David DeVoto
David DeVoto is a Director of Orchestras at Allen High School. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Texas in 1994 and a Master of Education Administration from Lamar University in 2022. During his studies at UNT, he performed with the Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, and String Orchestra, studying under renowned musicians Anshel Brusilow, James Kjelland, and Jeff Bradetich. Mr. DeVoto began his teaching career in 1997 as the director of the Lake Highlands Junior High Orchestras in Richardson ISD. In 2002, he joined Allen High School as Director of the Allen ISD Orchestra Program, where his ensembles have consistently excelled. The AHS Orchestras have reached the finals of the TMEA Honor Orchestra competition 17 times, and in 2020, the Allen High School Symphony Orchestra was chosen as the TMEA Invited Full Orchestra. The Symphony Orchestra was also invited to perform at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago at both the 60th and 75th conventions. In 2014, the Allen High School Orchestra received the American Prize in Orchestral Performance for the high school division. Under Mr. DeVoto’s leadership, the orchestra program at Allen High School has grown from two student ensembles to ten. Additionally, he introduced music theory, music history, and composition classes to the International Baccalaureate program at Allen HS in 2006. Mr. DeVoto has been an active leader in music education organizations, serving as Orchestra Division Chair and Region Vice-President for UIL Regions III and XXV, respectively. He has also chaired the UIL Orchestra PML Committee, served on the TMAA Committee for Standards of Adjudication and Performance Practices, and is distinguished as Past President of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association board. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Mu Omicron. Over his career, Mr. DeVoto has been honored with numerous awards, including the Minyard’s “First Class Teacher” award in 2000, the Allen Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra’s Standing Ovation Award in 2003-2004, the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award in 2016, and, most recently, the inaugural Kathy Fishburn Excellence in Orchestra Award by the Mu Omicron Executive Board in 2023. Mr. DeVoto is the proud husband of Joanna DeVoto – who is also an orchestra director in Allen ISD, and the proud father of their five year-old daughter, Daniela.