New band director Q&A
New Band Director Q&A
Daniel Villanueva
Featherduster: Where are you originally from?
Daniel Villanueva: I’m from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I went to Albuquerque High School and studied at the University of New Mexico, as well as McGill University.
FD: How did you get into band?
Villanueva: I’ve always been into music. I started as a pianist with my mother as a teacher, and then in fifth grade I started with the saxophone in the elementary school band.
FD: How did you come to Westlake?
Villanueva: I student taught up in Leander at Vandegrift High School, and I heard about a very excellent school down in Eanes ISD. I applied [and got in]. I’m very grateful that Kerry Taylor hired me.
FD: Now that you’re a director, is there anything you would like to change about the band?
Villanueva: I think that there’s always room to grow and get stronger, although it’s an exceptional program. I hope for the Westlake Band Program to been seen as an organization that leads Austin in the definition of musical excellence.
FD: How has band influenced you as a person?
Villanueva: It’s everything that I do. It’s everything about making someone understand how to be honest and work hard.
Drew Saenz
FD: Where are you originally from?
Drew Saenz: I’m from Austin. I went to a school at Connally. You could say I’m very familiar with Westlake.
FD: How did you get into band?
Saenz: I started in sixth grade like everyone else. I was actually more of a baseball player at the time, but then I found out I was good at band. I just stuck with it.
FD: How did you come to Westlake?
Saenz: My predecessor, Mr. Parsons, was the percussion director at Hendrickson High School. I used to take some lessons with him, and I got to know him while I was at Connally. Then he got the job [at Westlake] and hired me to be the drumline tech while I was going to school at Texas State. Then he asked me to teach beginner percussion, and then teaching private lessons [later on]. I’ve actually been teaching here since 2010. But it’s always been as a part-time thing. Now, I’m official.
FD: Now that you’re a director, is there anything you would like to change about the band?
Saenz: We do things so well here already that I’m more concerned with continuing the tradition of excellence.
FD: What’s the best part about being a director?
Saenz: I get to hang out with [students] every day. They have so much personality, and they’re so much fun to be around. I get to teach them something that I’m really passionate about in my life, so it’s just so much fun.
Jana Robertson
FD: Where are you originally from?
Jana Robertson: I’m originally from a house about 10 minutes down the street from Westlake. I grew up through the Eanes school district and went to Westlake High School.
FD: How did you get into band?
Robertson: I was going through fifth grade, and I had four older brothers and sisters who [were all in] choir. So, I wanted to do something different. When the sixth grade instrument drive came, I decided I wanted to do band. I’ve never looked back.
FD: How did you come to Westlake?
Robertson: I always knew that this would be an amazing place to work since I grew up here. I love the community, and I love the school and everything about it, from the band program to the school spirit. So when I heard there were going to be some band openings, I jumped at the opportunity. I had a couple years of experience working at Killeen High School, so I knew that this would be an amazing experience.
FD: Now that you’re a director, is there anything you would like to change about the band?
Robertson: As a director, you’re always thinking about the next step. What’s bigger, what’s better? I just want to keep challenging the students in the program to strive for excellence and take it to the next level.
FD: What’s the best part about being a director?
Robertson: It’s so much fun. Back when I was in high school, my favorite time was always band class. Now, this is my life. I get to do band all day long. And that’s really cool for me, because it’s what I love to do.
