STAFF
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Ryan Johnstone
Ryan Johnstone is currently Director of Bands at Rouse High School in Leander, Texas, a position he has held since 2020. Previously, he was an associate director at Rouse for four years. At Rouse, Mr. Johnstone conducts the Honor Band and serves as the music coordinator for the marching band. All concert ensembles under his direction at Rouse have earned straight superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sightreading Evaluations. The Rouse Honor Band was awarded 4th place in the TMEA Honor Band Competition in 2023. The Rouse Marching Band has been a BOA Austin Champion and was a finalist at the 2023 BOA San Antonio Super Regional, winning the 3A Championship. Additionally, the Rouse Marching Band was awarded the silver medal in the class SA UIL State Marching Band Championships. Prior to his positions at Rouse, Mr. Johnstone served as band director at Canyon Vista Middle School in Austin, Texas for 2 years. Mr. Johnstone also served as head band director of the Aledo Middle School Band program for five years and as an associate director at Aledo High School from 2006-2009.
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Caitlin Wolf
Caitlin Wolf is currently in her seventh year as the Associate Director of Bands at Rouse High School in Leander, where she leads the marching band and directs the Rouse Wind Ensemble.
In 2018, Mrs. Wolf joined the Rouse High School staff. During her time there, all ensembles under her direction have received superior ratings. In 2020, Mrs. Wolf began serving as the Marching Band Director for the Rouse Band, and in the fall of 2021 the Rouse Marching Band earned their first Silver Medal at the UIL State Marching Contest and were a first-time finalist at the Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional.
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Anna Bush
Anna Bush is currently in her fifth year of teaching. She is an Associate Director of Bands at Rouse High School in Leander, TX, where she directs the Symphonic Band.
Before working at Rouse HS, Mrs. Bush worked as an Assistant Band Director at Cedar Park High School for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years, where they earned 1st Place in the 5A UIL State Marching Competition.
Mrs. Bush also worked as an Assistant Band Director at Vandegrift High School for the 2022-2023 school year, where they earned 1st Place in the 6A UIL State March ing Competition. The 2023-2024 school year is her first year at Rouse High School.
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James Sparling
James Sparling received his degree in Music Education with a minor in Architecture at Miami University, where he was heavily involved in the world music ensemble, Global Rhythms, as Percussion Coordinator and Arranger. This ensemble led him to perform across the globe and work with Grammy winners Glen Velez and Jamal Mohammed, Ghatam Khartick's heARTbeat, Musafir, Jeff Queen, Michael Burritt, Anthony Cirone, Indian film composer A.R. Rahman, Nelly Furtado, and Lenny Kravitz.
He was a featured clinician at the 2012 North Alabama Day of Percussion, the 2016 Illinois PAS Day of Percussion, and the 2019 North Carolina Percussion Symposium. Additionally, Mr. Sparling was the 2020-2021 Vice President of Percussion & Winds for the Michigan Color Guard Circuit and is a founding member of the Michigan Alliance for Performing Arts, a non- profit organization that serves Percussion & Winds ensembles across Michigan.
Mr. Sparling has served in various design and educational capacities for numerous DCI and WGI groups for over 20 years. These include Carolina Crown, The Cadets, Glassmen, The Madison Scouts, Phantom Regiment, Alchemy Independent, Eastside Fury, Infinity Percussion, Madison Independent, Redline Percussion and Rhythm X. Currently, he works with Cap City Percussion as a Designer and World Battery Coordinator, and the Madison Scouts as Battery Arranger and Co-Caption Head.
He is proudly endorsed by:
Pearl/Adams
REMO Drumheads
TreeWorks Chimes
Vic Firth Drumsticks and Mallets
Zildjian Cymbals
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Anthony Mondragon
Anthony Mondragon is currently in his second year as the Director of Color Guard at Rouse High School and Wiley Middie' School in Leander, TX. He currently leads three' guards, including the high school Varsity Guard, JV Guard, and Rouse Spin Club, as well as the combined Visual Ensemble in the Marching Band Season.
In 2022, Mr. Mondragon joined the Rouse High School staff. During his time here, the Rouse Color Guard has consistently made finals in TCGC and WGI, including the 2023 show "Nemesis," which, in TCGC, placed as the highest score for the school in their state placement since its inception. Additionally, the Visual Ensemble was awarded best color guard in TMC for two consecutive years in the 2022 and 2023 Marching Season.
With the growth in the guard program, Mr. Mondragon created a Varsity and Junior Varsity team in 2024, providing an opportunity for a successful beginning season to these teams. Additionally, Mr. Mondragon restructured the Rouse Spin Club to be a full -time class as opposed to a school club, thereby leading to consecutive first placements in the Cadet Area West State Championships in 2023 and 2024.