Welcome back, Miguel!

Miguel in 6th grade in 2011, his first year with Austin Soundwaves, left; Miguel and our executive director Patrick Slevin at Miguel’s college graduation party, right.

We are so proud and so excited to announce that Miguel Hernandez was just hired to head the band program at Austin Achieve Middle School, one of our 30 school partnerships.

What makes this so special is that Miguel is a 2018 alumnus of Austin Soundwaves and is our first former student to be hired full-time as a music teacher in our community!

Miguel came to us as a 6th grader in 2011, where he started learning percussion. He continued with us through our partner school program, East Austin College Prep, playing a central role in so much of our music-making until his graduation in 2018.

Studying music education and percussion performance at George Mason University and Blinn College, Miguel graduated in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in music education from Stephen F. Austin University.

The Vimeo link above is from a video we put together in 2013 about Austin Soundwaves. Not only is it a fun look back in time, Miguel is briefly featured (around the 1:35 mark) telling us that in “10 years, I’d like to be a maestro and percussion teacher.”

We’re honored to be a part of your journey, Miguel. Your talent and dedication always shined at Austin Soundwaves and no one is surprised to see you where you are.

You’ve achieved your dream of becoming a maestro. We can’t wait to see all the great things to come and thrilled to work with you at Austin Achieve!