Jim Van Zandt
My blogs
| Gender | Male |
|---|---|
| Industry | Education |
| Occupation | School District Fine Arts Administrator |
| Introduction | I am in my tenth year as Director of Fine Arts for RRISD, and am involved with operations, curriculum, staff development,staffing,and advocacy for the Arts. I am blessed to have amazing colleagues in our office and 261 teachers on our campuses who share the passion for educating the whole child through the arts. Prior to becoming the RRISD Director of Fine Arts, I I was a band director for 35 years. I was very fortunate to teach bands that earned Best-in-Class or First Division awards in Colorado, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and California, as well as consistent UIL sweepstakes awards. I enjoy serving as a clinician and adjudicator, and have done so in seven states. I'm a Past President of the Texas Music Educators Association, and served on the Executive Board from 1982-1986. I also am a member of the Cadre of Trainers for CEDFA. I have a second job as Executive Secretary for UIL Music Region 26. I'm a member of TMEA, TMAC, TETA, TAEA, TDEA, TCDA, TODA, TBA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. My wife Carolyn and I have one daughter, one son, and five grandchildren. |
| Interests | Reading, working in yard, traveling, camping, canoeing (when possible), hanging out with family, including grandkids |
| Favorite movies | The Hunt for Red October, Star Trek (all of them) |
| Favorite music | Classical (especially from the Russian Romantic era), contemporary wind, big band jazz, and (would you believe) country and western, especially when driving my pickup on Saturdays. |
| Favorite books | Thrillers by:, Baldacci, Flynn, DeMille, Cussler, Dan Pink's "A Whole New Mind" (Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future) |