Our Directors
Richard Patenaude
Mr. Patenaude is a native of Chicago, IL, but came to Texas as quickly as he could! He conducts the Honor Band and co-directs the Symphonic Band with Ms. Vest. He also leads the Color Guard and all aspects of the Marching Band program.
A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Patenaude completed his Master’s Degree in Music and Human Learning with Dr. Bob Duke and studied trumpet under Professor Ray Sasaki. He has performed as a member of the world-class UT Wind Ensemble under Professor Jerry Junkin, Wind Symphony under Dr. Robert Carnochan, and Symphony Orchestra under Dr. Gerhardt Zimmerman. In addition to trumpet performance and completing his Master’s Degree in Music, Mr. Patenaude served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for The University of Texas band program. His responsibilities included: instructing the trumpet section and assisting with the Longhorn Band, arranging, directing and traveling with the Longhorn Pep Band to Volleyball and Men’s/Women’s Basketball games, assisting with undergraduate conducting courses, conducting the Texas Concert Band, and directing the Longhorn Band Jazz Ensemble.
Prior to moving to Austin, Mr. Patenaude served as Associate Director of Bands at both Midland Legacy High School and Abell Jr. High School for four years. At Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL, he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree and graduated with Cum Laude Honors. Furthermore, Mr. Patenaude was a member of the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps and served on the marching band staff at Lake Park High School in Roselle, IL, a premier Chicagoland Area band program and consistent Class 6A Illinois State Marching Band Champion.
Julie Vest
Originally from Arlington, Texas, Ms. Vest is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Studies. Throughout her time at UT, she performed as a clarinetist with the Longhorn Band and the Wind Ensemble under Professor Jerry Junkin. Prior to joining the team at Austin High, Ms. Vest taught private lessons and worked as a marching band technician with several Austin area band programs. Ms. Vest assists with the marching band, directs the Wind Ensemble, and also co-directs the Symphonic Band with Mr. Patenaude. She is excited to continue making music and teaching in Austin!
Abby West
Ms. West is originally from Vacaville, CA, and directs the Jazz and Percussion programs at Austin High School. She received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Texas in 2022, where she studied with Sandi Rennick, Paul Rennick, Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, Poovalur Sriji, and Jose Aponte. She was a part of University of North Texas Brazilian Ensemble, Afro-Cuban Ensemble, South Indian Ensemble, and recorded with both the Green Brigade and 2:00 O’clock Steel Band. Currently, she is a Graduate Student at Stephen F. Austin University pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting.
Before coming to Austin High School, Ms. West served as Director of Bands and Alpine Ski and Snowboarding coach at Red Bluff High School in California. During her time there, she also played with the North State Symphony and served on the Northern California Band and Choir Directors Association Board as the Jazz Chair.
