Our Musicians
Conductor
Ogechi Ukazu
Ogechi Ukazu is a doctoral candidate in wind conducting at the University of Texas at Austin where she also serves as an Assistant Instructor for the UT band program. Prior to this appointment, she acted as Visiting Instructor of Instrumental Music at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. Ms. Ukazu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Houston and Master’s Degree in Conducting from Sam Houston State University. She began her career in Spring ISD where, in 2011, the Claughton Middle School Symphonic Band performed at the Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic. Earlier this year, Ms. Ukazu was named Associate Conductor of The Dallas Winds.
Trumpets
Matt Hernandez
Matt Hernandez is a trumpet player and private instructor in the Austin area. He has earned degrees in Trumpet Performance from the University of Texas at El Paso and Valdosta State University in Georgia. He is currently working on a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Texas Tech University. His primary teachers were Nancy Taylor, Jesse Cook and Andrew Stetson. When not practicing, Matt enjoys spending time with his cat and experiencing any new outdoor activities he can.
Casey Martin
Casey Martin holds a Master of Music Degree in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin and Bachelor of Music Degrees in Performance and Composition from California State University Long Beach.As an educator, Casey maintains a full private trumpet studio in Round Rock and Leander ISD. His students have earned numerous All-State and Region honor wind ensemble and jazz ensemble placements, including several first chair spots.
Horns
Sarah Au
Wing Lam (Sarah) Au is a freelance Horn performer and educator based in Austin, TX. Dr. Au regularly performs with several regional orchestras in Texas, including the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, Temple Symphony Orchestra, Central Texas Philharmonic, Symphony of Southeast Texas, and La Follia Baroque.
Esteban Garcia
Esteban Garcia is an accountant and freelance Horn performer and educator based in San Marcos, TX. He holds a Dual Bachelor’s degree in Horn Performance and Business Administration in Accounting from Texas State University, a Master of Music degree from Yale University, and is ABD for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Texas Tech University.
Esteban finds great balance as a full-time accountant for the State of Texas as well as a freelance musician, and strives to inspire others to pursue their many interests by being an example of what it means to be a multipotentialite in the 21st century.
Trombones
Mike Dorato
Michael Dorato holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from the State University of New York at Fredonia. He has performed with such groups as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Opera, Canton Symphony, River City Brass Band, Westmoreland Symphony, Johnstown Symphony, and many more.
Adrian Teti
Adrian Teti is a band director at Four Points Middle School, private low brass lesson teacher, and a life-long brass enthusiast. He received his undergraduate degree in trombone from the University of Maryland, and his Master's in Music Education from Texas State University. In addition to playing with the Austin Brass Collective, he also serves as the trombone section leader of the nationally recognized Cedar Park Winds, and performs regularly around the Austin area in a variety of styles and settings. When not doing musical activities, he enjoys spending time with his wife Victoria and his stepchildren Patrick, Olive, and Ethan, playing video games, and barbecuing.
Euphoniums
Brett Blackstone
Brett Blackstone is a an active euphonium performer and educator in Austin, Texas. Teaching euphonium is his passion and he pours his heart and soul into his euphonium studio. When he's not teaching, you can find him either climbing mountains or chilling on the couch with his wife Amanda and several furry cats and a dog.
Matthew Kundler
Dr. Matthew Kundler is the instructor of tuba and euphonium and co-director of the brass ensemble at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He has performed as a soloist and chamber musician at concert halls and conferences across the USA. Matthew is a Miraphone Performing Artist and advocate for contemporary music, but, most importantly, he and his fiance, Suzanne, have four incredibly charismatic cats.
Tubas
Trey Hanis
Trey Hanis is an active performer and teacher in Austin, TX. He currently performs with the Austin Brass Collective and has performed with the Central Texas Philharmonic, Austin Civic Symphony, Austin Brass Band, Allen Philharmonic, and was the interim principal tuba player for the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra in 2015. As a competitor, Hanis has placed third in a regional mock audition for the International Tuba and Euphonium Association, semifinalist for the Lenord Falcone tuba artist division, and placed third for the Texas Tech University concerto competition. In professional auditions, Hanis was a semi-finalist and finalist for many premier military bands, including the runner up for the WestPoint Band and Quintet.
As a teacher, Hanis maintains a studio of over 75 students across 6 campuses in the North Austin area.
David Hummel
Since graduating from Indiana University in 2011, David has been teaching low brass privately in the greater Austin area. He is a founding member of the ABC, is the principal tubist of the Central Texas Philharmonic, and is a founder and director of the tuba and euphonium summer camp Teupha Camp.