Who We Are

Julie Blackstock

Julie Blackstock - Director of Orchestras

A graduate of Baylor University with a degree in Music Education, Julie Blackstock is in her tenth year as the Director of Orchestras at Liberty High in Frisco ISD. Prior to teaching at Liberty, Ms. Blackstock taught in the Carrollton/Farmers Branch Independent School District for sixteen years, twelve of those at Creekview High School. Under her direction, the orchestras at Creekview consistently received top ratings in UIL contests and at festivals around the country and were finalists in the TMEA Honor Orchestra Competitions. During her first at Liberty, the Camerata Orchestra placed 5th in the finals for the TMEA Honor String Orchestra Competition and the Liberty Symphony Orchestra was named first runner-up in the TMEA Honor Full Orchestra Competition. The symphony orchestra was also invited to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago in December 2015. In the fall of 2016, Camerata Orchestra placed 3rd in the TMEA Honor String Orchestra Competition and then was again named runner-up in the TMEA Honor Full Orchestra Competition in July of 2017.

Ms. Blackstock is also frequent adjudicator and clinician for UIL, Solo/Ensemble contest, festivals, and All-Region Orchestras around the country. She has served in many capacities throughout the state, including Region Orchestra Chair.

Currently the TMEA Region 24 Vice-President, Ms. Blackstock is proud of her memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Mu Omicron, and is honored to be a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers. She also served on the University Interscholastic League’s Prescribed Music List committee which chooses selections to be included on the PML for UIL contest performances.

When not at work, Ms. Blackstock enjoys spending her time reading, watching movies, being with friends and family, and sitting out in the backyard watching birds with her adorable cat Little Susie. Her favorite thing to do is plan travel and vacations for herself and her friends. Places she adores are Seattle, Lake Tahoe, the Oregon Coast, and all of Colorado. After her retirement, her hope is to move to Seattle or work for the National Forest Service in Colorado or State Parks in Oregon and Washington.

E-mail: blackstockj@friscoisd.org

Brandon Lucio

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Brandon Lucio - Associate Director of Orchestras

Brandon Lucio is currently in his first year as Associate Director of Orchestras at Liberty High School in Frisco ISD. Mr. Lucio acquired his Bachelor of Music in Education from The University of North Texas and was a member of the UNT Concert Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Clay Couturiaux, the UNT Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro David Itkin, and Pit Orchestras under various conductors. He studied cello privately with the late Eugene Osadchy, and received his student teaching experience in Frisco ISD. While at UNT, he was a Lead Teacher for the UNT String Project which helps provide children ages 5-18 in the community with string instrument instruction that supports and supplements the children's orchestral programs. Mr. Lucio’s passion for music and teaching started young – he began cello at age 10, and quickly realized that teaching music would be one of his purposes in life.

Prior to Liberty High School, Mr. Lucio spent four years as Associate Director of Orchestras at Ford Middle School in Allen, TX. While in Allen ISD, his groups consistently received sweepstakes Awards at UIL contest. Mr. Lucio is also an active judge for solo and ensemble contests across North Texas.

Mr. Lucio is currently affiliated with the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and the American String Teachers Association. In his free time, he enjoys walking the Katy Trail, discovering new restaurants, watching reality television, and spending time with family and friends.

Email: lucioe@friscoisd.org

Yumiko Endo Schlaffer

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Yumiko Endo Schlaffer - Director of Harp Studies

Yumiko Endo Schlaffer has been steadily gaining a reputation as a masterful artist since her impressive American debut recital in May 2000 at the Carnegie Recital Hall in New York, shortly after completing her Master’s degree from the Juilliard School. She has been a recipient of numerous awards, including First Prizes in the Japan International Harp Competition –in both the Young and Advanced divisions. Ms. Endo Schlaffer is one of the most distinguished harpists in her native Japan, and she was honored with the opportunity to perform at the Imperial Palace for Her Majesty the Empress and Her Royal Highnesses. In 2004 and 2006, she gave her major solo recitals in Tokyo to sold-out audiences and was soon after invited to perform as a soloist with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms. Endo Schlaffer has performed throughout the US, Europe, and Asia, and her solo engagements include appearances with Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony, San Angelo Symphony, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Allen Philharmonic, and Irving Symphony Orchestra. She had been also invited as a solo artist by Chicago Chamber Musicians, Basically Beethoven Festival in Dallas, The Wartburg Symphony, Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra, and the New World Symphony among others.

Yumiko is also an accomplished orchestral harpist, she has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and New York Philharmonic as well as Dallas Symphony Orchestra. From 2001 through 2004, she served as the principal harpist of the New World Symphony Orchestra, where she was featured as a concerto soloist in 2002 and 2004.

Ms. Endo Schlaffer began her musical training at the age of three and learned musical theory and Piano. While taking lessons with Ayako Shinozaki, she received her Bachelors degree from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. She also studied extensively throughout Europe with Marie-Claire Jamet and Isabelle Moretti of France, and Marisa Robles of England. Ms. Endo Schlaffer earned her Masters degree from The Juilliard School where she studied with Nancy Allen, principal harpist of the New York Philharmonic. She then pursued her further studies with Sarah Bullen, principal harpist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Endo Schlaffer has been serving as a board member of American Harp Society in Dallas since 2007 and has been the president since 2015.

Website: http://www.YumiHarp.com

E-mail: schlaffy@friscoisd.org