Dr. Jonathan M. Kraemer, Director of Bands
Dr. Kraemer began teaching in 2006. A native of the DFW metroplex, he graduated from Waxahachie HS in 1998. He went on to East Texas Baptist University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2002, and then to Texas Tech University where he earned both a Master's of Conducting in 2004, and a Ph.D. in Fine Arts: Musicology in 2009. Dr. Kraemer is now in his 13th year teaching. Prior to coming to Abilene, Dr. Kraemer was the Director of Bands for Pampa ISD for 3 years and the Director of Bands at Roosevelt ISD for 7 years before that. Dr. Kraemer was an Assistant Director at Abilene High during the 2017-18 school year before assuming the role of Director of Bands at AHS. Dr. Kraemer’s specialty is brass with an emphasis in Trumpet. Dr. Kraemer is also a member of the adjunct teaching faculty of the Hardin-Simmons University College of Fine Arts. Dr. Kraemer and his wife are co-authors of the book, “The Band Director’s Guide to Success”, a 2016 Oxford University Press publication. Dr. Kraemer’s family includes his wife, Michelle, their two children, and their adorable West Highland White Terrier.
Dr. Kraemer began teaching in 2006. A native of the DFW metroplex, he graduated from Waxahachie HS in 1998. He went on to East Texas Baptist University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2002, and then to Texas Tech University where he earned both a Master's of Conducting in 2004, and a Ph.D. in Fine Arts: Musicology in 2009. Dr. Kraemer is now in his 13th year teaching. Prior to coming to Abilene, Dr. Kraemer was the Director of Bands for Pampa ISD for 3 years and the Director of Bands at Roosevelt ISD for 7 years before that. Dr. Kraemer was an Assistant Director at Abilene High during the 2017-18 school year before assuming the role of Director of Bands at AHS. Dr. Kraemer’s specialty is brass with an emphasis in Trumpet. Dr. Kraemer is also a member of the adjunct teaching faculty of the Hardin-Simmons University College of Fine Arts. Dr. Kraemer and his wife are co-authors of the book, “The Band Director’s Guide to Success”, a 2016 Oxford University Press publication. Dr. Kraemer’s family includes his wife, Michelle, their two children, and their adorable West Highland White Terrier.
Mr. Tyler Jacks, Assistant Director of Bands
Mr. Jacks, a native of Austin, Texas, began his musical career with piano lessons and singing in choirs. As a member of the Grisham Middle School and Westwood High School band, he played trombone in the Wind Ensemble and served both programs in a number of different roles. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of the Longhorn Band, Mu Phi Epsilon, and the University Leadership Network, and received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Studies with high honors. As a student at UT, he also had various performance opportunities, including the International Trombone Festival in Valencia, Spain with the UT Trombone Choir. Additionally, Mr. Jacks worked as a marching technician for Westwood High School and Leander High School, and as a member of the award-winning Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, he was showcased as a soloist. Mr. Jacks started his teaching career at Abilene High School in the 2018-2019 school year.
Mr. Jacks, a native of Austin, Texas, began his musical career with piano lessons and singing in choirs. As a member of the Grisham Middle School and Westwood High School band, he played trombone in the Wind Ensemble and served both programs in a number of different roles. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of the Longhorn Band, Mu Phi Epsilon, and the University Leadership Network, and received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Studies with high honors. As a student at UT, he also had various performance opportunities, including the International Trombone Festival in Valencia, Spain with the UT Trombone Choir. Additionally, Mr. Jacks worked as a marching technician for Westwood High School and Leander High School, and as a member of the award-winning Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, he was showcased as a soloist. Mr. Jacks started his teaching career at Abilene High School in the 2018-2019 school year.
Ms. Christina Hurlbut, Assistant Director of Bands / Percussion Director
Ms. Hurlbut grew up in Highland Village, Texas where she studied piano for 7 years and began pursuing percussion in 6th grade. She attended Marcus High School and performed with the UIL State Champion Marching Band and Drumline from 2006-09. Ms. Hurlbut received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 2015 and Master's Degree in Percussion Performance in 2017, both from Brigham Young University. She has performed with several groups including the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Panoramic Steel Band, BYU Wind Symphony, Cougar Marching Band, and BYU Chamber Orchestra, which toured the Philippines in May 2017. Ms. Hurlbut has received several awards from the Utah Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and has performed in the Utah Valley Steel Band Festival twice. She has performed and studied with various artists including, Dr. Ron Brough, Michael Burritt, Ivan Trevino, Nancy Zeltsman, She-e Wu, Lea Salonga, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. Ms. Hurlbut loves to travel and learn about percussion in other cultures. She joined the AHS Band Staff in the 2017-18 school year
Ms. Hurlbut grew up in Highland Village, Texas where she studied piano for 7 years and began pursuing percussion in 6th grade. She attended Marcus High School and performed with the UIL State Champion Marching Band and Drumline from 2006-09. Ms. Hurlbut received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 2015 and Master's Degree in Percussion Performance in 2017, both from Brigham Young University. She has performed with several groups including the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Panoramic Steel Band, BYU Wind Symphony, Cougar Marching Band, and BYU Chamber Orchestra, which toured the Philippines in May 2017. Ms. Hurlbut has received several awards from the Utah Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and has performed in the Utah Valley Steel Band Festival twice. She has performed and studied with various artists including, Dr. Ron Brough, Michael Burritt, Ivan Trevino, Nancy Zeltsman, She-e Wu, Lea Salonga, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. Ms. Hurlbut loves to travel and learn about percussion in other cultures. She joined the AHS Band Staff in the 2017-18 school year
Ms. Brittany Tawater, Assistant Director of Bands / AHS Color Guard
Ms. Brittany Tawater, originally a clarinetist, joined color guard in 2006. She was a member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard in 2008-2010 seasons. She graduated from Saginaw High School in Fort Worth, TX, in 2009. She earned a Bachelor's and Master's of Music in Clarinet Performance from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX under the study of Kim Ellis. Ms. Tawater has taught woodwinds privately and has been a color guard instructor/ choreographer mostly in the Beaumont/ Houston area while working on her degrees. After finishing her Masters in 2016, Ms. Tawater joined the staff as an assistant middle/ high school band director for the Abilene ISD (Northside) schools. She assists with the High School Bands at AHS, directs the Abilene High School Color Guard, teaches beginning woodwind classes and assists with various band classes at Craig Middle School. Ms. Tawater is also a member of the adjunct teaching faculty of the Hardin-Simmons University College of Fine Arts.
Ms. Brittany Tawater, originally a clarinetist, joined color guard in 2006. She was a member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard in 2008-2010 seasons. She graduated from Saginaw High School in Fort Worth, TX, in 2009. She earned a Bachelor's and Master's of Music in Clarinet Performance from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX under the study of Kim Ellis. Ms. Tawater has taught woodwinds privately and has been a color guard instructor/ choreographer mostly in the Beaumont/ Houston area while working on her degrees. After finishing her Masters in 2016, Ms. Tawater joined the staff as an assistant middle/ high school band director for the Abilene ISD (Northside) schools. She assists with the High School Bands at AHS, directs the Abilene High School Color Guard, teaches beginning woodwind classes and assists with various band classes at Craig Middle School. Ms. Tawater is also a member of the adjunct teaching faculty of the Hardin-Simmons University College of Fine Arts.