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. Kilbane. He also leads the Color Guard and all aspects of the Marching Band program. Under his direction, his bands and full orchestras have consistently received UIL Sweepstakes Awards, advanced to the Area Marching Contest every year, and were selected to perform at the UIL State Marching Band Contest in 2017. Mr. Patenaude’s ensembles have traveled to London, Hawaii, Orlando, Corpus Christi, and Galveston in the past decade.
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.
Thea Kilbane
Ms. Kilbane is an Austin, TX native and spent her first two years teaching at Lamar MS and Fine Arts Academy in Austin ISD before coming to Austin High. The band under her direction has consistently received “Sweepstakes” at the UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest. She directs the Wind Ensemble, co-directs the Symphonic Band with Mr. Patenaude, and assists with the Color Guard and Marching Band.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from The University of Texas at Austin, where she participated in Longhorn Band and performed in various concert ensembles as a clarinetist. Ms. Kilbane was one of three students selected to serve on the Butler School of Music’s DEI Team, where she collaborated with the Music and Human Learning administration and staff to make the musical experience more inclusive for our future.
Ms. Kilbane has served on the marching band and private lesson staffs at Rouse HS, Grisham MS, Leander MS, Kealing MS, McCallum HS, and Austin High teaching students as they prepared for the UIL State Marching Contest, TMEA Region, TMEA All-State and the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. For 2 seasons, she participated in Drum Corps International and conducted The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, serving as the first female Drum Major in the Corps' 83 year history.
Ms. Kilbane has spent her entire life growing up in Austin, TX, attending Bailey Middle School and Bowie High School in Austin ISD, and even had the opportunity to complete her student teaching placement at Austin High in 2022.
Outside of music, Ms. Kilbane is a HUGE Texas Football fan, and will be spending her *open* Saturdays at DKR in the fall! She has a perfect tuxedo cat named Vincent, and is obsessed with anything coffee, board/video games, reality TV, and makeup related!
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.
