LASA Raptor Band

Ponder East began teaching general music and beginning band in January 1998 in Wylie, TX and then taught middle school band in Grapevine, TX from August 1998 – June 2001. He then moved to Austin, TX in August 2001 and began teaching private saxophone, clarinet, and flute lessons in the area. From 2003-2010, he taught as the part-time jazz band director at LBJ and LASA High Schools. Then, from 2006-2008, he also taught as the part-time band director at KIPP Austin College Prep. In 2011, he became a full-time band director at LBJ and LASA High Schools. In 2021, he became the associate band director at LASA High School. In 2022, he became the Director of Bands at LASA High School.

From 2003-2015, he co-founded and co-lead the Austin Jazz Project, a week-long summer jazz improvisation camp. Since 2017, he has been a member of the faculty at the Texas Jazz & Blues Camp.

In addition to teaching music, he has pursued a career as a professional musician, playing saxophone with many bands in the area, including recordings on more than 10 albums, and performances at SXSW, ACL, Utopia Music Festival, One World Theater, House of Blues (Dallas and Houston), The Elephant Room, Parker Jazz, Monk’s, and more.

He and his wife Cristine have two boys, Kydan and River.

Jesus Torres serves as the Associate Band Director at LASA High School. He taught previously at East View High School, Anderson High School, and Lockhart Junior High and High School. Having grown up in Austin, graduated from McCallum HS and UT Austin, he is so happy to return to AISD and to join the LASA family. Aside from his duties at LASA, Mr. Torres serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Cinematic Symphony, an Austin-based ensemble that performs the music of television, film, and video games.

When he’s not in front of an ensemble or behind a trumpet, Mr. Torres enjoys building small projects in his garage, playing disc golf, cooking, and playing board games. Along with his wife Marie, he owns and plays an embarrassing amount of board games. They live in Round Rock with their two cats, Kizzo and Daniel Creamy Tiger.

My experience in percussion is expansive. I have performed four years  with the Blue Stars, a top 10 DCI corps, as well as drum captain of SfA university, and a section leader at my alma mater university. I have earned a degree in Organizational Leadership to be able to lead band programs to the next level. I have a strong background in live sound production  as well as being a recording engineer. I am also a private lesson instructor and teach all things percussion. I have performed with several symphonies and have been a finalist in drum competitions. I enjoy seeing students succeed through music and mentoring them to become the best person they can be. I believe that music can do this. I have 3 cats (Zoinks, Captain & Myla), I am engaged to my biggest supporter Sarah and I love to fish & boat.