DIRECTORS

Mr. Brandon Baker is thrilled to be joining the staff at Westlake High School as Head Choir Director. Mr. Baker holds a Master of Music Education degree from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he graduated with honors and was inducted into the University of Southern Mississippi Student Hall of Fame.
 

Mr. Baker’s teaching career spans multiple states including Texas, Georgia, and
Mississippi, where he has taught at both middle and high school levels. Most recently, Mr.Baker served as the Choral Director at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville, where he led four choirs and taught AP Music Theory. Prior to his role at Hendrickson, Mr. Baker taught at Discovery High School outside Atlanta, where he was recognized as Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022. He began his teaching career in DeSoto County in Mississippi at Horn Lake Middle School and High School.

Throughout his career, Mr. Baker has grown programs in quantity and quality. His choirs have consistently achieved superior ratings at competitions, including UIL Sweepstakes Awards and honors at the American Classics Competition, Music in the Parks, and the Capital City Clash.
 

Mr. Baker sings in several professional choral ensembles, including Kinnara, Orpheus Chamber Singers, Unheard, and Austin Cantorum. He is also a staff singer and rehearsal assistant at University Presbyterian Church.
 

Mr. Baker is excited to embark on this new chapter and looks forward to carrying the tradition of excellence and to continuing his commitment to music education.

Originally from Southern Ohio, Matthew Radford is excited to begin his journey at Westlake High School!  

 

Mr. Radford attended the University of Dayton (U.D.) in Dayton, Ohio where he pursued his degree in Choral Music Education.  While at U.D., he was a member of the Collegiate Chorale, World Music Choir, Early Music Ensemble, Remedy (pop a cappella), Opera, the Pride of Dayton Marching Band, and various chamber ensembles.  In 2015, he competed in the Harmony Sweepstakes National A Cappella finals in San Francisco, California.  

 

Upon competition of his degree at U.D., Mr. Radford taught K-12 music in Lancaster, Ohio.  After one short year, he returned to his Alma Mater in Waverly, Ohio.  At Waverly High School, he conducted the Women’s Chorus, Madrigal Singers, Concert Choir, and Polarity (pop a cappella).  In addition, he directed the spring musicals and managed the recording studio.  In 2019, Mr. Radford had the honor of directing, Polarity, who placed 3rd in the Harmony Sweepstakes National A Cappella competition. Later that year, Polarity released their first studio album, recorded entirely at Waverly High School. 

 

Recently, Mr. Radford completed his Masters of Music Degree in Choral Conducting at Bowling Green State University where he studied with Dr. Richard Schnipke, Dr. Mark Munson, and Dr. Emily Freeman Brown.  At the University, Mr. Radford taught Choral Techniques to undergraduate music majors and was the Choral Music Education Teaching Assistant.  

 

An advocate of pop a cappella, technology, and contemporary choral arranging, Mr. Radford’s arrangements can be heard on stages across the country.  

Kristina Wueger is joining Westlake Choir as Assistant Choir Director and couldn't be more excited to begin her first year teaching!

 

As a North Texas native from the Dallas area, Ms. Wueger is so excited to begin her journey in Austin, Texas. She is a recent graduate of the University of North Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education.

 

Ms. Wueger loves teaching choir, and her love for it started as being a member of high level ensembles.  Her choral journey includes featured appearances at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and Southwestern American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA) conventions. A major highlight of her colegiate career was performing with the  UNT A Cappela Choir at the national American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conference. She was also privileged to be a part of a European tour with the UNT A Cappela Choir, concluding in Germany, where the choir won first prize at the International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf.  

 

Ms. Wueger is so thri led to start her teaching journey at Westlake High School!