Peter Acosta
Peter A. Acosta is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting at the University of Texas at Austin. Previous to his UT appointment, he served as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of the Syracuse University Marching Band. Prior to this, he was an educator in the Texas public schools as a Middle School and High School director. Mr. Acosta continues to stay active in the public schools as a clinician and guest conductor. He holds the Master of Music degree in Music Education with an emphasis in conducting from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas and the Bachelor of Music Studies degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Thad Anderson
Drumline Instructor
Thad Anderson is currently the Director of the Longhorn Band Drumline. In addition to these duties, Thad also serves as the Director of Percussion Studies at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. He is an active performer in the Austin community and can often be seen with ensembles such as the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Conspirare, and the Bravura Percussion Trio. Thad is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Percussion Performance at the University of Texas at Austin.
tranderson@mail.utexas.eduCormac Cannon
Cormac Cannon is currently pursuing the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at the University of Texas at Austin. Cormac received the Master of Music degree in wind conducting at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he also served as conductor of the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble, and the Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance and music education from the University of Iowa. From 2001-2005, Cannon served as director of bands at Williamsburg High School in Williamsburg, Iowa. An active composer and arranger, Cannon has received commissions from high school and university ensembles throughout the United States, and the summer of 2003 was one of five composers selected to participate in the prestigious National Band Association Young Composer Mentor Project. Cannon has served on the staffs of numerous marching bands and drumlines, and has taught at several summer music camps. Cannon's professional affiliations include CBDNA, NBA, WASBE, and MENC.
Michcael Hengst
Michael Hengst is currently pursuing the Doctor of Music Arts degree in Trumpet Performance at the University of Texas under the direction of Ray Sasaki. Mr. Hengst holds a Bachelor's degree in trumpet performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro as well as a Master's degree form the University of Texas. Recently, Mike has been a finalist in the Crawford Trumpet Competition, the UT Concerto Competition, and the 2005 National Trumpet Competition where he earned 3rd prize in the Master's division.
David T. Kehler
David T. Kehler is currently pursuing the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to his UT responsibilities, he serves as Associate Conductor or the Dallas Wind Symphony and Founder and Conductor of the GDYO Wind Symphony (Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras, Inc.). Previous to his UT appointment, he served as Director of the Mustang Band at Southern Methodist University, Associate Director of Bands at the University of Rhode Island and Director of Bands at Bay City Western High School, in Bay City Michigan. Mr. Kehler earned both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Michigan State University and has professional memberships in MENC, CBDNA, WASBE, TBA and others. He is a frequent conductor and clinician for concert and marching bands throughout the United States.
Verena Möesenbichler
Verena Möesenbichler is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting at The University of Texas at Austin. A native of Eberschwang, Austria, Verena has conducted since age 16, including three years as the conductor of the Hofkirchen community band and as conductor of the Eberschwang youth band. She also serves as Executive Director of the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project, the international youth orchestra of the annual Mid-Europe festival in Schladming, Austria (www.mideurope.at). Verena received her Bachelor of Music degree in orchestral conducting with Ingo Ingensand at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz (Austria). Verena holds a Master of Music degree from Michigan State University, where her principal conducting teachers were Kevin Sedatole, John L. Whitwell (retired Director of Bands), John T. Madden (Associate Director of Bands and Director of the MSU Marching Band) and Leon Gregorian (Orchestral Conducting).
Albert Nguyen
Albert Nguyen is currently pursuing the Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting at The University of Texas at Austin. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Nguyen taught for four years in Morrilton, Arkansas, where he was the high school band director. During his time teaching in public schools, Mr. Nguyen has been active as a clinician and adjudicator. He holds the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University.
Justin R. Stolarik
Justin R. Stolarik is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin. As a graduate teaching assistant, he works with the Longhorn Band, Basketball/Volleyball Band, undergraduate conducting classes, the Longhorn Concert Band, and Longhorn Summer Music Camps. His wind arrangements are frequently performed by the athletic bands at football and basketball games. In addition to his schedule at The University of Texas, Mr. Stolarik is active in the public schools as a clinician and adjudicator. He has taught and arranged for marching bands in Gainesville, Orlando, Cocoa Beach, Vero Beach, Dallas, Houston, and Austin, as well as for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Stolarik holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from The University of Florida and a master’s degree in Performance from The University of Texas at Austin. His performance excellence has been featured in issues of Modern Drummer and Percussion News, and his professional memberships include CBDNA, WASBE, ASCAP, MENC, and PAS.
musiceducator80@hotmail.comDelia Tovar
Guard Instructor
A Color Guard Instructor since 1989, Delia A. Tovar is in her sixth year as the Instructor for the Longhorn Band Color Guard. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Ms. Tovar graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She has been a color guard instructor for Lone Star Drum and Bugle Corps, 1996-1997 and Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001-2003. She also serves as one of the coordinators for the Longhorn Music Camps. Ms. Tovar is currently working in a Social Behavioral Skills Program class at Austin High School.