About GPMS Choir
The Galena Park Middle School Choir program has a long tradition of family which leads to excellence. Choir is a home away from home for approximately 200 students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
GPMS Choirs give three formal concerts a year in the Fall, Winter and Spring. 7th and 8th grade choirs participate at UIL Concert and Sight Reading where they regularly bring home first division and sweepstakes awards. The 6th grade choirs also bring home awards in their spring festival competitions.
Individual singers have the opportunity to compete in contests such as Region 33 honor choir auditions and the GPISD Solo and Ensemble Contest. Students from Galena Park Middle have earned places at the state level in the Texas Choral Directors honor choir.
Meet the Directors
About Ms. Ballesteros
My name is Laurie Ballesteros and the 2023-2024 school year will be my twenty-ninth year of teaching at Galena Park Middle School. It is safe to say I love this school, community and district.
I was in band and choir in middle school and high school and it makes me an even more extra music teacher nerd. When I'm not at school I like to scroll the internet endlessly, work on art projects, watch TV shows and play Fortnite. I live with my husband and our cat.
I love to help students find their voice. Not just their singing voice, but that voice inside who says who they are, what they love and how they are going to change the world.
About Mrs. Bendorf
Hello, Yellow Jackets! My name is Laura Bendorf, and the 2023-2024 school year will be my 20th year of teaching. Singing and making music has filled my heart with joy and peace since I was old enough to talk, and sharing that feeling with young aspiring musicians motivates what I do every day. I always felt at ease and at home in choir. That has not changed all these years later, and I try to create that same feeling for my students.
Before I started my teaching career, I obtained my Bachelors of Music from the University of North Texas. After I taught for a few years, I obtained my Masters of Education in Administration from Lamar University.
I am married and have a 6 year old son. My husband is a choir director on the north side of our district. In my free time, I love to play with my son, stay active, and explore Houston. I enjoy watching movies, crafts such as crochet and cross stitch, and playing with my two dogs.
