Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
Klein Cain High School is the newest of five high schools in the Klein Independent School District, located in the northern Houston area. Since its opening in 2017, the school has grown to serve almost 4000 students, and has quickly established a reputation for excellence in academics, arts, and athletics.
The Klein Cain High School Orchestra program comprises over 220 students in six string orchestras that meet throughout the day in addition to a symphony orchestra that meets outside of regular class time. With the support of an incredible campus and district level administrative team, the orchestra program has earned numerous awards since the Fall of 2020. All performing orchestras have consistently received the highest marks at the Texas UIL Concert and Sightreading evaluations. In 2021 and 2022, the varsity orchestra was named a “National Winner” in the Foundation for Music Education Mark of Excellence competition. In 2022, the pit orchestra for the school’s production of “Singin’ in the Rain” was nominated for Best Orchestra by the Tommy Tunes foundation. This year, the chamber orchestra was named a finalist in the 2023 TMEA Honor String Orchestra competition for the first time in school history. A majority of the students come to Klein Cain from two primary feeder intermediate schools; Doerre Intermediate and Ulrich Intermediate. Klein Cain Orchestra students are among the brightest students on campus and multi-talented, often excelling in several activities and academic endeavors. In addition to being selected for Region and All-State level orchestras, many students participate in swimming, tennis, UIL academic competitions, youth symphony, band, choir, theater, and several other school organizations. This is the first time that the Klein Cain Chamber Orchestra has been invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic.
Klein Cain High School Chamber Orchestra
Conductor's Bio
Sundas Mohi-Truong has been teaching high school orchestra for nine years, and is in her fourth year as the Director of Orchestras at Klein Cain High School. She received her bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at San Antonio, graduating summa cum laude with Highest Honors, and with the performer's certificate on viola. Under her direction, the Klein Cain Orchestra program has grown from 160 to over 220 students in six orchestras and is establishing a reputation for excellence in orchestral musicianship. In 2021 and 2022, the varsity orchestra was named a “National Winner” in the Foundation for Music Education Mark of Excellence competition. In 2022, the pit orchestra for the school’s production of “Singin’ in the Rain” was nominated for Best Orchestra by the Tommy Tunes foundation. Recently, the varsity string orchestra was named a finalist in the 2023 TMEA Honor String Orchestra competition for the first time in school history. Prior to her current appointment, Mrs. Mohi-Truong was head orchestra director at Paetow High School in Katy ISD, and also served as Assistant Orchestra Director at Tompkins High School in Katy ISD. She has led the Klein Cain Orchestra Program since the fall of 2020.
As a second-generation Pakistani-American, Mrs. Mohi-Truong is passionate about helping students from all backgrounds find the right path for themselves throughout their time in high school and beyond. She strongly believes that students should pursue their true passions in life, and that music can always be a part of a student’s life, if they desire. Mrs. Mohi-Truong has presented research on this topic at the 2020 ASTA National Conference, as well as at TMEA and TODA Conventions. She has also been invited to present work on racial studies in the classroom, beginning strings curriculum, and music theory studies at state and national conferences from 2017-2022.
Mrs. Mohi-Truong is currently on the Board of Directors for the Texas Orchestra Directors Association and was also recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the American String Teachers Association. She maintains active membership in TMEA, TODA, and ASTA, with experience serving as treasurer for Region 23 Orchestra, and as a DEI committee member for ASTA. In 2023, Mrs. Mohi-Truong was recognized as the Marjorie Keller Outstanding Young Music Educator by the state board of the Texas chapter of the American String Teachers Association. As a violist, she has performed with various orchestras and chamber groups in the Houston area, and continues to freelance regularly. In her spare time, Mrs. Mohi-Truong loves baking, kickboxing, and trying new coffee spots around town with her husband.
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