Margarita Mendez has served as orchestra director of the Capt. John L. Chapin Orchestra since the Fall of 2006, and most recently is also the director of the newly formed ensemble, Mariachi El Capitan. Ms. Mendez holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at El Paso, and also holds a Masters of Education with an emphasis in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.
Active in the El Paso music community, Ms. Mendez has served as conductor for the Ysleta Independent School District Elementary Honor Orchestra. She has also adjudicated the YISD Pre-UIL Concert and Sight-reading festivals as well as the El Paso and Socorro Independent School District Middle School Solo and Ensemble Festivals.
As a former member of local mariachi groups, she has played on stage alongside Latin Grammy nominated artists Lila Downs, Ozomatli, and Beatriz Adriana. As a freelance musician, Ms. Mendez has most recently performed with heavy metal band Disturbed and as a member of the Texas chapter of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Ms. Mendez is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association where she has served in several capacities including organizer of the Region XXII String and Ninth Grade All Region Orchestras. Presently, Ms. Mendez serves as the TMEA Region XXII Middle School Orchestra Coordinator.
Active in the El Paso music community, Ms. Mendez has served as conductor for the Ysleta Independent School District Elementary Honor Orchestra. She has also adjudicated the YISD Pre-UIL Concert and Sight-reading festivals as well as the El Paso and Socorro Independent School District Middle School Solo and Ensemble Festivals.
As a former member of local mariachi groups, she has played on stage alongside Latin Grammy nominated artists Lila Downs, Ozomatli, and Beatriz Adriana. As a freelance musician, Ms. Mendez has most recently performed with heavy metal band Disturbed and as a member of the Texas chapter of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Ms. Mendez is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association where she has served in several capacities including organizer of the Region XXII String and Ninth Grade All Region Orchestras. Presently, Ms. Mendez serves as the TMEA Region XXII Middle School Orchestra Coordinator.