Marching band has a new assistant director of bands as Cecily Yoakam joins the Redhawks after the departure of Zack Anderson.   

“Before coming to Liberty, I worked at a national non-profit music organization called Music for All as the Advocacy and Educational Resources in Indianapolis, Indiana, many may know it as Bands of America since the Liberty HS Band has gone to many of their marching competitions over the years,” associate band director Cecily Yoakam said. “Before that, I worked as a middle school band director in Buda, Texas for a few years. I hope to continue to learn about the program and continue to grow the incredible culture Mr. Weaver, Mr. Elvidge, Mr. Jadvani, and Mr. Mills have created over the years.”

Yoakam’s experience makes her a natural fit for the Redhawks band according to director Jamie Weaver. 

“We are extremely excited to have Ms. Yoakam join us this year. Not only is she a talented musician, she fits perfectly into the Liberty Band culture which is incredibly focused on the development of leadership skills for all students,” Weaver said. “Ms. Yoakam was the Drum Major for the Union HS Band for three years where she received a William Revelli Scholarship from Music for All.”

Also expressing his enthusiasm for Yoakam’s arrival is associate director of bands Tyler Elvidge.

“I couldn’t be more excited for Ms. Yoakam to join the Liberty Band staff as a band director this year. Ms. Yoakam and I have worked together previously so it has been a lot of fun working together and sharing an office so far,” he said via email. “I know Ms. Yoakam will excel in forming and sustaining meaningful teacher-student connections in the classroom. All students will continue to view the band hall as a safe place under her direction. My hope through all of this is that Ms. Yoakam continues to feel at home with the Liberty Band.”

Although new to the band’s trio of directors, Yoakam isn’t new to the school as she helped the Redhawks marching band as a field tech previously.

“I am really looking forward to having students back in school with us, so we can get outside for some marching band and make music together in the band hall once again,” Yoakim said. “My goals for my first year are to simply connect with the students, staff, and community of Liberty to build relationships and to get to know the program. I am also very excited to see where this time of virtual learning takes us for the future since we are working on so many individual musical skills we never get the chance to work on in a normal school year.”