Staff
Organizer
Ana Maria Solis-Herrera is the Director of Orchestras at Austin High School in the Austin Independent School District. Previously she was Director at O. Henry Middle School, Lamar Middle School, and McCallum High School. Prior to her appointment as Austin Youth Orchestra Organizer, she served as Co-coordinator and Conductor of the Concertante, Sinfonietta, and Philharmonic Youth Orchestras.
Mrs. Solis-Herrera holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Violin Performance and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin. She has completed certifications in Suzuki Method and conducts workshops at the University of Texas.
Mrs. Solis-Herrera performed internationally with orchestras in Asia, Latin America, and the United States, including the Ehime University Orchestra in Matsuyama, Japan, the Carlos Chavez Symphony in Mexico City, and the Ohio Light Opera. Mrs. Solis-Herrera has been invited to speak at music
educators conferences in Italy, Sweden, and Latin America on her research, the musical preferences of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in the United States.
Contact: mssolis-herrera@austinyouthorchestra.org
Organizer
Contact: mr.solis@austinyouthorchestra.org
Brenda McGahagin
Administrative Coordinator
Administrative Coordinator
Ms. Brenda McGahagin is the parent of a recently graduated violinist with the Austin High School Orchestra. She brings to her role as Administrative Coordinator an appreciation for classical music and experience with management, fundraising, and publicity. Brenda graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Natural Sciences and worked as a Registered Dietitian and Food Service Director for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission prior to volunteering with the Austin High School Orchestra Booster Club and the Austin Youth Orchestra. In her spare time, Brenda enjoys time with family and friends, gardening, travel, nature, music and reading.
Contact: admin@austinyouthorchestra.org
