Cara Froelich
Director of Bands, White Pine County School District
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EMAIL: cara.froelich@wpcnvadmin.com
PHONE: 775-289-4811 X5114
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Cara Froelich is currently serving as the Director of Bands in her 1st year in White Pine County after previously serving as a teacher in the Clark County School District for 21 years. Her teaching responsibilities include the Marching Band, Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, Percussion Ensembles, Steel Drum Band, Pep Bands, Beginning Bands, and Band Student Leadership at both the High School and Middle School.
Ms. Froelich received her Bachelor’s degree, Cum Laude, in Music Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2003 and her Master’s Degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2014. While attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Ms. Froelich studied percussion with Dr. Dean Gronemeier and instrumental conducting with Takayoshi “Tad” Suzuki and Thomas Leslie.
Ms. Froelich was recognized as “New Teacher of the Year” through the Nevada Music Educators Association in 2009 and has been a “Heart of Education Finalist” 3 times in the Clark County School District. Ms. Froelich is a published author in the field of music education and has served on many committees for curriculum development within the Clark County School District. Her professional affiliations include Nevada Music Educators Association (NMEA), Percussive Arts Society (PAS), Jazz Education Network (JEN), the Servant Leadership Association of Music (SLAM), the National Band Association (NBA) and the Southern Nevada Band Association (SNBA).
Nationally, Ms Froelich serves as a Founding Board Member, Treasurer, and Curriculum Committee Member for the Servant Leadership Association for Music (SLAM). Ms. Froelich has previously served as the Clark County School District Jazz Festival Chairperson, the Southern Nevada Band Association Honor Jazz Chairperson, Chairperson for the Clark County Honor Bands, Chairperson for the Nevada All-State Band, and Percussion Chairperson for the Nevada All-State groups. Ms. Froelich’s groups consistently earn top honors in all areas and have traveled extensively including performances in Italy, London, Vancouver, Ireland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, New York, Chicago, Orlando, Colorado, California, and Washington D.C. Her Jazz Band’s have won two Downbeat Awards and have been invited to perform at the prestigious Monterey Next Generations Jazz Festival.
Ms. Froelich is active as a clinician in the areas of Jazz, Concert Band, Music Education, and Student Leadership. She is also a freelance percussionist in the Las Vegas area and is a SABIAN educational artist.
Originally from Colorado, Ms Froelich enjoys spending time outdoors in the mountains, reading, hiking, watching sports, and spending time with her two dogs
Christopher Ramirez
Band Director, White Pine County School District
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EMAIL: Chris.Ramirez@wpcnvadmin.com
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Chris Ramirez is currently serving as a Band Director in his 1st year in White Pine County. His teaching responsibilities include the Marching Band, Concert Bands, Pep Bands, Beginning Bands, and Band Student Leadership at both the High School and Middle School.
Mr. Ramirez received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2025. He served as the Drum Major of the Marching Band 3 years and was the founding President of the collegiate NAfME at UNLV.
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Originally from Las Vegas, Mr. Ramirez enjoys spending time with family and golfing.
Heidi Walker Hanson, B.M. M.Ed.
Instructor of Percussion
Former Director of Bands, White Pine County School District
B.M. Music Education & Percussion, Brigham Young University - Idaho
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PHONE: 775-289-4811 X5114
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Heidi Hanson is also a native of Nevada, and also a graduate of White Pine High School! Mrs. Hanson attended the Brigham Young University - Idaho, where she performed as a Percussionist in their many Concert and Pep Ensembles. At BYUI, she was the first Percussionist at the school to perform a 6-mallet marimba piece (3 mallets per-hand). Upon completing her education, Mrs. Hanson completed her internship with the acclaimed Foothill High School Bands at Foothill HS in Henderson, NV.
From 2011-2013, Mrs. Hanson served as Director of Bands for White Pine County School District. During her time as Director of Bands, Mrs. Hanson worked to re-establish the program and keep is both active and viable. Her ensembles were active in the community, throughout the state, and traveled to perform outside of Nevada. Since leaving her position in 2013, Mrs. Hanson has remained active as musician and music teacher in the White Pine Community.
Mrs. Hanson is an outstanding professional percussionist and we are extremely fortunate to have her in our community and working in our program.
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