BAND DIRECTORS

Mr. Yanez is dedicated to developing musical excellence, student leadership, and a lifelong appreciation for music. Throughout his career, Mr. Yanez has served students in San Antonio ISD, Northside ISD, and Northeast ISD, gaining extensive experience directing concert bands, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, and marching bands. His ensembles have earned numerous UIL Sweepstakes awards, in Concert & Sight-Reading and Marching Band. These accomplishments reflect a commitment to high musical standards, teamwork, discipline, and continuous growth.

Mr. Yanez earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Texas State University–San Marcos, with an emphasis in Music Education and Jazz Studies. In addition to his work as an educator, he remains active as a professional musician, performing with the San Antonio Jazz Orchestra and the Powerhouse Big Band. His continued involvement in the professional music community enriches his teaching and allows him to share real-world musical experiences with his students.

Mr. Yanez believes that music education extends far beyond the classroom. Through high expectations, meaningful relationships, and a supportive learning environment, he strives to help students develop confidence, perseverance, accountability, and leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

His ultimate goal is to build a program where students are challenged to reach their full potential, take pride in their accomplishments, and grow into responsible, successful young adults through the power of music.

 Also a family man , Mr. Yanez loves spending time with his family. His wife is an orchestra director in NEISD and together they are raising their two children Ariana and Alejandro

Annika Becker is the new assistant band director at Douglas MacArthur High School. Ms. Becker is originally from Cypress, Texas and attended Cypress Woods High School.

She earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching as well as a B.M in instrumental music education from Trinity University in San Antonio where she was the principal oboist of both the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. During her time at Trinity, she also played in chamber ensembles and musicals and was involved in both the double reed and French horn studios.

Ms. Becker taught private oboe lessons for 7 years and had Area and All-State level students. She loves marching band and has worked with many programs in both the San Antonio and Houston areas including Alamo Heights HS, Cypress Woods HS, and Ronald Reagan HS where she completed her student teaching. 

Most recently, Ms. Becker was the assistant band director at Arnold Middle School in Cy- Fair ISD. 

When she is not teaching, Ms. Becker enjoys performing on her oboe. She loves cooking, playing tennis, and spending time with her dog, Casper. 

She is super excited to be joining the Mac family and cannot wait to get started!

I was born and raised in Rochester, New York where I began my marching career in 2008. I marched with a group called the Mighty Liberators until 2012 where I then began to march with the Patriots until my age out in 2016. During those years I have been blessed to have won several championships, become WGI regional finalists at numerous regionals, and even finalists at the Winterguard International Championships. 

Once I aged out, I began my teaching career as a tech with the Gates Chili Winterguard in 2016. After a few years I was given the opportunity to relocate to the Big Apple which I couldn’t pass up! 

After a few months in New York City, I began to miss what I loved most which was guard. I then auditioned for the Independent World group Alter Ego where I would spend the next 2 years back doing what I loved. Unfortunately that would end due to the pandemic that hit us in 2020. 

Once the pandemic began to die down in about 2022, I came to visit a friend who introduced me to the colorguard community here in San Antonio where the void of guard in my life was filled once again. I then relocated to San Antonio to work at Churchill High School where I currently work to date.