About Cole

Coleman Spears is a graduate assistant at the University of Texas at El Paso, where he studies Wind Band Conducting under Dr. Andrew Hunter. He previously served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Pecos High School in Pecos, TX. He holds degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University (2022, B.M. Music Education) and Abilene Christian University (2018, B.S. Computer Science).

His interests and research includes music education and technology, creating tools for young music educators, such as Cue Rehearsal Techniques and Rehearsal Monitor. Coleman Spears is passionate about music, technology, and empowering the next generation of students to utilize both studies in becoming better global citizens.

Experiences

Developer of Cue Rehearsal Techniques / Rehearsal Monitor

2023 - present

Cue Rehearsal Techniques is a music pedagogy mobile app for young and seasoned teachers alike. Users can easily browse applicable reherasal techniques at the touch of a button, as well as create and share lesson plans with staff and students. Rehearsal Monitor categorizes audio into one of four different categories: music, talking, silence, noise. This feedback lets music teachers visually see how effective they are and how they are using lesson time. Project links below.

Graduate Assistant - Wind Band Conducting

2024 - present
The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX
  • UTEP Marching Miners - Graduate Teaching Assistant
  • UTEP Basketball Band Conductor
  • UTEP 2025 Summer Band Camps Coordinator
  • University of Oregon, University of Georgia Conducting Workshop Invitee

Assistant Band Director

2022 - 2024
Pecos High School, Pecos, TX
  • Director of the Symphonic Non-Varsity (4A) and Jazz ensembles
  • Sweepstakes, Non-Varsity OPS State-Advancing selections (2, 2024)
  • Assisted with musical and visual aspects of the Pecos Eagle Marching Band (SMB Appearances, BOA 1A Regional/Super Regional Champions)
  • Taught beginner horn, trumpet and assisted ensembles at Crockett Middle School

Software Developer

2018 - 2019
USAA, San Antonio, TX
  • Front-end developer for car buying and selling (React.js)
  • Back-end developer for banking (Java)
  • Aided team in following project management and compliance guidelines (Agile)

Projects

Cue Rehearsal Techniques (iOS, Android) - The rehearsal pedagogy app for music educators! A must-have tool-box for young and seasoned teachers alike!
Rehearsal Monitor (iOS) - Classify music rehearsals into different categories (music, talking, noise, etc.) Get valuable data to see how you are using your time!

Clinic Presentations and Publications

  • Setting the Record StrAIght: The Future of AI in the Classroom
  • Coleman Spears
    2026 Texas Music Educators Association Conference, San Antonio, TX
  • Is Now the Time for Grad School? A UT System Grad Panel
  • Coleman Spears (UTEP), Tyler Autin (SFASU), Bobby Salazar (UTRGV), Griffin Young (UTSA)
    2026 Texas Music Educators Association Conference, San Antonio, TX
  • The Musical Decision Tree: A Tool for Effective Rehearsing
  • Dr. Chris Kaatz, Abbigail Ramsey-Jones, Coleman Spears
    2023 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Chicago, IL

    Skills & Proficiency

    React Native

    React.js

    C++

    SSG (Gatsby, Jekyll, etc.)