Elliot Polot
Director of Bands (2024-present)
band office telephone: 734-996-3210
Elliot Polot (he/him) is the Director of Bands of Pioneer High School. He had previously been Director of Bands and Orchestras at Dublin High School in California from 2018 to 2024. While at Dublin, Mr. Polot directed the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, and Orchestras. He oversaw Winter Percussion, Winter Guard, Jazz Lab club, and served as the Performing Arts Department Chair. Under Mr. Polot’s direction, every ensemble has performed to high acclaim, consistently raising the highest earned competition scores and earning Unanimous Superior ratings at festivals. In 2023, the DHS Chamber Orchestra was invited to perform at the 77th annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago. In 2022, Mr. Polot was named Outstanding Young Director of the Year by the Northern California Band Association.
Mr. Polot graduated magna cum laude from the University of Michigan with degrees in Euphonium Performance and Instrumental Music Education. He played euphonium in the University of Michigan Symphony Band and the Michigan Marching Band, where he served as Rank Leader, Section Leader, and Fanfare Band Conductor.
Mr. Polot is a proud alumnus of the Pioneer Bands, where he served as the principal euphonium player in the Symphony Band for four years and played trumpet in the Jazz Band for three years. In his senior year, he served as the Drum Major and played a concerto with the Symphony Orchestra. He was awarded the John Philip Sousa and Robert Albritton Leadership in Music Awards. After graduation, Mr. Polot coached the Drum Major Candidates for four years and served as a Band Camp Counselor where he taught Marching and Maneuvering.
Henry Blackson-Pakela
Associate Director of Bands (2024-present)
band office telephone: 734-996-3210
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Henry Blackson-Pakela (he/him) has been the Associate Director of Bands of Ann Arbor Clague Middle School, as well as the 5th Grade Band Teacher at Logan Elementary and King Elementary. During his time at Clague, Mr. Pakela co-taught 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Band with his colleague (Director of Bands) Jay MacArthur, organized and coached chamber ensembles, and led the Clague 8th Grade Jazz Band in performances at Jazz Summit and with the Paul Keller Orchestra. Since 2019, the Clague 7th and 8th Grade Bands have received consistent Superior (“I”) ratings, had strong participation at Solo and Ensemble and All-State, and were invited to perform at the 2024 Michigan Music Conference. Mr. Pakela also serves as the AAPS Summer Music Program’s Jazz Director, and the Teacher Learning Network facilitator for the 5th Grade Band faculty.
Mr. Pakela graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in Jazz Studies and Music Education, performing in the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Trombone Ensemble, and Creative Arts Orchestra. While at Michigan, he also served as the Assistant to the Music Director of the Bicentennial Jazz Festival.
A product of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Music Program, Mr. Pakela graduated from Pioneer High School, where he was a member of the Pioneer Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Jazz Band. He also was a member of the Community High Jazz Program, playing trombone for three years in Jazz II and Jazz IV, winning festivals and playing concerts all around the state.
Outside of teaching, Mr. Pakela performs trombone and bass trombone locally, maintains a robust private low brass studio, and loves to spend time with his wife Amanda Blackson-Pakela (AAPS Music Teacher) and their beagle pup Beatrice.
Further Contact Information
Pioneer Music Dept Fax: 734-997-1248
Pioneer High School Bands
601 West Stadium Blvd
Ann Arbor MI 48103