Meet the Directors
Jonathan Morales | Head Band Director | [email protected]t
This will be Jonathan Morales's third year with the Victory Lakes Intermediate School Band. A Texas native, Mr. Morales has spent most of his life between Houston and the DFW metroplex. As a student, Mr. Morales attended the University of Houston where he earned both a B.S. in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and a B.M. in Music Education. Mr. Morales is a student of James Austin, John Benzer, David Bertman, Corey Meals, and the late Eddie Green.
Mr. Morales has performed with both the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, out of Rosemont IL and San Antonio TX, respectively. He has been active in teaching high school marching band since 2014, spending 6 years with the Cypress Falls Golden Eagle Marching Band, and one year with the Clear Brook Marching Band.
Prior to Victory Lakes, Mr. Morales was the Associate Director at Clear Creek High School, where his responsibilities included team teaching the Marching Band and Wind Symphony, and leading the Symphonic and Concert Bands.
When not at school Mr. Morales enjoys playing board games, running, hiking, and hanging out with his dogs, Spaghetti and Pico.
Mr. Morales teachers the Wind Ensemble, as well as teaching the beginner woodwind classes at VLI. To contact Mr. Morales please email [email protected]
This will be Jonathan Morales's third year with the Victory Lakes Intermediate School Band. A Texas native, Mr. Morales has spent most of his life between Houston and the DFW metroplex. As a student, Mr. Morales attended the University of Houston where he earned both a B.S. in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and a B.M. in Music Education. Mr. Morales is a student of James Austin, John Benzer, David Bertman, Corey Meals, and the late Eddie Green.
Mr. Morales has performed with both the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, out of Rosemont IL and San Antonio TX, respectively. He has been active in teaching high school marching band since 2014, spending 6 years with the Cypress Falls Golden Eagle Marching Band, and one year with the Clear Brook Marching Band.
Prior to Victory Lakes, Mr. Morales was the Associate Director at Clear Creek High School, where his responsibilities included team teaching the Marching Band and Wind Symphony, and leading the Symphonic and Concert Bands.
When not at school Mr. Morales enjoys playing board games, running, hiking, and hanging out with his dogs, Spaghetti and Pico.
Mr. Morales teachers the Wind Ensemble, as well as teaching the beginner woodwind classes at VLI. To contact Mr. Morales please email [email protected]
Bruce Manning | Associate Band Director | [email protected]
Mr. Bruce Manning is excited to be the Associate Band Director at Victory Lakes Intermediate! Originally from Houston, TX, Mr. Manning graduated from the University of Houston in 2025 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education.
While at the University of Houston, he was a member of the Moores School of Music Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. In addition, Mr. Manning was a member of the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band, where he had the honor of being a Drum Major his senior year. He was also a member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, out of Rosemont, IL, marching euphonium and baritone in the summers of 2022 and 2024, respectively.
In Mr. Manning's free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing board games and ultimate frisbee. Mr. Manning is a member of Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Kappa Kappa Psi
Mr. Bruce Manning is excited to be the Associate Band Director at Victory Lakes Intermediate! Originally from Houston, TX, Mr. Manning graduated from the University of Houston in 2025 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education.
While at the University of Houston, he was a member of the Moores School of Music Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. In addition, Mr. Manning was a member of the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band, where he had the honor of being a Drum Major his senior year. He was also a member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, out of Rosemont, IL, marching euphonium and baritone in the summers of 2022 and 2024, respectively.
In Mr. Manning's free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing board games and ultimate frisbee. Mr. Manning is a member of Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Kappa Kappa Psi
David LaClair | Director of Percussion | [email protected]
David LaClair recently accepted the role of Percussion Director for the Clear Springs High School Cluster in League City, TX. He is PUMPED to get to work with the Charger Band, the Creekside Cobra Band, and the Victory Lakes Panther Band!
Mr. LaClair recently completed twelve years teaching jazz and percussion at Los Fresnos High School in Los Fresnos, TX.He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Percussion Performance degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Since arriving at Los Fresnos High School, David has helped grow the percussion studio to statewide prominence. He has taught dozens of All-Region, All-Area, and All-State percussionists. In the last two years, the Los Fresnos High School Percussion Ensemble was awarded 1rst place at every contest it entered in the Texas Educational Colorguard Association and Texas Colorguard Circuit.
Important teachers and mentors in David’s life include: Todd Felty, Ken Green, KJ Staord, Fred Allen, Scott Harris, David Campo, Jack Stamp, Michael Kingan, Joe Honstein, Michael Garcia, Andy Salois, and Paul Hageman.
David is married to his beautiful wife Kristi who is a proud Medical Laboratory Scientist at UTMB and educator at Texas Southmost College. Their son Marco is a performer with Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and a Jazz Studies/Music Education major at the University of North Texas. Their children Evelyn and William are excited to be a part of the Clear Creek ISD family!
David LaClair recently accepted the role of Percussion Director for the Clear Springs High School Cluster in League City, TX. He is PUMPED to get to work with the Charger Band, the Creekside Cobra Band, and the Victory Lakes Panther Band!
Mr. LaClair recently completed twelve years teaching jazz and percussion at Los Fresnos High School in Los Fresnos, TX.He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Percussion Performance degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Since arriving at Los Fresnos High School, David has helped grow the percussion studio to statewide prominence. He has taught dozens of All-Region, All-Area, and All-State percussionists. In the last two years, the Los Fresnos High School Percussion Ensemble was awarded 1rst place at every contest it entered in the Texas Educational Colorguard Association and Texas Colorguard Circuit.
Important teachers and mentors in David’s life include: Todd Felty, Ken Green, KJ Staord, Fred Allen, Scott Harris, David Campo, Jack Stamp, Michael Kingan, Joe Honstein, Michael Garcia, Andy Salois, and Paul Hageman.
David is married to his beautiful wife Kristi who is a proud Medical Laboratory Scientist at UTMB and educator at Texas Southmost College. Their son Marco is a performer with Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps and a Jazz Studies/Music Education major at the University of North Texas. Their children Evelyn and William are excited to be a part of the Clear Creek ISD family!
