Band Directors

Scott Stulir, Director of Bands

Mr. Stulir is a 1985 graduate of Western Illinois University, with degrees in Music Education, Percussion Performance, Composition, and Electronic Music Synthesis. He has worked across the country as a professional performing musician, audio engineer, composer, producer, and educator for the past twenty five years. Many of his students have gone on to perform with, teach, and compose for several High School, College, and National performing ensembles. Scott's an energetic member of the Vic Firth Percussion Education Team, and an active recording artist/clinician. Mr. Stulir continues to compose music for many different High School Percussion ensembles, WGI, BOA, and DCI groups throughout the USA. He also continues to compose various broadcast commercial, CD, television, and film projects during his off time. Scott and his wife Kittie love the weather in Texas, and look forward to continuing the growth of the Waco High Band program in the future.

Cameron Akin, Associate Director

cakin@wacoisd.org

Cameron Akin hails from Oklahoma City where he graduated from the University of Oklahoma. While in college, Mr. Akin marched in the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. Upon completion of his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, he directed the jazz program at Del City High School and then relocated to East Texas, where he taught at Robert E. Lee High School. This is Mr. Akin's forth year as assistant director of the Waco High School Lion Pride Band. Mr. Akin directs the top jazz ensemble as well as teaching drill and marching fundamentals. He is a brass specialist. Mr. Akin and his wife, Jenny, have two children, Hogan and Julianna.

Kayla Nelson, Associate Director

knelson@wacoisd.org

Kayla Nelson received the Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from The University of South Dakota in 2007. She has toured regionally and internationally with these groups, including a 2005 European Tour with the brass choir. She studied euphonium and trombone with Dr. Lawrence Mitchell and Dr. Steven Sudduth, along with saxophone and jazz studies with Dr. CJ Kocher. Kayla has been active in the drum and bugle corps activity since 2001. She was a member of the Colts (2001-2004), the Santa Clara Vanguard (2005), and aged-out with the 2007 World Championship Blue Devils from Concord, CA. She was a four-year member of The University of South Dakota Marching Coyotes, serving as drum major for two years. She was a visual instructor for the Sioux Falls Roosevelt Marching Band from 2005-2007.

In the Fall of 2007, she student taught at Patrick Henry Middle and Lincoln High Schools in the Sioux Falls Public School District in Sioux Falls, SD. During the spring of 2008, Kayla served as a long-term substitute band director at Oliver Middle and South Intermediate High Schools in Broken Arrow, OK. This is her first year at Waco High School.