Moises V. Vela Middle School
Harlingen, TX
Erika R. Uribe is currently in her seventeenth year of music education. A native of Harlingen, she serves as the Director of Bands at Moises V. Vela Middle School (MVMS) with the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. Miss Uribe received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Baylor University School of Music.
At MVMS, Miss Uribe leads the Vela Jazz Program directing all jazz ensembles. Additionally, her duties include beginner saxophone, beginner trumpet, beginner euphonium/tuba, leading the Mariachi Panteras de Oro, directing the Honors Band, Symphonic Band II, and assisting with the Symphonic Band I.
Jazz ensembles under Miss Uribe have earned numerous awards at jazz festivals across South Texas. In 2019, Vela Jazz I was named the 2019-2020 TMEA/TJEA Invited Middle School Jazz Ensemble, performing at the 100th Texas Music Educators Association Convention with Wycliffe Gordon. Vela Jazz I was invited to perform at The Midwest Clinic - International Band & Orchestra Conference in 2020 and 2021, performing at the 75th Anniversary conference in December 2021 with Sean Jones. The group was also invited to perform at the Jazz Educators Network (JEN) National Conference in 2022 – Dallas, Texas; however, it could not attend due to COVID-19. At the national level, Vela Jazz I was named a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence National Jazz Honors project in 2020 and a Maestro Award National Winner in the Medal of Distinction Concert Division in 2021. Vela Jazz I served as a demonstration band at the TJEA/TMEA Jazz Symposium in February 2022 and at the 75th Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in July 2022.
Miss Uribe currently serves as the TMEA Region 28 Band Division Secretary. Additionally, she is honored to serve as a jazz clinician and jazz adjudicator nationwide. Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, JEN - Jazz Educators Network, and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
8:15 PM – 9:00 PM US EST