Fine Arts Director

Phillip Barraza is the Director of Fine arts for EPISD. He received his Bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University and his Master's degree in education from UTEP. Mr. Barraza began his career as a television news reporter in Nebraska and locally at KVIA. Several coincidences guided him into becoming a theatre, dance, video, speech/debate teacher at Desert View Middle School where he created award winning programs on the local and national level. After 9 years at the middle school, he became the Student Activities Director/Cheer Coach and eventually assistant principal at Bel Air High School where he helped create successful leadership, fine arts and academic programs. Most recently, he served as the administrator for the Ysleta High School Early College Academy. ​

Vocal Music, Dance, Theater Facilitator

Erin Evans received her Bachelor of Music for Vocal Music Education from UTEP and later her Master's degree in Educational Administration, also from UTEP.  Ms. Evans began teaching in EPISD at Canyon Hills Middle School where she taught 6th-8th grade choir and piano for 3 years.  She then moved on to teach elementary music at Polk and Lundy Elementary where she served more than 1300 students and directed two honor choirs composed of 3rd and 4th grade students for the next 4 years.  Through encouragement from her campus Active Learning Leaders at the time, Ms. Evans decided to venture into the educational realm of being an instructional coach.  For 4 years, Ms. Evans was the Active Learning Leader (ALL) at Cooley Elementary.  In her time there she has not only become certified in reading for grades 4-8, but also has become ESL certified in order to better serve the ever growing and diverse group of English Language Learners that are in EPISD.  She came back to Fine Arts in the fall of 2020 and became one of two Mobile Melodies Elementary music teachers that service students in 2nd grade at campuses across the district. In her 14 years as an educator in EPISD, Ms. Evans has had the pleasure to not only work closely with the fine arts teachers of the district, but also the core content teachers to bridge music and core subjects in the classroom. Currently, she is also the music ministries director at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

Visual Arts Facilitator

Instrumental Music Facilitator

Mark Saenz is the Instrumental Music Facilitator for the El Paso Independent School District.  He received his Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education from New Mexico State University. In 2001, Mr. Saenz began his teaching career at Coronado High School as an assistant director and in 2012 became the Director of Bands. Throughout his eighteen year tenure, the Coronado Band received many recognitions including appearances at the UIL State Marching Band Contest and TMEA State Honor Band Finals, as well as being awarded the New Mexico State Tournament of Bands Grand Champions. Mr. Saenz is a performing member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and other music groups in the El Paso area. Mr. Saenz has a beautiful wife, two boys and a girl.