Carlton Cooper

Cooper is a celebrated figure in the music education community whose early passion for music led him to Prairie View A&M University and the institution's Marching Storm band program where he served as the trumpet section leader and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Business Marketing before becoming a member of the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band. Cooper also holds a Master of Music Technology degree from Southern Utah University.

Prior to his appointment in DeSoto ISD, Cooper, who has more than 24 years of experience in band leadership and music, education, served at various schools in the Dallas Independent School District at the middle school and high school level developing hundreds of budding musicians. Cooper most recently served as the head director of bands and the fine arts department chair at Wilmer Hutchins High School. Under his leadership, the WHHS band performed across the country, including appearances at the Valero Alamo Bowl and the All-State Sugar Bowl. As a result of his leadership and impact on student music education, Cooper was honored as a Recognized Teacher by the Texas Education Agency and was named the 2007 and 2022 Teacher of the Year at W.W. Samuel High School and Wilmer Hutchins High School respectively.

A testament to his commitment to continued excellence and professional development, Cooper is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Black Music Educators Association, and the Dallas Music Educators Association. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.