Karen Grinstead is the long-time private flute teacher at Leander Middle School. Beginning in 2007, she has taught students throughout LISD, including Leander High School and Running Brushy Middle School. She also teaches both flute and piano at Leander Music School.

Mrs. Grinstead grew up outside Augusta, Georgia, where she chose the more sparkly and portable flute in 7th grade after many years of playing piano. By high school, she could be found on piccolo in marching band, flute in symphonic band and keyboard in jazz band. During this time, she earned a coveted spot studying flute at the residential summer Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. In college, Mrs. Grinstead became a proud member of the University of Georgia Redcoat Marching and Symphonic bands. Go Dawgs! She has also performed with the LHS and LMS Choirs, the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, Charlotte Repertory Orchestra, Charlotte Flute Choir, Wingate Sinfonia, and Augusta Youth Orchestra.

Mrs. Grinstead has a college-aged son, who is a singer, guitarist, and soon-to-be engineering graduate of UNT. Her non-musical husband of 28 years makes up for it by being her travel partner. Together, they have visited 15 countries and almost all 50 states... so far.

A proud UT-Austin alumnus, Korey Young is entering his fourth year teaching oboe in the Austin area. Outside of school hours, Korey plays Principal Oboe in the Laredo Philharmonic and will join the Central Texas Philharmonic as English Hornist for their 2023-2024 season. As a soloist, Korey was a semifinalist in the Young Texas Artists Music Competition and was invited to compete at the Barbirolli International Oboe Competition at age 19. He has spent summers at National Orchestral Institute, Eastern Music Festival, and most recently Kent-Blossom Music Festival, where he performed alongside The Cleveland Orchestra. Korey's primary teachers have been Dr. Andrew Parker, Jeffrey Rathbun, and Katie Steele. When he's not playing the oboe, Korey enjoys playing board games and feeding the ducks at Mueller Lake Park!

Cathy Teltschik

Evan Schnurr is an Austin-based clarinetist and educator who performs regularly as a member of the Dallas Winds. He holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory (BM) and the University of Texas at Austin (MM), and is also a founding member of the Austin-based Cover to Cover Wind Quintet. As a teacher, Evan has 5 years of experience with beginning through advanced clarinet students, and leads weekly high school masterclasses. Fundamentals of sound, music theory, and ensemble playing are central tenets of his teaching philosophy, which is tailored to the needs of each student

Dustin Hunter is an Austin based saxophonist and music educator. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music degree from Louisiana State University and a Master’s of Music degree from the University of New Mexico. Locally, Dustin performs regularly with Honey Made, a funk and soul band hailing from Austin, Texas, and the Austin Saxophone Ensemble, one of the only professional classical saxophone ensembles in the country. He has also performed with the San Antonio Symphony, Mid-texas Symphony, and various other ensembles of all genres of music. He has been a guest soloist with the Heart of Texas Concert Band and the Louisiana State University Wind Ensemble. As an educator he has been teaching professionally for over twelve years in Virginia, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas. His students have consistently won auditions in region, district, area, and state competitions, and have often continued their education at the collegiate level.

Dr. Shane Pitsch

Maggie Demel

Luke Thomas Berringer is a Conductor, Trombonist, and Educator from Austin, Texas. As a conductor he has directed community and student ensembles, and served as an assistant conductor for professional and festival ensembles in the United States, Canada and Germany. Upcoming conducting engagements include the SMART Orchestra in San Marcos, Texas- where he is a candidate for Artistic Director. He is currently playing trombone in the Temple Symphony Orchestra, Density512- Austin's New Music Ensemble, and many other ensembles in Central Texas. An Avid teacher, he maintains a studio of approximately 40 students from beginners to adults. Luke Studied at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Music Performance and German. Additional Studies include the Julius-Maximilians-Universität, in Würzburg, Germany. He speaks English and German fluently. Luke lives in his hometown of Austin, moonlights as a tour guide of downtown Austin/ Texas State Capitol, enjoys cooking, and reading in his spare time.

Brigit Johnson is an Austin-based euphonium private lesson teacher, and has recently graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor's in Music Education. While at Texas Tech she studied with Dr. Kevin Wass, and performed with a variety of concert and chamber ensembles. 

Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Brigit has traveled across Texas to pursue music. In addition to her traditional ensemble experience, Brigit has experience in the marching arts, and served as a Goin' Band drum major at Texas Tech for two years, as well as performed with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2023 season on baritone and trombone. 

Aside from band, Brigit enjoys writing, sketching, swing dancing, and holds a second degree black belt (nidan) in the martial art of Aikido. If she's not doing those things, you'll most likely find her listening to the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim soundtrack on repeat.

Zach Bixler is a tuba player and private lesson teacher in North Austin and holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Texas Tech University. During his time at Texas Tech, He studied with Dr. Kevin Wass, an internationally respected pedagogue and member of the tuba euphonium community. 

Zach is a native of Round Rock and has been teaching with the Austin based tuba and euphonium camp, Teupha, since 2018. He also enjoys occasionally performing with groups such as the Austin Brass Collective, a North Austin based brass ensemble.

Outside of teaching, Zach is an avid reader, and he can often be found in the middle of a book. He also enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and dogs, as well as playing disc golf at many local courses.