Felicia Garza, Director of Bands
Felicia Garza was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, where she attended Los Fresnos High School. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music Education degree with an emphasis in clarinet from Baylor University in 2021. While at Baylor, Ms. Garza performed with the Wind Ensemble at the 2020 TMEA Convention and Symphonic Band at the CBDNA Southwestern Division Conference in 2018. She was also a member of the athletic bands and served on the Undergraduate Staff for the ensembles in her final two years. Prior to graduating from Baylor, she completed her student teaching at Claudia Taylor Johnson High School in San Antonio, TX.
Ms. Garza’s professional affiliations include Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and International Clarinet Association. She is looking forward to her fourth year as part of the Unicorn Band Family and first year as the Director of Bands!
Aaron Venegas, Assistant Band Director
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An El Paso native, Mr. Venegas graduated from Del Valle High School under the direction of Manuel Gamez, and was a member of the TMEA All-State 5A, 6A, and Jazz Ensemble 1. After high school, Mr. Venegas attended Texas Tech University where he studied under Professor James T. Decker, Dr. Sarah McKoin, Dr. Eric Allen, Dr. Jacqueline Henninger and Professor of Jazz Studies, Stephen Jones. During his time at Texas Tech, Mr. Venegas was a consistent member of the Wind Ensemble, University Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble 1, and sang with the men’s choir, Matador Singers.
While at Tech, Mr. Venegas was actively teaching and performing in and out of school. He was a member of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland for three years, and served as the baritone section leader for one of those years. His performance experience includes performing alongside many prominent classical and jazz musicians such as: Bill Watrous, Ingrid Jensen, Geoffrey Keezer, Joseph Alessi, and The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Mr. Venegas was also fortunate to perform and tour with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2018 season. While in school, he was one of the select students in the School of Music to be invited by his professors to join the Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society. This recognition is designated to students who demonstrate strong musicianship and academic excellence.
Mr. Venegas previously taught at Jack C Hays High School, where he led the Sub-Non Varsity Band, receiving consistent sweepstakes since 2020, and directed the award-winning Hays Jazz Ensemble, which was recognized as a Commended Winner by The Foundation for Music Education in 2022. His work in the Hays High School Marching Band program contributed to multiple UIL State Marching Contest appearances, including a 6A State Runner-Up finish in 2021, a 5A 2nd place Area D finish in 2023, 1st place visual caption at the 5A Area D contest and subsequently, an 18th place finish at the 5A State Marching Contest in 2024.
Angel Hernandez, Percussion Director
Originally from Brownwood, Texas, Angel Hernandez received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Howard Payne University and Masters in Music Performance at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Mr. Hernandez has performed in many capacities and various ensemble settings; wind ensembles, Jazz bands/combos, outdoor/indoor, percussion ensembles, alternative bands, and many more.
Mr. Hernandez was a member of DCI, WGI, and, TCGC groups. He has also performed at TMEA and at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Mr. Hernandez has taught at many public-school programs ranging in various levels, as a private lesson teacher, percussion tech, teaching assistant at UTSA in their graduate program, Director of Percussion at Kaufman ISD, and Director of Percussion at Granbury ISD
Mr. Hernandez is a member of the Texas Music Education Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Percussive Arts Society, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Kate Williams, Colorguard Director
Kate Williams is in her 8th year as Colorguard Director for the NBHS Colorguard. Kate was born and raised in New Braunfels, and is a proud alumna of the Unicorn Band program! Kate graduated from NBHS in 2009, and was a 4-year member of the Colorguard and Winterguard under the direction of Ed Gonzales. After high school, she attended Texas State University where she received her BSFCS with a major in Fashion Merchandising. Kate was a 3 year member of Identity Independent Winterguard, an Independent Open class guard based out of San Marcos, TX, and a 2012 Open Class Finalist at WGI Championships in Dayton, Ohio. Kate has worked with Canyon HS, Smithson Valley HS, and ORIGINS Colorguard.
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