Arnel Dayrit, Director of Bands
Mr. Dayrit is a native Houstonian. He is a graduate of Pasadena High School and the University of Houston, graduating in 2011 with his Bachelors.
While at the University of Houston, Arnel was a part of the wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band, and the Moores School Percussion Ensemble. He has performed at PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), CMEA (Colorado Music Educators Association), and WGI (Winter Guard International).
Arnel has been an adjunct band director, private teacher and drum line technician for several schools throughout the area, including: Pasadena High School, La Porte High School, Lamar High School, Westbrook Intermediate and most recently Clear Lake High School. Under Arnel’s direction, the Clear Lake High School Drum line won best percussion at multiple competitions. Arnel has served as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Percussion at Dulles since 2013. He is excited for his new role as Director of Bands!
Spencer Clayton, Assistant Band Director
Mr. Clayton is a native of San Antonio, TX, where he graduated from Claudia Taylor Johnson High School. He received his Bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of Houston in 2015.
In his time at the University of Houston, he performed in the Symphonic Winds, the Jazz Ensemble, the Spirit of Houston Marching Band, and a variety of small ensembles. Mr. Clayton also has performance experience in Drum Corps International as a member of the Crossmen in 2009 and the Santa Clara Vanguard in 2012 and 2013.
He has worked as a private lesson teacher, a marching band technician, and an independent musician in the Houston area for 7 years. At Dulles, Mr. Clayton teaches the marching band, the Concert band, and the jazz band.
Zachary Gutierrez, Percussion Director
Mr. Gutierrez currently serves as the Director of Percussion for the Dulles High School
Viking Band and oversees all percussion activities for the Dulles feeder pattern.
Mr. Gutierrez maintains an active career as a music educator and performing musician.
He has collaborated and interacted with a diverse group of instrumentalists, scholars,
composers, and conductors throughout the world.
As an educator, Mr. Gutierrez has taught in various capacities over the past decade
including private teaching, presenting masterclasses, instructing marching ensembles,
and coaching chamber ensembles. Mr. Gutierrez is passionate about helping others
develop a lifelong appreciation for music and the arts.
Mr. Gutierrez holds degrees from Yale University, Peabody Institute of The Johns
Hopkins University, and University of Houston.
Drake Parrot, Color Guard Director
Drake Parrott is originally from Crossville, TN and currently resides in Houston, TX. Drake studied modern and aerial dance at East Tennessee State University, where he received his B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Theatre and Dance in 2018. Drake has enjoyed performing both on the stage, street, ground, and air with Mountain Movers Dance Company for many years throughout Northeast TN and has presented choreography in various venues in Tennessee, Texas, and other states. He has also studied with the American Dance Festival (Durham, NC) and Aerial Dance Festival (Boulder, CO) under Nancy Smith. Before moving across the country, Drake taught aerial and modern dance at Azure Aerial Arts and Night Owl Circus Arts in Johnson City, Tennessee. In North Carolina, Drake performed with ShaLeigh Dance Works and is still part of the ShaGa Teacher Training Program. Drake recently graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2022 with an MA in Dance Education. He currently teaches aerial dance at Texas Circus and Aerial and performs with Fenyx Aerial and JD Entertainment on the occasion.
Mr. Parrott’s colorguard performance career began with Southeast Independent in Kingsport, TN, From there, he performed with Aria Winterguard (NC), Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle Corps (NC), and Legacy Independent presented by Carolina Gold (NC), and Paramount (GA). He is thankful and appreciative of all of the educators that have helped him on his marching arts pageantry journey and is appreciative of the community that this activity provides.
Mr. Parrott has also been fortunate to teach in a variety of locations and is thankful for the lessons each experience has provided, meeting many wonderful people along the way. Past educational credits include Sullivan South HS (TN), Science Hill HS (TN), Cary HS (NC), Corinth Holders HS (NC), Athens Drive HS (NC), and Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle Corps (NC).
Since moving to Texas, Drake was the director of Cypress Creek HS from 2020-2023, and is a choreographer at William B Travis HS and Seven Lakes HS. Drake recently completed his second year as the dance choreographer for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and is also on his second season of the design and educational staff with Third Coast Independent. Mr. Parrott is excited to be piloting the inaugural colorguard program at Dulles.