Jacob Ramos, Director of Bands
Jacob Ramos completed his high school education in Houston at Cypress Falls High School in 2004. Upon high school graduation, Mr. Ramos attended the University of Houston through his 2nd Year in college and finished his degree at Sam Houston State University where he earned his Bachelor of Music in 2010. Later in 2020, Mr. Ramos returned to Sam Houston State University where he continued his education and received a Master of Arts in Band Studies in 2022.
Mr. Ramos has previously had opportunities as a leadership assistant at both Sam Houston State and Texas A&M-Commerce leadership camps. Later Mr. Ramos would have the opportunity to teach at The John Cooper School as a percussion instructor and serve as a percussion technician at College Park High School in the Woodlands, Texas. Upon moving to East Texas, he served as Middle School Band Director in Tatum ISD 2011 and later joined the White Oak Band Staff in 2017. He discovered his passion for both music and leadership through the opportunities provided in the Cypress Falls High School Band and with his former band directors. During his time with White Oak High School, he would use his previous training to present Marching Fundamentals and Leadership skills in San Antonio at the Texas Bandmaster Association Conference with the help of the White Oak Band Student Leadership Team. Under the direction of Mr. Ramos and band staff, the Regiment of Roughnecks has received Silver (2023) & Gold (2024) at the UIL State Military Marching Band Contest. Earning the title of State Champions.
Jacob Ramos married his wife, Meredith (Phillips) Ramos, a native East Texan, in 2010. They are the proud and busy parents of five beautiful children: Adalyn, Elijah, Myla, Lucia, and Joshua. In his spare time, Mr. Ramos enjoys being outdoors with his family, serving at his home church, and making music with everyone.
Mr. Ramos is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, the Association of Texas Small School Bands, and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
Randy Whatley, Director of Middle School Bands
Phone: (903)291-2060 e-mail: [email protected]
Randy Whatley joined the staff at White Oak ISD in the Fall of 2009. Before coming to White Oak, Mr. Whatley spent 9 years at Pittsburg ISD. While at Pittsburg, Mr. Whatley taught middle school band for 8 years, six of those as Mr. Steele’s assistant. Mr. Whatley’s final year was spent as the head director at Pittsburg High School. Randy Whatley graduated from Daingerfield High School in 1995, and Texas A&M University-Commerce in December 1999.
Mr. Whatley maintains memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, the Association of Texas Small School Bands, the National Association of Military Marching Bands, and the Texas Bandmasters Association.
With over 25 years of experience in East Texas music education, Mr. Whatley has built a strong reputation as a passionate and effective leader. He has helped guide the White Oak Middle School Band to multiple UIL Academic District Championships and has played a key role in cultivating a program culture that supports long-term musical excellence—including contributing to the development of students who later performed with the state champion White Oak High School Regiment of Roughnecks in the 2024 Class 3A UIL Military Marching State Championship. His teaching emphasizes strong fundamentals, discipline, and joy in performance, creating a solid foundation that prepares students for success at the high school level and beyond. Many of his students go on to earn honors in all-region and all-area competitions and pursue scholarship opportunities in music. Through his leadership, White Oak’s middle school band program continues to thrive as a model of musical growth and student achievement.
Tiffany Tanuyan, Assistant Director of Middle School Bands
e-mail: [email protected]
Mrs. Tiffany Tanuyan was born and raised in Bossier City, LA. Mrs. Tanuyan graduated from Airline High School in 2013. Upon graduation, Mrs. Tanuyan attended Northwestern State University of Louisiana where she served as Tuba Section Leader and Logistics Coordinator for the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band. She obtained her Bachelors of Music Education in 2017. Mrs. Tanuyan began her career at Longview ISD working as the Head Director of Judson Middle School from 2017-2018 and then transferred to Elysian Fields ISD from 2018-2024. Mrs Tanuyan served at Elysian Fields as Assistant Band Director for 4 years and Head Director for 2 years.
Mrs. Tanuyan met her husband, George Tanuyan, at Baptist Church. They got married on St. Patrick’s Day in 2019. They have one child, Emily Grace Tanuyan and Elizabeth Jane Tanuyan. In her spare time, Mrs. Tanuyan enjoys serving at her church, making music, riding bikes, and playing with her daughter. Mrs. Tanuyan is a member of Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB), Mobberly Church Orchestra, the British Brass Band of Louisiana, and Red River Wind Orchestra.
Laney Hamner, Assistant Director of High School Bands
e-mail: [email protected]
Mrs. Hamner is an East Texas native and proud alumna of Henderson High School. She earned her Bachelor ’s Degree in Music Education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in 2015. During her time at NSU, Mrs. Hamner was an active member of the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band, serving as a section leader for three years. She also participated in the Wind Symphony, Orchestra , and Clarinet Studio, and was a member of Tau Beta Sigma , a national honorary band sorority.
Mrs. Hamner began her teaching career at Lufkin ISD, where she served as the 6th Grade Band Coordinator. After five years in Lufkin, she moved to Kilgore to be closer to family and spent two years as the High School Assistant Director and Interim Director of Bands, teaching marching band , middle school band , and the high school non-varsity ensemble.
In 2023, she joined Pittsburg ISD as the 7th Grade Band Director. In addition to leading the 7th-grade band , she also taught beginner band and assisted with various ensembles across the program.
With over a decade of experience, her passion lies in shaping young musicians and fostering a lifelong appreciation for music.