Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart serves as the ninth Chancellor for Austin Community College District. Russell’s leadership is centered around the concept of–– LOVE, with a dedicated focus on enhancing student success through systemic and cultural transformation.

As he prefers to be called, Russell previously served as president of Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas, from 2014 to 2023 before beginning his tenure as ACC Chancellor. He also served as vice president of academic affairs for Amarillo College. 

Under his leadership, Amarillo College was named co-winner of the prestigious 2023 Aspen Prize, a Community College Excellence award. The award recognizes community colleges demonstrating high-quality and equitable outcomes for students. Other accolades under his leadership include:

• 2021 Top Five Institution and Rising Star for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

• Leah Meyer Austin Award for Achieving the Dream

• Bellwether Award

• Membership in the inaugural class of the Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship

• Recognition from the American Association of Community Colleges

Russell received a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and rhetoric from West Texas State University, a master’s degree in communication studies from Texas Tech University, and a doctorate in interpersonal communication (with an emphasis on gender and diversity) from Ohio University. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Kody Hodge Foundation.

Russell and his wife of almost 30 years share three children.

José Flores, an accomplished violin soloist and chamber musician, has showcased his talent in prestigious locations across the United States, including New York, Texas, Arizona, and Pennsylvania, as well as internationally in countries such as South Korea, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Mexico, and Venezuela.

Since 2006, Flores has served as a professor of violin and viola at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and held the position of director of orchestral studies from 2012 to 2021. He is a permanent guest faculty at the Switzerland International Music Academy. He holds degrees from the Aaron Copland School of Music in New York and earned his Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Arizona in 2006.

Beyond academia, Dr. Flores contributes significantly to various orchestras, serving as Concertmaster of the Kingsville Symphony, a member of the Corpus Christi Symphony, and principal second violinist with the Victoria Symphony. He is also a founding member of the Latin American Philharmonic in Houston, where he was acting concertmaster during the 2022-2023 season.

Albert Lo is the Director of Instrumental Music Ensembles at the Austin Community College District and the resident Conductor/Artistic Director for the Valley Wind Symphony. Dr. Lo completed his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at The University of North Texas in Denton, Texas where he was under the tutelage of Professor Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Professor Dennis Fisher, and Dr. Nicholas Enrico Williams. A native of Chicago, Illinois, he received his Bachelorette of Music Degree from Northern Illinois University and his Master of Art Degree from Western Illinois University.

Previous to his appointment as the Director of Instrumental Music Ensembles at Austin Community College, Dr. Lo served four years as the Director of Bands for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – Brownsville and one year as the Director of Orchestra.

Dr. Lo also served as the Director of Bands at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas from 2001-2008. Under his direction, Churchill High School continued their tradition of excellence, placing in the finals at consecutive Texas 5A State Marching Contests, Bands of America Regionals, and The Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, IN. 

In addition to his career as a music educator in the public schools, Dr. Lo was a brass instructor and Caption Head for the nationally renowned Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He is currently an adjudicator for Drum Corps International, Music for All, Texas University Interscholastic League, as well as other Judges’ Associations throughout the United States and Asia. Mr. Lo is an active clinician and guest conductor who has taught, conducted and performed in concert and jazz ensembles throughout Europe and Asia. Dr. Lo is a two-time Teacher of the Year recipient and was awarded Certificate of Recognition by the Texas Academy of Math and Sciences at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. He is a member of College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity, Texas Music Educator Association and Texas Bandmasters Association.

Dr. Steven Sodders has been a college music educator for over three decades, and has more than 40 years of experience as a trombonist, pianist, composer and arranger in jazz, classical, musical theater, and pop musics.

A member of the Department of Music faculty at Austin Community College since 1996, Dr. Sodders coordinates the Jazz and Theory/Composition programs, directs the top Jazz Ensemble, and teaches Theory, Sight Singing-Ear Training and Applied Composition. He has also taught at Trinity University (San Antonio, TX), the University of Kansas, and The University of Texas.

Currently, Dr. Sodders is lead trombonist in the Republic of Texas Big Band and a founding member of the Vagabones Trombone Troupe. He has also been a featured performer with the ACC Jazz Ensemble and a member of the Central Texas Civic Trombone Choir.

His compositions have been premiered throughout the United States and in Europe, including performances at the 58th Congress of the Guild of Carillonneurs (Frederick, Maryland), the Dartington International Summer Music School (England), and the Conservatory of Utrecht (The Netherlands) by such diverse ensembles as the Montague-Mead Duo (piano and electronics), The University of Texas Wind Ensemble, The University of Texas Symphonic Band, the ACC Jazz Ensemble, and the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Sodders earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition at The University of Texas, Master of Music in Composition from Northwestern University, and Bachelor of Music at Midwestern State University, double-majoring in Composition and Trombone Performance.

Recognized for innovative programming and energetic performances, Steve White begins with the ACC Choral Department this Fall. Professor White is a 25 year veteran of Central Texas High School Choir, enjoying successful recognitions at UIL Events, State Festivals, and TMEA/TCDA Convention performances. He founded and served as Artistic Director of Amphion Choirs for a decade, performing a fusion of World Music, Living Composers, Pop Music and Spoken Word.

Steve is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, receiving a BM in Choral Music Studies. While earning his Performance MM in Choral Conducting under Craig Hella Johnson, he also directed the UT Longhorn Singers and UT Madrigal Dinner. Professor White spent two years on the summer faculty at the Leysin American School in Switzerland, and has performed with many Central Texas ensembles including The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Austin, The Austin Choral Arts Society, Victoria Bach Festival, and Conspirare.