Lance J. Finley
Director of Bands

Mr. Lance J. Finley is a native of Richmond (Booth), Texas. He is a class of 2000 graduate from B.F. Terry HS in Rosenberg, TX. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2005 from Stephen F. Austin State University, which is located in Nacogdoches, TX. While working on his degree, Mr. Finley was a member of the SFA Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Swingin’ Axes and Aces Jazz Ensembles, SFA Percussion Ensemble, Steel Drum Band, and the Roarin’ Buzzsaws Pep Band.

Lance Finley is the Director of Bands for the Needville Independent School District in Needville, Texas. He joined the Needville Band Staff in 2006 and serves as the HS Marching Band and Wind Ensemble director. These ensembles have earned numerous Sweepstakes Honors and Superior ratings at Texas UIL and festival events.

Before coming to Needville, Mr. Finley was the Assistant Band Director and Percussion Coordinator for La Marque ISD in La Marque, Texas, where he was in charge of all aspects of percussion from 6th through 12th grades.

Mr. Finley continues to be an active clinician and consultant for area schools. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu International Band Masters Fraternity, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association and Association of Texas Small School Bands. Mr. Finley is an educational endorser for Pearl Drums/Adams Percussion and Salyers Sticks and Mallets.

Dean Hurta
Assistant Band Director

Dean Hurta has been an associate band director for the Needville ISD Bands since 2013, co-conducting the NHS Symphonic Band, leading the NJH Concert Band. He is the brass specialist with the Marching and Beginning Bands. Before becoming a Bluejay he taught in the Lamar Consolidated ISD at Lamar and George Junior Highs. He has dramatically increased retention of brass students where he has taught and his bands have earned numerous Superior rating at UIL and recorded at Various Universities in the area.

Mr. Hurta grew up in Richmond, Texas and started playing trombone at Lamar Junior High where he would later teach. He attended Lamar High School, Arts Magnet at Booker T. Washington in Dallas, and Valley High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He earned a Bachelors in Music Education in Las Vegas and came home to Texas thereafter with his lovely wife of now 25 plus years. They soon were blessed with two beautiful daughters who have gone through the Needville school system. He enjoys swimming with his wife, playing trombone at church, cycling, camping, snow skiing, and eating at In-N-Out Burger.

Armand Cavazos
Assistant Band Director

Armand Cavazos is currently Assistant Band Director for Needville Independent School District where he serves as the woodwind specialist. Mr. Cavazos is the director for the Needville Junior High Symphonic Band, as well as co-director for both Needville High School Symphonic and Jazz Band. Mr. Cavazos graduated from Harlingen South High School in Harlingen, Texas, and is a previous member of the studio of Professor James Warth, Previous Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Texas A&M University- Kingsville.

Mr. Cavazos has performed consistently with the TAMUK Wind Symphony and Jazz Band 1. While attending Texas A&M- Kingsville, he has held the position of TAMUK Band Camp Counselor,  Head Music Technician for the Javelina Marching Band, Principal Saxophone in the Wind Symphony, and been a featured soloist with the Wind Symphony. Mr. Cavazos is also a Brother of the National Honorary Band Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi.

Since 2013, Mr. Cavazos has worked as a private lesson lesson instructor and consultant for a variety of recognized band programs, including Los Fresnos High School, San Benito High School, Santa Gertrudis High School, and Vela Middle School. Mr. Cavazos has also previously performed with several active performing ensembles around Texas, including the Dean Canty Jazz Orchestra, Blue Experiment, Kingsville Symphony Orchestra, and Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra, and Victoria Symphony Orchestra.