Finley Directors
Laura Seale
Laura Seale is in her fourth year of teaching middle school band and her second year at Finley Junior High. Ms. Seale holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Baylor University with an emphasis on clarinet. During her time at Baylor she studied clarinet with Dr. Richard Shanley and Dr. Jun Qian. Ms. Seale was in the Baylor Campus Orchestra, Baylor University Marching Band for two years, and a member of Baylor University Symphonic Band.
Laura has a strong passion for middle school band and is excited to share her love of music with the Finley Junior High Warrior Band!
She maintains professional affiliations with the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. She is the Woodwind Choir Director and clarinet instructor at the San Jacinto Woodwind and Brass Choir camp.
John Pickett
John Pickett is beginning his second year of teaching and is
very excited to be joining the Finley Band program. His responsibilities at
Finley include conducting the Concert Band, assisting with the Symphonic Band,
and teaching the beginner brass classes. He recently graduated from the
University of North Texas with a Bachelors’ degree in Music Education,
concentration in horn. While at UNT, Mr. Pickett performed with the UNT
Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Green Brigade Marching Band, Funky Fresh
Basketball Band, and the Volleyball Pep Band, where he served as a Co-Director.
He studied horn with William Scharnberg, and studied education/conducting with
Dennis Fisher, Nicholas Williams, and many other fantastic faculty at North
Texas. In addition, Mr. Pickett served as the mellophone section leader for the
Green Brigade for two years. At UNT, Mr. Pickett was also a member of the Phi
Tau chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, a professional music fraternity that prides
itself on serving the community through music.
Mr. Pickett maintains professional affiliations with Texas
Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Mu Phi Epsilon.
He is originally from San Antonio, TX and is a die-hard Spurs fan. In his free
time, he likes to play horn with the Carrollton Wind Symphony, play sports, and
cheer on the Spurs, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, and the Mean Green of North
Texas.
Paul Jaso
Paul Jaso is an Assistant Band Director at Waxahachie High School and is in his sixth year as Director of Percussion for Waxahachie ISD. His responsibilities include: marching percussion instruction at the high school, percussion arranging for marching band, percussion ensemble instruction, and teaching beginner percussion classes at Howard and Finley Junior High.
He is an alumnus of the award winning Lewisville High School Percussion Ensemble and is a graduate of Dallas Christian. During his tenure at Lewisville High School, he competed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in the individual solo snare drum category and won 1st place at the 2004 convention. In 2006 he placed 3rd in the collegiate division. Mr. Jaso was also a four year member of the Independent World Class WGI Finalist Percussion Ensemble, Surround Sound Percussion.
Under his instruction, the Waxahachie Percussion Ensemble has had success in both the marching and concert realms. At the Lewisville Drumline Invitational the group received 2nd place in 2014, 2nd place in 2016, and was named the Contest Champion in 2015. In the Fall of 2016, the Waxahachie Percussion Ensemble was named a Commended Winner in the Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence Competition.
Influential musicians and percussion educators in his life include J.J. Pipetone, Allen Joanis, Quiyan Murphy, Tyler Orbison, Bill Bachman, Al Dunn, Chad Mason, Hector Gil, Darrin Hicks, Robert Brannock, and many other teachers and friends who have shared their knowledge. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Percussive Arts Society. He is happily married to his best friend, Cera, and he is a proud father of his three children: Noah, Sonora, and Philip.
