is in his Fourteenth Year of teaching and in his Fifth Year as the Director of Bands of Wood Middle School. Prior to joining Wood Middle School, he was the Assistant Band Director at Nimitz Middle School in the LEE HS Cluster. Mr. Benitez has also taught as the Head Band Director at DeZavala Middle School in Pasadena ISD, the Assistant Band Director at Connell Middle School in San Antonio ISD and began his career as the Assistant Band Director at Berta Cabaza Middle School in San Benito CISD.

At Wood, Mr. Benitez oversees all activities in the Wrangler Band program and directs the Honors Band, Concert Band and co-teaches the Symphonic Band. He is also in charge of teaching all beginning woodwind and percussion classes. During Mr. Benitez’s time at Wood, the Honors Band has received Superior and Excellent ratings at UIL and numerous festivals. Under the direction of Mr. Benitez, the Honors Band was selected as a performance group for the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio (YOSA) Invitational, held at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in May 2023. The Honors Band programed their 40th Anniversary consortium piece, The Black Cat, by Randall Standridge and premiered The White Hat, commissioned by Chad Taylor for the school’s namesake, Judge John H. Wood, Jr. and for the 2022-2023 Wood Honors Band's YOSA performance. Mr. Benitez has been instrumental in receiving The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation Grant three times in his career – DeZavala MS – Pasadena ISD (2013-2014), Nimitz MS – North East ISD (2014-2015), and Wood MS – North East ISD (2022-2023).

Mr. Benitez earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the School of Music at Texas State University - San Marcos in 2010. During his time at Texas State, Mr. Benitez had the opportunity to study music education under the tutelage of Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt and Dr. Robin Stein. Mr. Benitez also studied Clarinet under Dr. David Pino and Paula Corley and was a Clarinet/Bass Clarinetist in the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Symphony Orchestra, as well as a member of the Bobcat Marching Band. In June 2024, Mr. Benitez will begin his Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from the College of Liberal Arts - Music at University of Texas – El Paso.

His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA), and Tau Beta Sigma Fraternity (TBΣ). Mr. Benitez currently serves as the TMEA Region 12 Middle School Band Coordinator, which he has held since May 2021.

Mr. Benitez accredits his desire to teach music and band to his teachers and mentors; the late Steve Hankins, Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt, Richard Gonzalez, Holly Smith-Gonzalez, Kim Smith, and Stephanie McCoy Boothman.

In addition to all his musical endeavors, Mr. Benitez enjoys traveling and spending time with his family, friends, and dogs.