Nate Smith
Director of Bands
Mr. Smith is in his 12th year of teaching in the Buda/Kyle community and his 2nd year as the Director of Bands at Lehman School. Prior to joining the Lobo Nation he taught at Chapa Middle School, one of the feeder middle schools to Lehman, for 10 years. He is a graduate of James Bowie High School in Austin. Mr. Smith’s middle school and high school bands have consistently received sweepstakes “Superior” ratings at UIL.
Prior to becoming a teacher in Hays CISD, Mr. Smith attended Texas State University where he graduated in May 2010 with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. While at Texas State, Mr. Smith was a member of the Bobcat Marching Band, Bobcat Basketball Band, the Wind Ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra, and the Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble, and he studied Tuba methods with Raul Rodriguez. He served in many capacities in the various ensembles including Section Leader, Drum Major, Visual and Field Coordinator for the Bobcat Marching Band, Principal Tuba of the Wind Ensemble, and Band Manager. He also was a student guest conductor of the Texas State University Concert Band during his Senior year. While at Texas State, he received the Outstanding Instrumental Music Major Award and the Kappa Kappa Psi “J. Lee Burke Student Achievement” national fraternity award for scholarship and service within the School of Music. Mr. Smith’s other accomplishments include being invited to present a clinic at the 2012 TMEA Clinic and Convention attended by over 25,000 music educators from around the state, and an article published in the September 2013 issue of The Southwestern Musician magazine. Distributed to over 15,000 readers, the Southwestern Musician is the state’s largest publication for music educators. He also was chosen as the 2014-2015 Chapa Middle School Teacher of the Year.
He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, serving as the Region 18 Band Division Chair, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the International Tuba and Euphonium Association, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Fraternity for College Bands.
Most recently, Mr. Smith earned his Master’s Degree from Lamar University in Educational Leadership. He has also served as the TMEA Region 18 Band Division Chair since July of 2017.
In his free time, Mr. Smith enjoys hunting and fishing, watching Spurs basketball, playing video games, and enjoying time with his family. He has been married to his wife, Alyssa, for 17 years. She is going into her 19th year of teaching and currently teaches at Tom Green Elementary, also in Hays CISD. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a beautiful daughter, Adalyn, who will be turning 11 this September. The Smith family lives on 3 acres just outside of Lockhart, along with their dogs, Savana and Ozzy.
Michael Hanrahan
Associate Director of Bands
Michael Hanrahan is excited to join the Lehman Lobo Band Program as the Associate Director of Bands. From 2014 to 2022, Michael was the Assistant Director of Bands at Pflugerville High School in Pflugerville, Texas. His primary duties included directing the Musical Orchestra, Symphonic Band, assisting with the Pfightin’ Panther Marching Band, concert bands, and supporting the middle school feeder programs. Michael was instrumental in restarting the Musical Orchestra program. In its rebirth with student performers, the ensemble received back to back nominations for “Outstanding Orchestra” by the Heller Awards for Young Artists. In 2015, the Wind Ensemble performed as a Featured Ensemble at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. The band was a consistent finalist at the Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) Area D Marching Contest, and received superior ratings at the UIL Marching and Concert & Sightreading Evaluations.
Michael has an extensive background in the marching arts. He has served as a brass and visual instructor for several drum and bugle corps including The Academy, Jersey Surf, Connecticut Hurricanes, and the Raiders. Prior to teaching, Michael was a member of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps (2008-2010), which received the bronze medal at the 2010 Drum Corps International World Championships. He is also an alumnus of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps (2006-2007), which received the silver medal and the award for best brass performance at the 2007 Drum Corps International Division II World Championships.
An active musician, Michael currently plays euphonium with the Cedar Park Winds, a community ensemble based out of Cedar Park, Texas. He has also performed with groups at several international conferences and has also performed in masterclasses for world renowned artists including Steven Mead at the 2013 Northeast Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference, Demondrae Thurman, Øystein Baadsvik, Jim Self, Dennis Nulty, and Daniel Burdick.
Michael holds a Master of Music degree in Euphonium Performance from The Hartt School, where he studied with James E. Jackson III of the United States Coast Guard Band and performed in The Hartt School Wind Ensemble under the baton of Glen Adsit. While at Hartt, Michael was a founding member and president of The Hartt School Chapter of the International Tuba and Euphonium Association. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education with honors from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he studied Tuba and Euphonium with Dr. Zach Collins and Dr. Gary Bird and performed under the batons of Dr. Jack Stamp and Dr. Jason Worzbyt. During his senior year, Michael was the baritone section leader of the I.U.P. Marching Band. Michael’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, International Tuba and Euphonium Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Outside of band, Michael loves to visit his home state of New York, play golf, run, travel, ride roller coasters, be overly competitive at air hockey, and explore the greater Austin area.
Analisa Gonzalez
Percussion Director
Analisa Gonzalez is originally from the small town of Bandera, Texas. Following her passion of music at a young age, Analisa went on to pursue a major in music education at Stephen F. Austin University and Texas State University, with a primary focus in percussion. Her most intensive studies came under the direction of Brad Meyer, Keith Lloyd, Aundray Edwards, Derek Vo, Kevin Hanrahan, and Kari Klier.
Along with playing in many different concert ensembles, Analisa has found her niche within the marching bass drum community in both DCI and WGI. Her most recent ensembles include the Guardians Drum & Bugle Corps, Tyler Junior College Indoor Percussion, and Vigilantes Indoor Percussion.
Harry Vasquez
Colorguard Director
Harry Vasquez is originally from West Palm Beach, Florida. Mr. Vasquez started his color guard at John I Leonard High School. After graduating, he continued to march MEDEA Independent Winter Guard, the group made Independent A class finals at WGI. In the summer of 2010 Mr. Vasquez marched Teal Sound Drum Corps this was the first year the corps participated in World Class. While attending Florida Atlantic University
Mr. Vasquez continued his marching career. In 2011 Mr. Vasquez marched Premonition Independent Winter Guard, the group made WGI Independent World class finals and finished their season in 11th place. In 2012 Mr. Vasquez marched Braddock Independent this group also made WGI Independent World class finals and they finished the season in 6th place. In 2013 Mr. Vasquez returned to Premonition Independent Winter Guard in 2013, Premonition Winter guard was a WGI Independent Open class semi-finalist.
Mr. Vasquez has taught various groups in South Florida. In 2015 he became the Color Guard Director of Dwyer High School. During his time at Dwyer High School the color guard placed third in the AAA class during winter season, and they received superior rating at FBA. In 2017 Mr. Vasquez made his moved out to Texas. Mr. Vasquez was Assistant Color Guard director at Lehman High School. During his time Lehman High School the JV color guard constantly placed in the top in the regional A class in TCGC and in 2019 the Varsity color guard made TCGC State Finals where they finished in 7th place in the National A class. Mr. Vasquez received his B.A. in History from Texas State University in the spring of 2020. Mr. Vasquez was the Color Guard Director at Cedar Creek High School. Under Mr. Vasquez guidance the color guard was constantly in the top five in the Novice class in TCGC. Mr. Vasquez is very excited to rejoin the Lehman Lobo Band!