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 (Radford, VA) where he concentrated in both Instrumental and Vocal Music Education and a Master's of Music degree from George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) where he studied Instrumental Conducting with Prof. Anthony Maiello and Prof. Mark D. Camphouse.
In 2007, Mr. Howard moved to Austin, Texas to teach 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 Bowie’s Color Guard Director, 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 public all-girls school of choice that serves grades 6-12 for 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. Since 2014, the program has almost tripled in size. The Marching Stars have been named a BOA Regional Class Champion four times and were most recently invited to perform in the 2021 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Ann Richards Color Guard program has grown tremendously and has earned several accolades in the Texas Color Guard Circuit, including being named the 2017 Scholastic Novice Champion, the 2018 Scholastic Regional A Bronze Medalist, and the 2019 Scholastic AA Silver Medalist.
Mr. Howard is a Past President of the Texas Color Guard Circuit. 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. in 2018, Mr. Howard was recognized as an Educator of Excellence by the Young Women's Preparatory Network. He resides in Austin with his wife, Hannah, and his two children, Aria and Andrew.
Stephen A. Howard is a native of Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Howard holds a Bachelor's of Music degree from Radford University (Radford, VA) where he concentrated in both Instrumental and Vocal Music Education and a Master's of Music degree from George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) where he studied Instrumental Conducting with Prof. Anthony Maiello and Prof. Mark D. Camphouse.
In 2007, Mr. Howard moved to Austin, Texas to teach 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 Bowie’s Color Guard Director, 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 public all-girls school of choice that serves grades 6-12 for 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. Since 2014, the program has almost tripled in size. The Marching Stars have been named a BOA Regional Class Champion four times and were most recently invited to perform in the 2021 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Ann Richards Color Guard program has grown tremendously and has earned several accolades in the Texas Color Guard Circuit, including being named the 2017 Scholastic Novice Champion, the 2018 Scholastic Regional A Bronze Medalist, and the 2019 Scholastic AA Silver Medalist.
Mr. Howard is a Past President of the Texas Color Guard Circuit. 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. in 2018, Mr. Howard was recognized as an Educator of Excellence by the Young Women's Preparatory Network. He resides in Austin with his wife, Hannah, and his two children, Aria and Andrew.
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.
Linda Aguilar, Middle School Director
Linda Aguilar is a native Austinite. Ms. Aguilar attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana where she received her Bachelors of Music Education. Upon graduation, Ms. Aguilar returned home to Austin, TX where she began working at Mendez Middle School as the Head Band Director (2011-2016). Her career continued at Deerpark Middle School in Round Rock ISD, where she was the Assistant Band Director (2016-2020). Ms. Aguilar is excited to come to the Ann Richards School for year ten of her career!
Ms. Aguilar’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Sigma Alpha Iota Austin Alumnae Chapter. She continues to perform with the Waterloo Wind Band, which is a community band based in South Austin. In her free time, Ms. Aguilar enjoys traveling (she’s been to 49 of the 50 states) and crafting.
Linda Aguilar is a native Austinite. Ms. Aguilar attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana where she received her Bachelors of Music Education. Upon graduation, Ms. Aguilar returned home to Austin, TX where she began working at Mendez Middle School as the Head Band Director (2011-2016). Her career continued at Deerpark Middle School in Round Rock ISD, where she was the Assistant Band Director (2016-2020). Ms. Aguilar is excited to come to the Ann Richards School for year ten of her career!
Ms. Aguilar’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Sigma Alpha Iota Austin Alumnae Chapter. She continues to perform with the Waterloo Wind Band, which is a community band based in South Austin. In her free time, Ms. Aguilar enjoys traveling (she’s been to 49 of the 50 states) and crafting.
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.