Gerardo L. Gonzalez

Mr. Gonzalez is in his thirteenth year of teaching in Texas public schools, and currently serves as Head Band Director at Westside High School. His responsibilities include directing the Wolf Band (marching), Wind Ensemble (concert), Concert Band, as well as assisting with Jazz Combo/Jazz Band, AP Music Theory, and the Grizzly Band at West Briar MS. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Conducting, both from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Tx. While at SFASU, he performed in various ensembles including the Lumberjack Marching Band, the Wind Ensemble, and the Swingin' Axes Jazz Band where he shared a stage world-class performers like Mike Vax (Stan Kenton Orchestra), Mike Williams (Count Basie Orchestra), and Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band). His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the International Trumpet Guild. He and his wife Jacqueline welcomed their first child, Gabriel, into their lives in May 2020 and life has been incredible ever since!

Savanna Sturm

Ms. Sturm is going into her first year of teaching at Westside High School. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. Ms. Sturm has a woodwind background, with her primary instrument being clarinet. During her time at SFA, Ms. Sturm was a member of many ensembles, including the Wind Symphony and the Lumberjack Marching Band. While in the Lumberjack Marching Band, she was able to march at the 2018 UIL State Marching Competition as a member of the exhibition ensemble. Ms. Sturm studied primarily under Dr. Tamey Anglley, Dr. Chris Kaatz, and Dr. Christopher Ayer. She also performed at the Yamaha Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana as a member of the Cypress Ranch High School Wind Ensemble. Ms. Sturm is very excited for the upcoming school year and cannot wait to begin making music with the Westside High School Band!

Eli Garza

Mr. Garza is in his second full year of teaching, and starting his first at Westside High School. He is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music with a percussion focus. Before coming to Westside High School, he was the assistant percussion director for Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas. He has also been a part of the percussion staff at Clear Brook High School in Friendswood, Texas since 2015 where he had the opportunity to be a part of many award-winning groups such as becoming a WGI Gold medalist, multiple silver medalist and multiple-time State Champions. During his time at SFA, he performed in multiple ensembles including percussion ensemble, jazz band, the Lumberjack Marching Band, and steel-drum band. As a member of the Lumberjack Marching Band, he had the opportunity to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2016. In addition to performing with SFA ensembles he was also a member of an independent percussion group based out of Tyler Junior College in 2015, and as a high school member of the Clear Brook Indoor Percussion Ensemble. Both ensembles competed at the national level in the WGI circuit and earned a Silver Medal.