General Information

Booker T Washington HSPVA is the DISD magnet school for the performing and visual arts, and is one of the top high schools in the nation for the study of music.  The BTW Music Conservatory offers a wide range of interests for the music student.  These interests include classical and jazz studies with extensive courses in vocal music, instrumental music, music composition and music theory. Students pursue a core course of study with additional electives.

Awards and Honors

The BTWHSPVA Music Conservatory has received national recognition and state honors since our inception in 1976.

• Five Time Grammy Signature School Winner
• Major performances at Carnegie Hall and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Hall
• More than 200 Student Downbeat Awards
• More than 30 Grammy Awards by our Alumni
• Multiple Grand Champion Awards at the Monterrey Jazz Festival
• National Scholars of the Arts recipients
• National Invitational Festival Best in Class Awards and Grand Champion Awards from our Choral, Orchestra and Wind Ensemble programs
• TMEA Texas All State Students in Choral, Jazz, Orchestra and Wind Studies
• UIL State Solo and Ensemble Outstanding Musician Awards
• UIL Sweepstakes Awards for Choral, Orchestra and Wind Ensemble

Our faculty members are among the most respected professional musicians and educators in the nation. ​

Partial List of Notable Music Alumni

• Messiah Ahmed, Violin
• Keith Anderson, Saxophone
• Edie Brickell; Singer/songwriter, New Bohemians
• Myron Butler; Music Producer, Stellar Award Winner
• Aaron Comess; Drums, Spin Doctors
• Damon Criswell, Composer
• Jesse Dale; Bass, Toronto Symphony
• Tiger Darrow; Vocalist, Composer
• Chase Domke, Trumpet
• Alan Emert; Percussion, Brave Combo
• Gabriel Fedak, Violin
• Saul Eduardo Flores; Violin, Singer/songwriter
• Gabriel Garcia; Guitar
• Robert Gilliam, Saxophone
• Camden Lee Gonzales, Guitar
• Andrew Griffith; Drums, Cedar Walton
• Roy Hargrove, Trumpet
• Sam Harris, Piano
• Wolfgang Hunter; Guitar, Music Industry
• Joe Jackson; Trombone, Airmen of Note
• Damoyee Janai, Singer/songwriter
• Erika Nicole Johnson, Soprano voice
• Norah Jones, Singer/songwriter
• Daniel Jones, Keyboards
• John Koen; Cello, Philadelphia Orchestra
• Braylon Lacey; Bass, Erykah Badu
• Payton Taylor Lanfrankie, Drums
• Frank LoCrasto; Piano, Pat Martino
• Keith Loftis; Saxophone, The Baylor Project
• Rahel Lulseged, Cello
• Luke Marantz, Piano
• Matt Marantz, Saxophone
• Shaun Martin; Piano, Kirk Franklin
• Samuel Martin; Piano, Music Industry
• Nathan Myers, Voice
• Troy James Nalls II, Drums
• Danny O’Brien, Brave Combo
• Tim Owens; Vocals, Atlantic Records
• Ephraim Owens; Trumpet/flugelhorn, Tedeschi Trucks Band
• Michael Palma, Piano
• Christian Parkess, Saxophone
• Adam Phan, Harp
• Sophie Potrykus, Bass
• Adarian Roberts, Drums
• Roger Roe; Oboe, Indianapolis Symphony
• Fredrick Sanders; Piano, Leaning House Records
• Robert “Sput” Searight; Drummer/Composer, Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note, God’s Property
• Georgia Starnes, Voice
• Max Townsley, Guitar
• Eric Vazquez, Saxophone
• Andrea Wallace, Voice
• Donessa Washington; Vocals, Kirk Whalum
• Rachel Webb; Vocals, “& Juliet” North American Tour Title Role
• Eric White; Drums, Reprise Records
• RC Williams; Piano, Erykah Badu
• Bakari Williams, Voice
• Imani Williams, Voice
• Garry Williams, Voice
• Geno Young; Music Director, Erykah Badu