Skip to main content

Meet The Directors

Our staff is committed to all students receiving a high-quality music education. Students are challenged and encouraged in their growth as musicians and young leaders. The staff focuses on providing students with positive performance opportunities and enjoying success as a byproduct from diligent practice and focused effort.

Director of Bands

Greg White

Greg White has been the Director of Bands at Ronald Reagan High School since 2021.  Mr. White previously served as the Associate Director of Bands at Ronald Reagan High School from  2011-2020. Under his direction, bands at Ronald Reagan have consistently received “Superior” ratings and “Best in Class” honors at contests and festivals.  His chamber ensembles have won prizes at contests across Texas including “Superior” ratings at the Texas Solo and Ensemble Contest, 1st place at the Texas State Ensemble Contest, 1st place in the Houston Underground Competition, as well as, being finalists in the Coltman Chamber Music Competition and Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.

Students under the direction of Mr. White have been selected to participate in the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Bands, and have been winners of Music Teachers National Association National Solo competitions. Greg White received his Bachelors and Masters of Music Education from Texas Tech University, where his primary instructors were David Dees, Dr. Keith Dye, and Dr. Sarah McKoin.  In Spring of 2023, Mr. White received the Yamaha Music Foundation 40 Under 40 award.  Professional Affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Music Teachers National Association, and the North American Saxophone Alliance.

gwhite@neisd.net

Assistant Director of Bands

Tyler Estrada Simon

Mr. Estrada Simon is an Associate Director of Bands at Ronald Reagan High School and began his teaching career in the Spring of 2017. Prior to his appointment to Ronald Reagan, Mr. Estrada Simon served as the Director of Bands at Franklin HS in El Paso, TX. While at Franklin HS, he was the director of the marching band, wind symphony and Jazz 1 ensemble. Under his tenure, the marching band received superior ratings in multiple marching contests and was a finalist for the New Mexico State Tournament of Bands. Mr. Estrada Simon’s wind ensembles received numerous excellence and superior ratings at the UIL concert and sight reading contest. His Jazz 1 ensemble was also named grand champion of the Hanks HS Jazz Contest in 2022.

Mr. Estrada Simon is a graduate of Texas Tech University (Guns Up!) where he attained degrees in Music Education and Music Performance. While at Texas Tech, he was principal chair for both the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band on Euphonium and Trombone. He was also a Drum Major for the Goin’ Band from Raiderland. During his time at Texas Tech, Mr. Estrada Simon, studied abroad at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England where he studied with Euphonium soloist, Steven Mead. While abroad Mr. Estrada Simon found a position as a Baritone Soloist with the Rainford Brass Band. That year he performed with Rainford, the brass band won their divisional championship.

Mr. Estrada Simon is an active performer.  He previously held the title of principal euphonium for both the Houston Brass Band (2017, 2018, 2019)  and El Paso Winds (2020, 2021).

Mr. Estrada Simon is very grateful for his wife, Lauren, and their two dogs, Ella & Finn.

Professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas BandMasters Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, and Young Band Directors of Texas.

testra1@neisd.net

Assistant Director of Bands

Katie Fehr

Katie Fehr is an Associate Director of Bands at Ronald Reagan High School and began her teaching career in the Fall of 2017. She currently serves as the conductor of the Concert Band and assists with all other facets of the band program.

Prior to moving to San Antonio, Ms. Fehr was an Assistant Director of Bands at Richland High School in North Richland Hills, TX and Frenship High School in Lubbock, TX. Under her direction, the bands and chamber ensembles at Richland HS and Frenship HS received top ratings at various contests, festivals and evaluations.

A clarinet player from Lubbock, TX, Ms. Fehr received her Bachelors of Music Education from Texas Tech University. During her time at Texas Tech, she was a member of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland and worked as a recruiter and orientation leader for the university. Professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Bandmasters Association.

kfehr@neisd.net

Director of Percussion

Ray Ulibarri

Mr. Ulibarri started his percussion career in 1995.  He studied with Ralph Hardimon, Gray Barrier, Doug Walter, Amy Smith and Mark Foster.  Prior to teaching at Reagan High School in San Antonio Texas, Mr. Ulibarri was the percussion director at Klein Forest High School and Pomona High School in Arvada, Colorado. During his tenure with Pomona, the band won an unprecedented 11 State Marching Band Championships. In addition, the Percussion ensemble was a two-time medalist at the WGI World Championships and a perennial finalist. In 2002-2003, Mr. Ulibarri served as the percussion instructor of the University of Colorado Golden Buffalo Marching Band.

Mr. Ulibarri’s experience included working as the Percussion Arranger for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, Caption Head for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, and Front ensemble Arrange and Caption Head for the Blue Knights World Percussion Ensemble.  Mr. Ulibarri has arranged music for performers in the Tournament of Roses Parade.  All of his custom percussion arrangements are in demand throughout the country.

Mr. Ulibarri is endorsed by Innovative Percussion, Evans, Zildjian and Yamaha.  Ray Ulibarri is an active music adjudicator and clinician throughout the country.

percussion.director@reaganband.com

Color Guard Director

Tykeem Rainey

Tykeem Rainey is an active choreographer and the guard director at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Tx.

Tykeem was a member of the color guard at the Madison Scouts from 2008-2011. Upon aging out, Tykeem served as an intern and staff member from 2012-2014. During the off season, Tykeem had the opportunity to march with Impact Independent from Northern Virginia, Virginia from 2008-2012 and won the WGI Independent A Gold Medal.

In 2014, Tykeem had the opportunity to perform in the Tony and Emmy Award Winning production, “BLAST!” that toured many prefectures throughout Japan. From 2015 to 2018, Tykeem performed and choreographed “Mix it Up,” a staged theme show located at Busch Gardens, in Williamsburg, Virginia. In the spring of 2017, Tykeem earned his bachelor’s degree (With Honors) in History (Concentration in Caribbean Slavery) from Virginia Commonwealth University located in Richmond, Virginia. Tykeem’s most recent summer was spent with the 2021 Madison Scouts Color Guard.

Currently, Tykeem is the lead choreographer and visual coordinator for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps as well as a Co-Director of Origins Open. Tykeem is also a choreographer and technician to color guards and other ensembles such as: Hickory High School, Hebron High School, Cedar Park High School, Claudia Taylor Johnson High School, Davenport High School, Frenship High School, Origins Open, Origins World, George Mason World, and ONYX World.

guard.director@reaganband.com