Stephen A. Howard, Director of Bands
Stephen A. Howard is a native of Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Howard holds a Bachelor's of Music degree from Radford University in Radford, Virginia where he concentrated in both Instrumental and Vocal Music Education. At Radford, he studied trombone with Dr. Joseph Blaha and Dr. Steven Rice, percussion with Prof. Al Wojtera, voice with Prof. Elizabeth Curtis, and conducting with composer/conductor Prof. Mark D. Camphouse. After graduating, Mr. Howard attended George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he earned a Master’s of Music degree concentrating in Instrumental Conducting. There, he studied conducting with Prof. Anthony Maiello and Prof. Mark D. Camphouse.
After finishing graduate school, Mr. Howard moved to Austin, Texas to begin work at James Bowie High School as an Associate Director of Bands. At Bowie, Mr. Howard received Division 1 ratings with both the Freshman Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, and Wind Ensembles 2 and 3. The James Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble also experienced success during his tenure, being named a UIL 5A State Finalist in 2008, 2010, and 2012, a Grand National Finalist in 2009 and 2012, and a consistent BOA Regional Class Champion and Super Regional Finalist.
As Director of Bowie’s Color Guard, the program grew to include over 50 members, two Winter Guards, and two levels of course offerings. Most notably, the Winter Guards competed at the Texas Color Guard Circuit State Championships where both the JV & Varsity teams were named class champions in 2014. The Varsity team went on to appear in the Scholastic Open Class Finals at the WGI World Championships.
Currently, Mr. Howard serves as Director of Bands at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, a magnet school for women grades 6-12 in the Austin Independent School District. The Ann Richards School "Marching Stars" are the nations only all-female Marching Band, competing in UIL, BOA, and local contests while staying active in the Austin community.
Mr. Howard served on the Executive Board for the Texas Color Guard Circuit for many years and is the current President. In 2015, he was awarded the Randy Julia Service Award from TCGC for his leadership and dedication to the organization. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and is an active adjudicator in the Marching Band and Winter Guard world.
Stephen A. Howard is a native of Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Howard holds a Bachelor's of Music degree from Radford University in Radford, Virginia where he concentrated in both Instrumental and Vocal Music Education. At Radford, he studied trombone with Dr. Joseph Blaha and Dr. Steven Rice, percussion with Prof. Al Wojtera, voice with Prof. Elizabeth Curtis, and conducting with composer/conductor Prof. Mark D. Camphouse. After graduating, Mr. Howard attended George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he earned a Master’s of Music degree concentrating in Instrumental Conducting. There, he studied conducting with Prof. Anthony Maiello and Prof. Mark D. Camphouse.
After finishing graduate school, Mr. Howard moved to Austin, Texas to begin work at James Bowie High School as an Associate Director of Bands. At Bowie, Mr. Howard received Division 1 ratings with both the Freshman Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, and Wind Ensembles 2 and 3. The James Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble also experienced success during his tenure, being named a UIL 5A State Finalist in 2008, 2010, and 2012, a Grand National Finalist in 2009 and 2012, and a consistent BOA Regional Class Champion and Super Regional Finalist.
As Director of Bowie’s Color Guard, the program grew to include over 50 members, two Winter Guards, and two levels of course offerings. Most notably, the Winter Guards competed at the Texas Color Guard Circuit State Championships where both the JV & Varsity teams were named class champions in 2014. The Varsity team went on to appear in the Scholastic Open Class Finals at the WGI World Championships.
Currently, Mr. Howard serves as Director of Bands at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, a magnet school for women grades 6-12 in the Austin Independent School District. The Ann Richards School "Marching Stars" are the nations only all-female Marching Band, competing in UIL, BOA, and local contests while staying active in the Austin community.
Mr. Howard served on the Executive Board for the Texas Color Guard Circuit for many years and is the current President. In 2015, he was awarded the Randy Julia Service Award from TCGC for his leadership and dedication to the organization. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and is an active adjudicator in the Marching Band and Winter Guard world.
Amanda Elizondo, Associate Director of Bands
Amanda Elizondo is the associate band director at Ann Richards. She teaches the Middle School Band, beginner flute class and beginner trumpet class. She assists with the High school band, and also teaches Music & Media Communications 1.
Prior to arriving at Ann Richards, Amanda taught as an assistant band director in Hays CISD for 7 years; both at Hays High School and Barton Middle School. Before working in Hays, she taught beginner band in San Marcos ISD at Hernandez Intermediate. Amanda worked with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps on their brass staff from 2012-2014, and was a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corp in 2003.
Amanda graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She is a member of the Texas Music Educator’s Association and the Sigma Alpha Iota Austin Alumnae chapter.
Outside of band directing Amanda enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband Jerry.
Amanda Elizondo is the associate band director at Ann Richards. She teaches the Middle School Band, beginner flute class and beginner trumpet class. She assists with the High school band, and also teaches Music & Media Communications 1.
Prior to arriving at Ann Richards, Amanda taught as an assistant band director in Hays CISD for 7 years; both at Hays High School and Barton Middle School. Before working in Hays, she taught beginner band in San Marcos ISD at Hernandez Intermediate. Amanda worked with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps on their brass staff from 2012-2014, and was a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corp in 2003.
Amanda graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She is a member of the Texas Music Educator’s Association and the Sigma Alpha Iota Austin Alumnae chapter.
Outside of band directing Amanda enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband Jerry.
Emily Bingham, Percussion Director
Emily Bingham is a recent graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Music in music education with emphasis in percussion. A native of Dripping Springs, TX Emily was introduced to the piano at an early age. She began focusing on percussion after being exposed to competitive drum corps. Her performance career in the marching arts includes two years in the Boston Crusaders Front Ensemble, and a year as bass one at Rhythmic Force Indoor. Emily performed with many groups while at the University of Texas such as: Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Symphony as well as University of Texas Percussion Ensemble, (which performed at PASIC 2017), Marimba Band, Steel Pan, and played Trumpet for Longhorn Band. Emily is still active in the drum corps world working with Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps front ensemble. While attending University of Texas Emily also worked with neighboring high school percussion ensembles including Leander Band, Austin High School, and Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, all of which have either appeared at the Texas State Marching Contest, BOA Regional Finals, or BOA Grand Nationals.
Emily Bingham is a recent graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Music in music education with emphasis in percussion. A native of Dripping Springs, TX Emily was introduced to the piano at an early age. She began focusing on percussion after being exposed to competitive drum corps. Her performance career in the marching arts includes two years in the Boston Crusaders Front Ensemble, and a year as bass one at Rhythmic Force Indoor. Emily performed with many groups while at the University of Texas such as: Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Symphony as well as University of Texas Percussion Ensemble, (which performed at PASIC 2017), Marimba Band, Steel Pan, and played Trumpet for Longhorn Band. Emily is still active in the drum corps world working with Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps front ensemble. While attending University of Texas Emily also worked with neighboring high school percussion ensembles including Leander Band, Austin High School, and Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, all of which have either appeared at the Texas State Marching Contest, BOA Regional Finals, or BOA Grand Nationals.
Kat Williams, Color Guard Director
Ms. Kat Williams has been in the Marching Arts Industry for 17 years. With experience marching both an instrument and color guard, Ms. Williams has developed her career with a visual focus in the Marching Arts. She has directed programs in Pflugerville ISD, Leander ISD, and Austin ISD, served as the Color Guard Caption Head for Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps in 2016, and consults and clinics with programs across the country. Ms. Williams is a graduate of Texas State University and received a Masters from South University. She has numerous certifications that are body-focused and loves helping bands and color guards prepare their body for the activity required in the Marching Arts and achieve their content with a high level of excellence.