Current SLJH Orchestra students and their parents can find homework information, upcoming concerts and events, and the course handbook in Canvas. In addition, please consult the newsletter (email or Canvas version) for timely orchestra announcements. For other inquiries, contact the directors at the contacts below.

About our program

The Seven Lakes Junior High Spartan Orchestra consists of over 250 students in six performing orchestras and in beginning First Year Orchestra. The orchestra program has a tradition of success at regional, state-wide, and national contests recieving consistent sweeptstake ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluations and Houston-area recognition at the Anne C. Roberts Orchestra Festival. In addition, SLJH Orchestra has been a finalist in the Texas Honor Orchestra Competition and received national recognition from the Foundation for Music Education Mark of Excellence Competition.

All orchestra students perform multiple times a year with their ensemble and have additional opportunities for solo performances and individual recognition, including TMEA All-Region Orchestra. Spartan Orchestra students are brilliant and spirited, often involved in a multitude of activities outside of music. Many participate in piano lessons, choir, Science Olympiad, tennis, volleyball, basketball, track and field, football, theatre arts, National Junior Honor Society, and Spartan Round Table.

Although our focus is string pedagogy and ensemble performance, a successful Orchestra is a high-functioning team. Students are invited to participate in various socials, field trips, and small group activities throughout the year to build friendships with their Orchestra team.

SLJH Orchestra welcomes all students from beginner (no experience) to advanced players! See the "How to Join" tab for more information!

Additional recognition:

Anne C. Roberts Orchestra Festival, Best In Class First Year, Best In Class NonVarsity, Most Outstanding Orchestra, 2026
Texas Honor Orchestra Competition 2nd in the State (String Orchestra), 2025
Texas Honor Orchestra Competition 2nd in the State (Spartan Symphony Orchestra), 2025
Mark of Excellence National Winner (Spartan Symphony Orchestra), 2025
Texas Honor Orchestra Competition 6th in the State, 2023
Winner of the Houston Cup, 2023
ASTA National Orchestra Festival Grand National Champion, 2022
Invited Ensemble at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, 2022
Mark of Excellence National Winner, 2021 and 2022
Music for All National Festival, 2018

Meet the directors

Klayton Hoefler

director of orchestras

Klayton Hoefler is the head orchestra director at Seven Lakes Junior High. He currently serves as the Middle School Coordinator for Texas Music Educators Association Region 23 Orchestra.

Orchestras under Mr. Hoefler's instruction have received consistent UIL sweepstakes, recognition by the Foundation for Music Education Mark of Excellence, and an invitation to perform at the 77th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Mr. Hoefler previously taught at WoodCreek Junior High in Katy where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2024.

He began his teaching career in Columbus, Georgia where he taught middle school and high school orchestra. While in Columbus, Mr. Hoefler was a board member for the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus and held the position of adjunct professor of String Methods at Columbus State University. He also performed as substitute cellist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and LaGrange Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Hoefler holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bob Jones University and a master’s degree in Cello Performance from Columbus State University studying with Wendy Warner.

When not teaching, Mr. Hoefler enjoys hiking, camping, and travel.

Madison Welch

associate director

Madison Welch is the Assistant Director of Orchestras at Seven Lakes Junior High School in Katy, TX. Native of West Texas, Ms. Welch graduated with her Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and is currently working on her Masters of Music Education at Texas Tech University. She began her career in Midland ISD where she taught orchestra for four years at Carver Center and Abell Junior High. In her time at Midland ISD, she served as an active violin/viola instructor and performer in the Permian Basin and has been a member of the UTPB Philharmonic Orchestra, Big Spring Symphony Orchestra, and sub in the West Texas Symphony. She also had the opportunity to serve as chair of Region 6 All-City Orchestra for MISD, Co-Chair of Midland ISD Honor Orchestra, guest clinic sectionals and rehearsals for Permian Basin orchestras, and teach privately to students ages 6+.

Ms. Welch then spent her next two years teaching in Mansfield ISD in Mansfield, TX where she had the opportunity to build and expand the orchestra program at Mary Lillard Intermediate and Danny Jones Middle School. In her time with Mansfield ISD, Ms. Welch founded both the Non-Varsity and Varsity orchestras at Danny Jones Middle School which have earned their inaugural UIL sweepstakes and maintained those ratings in the subsequent years. In addition, she founded an elite ensemble, First Year Honor Orchestra, which provided beginner orchestra students the opportunity to perform and compete at statewide competitions. She also co-founded the Mansfield ISD All-District Orchestra which provided the intent to prepare students for rigorous audition scenarios and create interpersonal relationships with their peers among the district. Ms. Welch continued to maintain an active role in the community by performing as a section violinist and violist with the Mansfield Philharmonic Orchestra and continues to serve as the Concert Director for Mansfield Summer Strings.

Ms. Welch comes to Katy, TX and the Seven Lakes Junior High Orchestra program excited to help further the flourishing development of student musicians and a strong collaborative team with her colleagues. In her spare time, Ms. Welch loves to craft specialty coffee and kayaking. She also enjoys spending time with her cat, Winston, and her newest addition to the family; her golden retriever puppy, Tye

Samantha VanVoorhis

associate director

Ms. Samantha VanVoorhis joins the Seven Lakes Junior High Orchestra program with a passion for music education and a commitment to nurturing young musicians. As an Indiana University Jacobs School of Music graduate, Ms. VanVoorhis studied violin under Dr. Brenda Brenner and was a part of the Jacob’s Symphony and University Orchestras. She has taught with the Fairview Violin Project for the past three years, which is a program that provides violin instruction to elementary students at a Title I school. This past year, Ms. VanVoorhis worked with an incredible Indiana orchestra program and helped lead her middle school students to all-around Gold With Distinction ratings at ISSMA Organizational Contest. Originally from New York, Ms. VanVoorhis grew up in Poughkeepsie where she began playing the violin in 4th grade through her public school program. She has worked with the Stringendo Orchestra School as a summer camp counselor for the past five summers where she had the opportunity to lead sectionals, teach private lessons, and serve a diverse student population. As a violinist and violist, Ms. VanVoorhis has maintained her role as a performing musician by subbing in the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra in New York, as well as the Anderson Symphony Orchestra in Indiana. Ms. VanVoorhis comes to Katy, TX excited to support and contribute to an excelling orchestra program!

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