DIRECTORS
Mr. Raul Escobedo
Director of Bands
ph: 512-841-2181
raul.escobedo@austinisd.org
Bachelor of Music Education
University of North Texas - 2010
Master of Music Performance
Northwestern University - 2012
Instruction
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Wind Ensemble
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Concert Band
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Beginning Trumpet
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Beginning Horn
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Beginning Trombone
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Beginning Euphonium
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Beginning Tuba
Raul Escobedo is currently in his seventh year of teaching at Lamar Middle School and Fine Arts Academy, and first year as the Director of Bands. He teaches beginning trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, Full Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and the Wind Ensemble.
Raul Escobedo is originally from Houston, TX, where he received his high school diploma from Cypress Falls High School. He played the tuba all through middle and high school, and competed twice in the All-State level. Frank Troyka, John Morrison, and Bud Johnson were a few of his greatest musical influences during his time in Houston.
In 2006, Raul attended the University of North Texas and graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. At North Texas, he studied with Donald Little and Dr. Brian Bowman, and performed with the Symphonic Band under the direction of Dennis Fisher.
In 2012, Raul received his master’s degree in tuba performance at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL where he studied with Rex Martin. His graduate assistant position was to assist the basketball band, which he also took them to the Big 10 championship game in Indianapolis, IN. He had the opportunity to perform with the Northwestern Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Mallory Thompson and the Northwestern Symphony Orchestra conducted by Victor Yampolsky.
Raul currently resides in Pflugerville, TX with his wife Kaitlin, five year old son Leo, and three year old daughter Rachel, and 1 year old son Milo.
Ms. Alicia Villanueva
Associate Band Director
ph: 512-841-2025
Bachelor of Music Education
Texas Tech University - 2018
Instruction
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Symphonic Band
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Jazz Factory
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Beginning Flute
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Beginning Oboe
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Beginning Clarinet
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Beginning Bassoon
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Beginning Saxophone
Alicia Villanueva is in her first full year of teaching as an Associate Band Director at Lamar Middle School after joining the Lamar band program in Spring 2019. She teaches beginning flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet and saxophone, Jazz Factory, Symphonic Band and oversees the private lesson program.
Ms. Villanueva is a native to the Austin area. She grew up in Hutto, TX, where she received her high school diploma from Hutto High School. Ms. Villanueva graduated magna cum laude from Texas Tech University in December 2018 with a bachelor’s in music education. While at Texas Tech University, Ms. Villanueva studied saxophone under David Dees and enjoyed performing with multiple ensembles including the Goin’ Band from Raiderland, concert ensembles, her competitive saxophone quartet and the TTU University Band on Oboe. She was Vice President of Service for the Beta chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority. In her first semester of teaching her Symphonic Band earned a sweepstakes performance at UIL Concert & Sight Reading contest.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring different ways to workout, practicing her secondary instruments and spending time with her friends and family.
Ms. Villanueva’s professional memberships include the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. Since 2015, Ms. Villanueva spends her summers with the Guardians Drum and Bugle Corps as the former head drum major and now assistant corps director and tour director.
Mr. Matt Ehlers
Percussion Instructor
ph: 512-414-0964
matthew.ehlers@austinisd.org
Bachelor of Music Education
University of North Texas
Instruction
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Beginning Percussion
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Percussion Ensemble