Danny Diosdado is the Head Band Director at Cleveland High School. As part of his duties at Cleveland HS, Mr. Diosdado, known affectionately as "Mr. D." to students and staff, is the lead director for the "Royal Braves Band" during the fall semester in conjunction with the High School Band Staff. As an Associate and Assistant Director, he has assisted the Royal Braves Band in their success both on the marching field and on the concert stage since 2015. This was his second year as lead Marching Band Director as the RBB continued its tradition of 1st Division ratings at the UIL Region Marching Contest. In 2021 at the UIL State Military Class Marching Band Contest, the Royal Braves Band finished as the Bronze Medalist. In the spring, he directs the Cleveland HS Wind Ensemble. As a staff member of the RBB, he has had several of his ensembles earn 1st division ratings at UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest, as well as Region & State Solo & Ensemble Contests. Many of his students have been successful in All-Region, Area, and All-State audition processes in both TMEA and ATSSB.
Prior to his appointment at CHS, Mr. Diosdado served as Head Middle School Director at Cleveland Middle School from 2015-2018 and Associate/Marching Band director at Cleveland High School from 2018-2022. Cleveland ISD is one of the, if not the fastest-growing school districts in the state of Texas. Together, with the entire Cleveland ISD staff, he has assisted in the growth of the RBB program from approximately 300 band students in 2012 to over 900+ band students in the 2021-22 school year.
Mr. Diosdado earned his Bachelor's Degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he was a student of Dr. Ryan Smith. He began his collegiate studies at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas where he was a member of the Apache Band under the Direction of Mr. Tom Mensch and was a private lesson student of Mrs. Heather Mensch. Mr. Diosdado is a 2006 graduate of Henderson High School. He has previously been a clinician at Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in San Antonio. Mr. Diosdado is thankful to have the following people mentor him and serve with him as an educator - Kristy Jones, Jon Kelly, James Marioneux, Ross Boothman, Dr. Scott Deppe, Dr. Masahito Kuroda, Lamar Burkhalter, Stan Mauldin, Richard Crain, and Dr. Bart Miller, Principal for Cleveland HS. Mr. Diosdado holds professional memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the National Association of Military Marching Bands, the Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.
Mr. Diosdado lives in Cleveland, Texas with his wonderful wife & colleague, Alicia Diosdado, and their three children: Ian, Andrew, and Elena; as well as their two Australian Shepherds: Bear, and Daisy.
Kelly Barker earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University, where he studied Trombone under Dr. Deb Scott.
In 2013, he began his career as the Director of Bands at Woodville ISD and in 2017 transitioned to Lumberton ISD where his performance groups have earned consistent UIL sweepstakes awards for the past 5 years and have performed at the UIL State Marching Contest 4 times.
His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Jose Castro earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Sam Houston State University, where he studied Tuba under Mr. Robert (Bob) Daniel.
In Spring 2013, he began his career at Travis Intermediate in Conroe ISD teaching the 5th/6th grade Woodwinds classes. In Fall of 2013, he transitioned to Kirkpatrick Middle School in Fort Worth ISD teaching middle school band as the Head Band Director. In 2018, he transferred to Cleveland Middle School as an Assistant Director working with the CMS Concert Band and teaching beginner classes along with HS marching band. As of 2022, he became the 9th grade Band Director at Cleveland 9th Grade Center along with being an Assistant Director at Cleveland High School.
His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Tau Beta Sigma.
Mr. Castro is excited to begin his 10th year of teaching at his Alma Mater, Cleveland High School, where he graduated from in 2007.
Ethan Ainsworth is an organist, pianist, and percussionist from Hallsville, Texas. A graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, Ethan is active as an educator, performer, adjudicator, and clinician throughout East Texas. He comes to the Cleveland bands after serving the students of the New Diana High School band as the percussion director and as bandleader of the 30-piece New Diana Jazz Orchestra.
Outside of the classroom Ethan serves as organist at the First United Methodist Church of Lufkin and maintains an active performance schedule as an instrumentalist and vocalist in a variety of styles.
Ethan also has a love for antique furniture, a collection of classic cars, and spends his free time restoring vintage typewriters and musical instruments.