Bryan Brassard’s 13 years as a Head Choral Director and current role as Vidor ISD’s Director of Community Relations demonstrate his expertise in both music education and Public Communication and Promotion.

As a director, he successfully grew his choral program from 85 to 260 students, earning UIL Sweepstakes and placing students in All-Region and All-State Choirs. His collaboration and leadership skills are highlighted by his roles as TMEA Region 10 Vice President/former Vocal Secretary and his experience conducting the Beaumont Interfaith Choral Society’s concerts twice.

Bryan maintains a deep musical connection as the Music Coordinator for St. Jude Catholic Church, overseeing five performing groups and conducting the esteemed St. Jude Chorale. His passion for promotion extends to the stage as an active director and musical director for Beaumont Stages.

Bryan’s proven record of program growth, leadership, and public engagement makes him the ideal choice to advance TCDA’s mission.

Please Share Your Ideas For Assisting TCDA To Live Into The Mission And Purposes Of The Organization

I would be honored and truly humbled to represent TCDA as your Special Programs and Public Relations Chair. My vision for assisting TCDA’s mission flows directly from my experience as a director, administrator, and community relations professional: we need to become more visible, collaborative, and communicative to the public we serve.

My passion for choral music is deeply rooted in my 13 years as a Head Choral Director, where I successfully grew a program from 85 to 260 students, earning UIL Sweepstakes. This experience gives me a profound understanding of what our directors need. I will bring this same drive to TCDA to ensure our organization grows in visibility and impact.

First, as the Public Relations Chair, I will prioritize telling the TCDA story. This means creating compelling, human-interest content, including video spotlights and interviews, to demonstrate the transformative power of choral music to parents and the wider Texas community.

Second, I will initiate strategic program expansion through collaboration. Leveraging my administrative expertise and roles like TMEA Region 10 Vice President, I will seek out formal partnerships to secure resources and create resources that help directors communicate their programs’ value to their local school boards. My experience conducting the Beaumont Interfaith Choral Society twice also speaks to my commitment to outreach.

Finally, we must elevate our recognition programs. By aggressively promoting our award recipients and successful TCDA clinics, we reinforce TCDA’s status as the definitive standard of choral excellence in Texas. Ultimately, I want to be here to listen to what our directors need, ensuring our collective voice is heard across the state.

Alfonso Michael Gonzalez, a Brownsville, TX native and proud UTRGV alumnus, is in his second year as Head Choir Director at Memorial Middle School. He previously served as Assistant Choir Director at Harlingen High School and James “Nikki” Rowe High School, and as an elementary music teacher in San Benito, TX. Gonzalez also serves as Co-Music Director at Treasure Hills Presbyterian Church.

A recognized educator and conductor, Gonzalez led the 2024 TCDA Elementary Honor Choir, the 2025 TMEA Region 29 Middle School Tenor/Bass Choir and 2025 TMEA Region 13 Middle School Tenor/Bass Choir.  He has conducted honor choirs across the Rio Grande Valley and delivered professional development for multiple districts and music organizations. Named Landrum Elementary’s 2017–2018 Teacher of the Year, he has successfully coached students and colleagues through TMEA, UIL, NATS, and national chess competitions—most recently helping lead his middle school team to a Top 10 finish at the 2025 United States Chess Federation

Please Share Your Ideas For Assisting TCDA To Live Into The Mission And Purposes Of The Organization

My name is Alfonso M. Gonzalez, and I am a proud native of the Rio Grande Valley and a lifelong product of the Texas Music Education system. My experience teaching at every level—from elementary music to serving as an assistant high school choir director, and now as a head middle school choir director—has given me a broad, transparent, and honest perspective that allows me to relate to and serve educators across our organization.

I believe TCDA is a truly special organization, deserving of the time, energy, and commitment required of the Vice President of Special Projects and Public Relations. It has been an honor to serve as a featured presenter and clinician for TCDA, and I look forward to continuing that service as the 2026 Tenor 2 Middle School TCDA All-State Choir Section Leader.

I value transparency, honesty, and the importance of open and sometimes difficult conversations. These values guide how I lead, teach, and collaborate with others.

I bring the energy, resilience, and pride of the Valley into everything I do. As a product of the “956,” I understand and empathize with the unique challenges and perspectives of students and directors from similar regions.

Regardless of who is selected for the position of Vice President of Special Projects and Public Relations, I am confident that the TCDA membership will be well served by someone deeply committed to investing in and strengthening our outstanding organization