Mr. Kerry Taylor currently serves as Director of Bands for Westlake High School and Fine Arts Director of Eanes ISD in Austin, Texas. He is also Department Chair of Fine Arts at Westlake High School. Mr. Taylor is in his 36th year as a band director in the Texas public schools; five years in Katy ISD and 31 in Eanes ISD. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Music degree in Applied Conducting, both from the University of Texas at Austin.

Under Mr. Taylor’s direction, the Westlake High School Band is going back to march in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Years Day! The WHS has been named ‘Best in Class’ or ‘Runner-up’ at the Buccaneer Music Festival, South Coast Music Festival, MusicFest (Orlando, Fl.) and the DC Festival in San Antonio. The Westlake Band has made concert tours to the Pacific Northwest, Canada and the British Isles. Under Mr. Taylor’s baton, the Westlake Wind Ensemble has performed twice (2002 and 2015) at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the American Bandmasters Association on March 4, 2006 and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles on July 8, 2009. In 1997, the John Philip Sousa Foundation presented the Westlake Band with the Sudler Flag of Honor recognizing excellence in concert band over an extended period of time. The Westlake Marching Band has been a Finalist in multiple Bands of America Regionals and Super Regionals and has been a Finalist at the 5A and 6A State Marching Contest-placing in the top 10 on five occasions. On January 2, 2017 the Westlake Chaparral Band performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. This was their second time (2003) to perform in this parade. In 2010, the Sousa Foundation honored the WHS band with the Sudler Shield for excellence in marching. In December 2016, the international honorary band fraternity, Phi Beta Mu, recognized the Westlake Band Program as a first recipient of the Earl Irons “Program of Distinction Award” for excellence in all aspects of a well-rounded band program.

Recently, the UIL honored Mr. Taylor with the “Sponsor Excellence Award.” In 2016 the Texas Bandmasters Association honored Mr. Taylor with the “Meritorious Achievement Award.” He is also the Music Director of the Waterloo Wind Band, a south Austin community concert band.

A graduate of Stanford University, Mayor Anthony moved to Austin in 1976 after post-graduate study at Princeton University. She moved to West Lake Hills the first time in 1977 and for good in 1988. As a reporter and editor at the Austin American-Statesman, she covered government at almost every level for 14 years.

Linda’s public service for West Lake Hills began in the early 1990s when she served her first term on ZAPCO; I served again from 2010-2013. In 2013 she was elected to the City Council and won a second term in 2015. Later that year when Mayor Dave Claunch resigned, the Council voted to appoint me as Mayor and she’s served as Mayor ever since.

Mayor Anthony’s broader community service includes former board memberships on the boards of Zach Scott Theater, Mexic-Arte Museum, Sharir Dance Company and the Texas Capital Bridge Association.

Amelia Floyd: 

As a mother of 2 Lake Travis High School graduates, Amelia has held the position of Vice President for fundraising for several LTHS booster clubs where she consistently exceeded budgets.  During this time, she witnessed first-hand our youth's challenges, struggles and determination inspiring her to co-found the Erik Hanson Memorial Scholarship for one of her daughter's friends who died by suicide.  Because of the need she has seen in our community; she co-founded the Engage and Heal Foundation to erase the stigma of mental health by shattering the silence and helping to build a bridge for those who feel unheard and disconnected.  She feels that their presence and determination will help to start that conversation.  Amelia is also a certified NAMI Basics and NAMI Peer-to-Peer teacher.

Kathleen Hassenfratz:

As a licensed professional counselor, Kathleen has embraced working with youth for 30 years in various roles from middle school teacher to counselor, chemical abuse prevention counselor, Ropes Course manager, health/social programs coordinator to teen whisperer (and mom of 2).  She uses experiential strategies to guide youth beyond life's barriers into a healthy and productive life.  Kathleen is also the founder and President of a nonprofit called Tune Into Life, with the mission of giving rise to safe, healthy communities by equipping parents with tools and teens with a voice to better support youth mental wellness while decreasing the rate of suicide amongst 18-25 year olds.