Colin Minkler was born on May 29th,1992. He attended grade school in Port Isabel and college at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Mr. Minkler began playing piano at the age of 5 under his parents Norma and Andrew Minkler. Shortly after, he was given lessons by Dr. Francisco Rocafuerte until middle school where he picked up the alto saxophone in the Port Isabel Jr. High Band. In high school, he continued playing saxophone in the band program while still playing piano and graduated as Valedictorian for the Class of 2010. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, made the All-State Band four times on alto saxophone, and placed 1st chair in the state his senior year. When he attended college, he majored in Music Education (saxophone) and Piano Performance with emphasis on piano pedagogy. His two primary teachers were Dr. Joachim Reinhuber (piano) and Mr. Warth (saxophone and jazz). While in college, Mr. Minkler has performed in various ensembles including Marching Band, Jazz Band 1&2, Wind Symphony, and the Javalina Choir. In addition, he has performed alongside many famous artists including: Byran Stripling, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Wycliffe Gordon, Eric Marienthal,Tito Puente Jr., Kris Berg, and Wayne Bergeron. Once graduating college as Summa Cum Laude in 2015, he became an Assistant Band Director in Los Fresnos for two years followed by becoming a Staff Accompanist for the McAllen High School Choir Vertical Team for three years. In 2019, Mr. Minkler was invited as a guest performer for the Kingsville Symphony Orchestra where he performed excerpts from Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin. He is in high demand as a performer in multiple scenarios including solo recitals, accompanying college senior recitals, jazz bands, jazz combos, choir clinics and concerts, chamber ensembles, church services, and other performing groups. He has also accompanied various choirs that have earned Sweepstakes at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation and other major choir events. These include the McAllen ISD 4th grade Choral Festival, All City clinics and concerts for Brownsville ISD, High School Honor Choir for Region 28, and the 2024 TCDA Directors' Chorus in Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. Throughout his career, he has performed multiple styles of music and has helped many groups to have successful performances. He currently works in the Brownsville Independent School District as a Staff Accompanist for Lopez High School, Lucio Middle School, and Faulk Middle School.