Band Directors
T.J. Peterman
Director of Bands
terrance.peterman@cfisd.net
T.J. Peterman serves as the Director of Bands at Cypress Woods High School. Mr. Peterman joined the staff in the Fall of 2017, and is currently in his sixth year of teaching. His responsibilities include directing the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Winds, and assisting with the Symphonic Winds and Symphonic Band. During his time at Cypress Woods, the band has received awards in both marching and concert band events at the regional, area, and state level. Most recently, the Cypress Woods Marching Band and NOVA Dance Company was named a finalist at the 2020 UIL State Marching Band Contest, and in 2021 the band was named the silver-medalist at the BOA North Houston Regional, the Lone Star Preview - Grand Champion, and a UIL State Marching Band Contest Participant in 2021 and 2022.
Mr. Peterman has also served as an Assistant Director for the CFISD Honor Clarinet Choir which performed at The Midwest Clinic and TMEA Convention. Mr. Peterman holds a B.M. in Music Studies and Certificate in Performance from the University of Texas at Austin and M.M. in Music Education from Texas State University. While at the University of Texas at Austin, he performed in the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Jerry Junkin, as well as the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Gerhardt Zimmermann, and has been Principal Clarinet in both ensembles. While at UT, Mr. Peterman performed as a member of the 2014 Wind Ensemble on their world tour, performed in the premiere of John Mackey’s Wine-Dark Sea at TMEA in 2014, and with the Symphony Orchestra at TMEA in 2016. His primary clarinet instructors include Paula Corley and Steve Cohen. Born and raised in the Austin area, Mr. Peterman attended Dripping Springs ISD schools. During his time at Dripping Springs High School, he was a three-time All-State Musician and Drum Major for the band.
His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association. Some of his mentors include: Keith Lancaster, Derek Woods, Al and Paula Corley, Tom Harrington, Larry Matysiak, Dana Sedatole, Jarrett Lipman, Jonathan Yoo, Jodie Rhodes, Kerry Taylor, John Denis, and Richard and Cheryl Floyd.
Austin Byers
Associate Director of Bands
david.byers@cfisd.net
Austin Byers is currently the Associate Director of Bands at Cypress Woods High School in Cypress, Texas. He directs the Symphonic Winds and co-directs the Concert Winds with Mr. Peterman. He is also responsible for the movement program at Cypress Woods HS in the Fall. Mr. Byers received a Bachelor of Music in Music Studies and Certificate in Trombone Performance from the University of Texas at Austin.
While at UT, Mr. Byers was fortunate to perform with numerous distinguished ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Trombone Choir, and Longhorn Band. He was a part of the 2018 TMEA Wind Ensemble performance, conducted by Jerry Junkin. He also served in the Trombone Choir, conducted by Dr. Nathaniel Brickens, when they were runner-up for the International Emory Remington Trombone Choir Competition twice.
Before coming to Cypress Woods, Mr. Byers was a Marching Instructor for Westwood High School and Westlake High School. During his time, both programs were finalists for multiple BOA Regional and Super Regional contests. In the Spring of 2020, he student taught at Westlake High School and Hill Country Middle School learning from Kerry Taylor and Kristin Hames.
Mr. Byers expanded his performance career outside of the classroom participating in Drum Corps, Winter Guard, and a dance company. He marched with Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps the summer of 2016, and received silver and bronze medals marching with Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps in 2017 and 2019. Finding a passion for movement, he performed with ORIGINS, an Independent Open Winter Guard, and a professional modern dance company to expand his knowledge and appreciation for the arts.
Mr. Byers is very excited to join the Cypress Woods family!
Cinjin Casillas
Director of Percussion
cinjin.casillas@cfisd.net
Cinjin Casillas is in his seventh year with the Cypress Woods Band. Mr. Casillas is a graduate of Texas Christian University where he received his Bachelor's Degree in music education. He is also a graduate from Cy-Fair High School, where he was an All-State Percussionist. Mr. Casillas is a former member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Casillas has studied with percussionists Dr. Brian West, Dr. Richard Gipson, Dr. Dave Hall, and Paul Rennick.
Mr. Casillas was a member of the TCU Percussion Orchestra, a group that has won five total PASIC "Call for Tapes" competitions, the most prestigious award given to the top college percussion ensembles in the country. He was also a member of the TCU Drumline, winners of the 2012 PASIC Marching Festival. He has performed in Carnegie Hall with the TCU Wind Symphony, and at the Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Super Bowl with the TCU Marching Band.
Mr. Casillas has enjoyed great success at Cypress Woods High School. Under his leadership, the percussion section has secured many best in class and caption awards at Band, Drumline, and Percussion Ensemble contests. Mr. Casillas’ bands have also secured many sweepstakes awards at UIL Concert and Sightreading. In addition to his normal duties, Mr. Casillas is a frequent clinician for percussion programs in the Houston area.
Mr. Casillas enjoys spending time with the family dogs, expanding his knowledge of all things “nerd”, and tending to his LEGO collection. Mr. Casillas resides in Cypress with his wife Molly Casillas who is also a busy band director.
Responsibilities:
Assists with Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Concert Winds, and Concert Band
Oversees 6-12 Percussion Program
Gabrielle Crouch
Assistant Director of Bands
gabrielle.crouch@cfisd.net
Gabrielle Crouch is entering her first year of teaching as an Assistant Director of the Cypress
Woods High School Band. Ms. Crouch graduated from Sam Houston State University with a
Bachelor of Music Education and a minor in Psychology.
While at SHSU, Ms. Crouch was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the
Bearkat Marching Band. She held numerous leadership roles throughout her undergraduate
studies. Ms. Crouch served as the Drum Major for the Bearkat Marching Band for two years and
held positions in both the Beta Theta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota and the Alpha Omicron
chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. She studied clarinet under Dr. Patricia Card. In addition to playing
clarinet, Ms. Crouch also studied voice with Dr. Emily Heilman and was a member of the Belles
Voix Treble Choir.
Prior to joining the Cypress Woods staff, Ms. Crouch served as a Marching Technician with
College Park High School in 2022 and Willis High School in 2021. Ms. Crouch has taught
private clarinet lessons in Conroe ISD since the Spring of 2022. She completed her student
teaching in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD at Labay Middle School and Cypress Woods High School
under the mentorship of Mary Santarelli and Tom Harrington. Ms. Crouch is from Magnolia,
Texas where she attended Magnolia High School. She was an active member of the Magnolia
High School Band and served as the Drum Major for two years.
Ms. Crouch is excited to begin her teaching career at Cypress Woods and couldn’t be more
thankful to be joining such a wonderful community!