Interview with Band Director Kristin Hames

July 3, 2025

We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Kristin Hames, a dedicated and dynamic band director, who graciously shared her time and wisdom with us. In this interview, she opens up about her path into music education, how she’s navigated the challenges of the profession, the thought behind her band’s concert dress code, and the advice she gives to the next generation of band directors. Whether you're a music educator, student, or just someone who loves a good success story, you’ll find plenty of insight and inspiration here.

Tell us a little about your background and how you got started in music.

Kristin started her musical journey on clarinet and was deeply inspired by her first teachers and especially mentors like Claire Johnson, who lived down the street from North Jr High, where Kristin was a first time head director. Their bond grew over years of conversations about music and life. Kristin eventually had the opportunity to teach Claire’s grandkids, a full-circle moment that left a lasting impact.

“She really taught me how to teach,” Kristin says. “I had a passion to teach kids from the very beginning. I like to teach them to choose their instrument like it’s Harry Potter choosing the wand.”

Describe your path to your current position.

Kristin began her teaching career at Shepton High School in Plano, where she served as Assistant Band Director for four years. From there, she accepted her first Head Band Director role at Richardson North Junior High, where she stayed for 13 years. She now serves as Head Director at Hill Country Middle School in Austin.

What age group do you work with, and what kind of repertoire do you typically program?

Kristin works with middle school students, a group she’s especially passionate about teaching. Her ensemble typically performs Grade 3 and Grade 4 repertoire from the prescribed music list—an ambitious range for a middle school band.

“We’re able to do it because we start them correctly,” she explains. “My passion is middle school. That way they can go on to perform well in high school or even become professionals. Some of my students have gone on to become pros and performers. But mostly, I want them to have an appreciation for the arts—to be patrons of music and the arts.”

What’s one of the biggest challenges you face in your role?

“Playing an instrument isn’t easy. There’s no instant gratification,” Kristin says.

COVID-19 had a lasting impact, not just on music programs, but on students’ motivation and resilience.

“It seems some students lost some of the grit to do what we do. It seems like we lost the ability to work as a group—and to want to keep doing it,” she says. “A lot of these kids were in second grade during COVID. Now, it’s easier to quit than to stick with something hard. Not just music, all hard activities.”

While most of her students do stick with it, she sees a broader trend: “They just sample things and move on. There’s less grit to stay with it.”

What is your ensemble’s current dress code?

“We wear matching uniforms,” Kristin says. “Ladies wear a black dress and Boys wear a black button-down with black tux pants and a custom long tie—we think it's important that we teach them how to tie it themselves. The tie is embossed with our school logo.”

She believes concert black plays a powerful role in performance readiness.

“There’s something great about wearing all black. It makes you feel like part of a group, and it makes you feel ready to perform. I will always make them wear a professional concert black.”

Have there been any challenges with your dress code?

Kristin allows flexibility in the uniform policy, particularly around gendered expectations.

“Girls can wear the guys’ uniform as long as their parents say it’s okay—so their parents aren’t surprised at the concert.”

What advice would you offer to others in your field or aspiring to similar roles?

Kristin’s advice is heartfelt and rooted in her own experience.

“I was fortunate to have great role models—and still do. But at the end of the day, I'd say look in the mirror and do what you want your students to do. Walk the walk. Be a lifelong learner. Still make music. Keep going to concerts.”

She encourages fellow educators to stay passionate and intentional.

“You want them to reflect on their time with you in band with happiness and joy. Your students will reflect you, so keep your standards for both yourself and them high. Strive to be the very best. Perfection doesn’t exist, but strive toward it. Try to do it ten times correctly. Set your standards high—whether it be how you teach, how you behave, or how you clothe your students.”

Thank you, Kristin, for sharing your time, your story, and your deep love of music education with us.

If you’d like to follow along with Kristin and learn more about her work, you can check out Hill Country Middle School Band's website here and follow them on Facebook here.