AMY PLAZEK
Director of Bands
Ms. Plazek is excited to step into the role of Director of Bands after 4 years as the Associate Director of Bands at Winston Churchill High School. Ms. Plazek has been the director of the Non-Varsity Ensembles, Jazz Combos, and assisted with the Charger Marching program since 2022. She has led the Non-Varsity Symphonic Band to consecutive UIL Sweepstakes as well as selection for the YOSA Invitational in 2025.
Ms. Plazek received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with Cum Laude honors from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2006 and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Texas Tech University in 2023..
Ms. Plazek’s career began as the Associate Director of Bands at Freeport High School in Freeport, IL where she was responsible for assisting in all aspects of Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, and 5th-8th grade beginning to intermediate students. After teaching in Freeport for four years, she relocated to San Antonio where she held the position as Director of Bands at Harris Middle School in San Antonio ISD for 11 years. Ms. Plazek has taught all woodwind, brass, and percussion classes as well as directed the Varsity Ensemble and the Jazz Band. Under her direction, the Harris Middle School Band doubled in size to nearly 300 students and also received accolades including consecutive UIL Sweepstakes Awards, TMEA Area Finalist, and participation in the YOSA Invitational at the Tobin Center. While at Harris MS, Ms. Plazek was a member of the Campus Leadership Team, mentored 1st year teachers and student teachers, was awarded numerous grants for the band program, and was named Teacher of the Year in 2017.
Ms. Plazek is an active bassoonist and woodwind specialist in and around the San Antonio Area. She has made professional appearances with Broadway Across America, Victoria Symphony, Corpus Christi Symphony, San Antonio Opera Company, and local theater companies. Amy is also an active member of Texas Music Educators Association and Texas Music Adjudicators Association clinicing and judging throughout the state of Texas.
SPENCER KATZ
Assistant Director
Spencer Katz is excited to join the Winston Churchill High School Band Staff as Associate Band Director. A proud Churchill alumnus, Mr. Katz returns to his alma mater in his sixth year of teaching and looks forward to contributing to the continued tradition of excellence within the Charger Band program.
Mr. Katz began his teaching career as the music teacher at Harmony Hills Elementary School in North East ISD while also serving as head marching technician for the Charger Band from 2021 to 2024. He later joined Smithson Valley Middle School in Comal ISD as Associate Band Director, where he spent two years directing the Symphonic Band, assisting with the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band, teaching beginning brass and percussion classes, and helping lead the band program to UIL Sweepstakes Awards.
Mr. Katz earned a Bachelor of Music in All-Level Music Education from Texas State University in 2020, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was inducted into the Council of Scholars. While at Texas State, he studied trombone and performed with the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, and Trombone Ensemble. He also served as a section leader in the Bobcat Marching Band.
Mr. Katz marched lead baritone with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in 2017 and Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps in 2019. As a member of Carolina Crown, he helped the corps earn the prestigious Jim Ott Award for Best Brass Performance in 2019.
Mr. Katz’s professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Katz is honored to return to Winston Churchill High School and is excited to help the next generation of Charger Band students build upon the strong legacy of the program.
RANDY SIFUENTES
Assistant Director
Randy Sifuentes, originally from Edinburg, is an educator, clinician, performer, and adjudicator with a passion for percussion, jazz education, and building unified band cultures. A highly accomplished performer, Sifuentes marched five seasons in Drum Corps International, aging out with The Cavaliers, where he now enters his 10th season teaching front ensembles. His performance accolades include being the 2010 DCI Individual & Ensemble Silver Medalist, recipient of the 2011 Fred Sanford Award with the Cavaliers, the 2012 DCI Zildjian Award recipient, and the 2012 Percussive Arts Society International Marimba Champion.
Influenced by renowned educators Lalo Dávila, Julie Dávila, Brian Zator, and Keiko Abe, Sifuentes has built a reputation for developing successful programs and students at every level of music education. His ensembles have consistently earned sweepstakes ratings, while his students have achieved success through All-State, jazz auditions, DCI, PASIC competitions, and collegiate music study. Proudly endorsed by Innovative Percussion, Mapex Drums, Majestic Percussion, and Turtle Pads, he continues to advocate for excellence in both percussion and jazz education.
Known to many students simply as “SIFU,” Sifuentes believes the success of a band program comes from collective growth, shared accountability, and a culture where every student succeeds together. He holds a deep respect for the tradition and excellence of the Churchill High School Band and is committed to building upon its rich legacy while continuing to inspire the next generation of musicians and leaders.
RAY RAMIREZ
Color Guard Director
WinstonChurchillCGDirector@gmail.com
Mr. Ramirez is a native of San Antonio, TX where he graduated from South San High School and is continuing with his education in Business Administration and Human Resources. Mr. Ramirez began participating in color guard in high school as serving as the captain for the Main Event Color Guard. His Drum corps experience includes marching for the 2008 and 2009 Revolution Drum & Bugle Corp serving as captain in 2009. Ray has also taught with the 2013 and 2014 Bronze medalist Genesis Drum & Bugle Corps and served as the color guard co-caption head. Over the years Ray has served as the Contest Director for the Texas Educational Color Guard Association from 2015-present.
Mr. Ramirez continues to serve as a color guard clinician, consultant, and choreographer. He was selected as the Color Guard Director at Harlandale High School and has continued with the program for a decade. Harlandale was named a SA finalist and SO finalist for WGI and has won numerous awards in SA and SO at TECA Championship over the years.
In his guard career, Mr. Ramirez has also taught at Robert E. Lee High School from 2012-2015 and William H. Taft High School in 2015-2016. Recently, Mr. Ramirez has worked with Claudia Taylor Johnson High School, where he served as an assistant to the Color Guard for 2016-Present. In May of 2020, Mr Ramirez became the Color Guard Director at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, TX. He is very excited to join the Charger Band Family and is looking forward to continuing the rich tradition of excellence at Winston Churchill High School.