Jay Lester

Born in Abilene, Texas at Dyess A.F.B., Jay Lester attended Cooper High School where he participated in band, choir, show choir, music theory, speech and theater. Fond memories of high school include trips he took with the extra-curricular organizations including a choir trip to Colorado and band trips to the Tournament of Roses parade, a Dallas Cowboys half-time performance and two trips to the Texas State Marching Contest.

Mr. Lester earned the B.M. and M.M. from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas and has been in music education since 1996. He is currently on course to graduate from the University of North Texas with a M.Ed. in Educational Administration in December of 2007.

Before coming to Allen, he previously taught band in Odessa and Abilene. Professional memberships include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, International Trumpet Guild, and Pi Kappa Lamda Music Honor Society. Mr. Lester has worked with ensembles in Abilene, Mesquite, Plano, Garland and Arlington in preparation for various concert band contests. He has also presented clinics at the Texas Music Educators Association annual convention and the Midwest Clinic for Bands and Orchestras. Each Spring, Mr. Lester works for Choice Music Events as a Site Coordinator at various locations around the country.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa, a kindergarten teacher at Kerr elementary, and sons Michael and Brian. His favorite hobbies include golf, hunting, fishing, camping, travel, reading and watching movies.