Director Bios

Travis Nasatir got his musical start at the age of nine on trumpet and has continued to study, teach, and perform on trumpet part-time for the last 31 years.  During this time, he performed with many local groups, including more than 65 musical theatre productions and dozens of ensembles across all genres of music.  However, while music was always a passion, Travis’ career took a different path that led to several positions in financial markets and technology in Silicon Valley. 

In 2013, while working in Silicon Valley, Travis’ music turned toward education when he did side work as a trumpet coach at Hopkins Junior High School in Fremont.  Inspired and supported by Music Director Greg Conway, Travis cofounded and became the Music Director of the Mission Peak Wind Symphony, a non-profit extra-curricular wind ensemble for high school students looking for an advanced musical curriculum.  Over the seven years of the program’s existence, the ensemble was involved in the commissioning of new music and worked with esteemed guest composers and conductors, Dr. Andrew Boysen Jr., Dr. Ed Harris, and Dr. Jack Stamp and Dr. Jacob Bancks and performed some of the most well regarded works in the band repertoire. 

While Mission Peak was forced to close due to the Covid pandemic, the amazing experiences and equally amazing students led Travis to commit to a career change.  He left his job in Silicon Valley and attended San Jose State University, earning a Masters degree in Instrumental Conducting in 2024. 

Travis is excited to bring his family to Texas and join its great musical traditions as the new band director at Lincoln Middle School!  He looks forward to bringing his experience to the next generation of young musicians and inspiring them in the same ways his former students inspired him.

Abigail Quintanilla is a passionate music educator originally from Mercedes, Texas. She earned her degree in Music Education from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), where she was an active member of the musical community. During her time at UTRGV, Abigail performed with the Pep Band, Wind Ensemble, Clarinet Choir, and Vaquero Winds, and was part of the original student staff at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex when it first opened in April 2015.

Abigail graduated in Fall 2022 and began her professional journey in Odessa, Texas, working with the Department of Family and Protective Services. In February 2025, Abigail relocated to San Angelo, TX. She is thrilled to have recently joined the San Angelo Community Band and looks forward to inspiring students as the new assistant band director at Lincoln Middle School.

Outside of work, Abigail enjoys playing video games, board games, reading, exploring arts and crafts, and trying new experiences. Her ultimate goal is to make a meaningful impact in students’ lives and support their growth through teaching and mentorship.

Franklin Piland (b. 1990, he/him) is an American Indian conductor of wind bands, an active music educator, and a composer of contemporary music. Piland serves on the faculty of Lake View High School and San Angelo ISD in San Angelo, Texas. He conducts the Lake View Band ensembles and instructs secondary and college music education courses for grades 6-12 in San Angelo. He is formerly an associate conductor, board member, performer, and Librarian of the Lubbock Concert Band and tubist with the Lubbock Civic Orchestra in Lubbock, Texas.

Franklin earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Performance (Winds and Percussion) from Eastern New Mexico University in 2013 and his Master of Music in Music Composition from The University of Texas at Austin in 2016. He has minors and special studies in music composition, music technology, and wind band conducting.

Piland remains active in many diverse facets of the music industry, including composition, education, performance, administration, production, rehearsing/directing, coaching, and clinic-ing ensembles, music, or directors seeking mentorship. Despite all of his numerous obligations and responsibilities, Franklin is a lover of tennis, painting, and Batman (though oddly enough he has yet to paint Batman playing tennis). He currently resides in Texas with his husband Alex and his two dogs, King and Nakia.

Christian Gonzales was born and raised in Richmond, Texas. He graduated from George Ranch High School in 2021 as part of the Longhorn Band and Indoor Percussion group. It was there where his love for music and passion for teaching began, serving as the trombone section leader and marching captain. Mr. Gonzales graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2025 where he participated in the UMHB Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Trombone Ensemble, and Cru Spirit Band where he enjoyed making music with his friends. He studied trombone with Mr. William Dorsey and conducting with Professor Micheal Garasi. 

While attending the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Mr. Gonzales held leadership positions in the band’s student-led organizations, served as the peer music tutor, and was very active in the teaching field. In the Fall of 2024, Mr. Gonzales served as a marching band technician and instructor at Ellison High School in Killeen, Texas. In the Summer of 2024, Mr. Gonzales traveled to Michigan and Louisiana to teach at band camps where his passion for teaching grew stronger. Mr. Gonzales completed his student teaching at Lake Belton Middle School in Belton, Texas in the Spring of 2025. 

After graduating from UMHB, Mr. Gonzales has excitedly assumed the role of Assistant Band Director at Lake View High School. He is very excited to begin working alongside the incredible educators there and work with the amazing, talented students at Lake View High School and Lincoln Middle School. During his free time, Mr. Gonzales enjoys spending time with his loved ones, working out, and cooking.