EXECUTIVE FINE ARTS DIRECTOR

Phillip Barraza

Executive Director Fine Arts

Office Phone: 915-230-3514

fbarraz1@episd.org

Phillip Barraza is the Director of Fine arts for EPISD. He received his Bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University and his Master's degree in education from UTEP. Mr. Barraza began his career as a television news reporter in Nebraska and locally at KVIA. Several coincidences guided him into becoming a theatre, dance, video, speech/debate teacher at Desert View Middle School where he created award winning programs on the local and national level. After 9 years at the middle school, he became the Student Activities Director/Cheer Coach and eventually assistant principal at Bel Air High School where he helped create successful leadership, fine arts and academic programs. Most recently, he served as the administrator for the Ysleta High School Early College Academy. ​

Fine Arts Facilitators

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Erin Evans

Vocal Music/Theatre Arts/Dance Facilitator

Office Phone: 915-230-3513

email: eaevans@episd.org

Erin Evans received her Bachelor of Music for Vocal Music Education from UTEP and later her Master's degree in Educational Administration, also from UTEP.  Ms. Evans began teaching in EPISD at Canyon Hills Middle School where she taught 6th-8th grade choir and piano for 3 years.  She then moved on to teach elementary music at Polk and Lundy Elementary where she served more than 1300 students and directed two honor choirs composed of 3rd and 4th grade students for the next 4 years.  Through encouragement from her campus Active Learning Leaders at the time, Ms. Evans decided to venture into the educational realm of being an instructional coach.  For 4 years, Ms. Evans was the Active Learning Leader (ALL) at Cooley Elementary.  In her time there she has not only become certified in reading for grades 4-8, but also has become ESL certified in order to better serve the ever growing and diverse group of English Language Learners that are in EPISD.  She came back to Fine Arts in the fall of 2020 and became one of two Mobile Melodies Elementary music teachers that service students in 2nd grade at campuses across the district. In her 14 years as an educator in EPISD, Ms. Evans has had the pleasure to not only work closely with the fine arts teachers of the district, but also the core content teachers to bridge music and core subjects in the classroom. Currently, she is also the music ministries director at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

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Mark Saenz

Instrumental Music Facilitator

Office Phone: 915-230-3517   

msaenz@episd.org

Mark Saenz is the Instrumental Music Facilitator for the El Paso Independent School District.  He received his Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education from New Mexico State University. In 2001, Mr. Saenz began his teaching career at Coronado High School as an assistant director and in 2012 became the Director of Bands. Throughout his eighteen year tenure, the Coronado Band received many recognitions including appearances at the UIL State Marching Band Contest and TMEA State Honor Band Finals, as well as being awarded the New Mexico State Tournament of Bands Grand Champions. Mr. Saenz is a performing member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and other music groups in the El Paso area. Mr. Saenz has a beautiful wife, two boys and a girl. 

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Andrea Smith

Visual Arts Facilitator

Office Phone: 915-230-3516

absmith2@episd.org

           Andrea Smith received her bachelor's degree from UTEP and a Master's in Education from the University of Phoenix. After graduation, Mrs. Smith spent three years living in Brussels, Belgium where she fell in love with Art. Upon returning to El Paso, she took a teaching position at Armendariz Middle School. During her time at Armendariz, she had the opportunity to teach Science, Math, and Visual Arts. After seven years at Armendariz, Mrs. Smith transferred to MacArthur Intermediate, where she taught Visual Arts for PK-8th grade students. In 2017, Mrs. Smith, her husband and daughter moved to Austin, Texas. While in Austin, Mrs. Smith served as the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Manor Independent School District. There she collaborated with the community to showcase student artwork at local businesses. After a year in Austin Mrs. Smith returned to EPISD, where she served as an Assistant Principal at Collins Elementary and Green Elementary. Having served as an administrator, who taught both core and visual arts as a teacher she understands the importance of teaching the whole child and the positive impact Fine Arts has on the students of EPISD. 

Fine Arts Staff Administration

Samantha Crôtte

Program Assistant Fine Arts

Contact: 915-230-3514

scrotte@episd.org

Fine Arts Office Support

Jackie Nunez

Senior Clerk

Contact: 915-230-3522

jtnunez@episd.org

Juan Perez

Custodian

Contact: 915-332-4040

jperez1@episd.org

Itinerant Teachers

Laura Cadena

Teacher - Art Van Go

Contact: 915-230-3507

lcaden1@episd.org

Vikki Groening

Teacher - Art Van Go

Contact: 915-230-3507

vrgroeni@episd.org

Laurie Perez

Teacher - Mobile Melodies

Contact: 915-230-3512

lperez@episd.org

Fine Arts Specialist

JAVIER  AGUILERA

Theater Manager

Contact: 915-230-3525

jaaguile@episd.org

A.J.  Cueto

Digital Media, Stage Lighting, Sound Specialist

Contact: ajcueto@episd.org

Dominic Diaz

Professional Theater Technician

Contact: ddia1@episd.org

Marcos Guerra

Professional Theater Technician

Contact: maguerra@episd.org

Ivan Lom Legarrete

Professional Theater Technician

Contact: ialomleg@episd.org

Agustin Martinez

Professional Theater Technician

Contact: aamartin1@episd.org

Luis Rios

Professional Theater Technician

Contact: larios@episd.org

Jaden Salazar De la Cruz

Professional Theater Technician

Contact: jcsalaza@episd.org

Kian Sasser

Professional Theater Technician

Contact: kmsasser@episd.org

Alan Terrazas

Professional Theater Technician

Contact: aaterraz@episd.org

Instrumental Repair

Antonio Sublasky

Senior Instrument Technician

Contact: 915-230-3500

asublask@episd.org

Andrei Berglund

Musical Instrument Technician

Contact: awberglu@episd.org

Blanca Delgado

Musical Instrument Technician

Contact: bedelgad@episd.org

Ruben Carmona-Montes

Musical Instrument Technician

Contact: rcarmon1@episd.org

Mark Manago

Piano Technician

Contact: mamanago@episd.org

Jose Uresti

Musical Instrument Technician

Contact: jaurest1@episd.org

El Paso ISD Fine Arts Office

LOCATION & HOURS

We are located in West El Paso, ​near "The Substation."

4864 Doniphan Dr, El Paso, TX 79922

Main Phone: 915-230-3500 ​

Monday - Friday: 8am - 4:30pm ​

Saturday & Sunday:  Closed