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Rachael Janek
Rachael Janek
512-268-8441 ext. 46532
Mrs. Janek is entering into her 17th year of teaching and is the Director of Bands at Dahlstrom Middle School. She is a proud graduate of Naaman Forest High School in Garland, Texas. Mrs. Janek currently conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches the beginning woodwind classes. Bands under her direction have received consistent "Superior" ratings at the UIL Concert & Sight Reading Evaluations since 2013.
Mrs. Janek received a Bachelor's in Music Education in 2009 from Texas State University and was a recipient of the Clara Freshour Nelson Music Scholarship. Many individuals continue to influence her teaching philosophy: Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt, Dr. Caroline Beatty, Darcy Walker, Daris Hale, Christine Belle Cumberledge, Larry Schnitzer, Michael Kilgore, Allan Goodwin, Scott Olsen, Peter Unterstein, Leroy Gerdes, Joey Lucita, Gerald Babbitt, and the fantastic team of music educators in Hays CISD.
She is an active member of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Fraternity for College Bands. Mrs. Janek serves on several district committees, collaborates closely with local universities as a cooperating teacher and mentor to aspiring music educators, and is the TMEA Region 18 Middle School Band Division Secretary.
Mrs. Janek loves everything Tex-Mex and pulls a lot of inspiration from the music of Vincent Persichetti. In her free time, you can find her relaxing on the porch with a cup of coffee, cheering on "America's Team" (Dallas Cowboys) or hanging out with her family and best pal, "Charley". Mrs. Janek is incredibly proud to be a Dahlstrom Mustang, loves celebrating student success in and out of the band hall, and looks forward to another year - "Pride in Excellence!"
eric Puente
eric Puente
512-268-8441 ext. 46577
Mr. Puente is in his third year at Dahlstrom Middle School and teaches percussion, beginner saxophone, and the Jazz Band. In addition to technical proficiency and music literacy, students in Mr. Puente's classes learn about accountability, attention to detail, and community. His goal is to boost students confidence in performance and help them realize their full potential.
Mr. Puente holds a Master of Music degree from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas State University. More information about Mr. Puente as a performer and musician can be found at ericmpuente.com.
When not teaching or playing, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, exercising, and cooking. He is excited for what this year has in store! Go Mustangs!
Joelle Varner
Joelle Varner
512-268-8441 ext. 46567
Ms. Varner is entering into her 11th year of teaching and is an Assistant Band Director at Dahlstrom Middle School. She received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Delaware in 2013 and a Master of Music in Music Education from Texas State University in 2022. At Texas State, Ms. Varner worked as a graduate assistant with the Bobcat Marching Band and Bobcat Basketball Band, conducted the Concert Band, and assisted with undergraduate music education courses.
Ms. Varner was born and raised in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Prior to her move to Texas, Ms. Varner spent three years at Bel Air Elementary School in Maryland, teaching band and strings, and four years at Central Middle School in New Jersey, teaching band, chorus, and general music and co-directing the spring musicals.
Ms. Varner also has an extensive background in the marching arts. She marched DCI with the Blue Stars and WGI with United Percussion. Since aging out, Ms. Varner has taught multiple drum corps as well as several high school marching programs. Currently, she is a brass instructor at Pacific Crest. Ms. Varner is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Sigma Alpha Iota international music fraternity, and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. She also serves as the Director of Handbell Ministries at Westlake United Methodist Church.
In her free time, Ms. Varner enjoys singing, hanging out with friends, salsa and two-step dancing, hiking, traveling, and watching TV. She’s super excited to be a part of the Dahlstrom Middle School music team and is looking forward to a great year!
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