Jack C. Hays High School
Anthony Leflet
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Marching Band Director Wind Ensemble Concert Band 512-268-2911 ext. 46227 512-413-1635 (cell) click to email |
Mr. Leflet began teaching in the Texas public school system in 1996. After two years in Bay City ISD, Mr. Leflet joined the Hays CISD family of educators. As a member of the Hays H.S. music staff Mr. Leflet has served in the following capacities: low brass specialist, beginning band instructor, assistant band director, jazz band director and fundamentals coordinator for the Marching Rebel Band. In 2012 Mr. Leflet was named Head Band Director at Hays High School. He directs the Marching Rebel Band, conducts the Hays H.S. Wind Ensemble and Concert Band. Mr. Leflet also serves as administrator for the Hays H.S. Choral department, Hays H.S. Instrumental department and its middle school feeder programs. Mr. Leflet holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree (1996) and a Master of Music Degree in Music Education (2001), both from Southwest Texas State University. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Under his direction the Hays Band program has continued their tradition of excellence. To date, Mr. Leflet’s bands have won numerous festival awards, been consistent Sweepstakes recipients and have advanced to the UIL Area D Marching Contest. Mr. Leflet and his wife, Yarda, live in Buda, TX with their two boys, Jack and Jonathan. Mrs. Leflet is a member of the Hays CISD Administration. She serves as the Executive Director of Learning and Teaching. |
Christopher W. Gordon
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Christopher W. Gordon has been teaching at Hays High School since 2000 as Assistant Band Director and Percussion Specialist. His duties include conducting the Hays Wind Symphony, instructing the Hays Drumline and Front Ensemble and teaching percussion for grades 6-8 at Barton and Dahlstrom Middle Schools in Hays CISD.
He received a B.M.E. from the University of Arkansas in 1997 and a M.M. in Percussion Performance from the University of Nebraska in 2000. Originally from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Mr. Gordon was selected to play as a member of the Arkansas Governor’s School Orchestra as a senior in high school where he served as principal timpanist. At the University of Arkansas, he performed in the Razorback Marching Band, Hogwild Basketball Pep Band, Wind Symphony, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band and with the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Nebraska, his duties included assisting with all athletic and concert bands and assisting with the instruction of the NU Drumline. He also performed with the Wind Ensemble, NU Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. Currently, Mr. Gordon plays drum-set and percussion at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church and for various musicals around the Austin area. Mr. Gordon is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, and honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma and a member of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. He is also a member of the Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educator’s Association, and the Texas Bandmaster’s Association. |
Juliana Riecss
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Ms. Riecss began teaching in 2001. She is currently the director of Symphonic 1 and the Color Guard. Prior to teaching at Hays High School, Ms. Riecss was an assistant director at West Ridge Middle School, and has taught at Barton Middle School as both the assistant and head band director and directed the color guard at Hays High School. She has a Bachelor’s of Music from West Texas A&M and her Masters' of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music, in Chicago. In her spare time, Ms. Riecss performs with the Austin Symphonic Band, an adult community band that holds concerts at the Austin ISD PAC. |
Brandon Winters
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Brandon Winters is an Assistant Band Director for Jack C. Hays High School in Buda, Texas. His duties include assisting with the direction of the Hays High School Rebel Marching Band, directing the Hays Symphonic II band, and directing the Hays Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Winters has been a band director since 2013. Before teaching at Hays, Mr. Winters was an assistant band director at the middle school level for AISD.
Mr. Winters is originally from San Antonio, Texas where he received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Texas at San Antonio. While attending UTSA he performed as the principal trumpet player in the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, and had the opportunity to perform with the rock band, Kansas. He is also a member of the Texas Bandmaster’s Association, Texas Music Educator’s Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Winters competed in Drum Corps International for three years, including his age out year (2008) when he performed with the seven time world champion corps, The Cavaliers and placed 3rd in the DCI World Championships. Currently Mr. Winters resides in Buda with his beautiful wife. He is also thrilled and honored to be a part of the Hays High School Team! |
Barton Middle School
B.J. Sayger
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B.J. Sayger began his teaching career in 1999 and has been the band director at Barton Middle School since 2009. B.J. was born and raised in Abilene, TX where he graduated from Abilene High School in 1994. B. J. received his Bachelor of Music degree from Angelo State University in 1999, and his Master of Arts degree in Music from West Texas A&M in 2003. He has taught in the Ector County, Midland, and Hays school districts. His professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Music Educators Association. He married his wife Tamarie in 2004. They have a daughter Alana who was born in 2006 and a son Jonah who was born in 2010. |
Andrew Klingsick
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Andrew Klingsick has been the Assistant Band Director at Barton Middle School since 2012. He received a Bachelor's of Music degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2011. While at SFA he actively preformed in the Wind Symphony, the Swingin' Axes Jazz Band, the Trombone Choir, the Roaring Buzzsaws Pep Band and the Lumberjack Marching Band. In 2009, he auditioned for and made the 1898 Jazz Orchestra, which is the Phi Mu Alpha National Jazz Band. While with the 1898 Jazz Orchestra, he performed with artists Jim Ketch and Jamey Abersold in Orlando, Florida. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife, Jessica, and playing with their dog, Bailey. He is currently a member of the Texas Bandmaster's Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. |
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Cecily Yoakam
Assistant Director
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Cecily Yoakam has been teaching at Barton Middle School as an assistant band director since January 2018. She graduated with her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas in 2017. During her time at UNT, Ms. Yoakam performed with a wide variety of ensembles including the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Baroque orchestra. She is a recipient of the 2017 Golden Eagle Award in recognition for outstanding service, leadership, and academic achievement, which is the highest honor given by the University. Her professional affiliations include Mu Phi Epsilon, Texas Music Educators Association, and the Texas Bandmaster’s Association. |
Dahlstrom Middle School
Leroy Gerdes
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I have taught Band for 40 years in Texas. I received my Bachelor of Music Education degree from Sam Houston State University. I received my Master of Music Education degree from the University of Houston. This is my 28th year to teach in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District with an outstanding record of UIL 1st divisions and Sweepstakes Awards. I am married to Kathy Gerdes, a retired teacher who taught twenty years here at Hays CISD and 32 years total. We have two daughters who have graduated from Hays High School and from college.
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Amy Palese
Assistant Director 
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Mrs. Palese has directed bands since 2004 in the states of Illinois and Texas. She was born and raised in the greater Chicago area. Mrs. Palese earned her Bachelor Degree in Music Education (2004) and Master Degree in Music Education (2008) from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. Since she has begun teaching at Dahlstrom Middle School, her students have earned Sweepstakes Ratings at UIL Contest as well as First Division and Best in Class Ratings at Texas Music Festival. Her students have received Division 1 Honors at Solo and Ensemble Contest. Mrs. Palese’s professional associations include Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education. She is married to Rick Palese, who is a student at University of Texas Austin working on a PhD in Music and Human Learning. Together, they live in Austin with their two cats, Sweet Pea and Jackson.
Mrs. Palese believes that every student’s success is key to an overall rewarding band experience. Students have more fun when they are doing well in class. Please contact her during her conference period by phone at (512) 268-8441 ext. 46567 or by email address at amy.palese@hayscisd.net. Mrs. Palese is very excited to be a part of the outstanding band program at Dahlstrom Middle School. Go Mustang Bands! |
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Tyler Townsend
Assistant Director 
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Mr. Townsend has been an Assistant Band director at Dahlstrom Middle School since 2015. He was born in Leander, Texas and later earned his Bachelor's of Music Education from The University of Texas in 2013. While at UT, he performed as the snare drum section leader for the Longhorn band as well as participated in the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and percussion ensemble.
At Dahlstrom, Mr. Townsend is responsible for directing the Symphonic II band, Jazz band, and percussion program. He also assists with percussion at Hays High School. |
McCormick Middle School
Nathan Taylor
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Mr. Taylor began his teaching career in 2010 in Odessa, Texas. In 2016 he moved to Buda and started teaching at McCormick Middle School. At McCormick he is responsible for teaching the Wind Ensemble and beginning brass classes. |
Tony Cesario
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Mr. Cesario began his teaching career in 2004 with Pasadena ISD near Houston. In 2016 he moved to Buda and started teaching at McCormick Middle School. At McCormick he is responsible for teaching the Symphonic Band and beginning woodwind classes. |
