Jesse Cannon II is the Executive Director of Visual & Performing Arts in Fort Worth ISD. Prior to his current role, he was the Director of Choirs in Duncanville ISD. He is the Past TMEA Vocal Vice-President and current TMEA Past-President, serves on the Country Music Association Foundation Board, and is a School Board Trustee in Mansfield ISD.
Mr. Cannon holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Dallas Baptist University and a Master’s in Music Education with an Emphasis in Choral Conducting from Mississippi State University. He has served in various capacities on the local, state, and national levels, including as Southwest ACDA Repertoire & Resources Chair for High School Mixed Choirs. He is also an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, and has been the recipient of numerous grants and scholarships for study and arts advocacy initiatives.
Choirs under his direction have consistently earned superior ratings at regional and state contests, have been named Overall Outstanding and Grand Champion in competitions across the U.S., and grew to become one of the largest and most recognized choral programs in the area. His ensembles performed at the 2020 TMEA Convention and the 2021 National ACDA Convention and were recognized by The American Prize and The Foundation for Music Education Mark of Excellence as national winners.
Mr. Cannon has been honored as a Music Teacher of Excellence by the Country Music Association Foundation (2022), Duncanville High School Teacher of the Year (2021), and has received the Grammy Signature School Award for the Duncanville HS Choral Department. He remains an active region clinician and adjudicates for the UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest.