Directors
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 eighteen years of teaching experience, Mr. Perkins is currently entering his 7th 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, french 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.
Orion Wysocki
Mr. Wysocki is beginning his career at Chapa and Simon middle school teaching beginner percussion, percussion ensemble, and drumline as well as assisting with all middle school concert bands, and marching percussion at Lehman High School.
Originally from Bastrop, TX, Mr. Wysocki received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, and his Master of Music in Percussion Performance from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX.
During his time at Texas State, Mr. Wysocki studied under Genaro Gonzalez and performed with numerous ensembles including professionally with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the Texas State Wind Symphony, and as principal percussionist with the Texas State Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Wysocki was also active in the marching arts, performing on snare drum with Colts drum and bugle corps, Cascades drum and bugle corps, and two years with Rhythmic Force Indoor Percussion with the second year as snare drum section leader.
During his time at Texas Christian University, Mr. Wysocki studied under Dr. Brian A. West, Joey Carter, Jeff Hodge, and Dr. Richard Gipson. As a graduate assistant, Mr. Wysocki taught undergraduate private lessons, percussion ensemble class, assisted the Horned Frog marching band, and assisted with the percussion methods class. He also performed with and helped facilitate the TCU percussion orchestra during their PASIC tour in 2019, and as principal percussionist of the TCU Wind Symphony during their TMEA tour in 2020 just before the lock down. As an online student and teacher, Mr. Wysocki is well seasoned in virtual learning and adapting to adversity.
Mr. Wysocki’s hobbies include hiking, backpacking, playing board games, and going to the park with his fiancée Katie and their black lab puppy Daisie.