APOLLO BAND - Key Persons
Andrew Weak is in his twelfth year of teaching and his tenth year as Head Band Director at Apollo Junior High in Richardson. Under Mr. Weak's direction, the Apollo Band has earned consistent superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight-reading contests and multiple "Best in Class" designations at other contests around the DFW area. In 2015, the Apollo Band was named a TMEA CCC State Honor Band Finalist and a commended winner in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Contest.
Prior to teaching at Apollo, Mr. Weak taught for two years at Berkner High School. His Symphonic Band III consistently received superior ratings at UIL contests, and in his first year of teaching, his band was named "Best in Class" at the South Coast Music Festival in Corpus Christi.
Mr. Weak received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. At Baylor, he studied clarinet with Richard Shanley and was a member of the Baylor Wind Ensemble under Eric Wilson. Mr. Weak completed his student teaching with Frank Troyka and Lynne Jackson at Berkner High School.
Mr. Weak is an active member of TMEA and TBA, and he has presented a number of clinics for both organizations. He has also presented at the Midwest Clinic, and for the Ministry of Education of Singapore. In 2016, Mr. Weak received one of ten STARS Teacher of the Year awards for the Richardson ISD and was further named the district's Secondary Teacher of the Year. Andrew lives in Richardson with his wife Michelle, and his sons Caleb and Jonathan.
David Becker is currently in his eleventh year as Assistant Band Director at Apollo Junior High. He directs both Symphonic Band II and the Intermediate Band, and assists with Symphonic Band I and the Concert Band. Under his direction, the Apollo Symphonic Band II has consistently earned Superior ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest. Mr. Becker also teaches beginning brass classes at Big Springs and Yale Elementary schools. Prior to coming to Apollo, Mr. Becker served for four years as Assistant Band Director at Mesquite High School where he assisted with the Wind Ensemble and the Mighty Maroon Marching Band and led the Mesquite Jazz Ensemble.
Mr. Becker graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Music Education, studying conducting with Kevin Sedatole and Barry Kraus and trumpet with Wiff Rudd and Barry Hopper. While at Baylor, he played in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Band, was a two-time trumpet section leader of the Golden Wave Band, and in the fall of 2005 was one of two undergraduate staff assistants of the Golden Wave Band. Mr. Becker was fortunate to complete his student teaching assignment at Flower Mound High School with Rob Myers and Shadow Ridge Middle School with Mike Brown in Lewisville ISD.
In 2015, Mr. Becker earned his Master of Music in Music Education degree at Southern Methodist University. While at SMU, Mr. Becker was fortunate to study with Lynne Jackson, Brian Merrill, Sarah Allen and Tom Tunks. Mr. Becker loves spending time with his wife Heather, who is a band director at Hudson Middle School in Sachse, and his two sons, Benjamin and Andrew. He also enjoys traveling, reading, and listening to great music.
Taylor Michelle Evans is excited to begin her first year of teaching at Apollo Junior High. Ms. Evans directs the Concert Band and beginner band classes at the feeder elementary schools. She also assists with the Symphonic Bands I and II and the Intermediate Band class.
Ms. Evans graduated from Sam Houston State University in the spring of 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Music Education. While in college, she studied flute with Kathy Daniel and Lana Kuscer and had the privilege to be the principal flute of the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Matthew McInturf, and the Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Jacob Sustaita for 3 and a half years. As principal flute, she was grateful to perform with the Wind Ensemble at the American Bandmasters Association Convention and at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention with the Sam Houston State University flute choir. In the spring of 2020, Ms. Evans was honored to student teach in Leander ISD at Rouse High School and Wiley Middle School with Mr. Jason Robb and Mr. Taylor Williamson.