Leadership
Conductors
Bingiee Shiu
Bingiee Shiu alongside his best friend and wife Cara, are working to create a loving home for their sons Daniel and Nike. Mr. Shiu is the conductor of the Memorial Sinfonia and Symphony Orchestras. Past positions include Conductor-in-Residence of the American Festival for the Arts Summer Conservatory Orchestra as well as conductor of different orchestras in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. Recently, he served as Interim Worship Pastor at Cypress Bible Church. He began his musical training at the age of five in the Yamaha Piano Program and then spent the next eleven years as a student of esteemed pedagogue Louise Bianchi, head of the Piano Preparatory Program at Southern Methodist University.
Mr. Shiu has earned the degrees of Bachelor of Music Education from Abilene Christian University and Master of Music in Conducting from Sam Houston State University. He has additional training in conducting with the American Symphony Orchestra League as well as at the Festival at Sandpoint, with Gunther Schuller.
Mr. Shiu founded the Huntsville Youth Orchestra and the Music Preparatory Program at Sam Houston State University. He has also taught in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, where he participated in the formation of the Swinging Strings Fifth Grade program, the Summer Orchestra Camp and the curriculum guide for elementary and secondary strings. He has served on various state committees, such as the Honor Orchestra Panel, the All-State Chairing Panel and the University Interscholastic League Orchestra Sightreading Selection Committee. He has also been active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for orchestras throughout the state.
Mr. Shiu's honors include Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Who's Who Among American Teachers, Outstanding Young Men in America, and the Cypress-Fairbanks Spotlight Award for excellence in teaching. He has also been honored as a recipient of the prestigious University Interscholastic League Denius Award, twice as Memorial High School's Teacher of the Year, Young Alumnus of the Year from Abilene Christian University, the PTA Lifetime Achievement Award and the Houston Chronicle Crystal Award. Most recently, he has been chosen Teacher of the Year for Spring Branch Independent School District. His orchestras consistently win Sweepstakes Awards and rank in the top three in Honor Orchestra competition. He has led the Memorial Orchestras in performances at prestigious gatherings such as the Texas Music Educators Convention, the Midwest Clinic and twice at Carnegie Hall. Several of his arrangements have been published by Southern Music Company.
Email Bingiee Shiu
Danielle Prontka
Danielle Prontka, the Assistant Conductor at Memorial High School was born near Pittsburgh, PA and was raised in Baytown, TX. She is very close to her mother and older brother Nicolas.
She began playing the violin at the age of 5. She received many awards and honors throughout school both in orchestra and her other love of dance. A few of these include seven years of membership in All-Region Orchestra as well as concertmaster of Region X Orchestra. She also received gold and silver medals in Texas State Solo and Ensemble competition.
Danielle received a Bachelor of Arts in music performance from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. She was the recipient of a full four-year music and academic scholarship which included being First Violinist of the NSU quartet and four-year principal and concertmaster of the NSU Symphony. She was extremely involved in her music, honor, and social sororities. She was also an active member of the dance line, music, and community organizations.
Before graduating cum laude in 2000, she was a three-year member of the Dean’s List and President’s List, she won the NSU String Solo Competition, 1998 NSU Speech Forum, and a member of the 2000 Homecoming Court.
Professionally, she became a substitute for the South Arkansas and Shreveport Symphonies. After an accident impaired her professional career, she began teaching at Highlands Junior School in Goose Creek CISD in Baytown. There the students won honors at UIL Concert and Sight Reading for the first time in 15 years. She has been on the All-State judging panel and judged at Solo and Ensemble Competitions throughout the state.
Email Danielle Prontka
Lead Team
Co-Presidents:
Vice Presidents: To be elected in the fall semester
Activity Account Parent Treasurer: