Directors

Nick Conte

A native of Kyle, Texas, Nick Conte has been interested in music his entire life. He started playing the saxophone in 6th grade, and majored in music at Texas State University, eventually earning a bachelor’s in Music Education. After teaching for several years in Dayton, Texas, he returned to Texas State to pursue a master’s degree in Music Education. This gave him an opportunity not only to further his education, but also to reforge connections with Austin jazz musicians, and he began playing regularly with bands catering to the swing dance scene. He completed his masters, and found a position teaching band in Austin ISD, where he taught for five years before taking a head director position at Goodnight Middle School in San Marcos. He was excited to return to his roots in Hays CISD when offered the head director position at Simon Middle School, where he currently works.

Nick has been happily married since 2018. He and his wife have three cats, Momo, Kiki, and Asami who constantly fight for their attention. In his spare time, he enjoys playing disc golf with his dad and friends, playing Destiny 2, playing music, baking, and preparing to run tabletop RPGs for his friends. He currently lives in Kyle, Texas.

Lyle Perkins

As an experienced band director and horn instructor with 20 years of teaching, Mr. Perkins is currently entering his 9th year as the assistant band director at Simon M.S. In this role, he directs the symphonic band and assists with the wind ensemble, while also teaching beginning trumpets, horns, trombones, baritones, and tubas.

Mr. Perkins is from Laredo, Texas, and received his bachelor's degree from West Texas A&M University. He later attended the Aspen Music Festival and School and began work on his master's in Horn performance at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. In 2017, he also earned his master’s in educational administration. Throughout his career, Mr. Perkins has had the opportunity to perform with various prestigious organizations, including the Amarillo Symphony (1997-2002), the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and the CCM brass choir.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Perkins spent twelve years at John B. Alexander H.S. in Laredo as an assistant director. During his time the band attended the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York, the UIL State marching contest and the wind ensemble was the 2014 Texas State Honor Band semifinalist.

In his free time, Mr. Perkins enjoys spending time with his family and two dogs.

Angie Martinez

Ms. Martinez is entering her first year at Chapa and Simon Middle School as the Assistant Band and Percussion Director, teaching beginner percussion and percussion ensemble while assisting with middle school concert bands and the percussion program at Lehman High School.

Originally from San Antonio, TX, Ms. Martinez received her bachelor’s degree in music education from The University of Texas at San Antonio, where she studied under the instruction of Ben Pyles, Sherry Rubins, Ron Ellis, and John Zarco. While attending UTSA, she performed as the principal percussionist of the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. Ms. Martinez was also active in the marching arts, performing in the front ensemble with UTSA Indoor and Monarch Independent. Before graduating from UTSA, she completed her clinical teaching at Claudia Taylor Johnson High School, and Jose M. Lopez Middle School in San Antonio, TX.

In her spare time, Ms. Martinez enjoys rollerskating, reading, playing video games, and spending time with her family, friends, and cat.

Ms. Martinez is excited to start the upcoming school year and looks forward to working alongside the Hays community and creating lasting musical memories.

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