The Band Program at Leander High School revolves entirely around the students. As directors and teachers, it is our responsibility to expose students to a wide variety of music, to teach them to perform music to the best of their abilities, and to teach them the benefits and differences in performing both as a group and as soloists. In doing so, we seek to have our program critiqued and assessed by nationally renowned judges and music educators, and to perform in competition with the best band programs that we can find, in order that our students understand that they are being measured against recognized state and national standards.

Being a part of a group such as the Leander Band enhances a student’s high school experience as they learn the benefits and rewards of discipline, motivation, and working together to meet the challenges presented in a top-class program. Everyone has a different role in this program, and the staff are here to see that each student is motivated to perform to his or her very best level, that each student receives the best instruction possible, and that this program serves as a positive influence to the self-esteem of each and every student. We will work hard, we will reach the top, and we will have a good time doing it!

Nils Gundersen – Director

Mr. Gundersen is in his tenth year as a teacher in the Leander Independent School District. He is currently the Director of Bands at Leander High School after having served there as an assistant director for six years. Before coming to LHS, he was an assistant director at Cedar Park Middle School.

Mr. Gundersen, a native of Gainesville, Florida, received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Louisiana State University where he studied trumpet under Jim West, and wind conducting with Frank Wickes. While at LSU, Mr. Gundersen served as the drum major of the Sudler Award-winning LSU Tiger Band, and was a trumpet soloist and section leader.

Mr. Gundersen has served as an adjudicator throughout Central Texas. He has also served as a clinician at the LSU Tiger Summer Auxiliary Camp.

While at Leander High School, Mr. Gundersen helped develop the Indoor Theater Music Production that is used as a recruiting and educational program in the district. This past March, Mr. Gundersen conducted members of the symphonic bands in St. Patrick’s Cathedral during a tour of Ireland.

In his spare time, Mr. Gundersen enjoys watching LSU sporting events and is active in the LSU Austin Alumni Chapter. He lives in Austin with his wife Kimberly.

Juan C. Carrera – Assistant Director

Juan C. Carrera is the Director of Percussion at Leander High School and is responsible for all aspects of percussion, 6th-12th at three different campuses. While his time there, the percussion studio has maintained a high level of excellence in both the marching and concert genres.

Mr. Carrera has worked with numerous programs throughout the state as a clinician, adjudicator and arranger since 1994. In 2002, he received his Bachelor of Music from Southwest Texas State University. During his time there, he was part of the 2001 and 2002 SWTSU Bobcat Marching Drumline and PASIC Drumline staff. He also performed in the SWT Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Salsa Band, Panorama Steel Band, Marching Bobcat Band and Orchestra Tradicion (Professional Salsa Band).

In 2003, Mr. Carrera helped the Winston Churchill High School Marching Band attain the Music Caption Award at the Bands of America Contest in San Antonio where they placed 5th overall performing their production entitled “Toxic”.

In 2006, Mr. Carrera joined SASI, Solutions and Specialized Innovations. SASI is a leadership development firm with more than one hundred years of collective experience in developing leaders in public education.

His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association and the Percussive Arts Society. Juan is also a member of the Vic Firth Education Team. He has been mentored and influenced by John Stansberry, Genaro Gonzalez, Albert Lo, Alan Sharps, Beth Bronk, James Hudson, Tony Edwards and Paul Pape.

Juan resides in Round Rock, TX with his wonderful wife, Julie.

Laura Cross - Assistant Director

Ms. Cross is in her first year as a band director at Leander High School. She is a recent suma cum laud graduate of The University of Houston and a proud supporter of her Cougars!

While at UH, she was a drum major and section leader for the Spirit of Houston Marching Band. She studied flute under Dr. Kim Clark and conducting with Tom Bennett and David Bertman. Ms. Cross also toured across the United States for three years with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from Canton Ohio. She has been mentored and influenced by Eddie Green, Tom Bennett, John Benzer, David Bertman, Steve McKeithen and Brett Johnson.

Ms. Cross’s passions besides band include photography, travel, family, friends and her two cats Spencer and Ody.

Robert Selaiden – Assistant Director

Mr. Selaiden is in his fourth year as a teacher at Leander High School. He is currently the conductor of the Symphonic Band, director of the Jazz Ensemble, and heads up the private lesson program. Before coming to Leander High School, Mr. Selaiden attended The University of Texas where he studied saxophone under Harvey Pittel and served as Drum Major of The University of Texas Longhorn Band. While at UT, he conducted the premiere of John Lato’s “Septet for Winds” as well as conducted and arranged “Danse Bachannale” by Camille Saint-Saens on the “Tex-Sax: Next Generation” CD, which has been placed on the Grammy Nomination  list.

During each summer, Mr. Selaiden has been active as coordinator of the Longhorn Music Camp , and as a facilitator of the SASI leadership and drum major camps. He has served as a clinician for the Texas Band Masters Association, and has professional affiliations with Kappa Kappa Psi, TMEA, TJEA and TBA. Before coming to school in Austin, Mr. Selaiden went to Newman Smith HS in Carrollton, TX.

Will Callaway

A long time student of ballet, modern dance, and theater, Will Callaway has been involved with color guard since 2002.  Drum corps experience has included involvement with the Magic of Orlando, Crossmen, Reading Buccaneers, and the Blue Coats.  Will also performed for four consecutive years with the WGI World Class finalist the Black Watch from Mt. Laurel, NJ.  Mr. Callaway has taught several groups on the east coast, most recently WGI SO finalist and the 2011 SA Silver Medalist Mechanicsburg HS.  Will is originally from Harrisburg, PA and just recently moved to Austin, TX where he serves as the color guard director of Leander High School.