An alumnus of The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, Mr. Vallez received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree magna cum laude, graduating from the University Honors Program.  Prior to his appointment at WRHS, Mr. Vallez spent several years working with student musicians of all ages in a variety of settings throughout Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.  Mr. Vallez is very excited to join the instructional team at Wheat Ridge High School, continuing its long tradition of excellence in performing arts education.

As a euphoniumist, Mr. Vallez has performed with Tanqueso (The Wisconsin Tango Sextet), The Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, the UW-Eau Claire Wind Symphony (principal), UW-Eau Claire Symphony Orchestra (principal), Trombone Ensemble, BASSically Brass, The National Band Association Collegiate All-Star Band (principal), Summit Brass, and a variety of other ensembles.  Mr. Vallez has performed at The International Euphonium Institute, The International Tuba Euphonium Conference, the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute, the MENC National Convention, the College Band Directors National Association Conference, and as a soloist at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Conference in February 2010.

As a conductor, Mr. Vallez has collaborated with and founded a variety of professional, collegiate, and amateur ensembles in numerous settings throughout the country.  He is a two-time winner of UW-Eau Claire’s band conducting competition and is a recipient of the Donald S. George Outstanding Musician Award from the band program at UW-Eau Claire.  An avid arranger, Mr. Vallez’s works and transcriptions have been performed in concert in front of thousands of listeners.

His professional affiliations include the Colorado Bandmasters Association, the Colorado Music Education Association, Music Educators National Conference, the National Band Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association.

Ilse Niemeyer - Assistant Director (Marching Band)