Jonathan M. Villela is a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Texas at Austin where he pursues a master’s degree in Wind Conducting under the tutelage of Professor Jerry Junkin, and assists with concert ensembles, undergraduate conducting instruction, graduate wind literature and the Longhorn Band. He studied saxophone, chamber music, and pedagogy under Dr. Jeffrey Loeffert at Oklahoma State University, graduating in 2015 as a Velma Forbes Scholar. He then began his teaching career at Four Points Middle School, in Leander, TX, where he served as assistant director of Bands. The Concert and Symphonic Ensembles consistently received highest ratings in competitions and state evaluations under his direction. Jonathan was a National Chamber Music Finalist in the Music Teachers National Association Competition, a drum major of the OSU Cowboy Marching Band, and remains a clinician at public schools, university music camps, professional conventions in Texas, the Midwest Clinic, and most recently, the Conn-Selmer Institute. On several occasions, he traveled to Singapore as a guest clinician of the Wind Bands Association of Singapore. He has held guest conducting positions with the Dallas Winds and Cedar Park Winds. With Cedar Park Winds, he conducted and led the recording of David Maslanka’s “Give Us This Day,” contributing to the ensemble’s submission and invitation to the 71st Midwest Clinic. He commissioned Donald Grantham’s “Effulgent Light” and conducted its world premiere in Chicago, IL with Cedar Park Winds. Jonathan received a Richard E. Rainwater innovation grant and support from the City of Austin Cultural Arts initiative, and was recently awarded the Texas Music Educators Graduate Scholarship. As an appointed member of the Texas Civic Impact Council, he contributes to community growth solutions and Covid-19 recovery strategies.