Dance
MS Dance Facilitator: Meghan McCoy-Alchus, General Marshall MS Dance
Meghan McCoy-Alchus is the current Director of Dance at General Marshall Middle School and the Director of the Legacies and Junior Legacies dance teams. McCoy-Alchus holds an MFA in Dance from Sarah Lawrence College. She has been teaching with the Austin Independent School District at General Marshall Middle School for 3 years.
McCoy-Alchus is originally from Wisconsin, spent 10 years in New York City, and has been in Austin for the past 14 years. She loves all styles of dance and sharing her passion with her students. She looks forward to connecting and serving AISD Middle School Dance Directors!
HS Dance Facilitator: Jackie Martinez, Travis EHCS Dance
Jackie Martinez grew up in Austin, TX, and graduated from William B. Travis HS. While at Travis, Jackie was a member of the Rebelette Dance Team and held the position of Captain during her junior and senior years. Jackie graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a bachelor's degree in dance education. While attending SWT, she was a member of Strutters and performed for several programs within the dance department.
Jackie began her career teaching dance at Mendez Middle School in 2004, then was named Dance Director for the Travis Rebelettes, where she continues to teach today. She is very excited to be named the Facilitator for High School Dance and is ready to jump in and serve her Fine Arts dance teacher family.
Theatre
MS Theatre Facilitator: Erica Vallejo, Covington MS Theatre
Erica Vallejo began her teaching career with Austin Independent School District in 2012. She holds a BFA in Theatre Education from Texas State University.
She began her career at Akins High School, where she taught English for two years and Theatre for five years. During her time at Akins, she also served as a mentor teacher and class sponsor.
In 2019, she transitioned to middle school and began teaching theatre at Covington Middle School Fine Arts Academy. While at Covington, she has served on the CP&I Cadre, SEL Cadre, and the Principal Selection Committee, and was a 2023 Teacher of the Year finalist.
She currently serves as a cooperating teacher for both The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University, participates in the AISD New Teacher Mentoring Program, and is the Chair of the Leadership Committee for the Texas Educational Theatre Association.
HS Theatre Facilitator: Marco Bazan, Bowie HS Theatre
Marco Bazan has served as a director for the James Bowie High School Starlight Theatre Company since 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism with Honors from UT Austin, where he double-majored in Theatre and Literature. After beginning his career in public relations, Marco shifted to education, launching a successful theatre program at Donna High School before joining Austin ISD.
At Bowie, he has co-led the development of the musical theatre program, expanded Forensics and UIL Academics, and helped establish competitive success at the local, state, and national levels. Marco’s students have earned four state championships across multiple speech and acting events, and the Bowie theatre program regularly advances in UIL One-Act Play competitions.
He has contributed to numerous district and statewide committees and has presented at TxETA and TSCA conventions.
Choir
MS Choir Facilitator: Coming Soon
HS Choir Facilitator: Crystle Taylor, Anderson HS Choir
Crystle Taylor is in her sixth year of teaching and choir directing at Murchison Middle School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Concord University.
Crystle attended all AISD schools from Elementary through High School and is dedicated to providing great vocal experiences and opportunities for the next generation.
In her spare time, she enjoys hanging with her family and friends, as well as making music in various bands and groups throughout the community.
Elementary Music
ES Lead Music Facilitator: Roxie Garza, Davis ES
Roxie Garza has been a part of Austin ISD since her childhood, and is a proud product of the AISD Fine Arts Department, graduating from Crockett High School in 2001.
She has 15 years of experience, with 11 of those years in AISD. She is currently one of the two full-time Music Specialists at Davis Elementary. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Hardin-Simmons University. She is passionate about creating community and strives to cultivate opportunities for teachers to strengthen their leadership skills.
Roxie believes in creating inclusive and compassionate learning environments for all students and enjoys teaching, learning, and leading.
ES Music Facilitator: Loren Tarnow, St. Elmo ES
Loren Tarnow is a National Board Certified teacher and elementary music educator in the Austin area since 2005. She holds a B.M.E. from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and an M.M.Ed. with a Kodály emphasis from Texas State University. Loren teaches in the Austin ISD Kodály Certification Program and currently serves as President of the Kodály Educators of Texas.
She has held leadership roles in Austin ISD’s Music and SEL departments and has presented at conferences including OAKE, TMEA, and TMAC. Her writing appears in KET Encounter, Southwestern Musician, and Activate! Magazine, focusing on diversity, SEL, and Responsive Classroom practices. Her book, Sprouting Joy: Cultivating Social Emotional Learning in the Music Classroom, was published by Heritage Music Press in 2022.
ES Music Facilitator: Crysta Wohleb, Cowan ES
Crysta Wohleb is a veteran educator entering her 18th year of teaching, with certifications in EC–12 Music, Special Education, ESL, and Kodály, as well as a certification in Social & Emotional Learning. She is also a registered yoga instructor and is currently pursuing a Master’s in SEL and Transformative Teaching and Leadership.
A fourth-generation Austinite and graduate of Austin ISD and UT Austin, Crysta is passionate about creating inclusive, joyful music experiences that help students build their own musical identities. As a former Campus Teacher of the Year and recent CEDFA presenter, she looks forward to collaborating with AISD’s elementary music team to strengthen vertical alignment and build a cohesive, inspiring K–12 fine arts journey.
ES Music Facilitator: Will Jurgens, Gullett ES
Will Jurgens, a proud Austin ISD graduate, teaches music at Gullett Elementary and brings over a decade of diverse K–12 teaching experience. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Performance from Texas Lutheran University and is completing his master’s in Music Education with a Kodály Emphasis at Anna Maria College (Summer 2026). He also holds an OAKE-endorsed Kodály certification.
Will’s teaching background includes elementary general music, music theory, and band at all levels, with ensembles earning UIL Sweepstakes and advancing to 6A Area Marching Finals. He serves as Musicianship Instructor for the AISD Kodály Certification Program, an AISD Fine Arts Facilitator, and a cooperating teacher with UT Austin.
Visual Arts
Lead Art Facilitator: Victoria Bailey, Bailey MS
- Leads and supports visual arts facilitators across K–12 to ensure program quality and alignment.
- Serves as a key connector between campuses, teachers, and district leadership to elevate visual arts education.
- Guides professional development to enhance teacher collaboration and instructional excellence.
Display & Events Lead Facilitator: Megan Zaner, McBee ES
- Coordinates all major district visual arts exhibits and contests.
- Manages logistics, communications, and volunteer teams for installation, strike, and reception events; streamline processes and standardize exhibit practices district-wide.
- Leads cross-department collaboration and stakeholder partnerships to promote visibility of student artwork
Display & Events Assistant Facilitator: Jessica Foster, General Marshall MS
- Collaborates with the Lead Facilitator to provide trainings and promotes student participation in exhibits and contests.
- Supports exhibit logistics across the district by assisting with artwork collection, transport, display setup, volunteer coordination, and communication with teachers and PAC staff.
- Maintains digital communication channels and helps streamline exhibit preparation through consistent mounting/hanging procedures and updated schedules.
Professional Development & District of Distinction Facilitator: Jona Morthole, Blanton ES
- Plans and leads elementary art professional development, including quarterly workshops and PLCs.
- Maintains AISD’s District of Distinction status by organizing evidence collection and teacher participation in high-profile contests and exhibits.
- Serves as a liaison and advocate for elementary art educators, providing regular newsletters, collaborating with facilitators, and attending TAEA events.
Curriculum & Training Facilitator: Astrid Bell, Gorzycki MS
- Leads Middle School art teacher professional development, PLCs, and ongoing communication to strengthen collaboration, instructional practice, and classroom success.
- Supports teacher advocacy and participation in exhibits, contests, and TAEA initiatives while fostering community recognition of middle school visual arts.
- Maintains consistent communication and feedback loops with teachers to ensure curriculum, resources, and training remain responsive to evolving classroom needs.
Curriculum & Training Facilitator: Eric Cannon, Akins ECHS
- Leads High School art teacher professional development, PLCs, and ongoing communication to strengthen collaboration, instructional practice, and classroom success.
- Supports teacher advocacy and participation in exhibits, contests, and TAEA initiatives while fostering community recognition of high school visual arts.
- Maintains consistent communication and feedback loops with teachers to ensure curriculum, resources, and training remain responsive to evolving classroom needs.
Band
MS Band Facilitator: Coming Soon
HS Band Facilitator: Ponder East, LASA HS Band
Ponder East is the Director of Bands at LASA High School, where he has taught since 2011. His teaching career began in 1998 in Wylie, TX, followed by middle school band in Grapevine. After moving to Austin in 2001, he taught private woodwind lessons and held part-time roles at LBJ, LASA, and KIPP Austin before transitioning to full-time band director at LBJ/LASA. He became Associate Band Director at LASA in 2021 and Director of Bands in 2022.
Ponder co-founded the Austin Jazz Project, a summer jazz improvisation camp, and has been on faculty at the Texas Jazz & Blues Camp since 2017. Alongside teaching, he is an active saxophonist, performing with numerous groups and appearing on over 10 albums, with performances at SXSW, ACL, House of Blues, The Elephant Room, and more.
Orchestra
MS Orchestra Facilitator: Samantha Stewart, O. Henry MS Orchestra
Samantha Stewart is excited to become the new orchestra director at O.Henry MS. She has been the orchestra director at Bedichek Middle School for the last 10 years. In those 10 years, students have made All-Region Orchestra, received UIL sweepstakes for six years in a row and traveled to New York City to perform. She is a dedicated fundraiser and has raised thousands of dollars for students to take private lessons at school.
In addition to teaching, Samantha owns, operates and performs for the Sienna String Quartet in Austin, TX. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her two pups, Reilly & Jilly, training for triathlons and playing ultimate frisbee.
HS Orchestra Facilitator: Ana Maria Solis-Herrera, Austin HS Orchestra
Ana Maria Solís-Herrera is the Director of Orchestras at Austin High School and has previously led orchestra programs at O. Henry Middle School, Lamar Middle School, and McCallum High School. She holds a Bachelor’s in Violin Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master’s in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin, along with Suzuki Method certification.
An accomplished performer, Mrs. Solís-Herrera has played with orchestras across Asia, Latin America, and the U.S., including the Ehime University Orchestra in Japan and the Carlos Chavez Symphony in Mexico City. She has also presented research internationally on the musical preferences of Mexicans and Mexican Americans.
Mariachi | Guitar
HS/MS Mariachi Facilitator: Susana Diaz-Lopez, Akins HS Mariachi
Susana Diaz-Lopez is the Classical Guitar and Mariachi Director at Akins High School. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from Washburn University, where she performed as Principal French Horn in the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra and was active in the Classical Guitar Studio and Community Guitar Ensemble.
Before joining Akins, Susana taught with Austin Classical Guitar, including work in the Juvenile Justice Programs. She has over a decade of experience as a French horn performer and seven years in classical guitar. Her diverse teaching background spans early childhood to high school, including programs in Topeka, Kansas, and mentoring roles with AmeriCorps and the YMCA.
MS Guitar Facilitator: Saul Hernandez-Trejo, Covington MS Guitar
Austin native Saul Hernandez-Trejo holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Texas State University.
During his time at Texas State his studies were centered around classical guitar, choral music, and jazz. As an Educator, Mr. Hernandez-Trejo believes in fostering confidence and creativity in his students.
Mr. Hernandez-Trejo currently directs the classical guitar program at Covington Middle School Fine Arts Academy in South Austin. In his free time, he enjoys performing music around town, running, and watching movies at Alamo Drafthouse.
HS Guitar Facilitator: Susan Rozanc, Travis HS Guitar
Susan Rozanc is the Director of Guitar Ensembles, Orchestra, and Fine Arts Department Chair at William B. Travis Early College High School in Austin ISD, where she also serves as the district’s High School Guitar Facilitator.
With 28 years of teaching experience—13 of them in Austin—she has taught a broad range of music disciplines including band, choir, piano, musical theater, orchestra, and guitar ensemble. She holds a BA in Music Education and Performance and an MM in Music Education from Kent State University and is a strong advocate for educator self-care and long-term wellness.