Directors

Christopher Bronson

Fine Arts Coordinator / Director of Bands

E-mail: Christopher.Bronson@risd.org

Christopher Bronson is proud to serve as the Fine Arts Coordinator and Director of Bands for the Richardson HS Cluster which includes Richardson West Junior High and Westwood Junior High. Before joining the RHS band staff, Mr. Bronson taught at Berkner High School and Liberty Junior High in RISD and Akins High School in Austin ISD.

Throughout his career, Mr. Bronson’s bands have consistently earned 1st division ratings at UIL Marching, Concert, and Sightreading Evaluations. He has served as an RISD Mentor Teacher and was chosen as an RISD Top Ten Teacher in 2019.

A DFW native, Mr. Bronson graduated from Mesquite High School and then went on to earn his Bachelor of Music Education from Southern Methodist University where he was awarded…

Melanie Huddleston

Assistant Director of Bands

E-mail: Melanie.Cheney@risd.org

Melanie Huddleston is excited to serve as Assistant Band Director at Richardson High School. Her duties include directing the Symphonic Band, assisting with the Golden Eagle Marching Band, and co-teaching the beginner classes throughout the RHS cluster.

Mrs. Huddleston is a graduate of Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia where she earned her Bachelor’s of Music Education. During her time at GSU, Mrs. Huddleston played flute in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, various chamber ensembles, and served as piccolo section leader of the GSU Panther Marching Band. She completed her student teaching in…

Lucas Havelaar

Assistant Director of Bands

E-mail: Lucas.Havelaar@risd.org

Lucas Havelaar is proud to serve as an Assistant Band Director at Richardson High School. His Duties include conducting the Symphonic Winds band, assisting with the Golden Eagle Marching Band, and teaching beginner classes throughout the cluster.

Mr. Havelaar is a graduate of Oklahoma State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music education. While at OSU Mr. Havelaar studied with Lanette Compton, participating in the OSU Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Horn Choir, and the Cowboy marching band.  Mr. Havelaar completed his student teaching at Union High School…

Austin Von Kalow

Director of Percussion

E-mail: Austin.VonKalow@risd.org

Austin Von Kalow is proud to serve as Director of Percussion at Richardson High School. His duties this year include conducting the Jazz Band, coordinating percussion in the Richardson Learning Community and instructing the percussion section for the Golden Eagle Marching Band.

Mr. Von Kalow received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Texas Christian University where he studied with Dr. Brian West, Joey Carter, Jeffery Hode and Joseph Eckert. During his time at TCU, he was heavily involved in several performing ensembles including the Percussion Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and the Horned Frog-Marching Band, where he served…

Roland Muzquiz

Percussion Specialist

E-mail: Roland.Muzquiz@risd.org
Phone: 469-593-3045

Roland Muzquiz is Percussion Specialist and Percussion Private Teacher for Richardson High School. Throughout his three decades as percussion instructor for the RHS area, he has emphasized the importance of developing strong mallet keyboard technique along with solid fundamental music theory.

Along with this position, Mr. Muzquiz also serves as Principal Percussionist with the Dallas Wind Symphony and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with…