGrew - Head Director
smcgrew@coppellisd.com
Steve McGrew is in his 19th year as a Music Educator. He began teaching in Gallipolis, Ohio in 2005 at Gallia Academy High School where he taught grades 5-12. In 2005 he accepted a position in San Antonio at Alamo Heights Junior School where he taught the past 14 years.
While at Alamo Heights, the band program placed a record number of students in the All-Region Band process. The AHJS Honors Band received unanimous superior rating at UIL Concert & Sightreading Evaluation, earning them the coveted Sweepstakes Award every year since his appointment as Head Director.
Mr. McGrew graduated summa cum laude from Kent State University and received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, studying saxophone under Greg Banaszak. While at Kent State, Mr. McGrew performed in the Wind Ensemble under the director of Wayne Gorder, Jazz Ensemble I and did numerous chamber and solo performances.
He is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Outside of Band, Mr. McGrew enjoys hiking, walking his 2 dogs, running and spending time with his wife and 1 year old son.
Katherine Rivera- Associate Director
krivera@coppellisd.com
Katherine Rivera is in her 7th year as a Music Educator. She began her teaching in North Richland Hills, TX in 2017 at Smithfield Middle School. As an assistant director there, Mrs. Rivera's ensembles have been consistent sweepstakes, recognized as “Best in Class” numerous times, and was a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence recording competition.
Mrs. Rivera attended Texas Tech University and received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While at Texas Tech, Mrs. Rivera performed in the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra under the direction of David Cho, the Texas Tech University Symphony Orchestra under the direction of David Becker and the Texas Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Sarah McKoin.
Mrs. Rivera was also a member of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland. In addition to these ensembles, she studied horn with Christopher M. Smith and taught private lessons and master classes throughout Lubbock ISD.
Mrs. Rivera then student taught in Leander ISD under the mentorship of Bryan Christian (Vista Ridge High School) and Robert Herrings (Artie Henry Middle School). During this time, she was also a member of the Cedar Park Winds under the direction of Christopher Yee.
Mrs. Rivera’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
In her free time, Mrs. Rivera enjoys cooking, being active and spending time with her friends, husband and dog Blaze. She is excited to begin teaching with the outstanding staff at Coppell Middle School East and Coppell High School, and to work with the students and families that make the program so great!
smcgrew@coppellisd.com
Steve McGrew is in his 19th year as a Music Educator. He began teaching in Gallipolis, Ohio in 2005 at Gallia Academy High School where he taught grades 5-12. In 2005 he accepted a position in San Antonio at Alamo Heights Junior School where he taught the past 14 years.
While at Alamo Heights, the band program placed a record number of students in the All-Region Band process. The AHJS Honors Band received unanimous superior rating at UIL Concert & Sightreading Evaluation, earning them the coveted Sweepstakes Award every year since his appointment as Head Director.
Mr. McGrew graduated summa cum laude from Kent State University and received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, studying saxophone under Greg Banaszak. While at Kent State, Mr. McGrew performed in the Wind Ensemble under the director of Wayne Gorder, Jazz Ensemble I and did numerous chamber and solo performances.
He is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Outside of Band, Mr. McGrew enjoys hiking, walking his 2 dogs, running and spending time with his wife and 1 year old son.
Katherine Rivera- Associate Director
krivera@coppellisd.com
Katherine Rivera is in her 7th year as a Music Educator. She began her teaching in North Richland Hills, TX in 2017 at Smithfield Middle School. As an assistant director there, Mrs. Rivera's ensembles have been consistent sweepstakes, recognized as “Best in Class” numerous times, and was a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence recording competition.
Mrs. Rivera attended Texas Tech University and received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. While at Texas Tech, Mrs. Rivera performed in the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra under the direction of David Cho, the Texas Tech University Symphony Orchestra under the direction of David Becker and the Texas Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Sarah McKoin.
Mrs. Rivera was also a member of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland. In addition to these ensembles, she studied horn with Christopher M. Smith and taught private lessons and master classes throughout Lubbock ISD.
Mrs. Rivera then student taught in Leander ISD under the mentorship of Bryan Christian (Vista Ridge High School) and Robert Herrings (Artie Henry Middle School). During this time, she was also a member of the Cedar Park Winds under the direction of Christopher Yee.
Mrs. Rivera’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
In her free time, Mrs. Rivera enjoys cooking, being active and spending time with her friends, husband and dog Blaze. She is excited to begin teaching with the outstanding staff at Coppell Middle School East and Coppell High School, and to work with the students and families that make the program so great!
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This website is owned and maintained by the Coppell Middle School East Band staff and parents. This website is not sanctioned, affiliated, or supported by Coppell ISD or its schools. Furthermore, this website contains links to other websites which are independently run. The Coppell Middle School East Band is not responsible for the privacy practices, activities, or content of such independent sites and applications.