Patrick Newcomb has been a high school choir director since 2005. In 2010, he came to The Woodlands High School as the Assistant Choir Director and became the Head Choir Director in 2015.

Prior to coming to The Woodlands, Patrick taught at Wylie High School in Wylie, TX as the Head Choir Director and, before that, at Permian High School in Odessa, TX as the Assistant Choir Director. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Sam Houston State University where he was a student of Dr. Allen Hightower, Dr. Kristin Hightower and Dr. Carol Smith. Choirs at TWHS under Patrick’s direction have earned consistent superior ratings at UIL Concert & Sightreading along with Best in Class/Overall Outstanding awards at various choral festivals. In 2018, TWHS Chamber Choir, under his direction, won the American Classics Madrigal Festival held in San Antonio. In 2020 they were also invited to sing at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention.

Patrick is also a proud alumnus of The Woodlands High School and is humbled to be at the helm of the choir program that had such a positive impact on his life as a high school student.

Patrick has served TMEA as a contest site host, clinic & concert site host, and as a section leader for All-Region & All-State choirs. This year he is happy to serve as the TMEA Region 9 Vocal Chair.

In addition to working at the best high school on the planet, he enjoys coffee, good food, watching sports (especially the Houston Astros), and more coffee! Patrick’s greatest joy is his family and he loves nothing more than spending time & acting silly with his wife and two kids.

Elisa West is beginning her 18th year of teaching. She is currently in her third year as Assistant Choral Director here at The Woodlands High School. Mrs. West earned a Bachelor of Music from Howard Payne University, double majoring in Vocal Performance and Music Education, and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at The Boston Conservatory.

Mrs. West began her teaching career as a voice instructor for the pre-college program at Howard Payne University. After graduation she taught elementary music at Farmers Branch Elementary before moving to Boston for graduate school. Since completing graduate school and returning to Texas, Mrs. West has taught all levels of music, including serving as an Adjunct Voice Instructor for Sam Houston State University, as a K-6 General Music and Choir Teacher for Deretchin Elementary, and as the Head Choral Director for Coppell High School, Peet Junior High School, and Oak Ridge High School.

Mrs. West enjoys clinicing area choirs and serving as a UIL Concert and Sight Reading judge and her own choirs consistently earn Superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading. In 2015 her Peet Chamber Choir was selected as a TMEA Invited Choir and performed at the 2016 TMEA Convention. In addition, in 2006 the Coppell HS Madrigal Choir received 1st place at American Classics’s Madrigal Festival under her direction, and performed as the Madrigal Festival Honor Choir the following year.

Mrs. West is married to Clay West, and the two celebrated their 25th anniversary last May. They have two children. Their son, Kyler, is married and lives with his wife in Huntsville, Texas. Their daughter, Maryn, is a freshman at the University of North Texas and is double majoring in Vocal Performance and Music Education.