Our Directors
Emmanuel Coraza
Director of Orchestras
Emmanuel Coraza is currently in his ninth year teaching at The Woodlands College Park High School. Prior, Mr. Coraza served as the Assistant Director of Orchestras. Under the direction of Mr. Coraza, the CP Camerata and Chamber Orchestras consistently earned a “Sweepstakes” rating at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation. In 2019, Mr. Coraza was selected as a semi-finalist in the Youth Orchestra category of the American Prize in Conducting.
Mr. Coraza received his Bachelors in Music Education degree from the University of North Texas, where he was involved in the String Project providing beginner lessons to local Denton-area students. While at North Texas, Mr. Coraza served as the President of the UNT American String Teachers Association Student Chapter. In 2021, Mr. Coraza received his Masters in Instrumental conducting from Sam Houston State University, studying with Dr. Jacob Sustaita and Dr. Joshua Bronfman. In his free time, Mr. Coraza is a section violinist with Symphony North of Houston and the Conroe Symphony. He also is involved as a Music Director with ImagineNation Theatre.
His professional affiliations include membership in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), American String Teachers Association (ASTA), Texas Orchestra Directors Association (TODA), and a provisional member with the Texas Music Adjudicators Association (TMAA).
Mrs. Mary Kate Sturgill
Assistant Director of Orchestras
Mary Kate Hom will be in her second year as a teacher at The Woodlands College Park High School as the Assistant Director of Orchestras. Ms. Hom grew up northern Virginia, where she started learning violin in sixth grade. She studied under Dr. Laura Kobayashi for seven years, and played violin for The Capital Symphonic Youth Orchestra (TCSYO) for four years. During her time with TCSYO, she had the opportunity to perform at the Verizon Center for the Microsoft Inspire International Conference, and at Carnegie Hall for the National Band and Orchestra Festival. She attended the University of South Carolina, where she earned her degree in Music Education with an emphasis in strings. While attending UofSC, she studied under William Terwilliger and played in the University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra for all four years. Ms. Hom also worked at The String Project under the direction of Dr. Gail Barnes, where she taught private lessons, instructed beginner and intermediate classes, and directed an intermediate orchestra. Ms. Hom’s professional affiliations include membership in the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
