Meet the Directors!
Derek Woods
Derek Woods holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Northern Illinois University and is currently in his 31st year of teaching, including 24 years in Texas. Mr. Woods began his career at Watseka High School (IL), then taught at Bear Creek High School (CO), and Flour Bluff High School (TX) before joining Dripping Springs High School in 2003. Starting as Assistant Band Director and Director of Color Guard, he was named Director of Bands in 2018. Throughout his career, Mr. Woods has led numerous ensembles to top honors, including state championships, superior ratings, and national recognition in marching band, concert band, and winter guard competitions. A trombonist and pianist from Westerville, Ohio, Mr. Woods has performed with notable drum corps and community bands. He is a five-time honoree in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” and has held leadership roles in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Color Guard Circuit. Under Mr. Woods’ direction, our Dripping Springs Tiger Band has consistently earned superior ratings at UIL contests, with the Tiger Marching Band achieving multiple state finalist and medalist titles. His ensembles have also excelled in TMEA Honor Band competitions and Winter Guard International events.
Brian Mayer is currently going into his 14th year of teaching and his 4th year with the Dripping Springs Tiger Band. Prior to his time at Dripping Springs, Mr. Mayer served as the Director of Bands at LASA High School in Austin, Texas. Under his direction, the Raptor Band was named Class AA Champions and Finalists at the BOA Waco Regional, Finalists at the Vista Ridge Marching Festival, and 2nd Place Overall at the USBands Remo Austin Finals. The Raptor Band also received 1st division ratings for all of their ensembles at the UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest. Prior to this, Mr. Mayer served as the Director of Bands at LBJ High School from 2015-2021, and as an Assistant Band Director at LBJ from 2011-2015. During Mr. Mayer’s time at LBJ/LASA, his bands have received consistent UIL Division 1 ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest and have had numerous students named to the TMEA All-State Band. In 2018, the LBJ Wind Ensemble was a National Winner for the “Foundation of Music Education’s” Mark of Excellence Competition. Mr. Mayer is a native Austinite and received his Bachelors in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011. During his time at UT, Mr. Mayer was a member of the prestigious UT Trombone Studio and Choir, and performed across the US and at the International Trombone Festival in 2009. Mr. Mayer is also an avid rock climber, and he loves to spend time with his dog, Eliza.
Matt Ehlers is the Percussion Director for Dripping Springs High School, Sycamore Springs and Dripping Springs Middle School. He oversees our percussion curriculum for grades 6–12. With four years in this role, Mr. Ehlers previously served as Director of Percussion at A.N. McCallum High School and Lamar Middle School in Austin, Texas. A Cum Laude graduate from the University of North Texas with a degree in Music Education, he has led ensembles to perform at prestigious events including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the Black Swamp Percussion Ensemble Showcase. Mr. Ehlers founded the Brazilian Samba School “Samba Knights” at McCallum, fostering community partnerships and expanding percussion opportunities. At Dripping Springs, Matt has propelled the band to new heights, including advancing to the UIL 5A State Marching Contest Finals in 2021, qualifying for the UIL State Marching Contest in 2022 in the 6A classification, and earning the marching percussion section the class champion title at the 2021 South Texas Classic Drumline Invitational. The percussion ensemble also placed 2nd in the 2023 and 2025 Black Swamp Percussion Ensemble Showcase. In 2023, the marching percussion section presented a clinic at the Texas Bandmasters Convention. His compositions and arrangements are published with Boxfish Music Publishing, C. Alan Publications, and Row-Loff Productions. Mr. Ehlers lives in Dripping Springs with his wife Katie, daughter Lily, and their dog Carter. In his spare time, Mr. Ehlers enjoys grilling out, collecting vinyl records, and running.
Daniel Cuevas is a seasoned music educator and visual design coordinator with over a decade of experience in the pageantry arts. Mr. Cuevas is in his 16th year of teaching and his 4th year at Dripping Springs High School. He conducts the Concert Band and Gold Jazz Band while also helping oversee the Color Guard program. Mr. Cuevas earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. He studied under notable instructors such as Tom Bennett and Dr. Karen Wylie. Prior to joining Dripping Springs, Mr. Cuevas completed coursework toward a Master’s in Music Education at the University of Michigan and served as Associate Director of Bands at Trinity, Clear Creek, and Harrison High Schools. His performance background includes membership in prestigious World Class Drum Corps like the Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the 2008 World Champion Phantom Regiment. Beyond his band directing roles, Mr. Cuevas has contributed as a visual designer, drill writer, and consultant for numerous ensembles competing in UIL and Bands of America Regional and Grand National Championships. He maintains professional affiliations with the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA) and serves as an active adjudicator for Bands of America. With Mr. Cuevas combined expertise in music education and visual design, he continues to enrich the Dripping Springs Tiger Band music program and inspire students across multiple disciplines.
Derek Vereen is our Colorguard Director. He was born on an Air Force base in Minot, North Dakota and has lived in South Carolina. Mr. Vereen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education from Winthrop University (2011-2015), where he performed with several dance and winter guard companies, including Staib Dance Company and Etude Winterguard. Mr. Vereen spent multiple summers competing with Carolina Crown in Drum Corps International (2012-2016) and later moved to Cincinnati to perform and medal with Pride of Cincinnati Winterguard (2016-2018). While in Ohio, Mr. Vereen taught two Scholastic world-class finalist groups, Bellbrook and Miamisburg High Schools, and toured with “Blast! The Music of Disney Japan” (2017-2019). In 2024-2025, Since relocating to Austin, TX, Mr. Vereen has taught at several high schools, including Leander, Cedar Park, Cedar Ridge, Westlake, and Moe & Gene Johnson. This is his second year with our Color Guard Program, combining his extensive experience in dance and color guard to inspire and educate students.This past year,our JV Guard won 2nd place with their Butterflies performance at Winter Guard. In addition, our Varsity Colorguard won state Champions and went to compete at WGI and received 8th place at the WGI Competition in Indianapolis. If you are interested in joining our fabulous Color Guard team, or if you have any questions, please contact Mr. Vereen.