Kelly Porter, Director of Bands, Westside High School

Ms. Porter is the Director of Bands and is in her third year teaching at Westside. She previously taught for six years in Florida. The last three years she taught at Seminole High School in the Orlando area. There, she co-directed the 290 member marching band, three concert bands, and was also responsible for teaching two orchestra classes and two AP music theory classes. Ms. Porter's responsibilities at Westside include teaching the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Marching Wolf Band, and she also teaches the beginner clarinet class at West Briar Middle School.

Ms Porter, originally from Tallahassee, Florida, holds a bachelor's of Music Education degree from Florida State University and a Master's degree in Instrumental Music Education also from Florida State University. As a clarinet performer, Ms. Porter is a former member of the semi-professional wind ensemble Tallahassee Winds. In 2003 Ms. Porter performed in the Sydney Opera House with that ensemble under the direction of composer Eric Whitacre. She has also performed in several musical productions since 1996. Since moving to Houston, Ms. Porter occasionally performs with the Houston Symphonic Band.

Ms. Porter is a member of several music and music education organizations. She has been a guest clinician for the Florida Southern College Summer Music Camps and has been an instructor at the Florida State Summer Camps.