Band Staff

Helpfull Links & Phone Numbers:
> Pflugerville ISD Website
District Phone Number: (512) 594-0000
> Connally High School Website
School Phone Number: (512) 594-0800
Band Hall Phone Number: (512) 594-0865

Staff Bios:

Matthew Atkinson
Head Band Director

email: Matthew.Atkinson@pflugervilleisd.net

Matthew Atkinson is in his second year at Connally High School, and his tenth year of teaching. Mr. Atkinson is the director of the Varsity Band and the Cougar Marching Band. Previously, he was an Assistant Band Director at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville. During his four years at Hendrickson, Mr. Atkinson was the director of the Symphonic Band, assisted with the Hawk Marching Band, and served as the conductor for the musicals “Grease” and “Cinderella.” Additionally, he directed the school’s production of the musical, “Footloose.” His first teaching position was Assistant Band Director at Clear Brook High School in Friendswood from Fall 2000 to Spring 20004.

Mr. Atkinson earned his Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from Louisiana State University, where he studied oboe with Wayne Rapier and Linda Strommen, and conducting with Frank Wickes. He was a four-year member of the LSU Marching Band, “The Golden Band from Tigerland,” and served as Bass Drum Section Leader.

A native of Burke, Virginia, Mr. Atkinson graduated from Lake Braddock High School in 1996. He was a member of Symphonic Band, under the direction of Roy Holder, and studied oboe and English horn with James Moseley of the United States Air Force Band.

Anna Rodriguez
Assistant Band Director

email: email: anna.rodriguez@pflugervilleisd.net

After completing a highly acclaimed six year run with the Bolshoi Ballet (or as she calls it, Bol’shoy Teatr Moscva), Ms. Rodriguez elected not to return to her post as Directorate of Intelligence with the CIA (yes, she was a foreign operative) and concentrate her skills on helping good ol’ Connally High.

When she is not jetting off to Nice to spend a restful few days in the Hotel Negresco along the Promenade des Anglais, she can be found on the roof of the Connally PAC or in her office behind Mr. Atkinson’s desk.

Ms. Rodriguez is always ready with a cheerful "allo!" or "zsrasvt-vwee-tye!" So feel free to say, “Hey.” (And be sure to ask her about her lime green penguin, Otto.)

Jason Russell
Assistant Band Director

email: jason.russell@pflugervilleisd.net

Jason Scott Russell directs the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Fall and Winter Drumlines, as well as coordinates and teaches percussion for all Connally Bands.

Under Russell’s direction, both the CHS Symphonic Band and Jazz Band have received numerous first division ratings and awards. Additionally, the Connally Marching Percussion Ensemble has won two TCGC (Percussion Scholastic A) silver medals and six TCGC (Percussion Scholastic A) championships.

This is Russell's thirteenth year teaching, all of which have been at CHS. He is a graduate of Texas State University in San Marcos, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Music Education and a Master’s of Music Education. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Band Masters Association, the Percussive Arts Society, and Who’s Who of American Teachers.

Russell resides in Pflugerville with his wife, Tricia, and son, Christian. He enjoys movies, reading, and is a diehard Green Bay Packers fan.

Janice Felps
CHS Fine Arts Administrative Assistant

email: Janice.Felps@pflugervilleisd.net

Mrs. Felps is a graduate of Baylor University. She and her husband Robert have a computer consulting business, and she has been responsible for the bookkeeping for the last 16 years. They have two children—Lauren, a student at Baylor University, who is studying to be a Children’s Minister, and Lindsey, a student at Texas A&M University, who is studying Horticulture and Agronomy.

Mrs. Felps is active in music, singing in her church choir, playing in two handbell groups and directing her church handbell choir. She likes to travel, scrapbook, and read in her spare time.

Mykail Costner
Color Guard Director