Our Directors
Jesus Torres
Mr. Torres is an native Austinite. He previously taught middle school and high school for three years in Lockhart, eight years at Anderson HS, seven years at East View HS in Georgetown, and four years at LASA. Mr. Torres is a proud product of Austin ISD, having graduated from McCallum High School before earning his degree in Music and Human Learning from the University of Texas at Austin. Aside from his duties at Austin High, Mr. Torres serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Cinematic Symphony, an Austin-based ensemble that performs the music of television, film, and video games.
When he’s not in front of an ensemble or behind a trumpet, Mr. Torres enjoys building small projects in his garage, playing disc golf, cooking, and playing board games. Along with his wife Marie, he owns and plays a staggering number of board games. They live in Round Rock with their two cats, Kizzo and Daniel Creamy Tiger.
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 Bergstrom
Ms. Bergstrom 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. Bergstrom 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.
