Michael R. Mata
Mr. Mata has been a band director for 16 years in the El Paso Independent School District and is in his 12TH year at Canyon Hills Middle School. 2012-13 school year he had 31 1st division solos at the EPISD Solo and Ensemble Festival, several all-region band student and the CHMS Concert Band earned a 1st division rating at the EPISD Band Festival. In 2018 the Canyon Hills Honor Band earned a 1st division rating at EPISD's Band Contest, 22 students earned 1st division ratings are EPISD Solo and Ensemble Contest. For the first time in Canyon Hill's history the 2018 Honor Band competed in the UIL Band Competition and scored a 2nd division rating.
Mr. Mata graduated from the University of Texas El Paso with a degree in Music Education. As a student at UTEP he performed in many of the university's music groups. He has been playing percussion for over 30 years and studied with Byron Mutnick, Demetrius Williams and Larry White. In May 2014 he completed his master's degree in Education Administration.
Mr. Mata is a freelance musician and has played with local groups Fungi Mungle, Brilliant Mistake, Trifecta w/Steve J. Watson, King Octopus, El Paso Symphony Orchestra, and the El Paso Wind Symphony. He has played drum set in bands for the groups the Coasters, Drifters and Marvellets as well as in musicals for Loretto High School and Montwood High School.
In 2015-16 Mr. Mata was selected as Canyon Hills Teacher of the Year. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and a member of the Percussive Arts Society.
He married his beautiful wife, Amy, in July 2003. They have two children Ella and Eli.
Mr. Mata graduated from the University of Texas El Paso with a degree in Music Education. As a student at UTEP he performed in many of the university's music groups. He has been playing percussion for over 30 years and studied with Byron Mutnick, Demetrius Williams and Larry White. In May 2014 he completed his master's degree in Education Administration.
Mr. Mata is a freelance musician and has played with local groups Fungi Mungle, Brilliant Mistake, Trifecta w/Steve J. Watson, King Octopus, El Paso Symphony Orchestra, and the El Paso Wind Symphony. He has played drum set in bands for the groups the Coasters, Drifters and Marvellets as well as in musicals for Loretto High School and Montwood High School.
In 2015-16 Mr. Mata was selected as Canyon Hills Teacher of the Year. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and a member of the Percussive Arts Society.
He married his beautiful wife, Amy, in July 2003. They have two children Ella and Eli.