Hello, my name is Carl LaJaunie Jr., a native of Jeanerette, Louisiana, and an alumnus of Jeanerette High School. It was at this school that I discovered my passion for band. Under the guidance of a dedicated band director who transformed a fledgling program into a multi-year, award-winning program, I was inspired to pursue a career in music education.

I attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in music education. The influence of my previous directors fueled my ambition to become a band director myself. I am passionate about building band programs from the ground up and transforming them into comprehensive, award-winning ensembles.

My career began in 2021 at Westgate High School in New Iberia, Louisiana, where I expanded the band program to over 90 students. In 2022, I relocated to Houston, Texas, and took on the role of band director at North Forest High School. There, I grew the program from four students to over fifty and helped the band achieve its first Superior (1) Rating at UIL, a historic milestone for the school. I am currently the head band director at Jack Yates High School.

This year, my goal is to develop an all-encompassing band program that excels in every aspect, including marching band, concert band, and various ensembles. I am committed to nurturing the future leaders of tomorrow and providing students with opportunities to pursue higher education through band. I firmly believe that every student has the potential to succeed through hard work and dedication, regardless of their background. I am a testament to this belief!

I live by the motto, “Excellence is the product of hard work and extra effort, which creates the difference between an acceptable job and an outstanding job.” I am excited about the future of this program and honored to be part of it. Let’s Go JY!