Mr. Najera came to teach at Sam Houston in the fall of 2015, after having spent 3 years as a middle school band director in Grand Prairie, 3 years in Fort Worth, and six years in Plano as an assistant middle school band director. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2003. While at UTA, Mr. Najera performed with the Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band II, Jazz Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Mav Brass Basketball Band, and Trombone Choir. Mr. Najera considers himself a local product, having also attended Lewisville High School.

 

An avid trombonist, Mr. Najera continues to perform with the SlideShow Trombone choir, based out of the DFW Metroplex, as well as holding the position of associate principal trombone in the Dallas Millennial Choir Orchestra. He is currently a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association, and has previously held a membership in the International Trombone Association.

 

Although he considers himself a Texan, Mr. Najera was born in Costa Rica, and has also lived in Honduras and Mexico. He loves all cultures and is thankful that music is a universal language in any country!