Our Amazing Directors
Mr. John Richardson
Choir Director
I am in my 21st year of teaching, and my tenth year as Choir Director at Elkins High School in Fort Bend ISD. Previously, I worked at Angleton High School with Beth Casey, as Head Director at Columbia High School and West Brazos Junior High in Columbia-Brazoria ISD, and as Assistant Choir Director at Clements High School.
Elkins choirs regularly earn Sweepstakes at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Evaluation, Outstanding in Class and Best in Festival, and the prestigious Performance of Distinction at the Celebration of Excellence. In 2023, the EHS Varsity Mixed Choir was a National Winner in the Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence National Competition, and the Varsity Treble Choir was a Commended Winner in the same contest. Elkins Choir students have earned placements in the All-Region Choir, Area Choir, and TMEA All-State Choir.
I completed the Bachelor of Music Education from Hardin-Simmons University under the tutelage of Dr. Loyd Hawthorne and the Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University under the instruction of Dr. David Rayl, Dr. Jonathan Reed, and Dr. Sandra Snow. My wife Michelle and I have been married for over 21 years, and we have 3 children.
Ms. Jade Pañares
Assistant Choir Director
Ms. Pañares is a proud graduate from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, where she earned her degree in Vocal Performance. During her time at UH, she served as a Soprano Section Leader, and performed with internationally acclaimed choirs under the direction of Drs. Betsy Cook Weber and Jeb Mueller, earning grand prizes at prestigious national and international choral competitions and conventions. She also performed with the Moores Opera Center and sang with several student-led a cappella ensembles: Rhapsody, Floreat, and Ardore.
She’s enjoyed her directing career as much as her performance career, including collaboration with Lake Houston Chamber Singers and a memorable experience performing with Hugh Jackman on his 2019 World Tour. She is currently in her fifth year as a Choral Scholar at Heights Church, an OG member of Voices of Houston, and recently completed her third season with the Grammy Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir, joining them on their summer tour through Estonia, Latvia, and Sweden.
Outside the classroom, she loves practicing yoga, trying new food, and spending quality time with her partner Daniel, and their two dogs, Ozzy and Yoshi.
Prior to joining the Noble Knights, she taught for 5 years in Clear Creek and Galena Park ISD. She is thrilled to join the vibrant and talented team at Elkins High School as the New Assistant Choir Director!