DIRECTOR OF BANDS/FINE ARTS DIRECTOR

BrianH@fisd.org

Brian Hecimovich (or Mr. H as he is called by his Students) has been the Head Band Director for Fredericksburg ISD since the Fall of 2021. Prior to teaching in Fredericksburg Brian was the Head Band Director for Hondo, Blanco, and Spur High Schools. Throughout his career his bands and his students have won many UIL Sweepstakes Awards, All State Students, State Solo and Ensemble Qualifiers, OPS State Finalist Placements, and have advanced to the UIL State Marching Contest with both Hondo and Fredericksburg High Schools. In 2017 Brian was the Teacher of the Year for Blanco High School and the recipient of the Lamar Medal for Educational Excellence.

Brian is also currently the Region Coordinator for ATSSB Region 29/32 and is an active UIL Concert and Marching Band Judge. Brian and his wife Dorothy have been married since 2009 and currently reside in Kerrville, Tx with their Dog Cleo. Brian has a strong West Texas background growing up in Slaton, Tx and attending South Plains College and graduating with Honors from McMurry University in Abilene, Tx.

Bonnie Oreka joined the Pride of the Texas Hill Country in 2021 as the Associate Director of Bands. Mrs. Oreka will serve Fredericksburg ISD as the Head Middle School Band Director, conductor of the FMS Honor Band, FMS Concert Band, teacher of the beginning saxophone class, and the double reed class. Mrs. Oreka is from Austin, Tx where she graduated from McNeil High School taught by Travis Ancelet, Jason Dimicelli, and Ian Smith.

Mrs. Oreka received her Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Stephen F Austin State University where she performed in countless ensembles under the direction of Mr. Fred J Allen, Dr. David Campo, Dr. Brett Richardson, and Dr. Tammy Angelley. Mrs. Oreka received her Masters in Music Education from Tarleton State University studying from professors such as Dr. Vicky Johnson, Dr. Gary Westbrook, and Dr. Anthony Pursell.

Mrs. Oreka's previous teaching experience occured over 8 years at Lampasas ISD where she served as Assistant Middle School Band Director, Assistant High School Band Director, Percussion Director, Color Guard Director, Head Middle School Director and Director of Bands. Her private lesson teaching experience includes Gatesville ISD and Nacogdoches ISD.

Mrs. Oreka's professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Band Masters Association, Association of Texas Small School Bands, and Kappa Kappa Psi national honory band fraternity where she served as the chapters historian for two years. Mrs. Oreka enjoys traveling with her husband Michael, spending time with her family, and playing with her pets (Cat Ricky, Cat Ethel, Cat Millie, and Cat Millie). 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS  

JohannaB@fisd.org

Johanna Balboa joined the Pride of the Texas Hill Country in 2021 as the FMS Assistant Band Director. She serves as the FMS Symphonic Band Director, HS Assistant Director and teacher for the beginning Flute and Clarinet class. She is from San Antonio, Texas and a graduate of John Paul Stevens High School where she participated in the band program under the direction of Robert Rubio and John Dominguez.

Ms. Balboa received her Bachelors of Music Education from West Texas A&M University where she performed in concert ensembles under the direction of Mr. Don Lefevre and Dr. Russ Teweleit. She also served a year as a color guard co-captain in the Pride of West Texas Marching Band. Her studies included private instruction on Flute under Mrs. Helen Blackburn.

Her previous teaching experience included working with the De Zavala Middle School in Amarillo and student teaching at Midland Lee High School. She has taught private lessons at Canyon ISD, Plainview ISD and Midland ISD. Most recently Ms. Balboa was the Middle School Director at Fort Stockton Middle School from 2018-2021.

Ms. Balboa’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Association of Texas Small School Bands, and Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Sorority. She enjoys traveling, running, binge watching shows on Netflix and cuddling with her dachshund Winnie.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS - PERCUSSION DIRECTOR

HaleyS@fisd.org 

Haley Spencer joined the Pride of the Texas Hill Country in 2020 as Percussion Director where she serves the percussionists at the middle and high school. A native of San Antonio, Haley graduated  in 2013 from Communications Arts High School where she was part of the Taft Raider Band under the direction of Eric Carraway and Danny Solis.

Haley went on the receive her Bachelors of Arts in Music Education from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Go Crusaders!). During her time there she participated in the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and the Blackshirt Cru Spirit Band. She studied percussion with Dr. Stephen Crawford.

Outside of the academic realm Haley has experience with Genesis Drum and Bugle Corps, Monarch Independent Percussion, and 5points Percussion where she ended her marching performance career as Center Marimba and Front Ensemble section leader. 

When not at work Haley can be found running around with her dog, Lucy. She also enjoys watching Marvel movies and hanging out with her family. 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS - MARCHING VISUAL COORDINATOR- AP MUSIC THEORY

EchoeB@fisd.org

Mrs. Bruns joined the Pride of the Texas Hill Country in 2021. She serves as the director for the Fredericksburg High School Symphonic Band, and the marching/visual coordinator for the Fredericksburg High School Marching Band. She teaches the AP Music Theory course at FHS as well as the beginner low brass classes at Fredericksburg Middle School.

Mrs. Bruns grew up in Blanco, TX and graduated from Blanco High School in 2013. She received her Bachelor's of Music from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX in 2018. She performed in many ensembles at Texas State including the Bobcat Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Lab Band, Salsa Band, Trombone Ensemble, and Bobcat Basketball Band. While at Texas State Mrs. Bruns studied trombone under Mr. Charles Hurt. 

Prior to Fredericksburg, Mrs. Bruns taught elementary music at Smithville ISD from 2018-2021.

Mrs. Bruns' professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Association of Texas Small School Bands, and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women. 

Mrs. Bruns resides down the road in Kerrville, TX. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Matthew Bruns, playing trombone in the Boerne Concert Band, traveling, hiking, and trying new things.  

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS - JAZZ BAND DIRECTOR

JeremyK@fisd.org

Mr. Kindla started his first year teaching in Fredericksburg, Texas as an Assistant Band Director in 2021. His responsibilities include teaching both high school and middle school jazz as well as conducting the beginner band. 

Mr. Kindla is originally from Blanco, Texas where he graduated from Blanco High School in 2017. While in high school he earned a spot in the ATSSB All-State Concert Band. After high school he attended Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music Education in the Spring of 2021. Mr.Kindla studied under Professor Beth Bronk, Professor Scott McDonald, Dr. Joseph Cooper, Dr. Lance Witty, and Professor Mikio Sasaki. During his time at TLU, Mr. Kindla earned several best brass awards and qualified for the 2019 National Trumpet Competition Quarterfinals. He was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, the Hounds of Sound Pep Band, TLU Trumpet Ensemble, and numerous jazz combos/ brass quintets playing either trumpet or french horn.

Prior to Fredericksburg, Mr. Kindla student taught at Jack C. Hays High School and New Braunfels Middle School. He also worked as a marching tech for Johnson City, Blanco, Medina Valley, and Hondo High School. His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Educators, and International Trumpet Guild.

FINE ARTS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - COLOR GUARD 

JesikaG@fisd.org

Jesika Graff joined the Pride of the Texas Hill Country in 2021 as a color guard technician, and then in 2022 as the FISD Fine Arts Administrative Assistant. She also serves as the Color Guard Director. 

Jesika is from Copperas Cove, Texas, and is a graduate of Copperas Cove High School where she participated in the band and color guard programs under the direction of Randy Kelly and Antonio Chapa.

In her free time, Jesika enjoys spending time with her husband, Coach Reed Graff (FHS Football/Baseball) and their son, Rowan.