March 2025 - David White, Northside High School (Houston ISD), Houston Community College

From his nominator: "A mix of passion and commitment, David White thrives on including all students in music learning. Currently he works at Northside High School in Houston, Texas, where he conducts a full orchestra and the Mariachi program. Students with and without a music background sign up for his classes, and only when enrollment exceeds his ability will he turn students away. He is a master of differentiation and facilitates learning while maintaining high standards in the mixed-ability ensembles. His work building programs can also be seen at Houston Community College, where he serves as the orchestra director and applied trombone."

David White is an active researcher, performer, and lecturer and has served as the Instrumental Music Curriculum Specialist for the Houston Independent School District, supporting band, orchestra, jazz, Mariachi, and classical guitar programs. His current research projects include music sociology and using sociological paradigms to direct the future of music education.

He received scholarships to study music performance at Sam Houston State University and the University of Houston where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees respectively. After years of performing as an orchestral and jazz performer, his focus shifted towards education. In 2002, he founded the Neo School of Music where the institution established twenty music programs throughout the state of Texas. Seeing a lack of opportunity in public schools, he later accepted a position in the Houston Independent School District as a music director. There, he focused on schools that served lower-income students. He is currently a faculty member at the Houston Community College, serving as the orchestra director and applied trombone. In addition, he is the also conducts a full orchestra and Mariachi program at Northside High School in Houston ISD and conducts the Conroe Symphony Youth Orchestra.

He is an avid cyclist, active in his local church, and assists various non-profits. He is active in the recycling community and enjoys helping others lead a happy and productive life.