DIRECTOR - Ms. Desiree Overree

Ms. Overree began her music instruction in the public schools in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, a northern suburb of Dallas. During high school, she had the opportunity to play with the SMU Conservatory Chamber Orchestras, with whom she toured extensively throughout Europe. She attained her Bachelor of Music Education with Highest Honors at Sam Houston State University.

Ms. Overree has taught for Humble ISD, Spring Branch ISD, and Cy-Fair ISD. Under her baton, she led the Memorial Philharmonia Orchestras and placed First Runner-Up in the Texas Honor Orchestra Competition. She has conducted at the MidWest Convention in Chicago with the Memorial Orchestras, and has conducted twice at Carnegie Hall, once with the Stratford HS Orchestras and the Memorial Orchestras. In 2003, 2004, and 2005, the GRAMMY Foundation honored Langham Creek HS for its exceptional public high school music programs, as designating it as a GRAMMY Signature School. In 2004, Ms. Overree was a Co-Conductor with Dr. Deborah Perkins with the Texas "Lone Star" Ambassadors, who toured throughout Western Europe. Soon after, Dr. Perkins and Ms. Overree formed the Texas Youth Orchestra, which toured throughout Italy and Austria in 2006.

In 2005, Ms. Overree opened Seven Lakes High School, the newest high school campus in Katy ISD. In 2007, the Seven Lakes Sinfonia Orchestra was ranked as one of the top six string orchestras in the state of Texas. She has been recognized in "Who's Who Among American High School Teachers," and has been recognized as an Educator of Distinction, by the National Society of High School Scholars.

She is frequently invited as an adjudicator and clinician, private violin teacher, and an active freelancer. During the summer, she is a Faculty member of the Sam Houston State University Summer Camps. She holds professional memberships and leadership positions in Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, American String Teachers Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota. In her spare time, she travels, reads voraciously, and is a raving baseball fan.