About the Band Staff
Mr. Daniel Mullen
Email: MULLEND@pearlandisd.org
Mr. Mullen is in his first year as director of bands for the Pearland South and Jamison Bands. Prior to his appointment in Pearland, he taught for eleven years in the Pasadena ISD, two years in the Round Rock ISD and six years in the the Waller ISD. He has also served as the director of bands at Riverside High School in Durham, North Carolina for one year.
He is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and began teaching in Texas in 2005. He has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Tech and a B.S. in Music Education from Indiana University of PA. He completed his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration with principal’s certification from Lamar University in the summer of 2015.
Mr. Mullen was a founding and four-year member of the Golden Lancers, a DCI division III drum and bugle corps from Pittsburgh, PA, winning the best drum major award in 1995. He also served as the brass caption head for the division III General Butler Vagabonds, leading the hornline to a brass title in 2000.
Mr. Mullen will conduct the honors band and the beginning flute and trumpet classes. He lives in the Pearland area with his wife, two children, and dog Hazel.
Mr. Nicholas Bretzke
Email: BRETZKEN@pearlandisd.org
Mr. Nicholas Bretzke is enjoying his fifth year of teaching at Pearland Junior High South and Jamison Middle School. Mr. Bretzke attended the University of Houston, where he was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Opera Orchestra, and the Spirit of Houston Marching Band. He also performed at music festivals in Vancouver, Canada, and Johnson City, Tennessee. He is very excited to be working in Pearland ISD and is looking forward to making great music!
Outside of school, Mr. Bretzke loves to play sports such as football, ultimate frisbee, and soccer with his friends. He is also an active musician in community bands and his church band. He loves to go to baseball games whenever he can and is a big fan of the 'Stros! Mr. Bretzke also loves to try new food and is always looking for a great bite to eat in the Houston area.
Mr. Bretzke's favorite food is tacos and loves to drink boba tea. Although he doesn't watch many tv shows, he's always looking for his next favorite movie!
GO BAND!
Mr. Dennis Pena
Email: Penada@pearlandisd.org
Mr. Pena graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2022 and spent a couple of years in Aldine ISD
before moving to Pearland ISD. This will be his third year teaching.
Mr. Pena's primary instrument is clarinet and enjoys playing it professionally. He plays in The Sugar Land Winds and The Spring ISD Alumni community bands. Mr. Pena has performed at many conventions like The Midwest Clinic, TMEA and TBA twice.
During his free time, Mr. Pena likes to play video games, watch sports, go to the gym and find new restaurants with his friends. Mr. Pena's favorites includes Cookies and Cream ice cream, his mom's homemade pupusas and all Houston teams (GO STROS). Mr. Pena likes to relax on the weekends and watch a good football or soccer game.
If Mr. Pena was not a band director, he would choose to be a meteorologist.