​Mrs. Amber Moore, Director of Bands

Amber Moore joined the Abilene High School Band Staff as Director of Bands in May of 2023. Prior to her gaining her position at Abilene High, Mrs. Moore was the Director of Bands at Mann Middle School in Abilene ISD and the Associate Director of Bands at Rice Middle School in Plano, Texas. In her 4-year tenure at Mann and 6-year tenure at Rice, bands under her direction earned numerous UIL "Sweepstakes" awards as well as first-division and Best in Class recognition at several North Texas music festivals including the Peak Music Festival contest at the Eisemann Center and the Beach Within Reach/North Texas Festival of Distinction contest in Fort Worth. 

Mrs. Moore is a graduate of Greenwood High School in Midland where she was a four-year ATSSB All State hornist, selected as a TSSEC outstanding soloist and was awarded the prestigious John Phillip Sousa award. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Stephen F. Austin State University with her Bachelor of Music degree. During her time at SFA, Mrs. Moore participated in numerous ensembles and was named principal horn of the SFA Wind Ensemble, Orchestra of the Pines and SFA Opera Orchestra. She completed her Master of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies degree with Principals certification from the University of Texas at Arlington. 

Mrs. Moore's professional affiliations include the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Women Band Directors International, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the Texas Bandmasters Association. She is an active clinician and adjudicator in Texas and was an invited presenter on beginning French Horn pedagogy for the 2018 Texas Bandmasters Association Annual Convention in San Antonio. 

In 2023, Mrs. Moore was named the Abilene Education Foundation's Fine Arts Teacher of the Year. 

Mrs. Moore lives in Abilene with her husband, Nathan, their daughter Evelyn, and their cats, Belle and Leah. She enjoys spending time with family, baking, participating in sporting events and taking Disney vacations. ​

​​Ms. Alanna Curley, Associate Director of Bands
Alanna Curley joined the Abilene High School Band staff as Associate Director of Bands in 2021. Prior to gaining her position at AHS, Ms. Curley served as Associate Director of Bands at Craig Middle School in Abilene, TX. The bands under her direction have earned UIL "Sweepstakes" Awards every year. 

Ms. Curley graduated with honors from Abilene Christian University with her Bachelor of Music Education degree. During her time at ACU, she was a member of numerous university ensembles and was principal clarinet of the Civic Orchestra of Abilene and the ACU Wind Ensemble for four years. Ms. Curley also had the pleasure of serving as Vice President of ACU's Big Purple Marching Band. While at Abilene Christian University, she was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Musicianship Award by her directors. Prior to moving to Abilene, Ms. Curley was a 2015 graduate of Flower Mound High School.

Ms. Curley is a member of several professional organisations including the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, International Clarinet Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and Mu Phi Epsilon.

While not at school, Ms. Curley enjoys traveling, hiking, lots of coffee, game nights with loved ones and spending time with her dog Knox. 

​Mr. Drew Young, Assistant Director of Bands / Percussion Director
A proud product of Abilene ISD, Mr. Young graduated from AHS in 2016. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Abilene Christian University. 

During his time at ACU, Mr. Young performed with the Big Purple Marching Band, the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble, the Fall Homecoming Pit Orchestra, ACU Opera, and the Abilene Civic Orchestra. 

Upon graduation from Abilene Christian University, Mr. Young joined the Abilene High School staff as Assistant Band Director/Northside Percussion Director where he was responsible for teaching the Northside Percussion Program, Steel Band and assisted with both Jazz Band and the AHS Concert Ensembles. In July of 2023, Mr. Young stepped away from public teaching to take the role of Director of  Operations for the Abilene Philharmonic while simultaneously fulfilling the role of Assistant Director of Band at ACU. During his time with the Abilene Philharmonic Mr. Young had the privilege of working closely with the Education Director to provide instruction and logistical support for the Abilene Youth Orchestra. As the ACU Assistant Band Director, Mr. Young served as the Athletic Bands Chair and worked closely with the ACU Athletic and Music Department to elevate the Athletic Band programs through the Big Purple Marching Band and the ACU Basketball Band. Mr. Young rejoined the Abilene ISD family in July of 2024 to resume the role of Abilene High School Assistant Band Director/Northside Percussion Director. 

Outside of the band hall, Mr. Young is an active performer on drumset, enjoys eating food,  and listening to local music with his wife, Kayla and their son, Barrett. 

​

Mrs. Paula Findley - Color Guard Director
​Paula Findley happily re-joined the Abilene High Band staff in 2023 after an 11 year “Semi-Retirement”. 


Paula first came to be a part of the Abilene High Band staff as a Color Guard clinician in the Fall of 1994. Prior to that she began a teaching career as a Special Education teacher in 1992 after graduating from the University of North Texas. 


While at North Texas Paula was an active member of the Mean Green Marching Machine as a Color Guard member as well as performing in their first Winter Guard, Unity. 


In 1996 she came to be a full time SpEd teacher and Color Guard Director at Abilene High and served in that role until stepping away from teaching in 2006 to stay at home with her two daughters. 


While being a stay-at-home mom, she continued in her duties as Color Guard Director at Abilene High for 6 more years as well as becoming the Color Guard Director for Abilene Christian University where she helped to launch their first Winter Guard program, Acuity. 


In 2012, she retired from Guard to go back to work as a full-time Special Education Resource teacher at Purcell Elementary where she still teaches K-5th grade today. 


Mrs. Findley lives in Abilene with her husband Scott Findley, Algebra 2 teacher and Boys Golf Coach for Abilene High and their two daughters Bethany and Addyson. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her family, travel, and read.