Katie VanDoren is the former Director of Bands at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas. Mrs. VanDoren was a director at Vandegrift HS from 2014-2024, and worked at Round Rock HS in Round Rock, TX before that. Originally from Cedar Park, Texas, Mrs. VanDoren graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education.

VanDoren’s bands have consistently been awarded Sweepstakes ratings for marching and concert band, and has been recognized as a National Wind Band Honors Mark of Excellence Winner. While the head director at Vandegrift HS, the Viper Band and Vision Dance Company was the UIL 6A State Marching Band Champion in 2022 and 2023 and the BOA San Antonio Super Regional Champion in 2023. The band also performed in the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; the first band in Leander ISD to do so.

VanDoren is currently the Assistant Brass Caption Head of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps and has been in this position since 2020. Prior to this position, she spent 12 years with Carolina Crown. She joined the brass staff in 2013, after marching with the corps from 2008-2012.

VanDoren also works with the SASI Leadership Faculty, a group of current and former teachers dedicated to developing student leaders. Since 2013, she has enjoyed getting to be a part of the “SASI Experience”, an uplifting and empowering environment for both students and staff.

In 2022 Katie VanDoren was honored as one of Yamaha Music’s “40 Under 40 Music Educators”. VanDoren is an active concert band and marching band clinician and adjudicator across Texas and the United States. VanDoren judges for UIL, BOA, WGI, and other circuits.

Mrs. VanDoren’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association, and is a member of the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her husband Evan, daughters Anna and Sara, and their dog Cooper, where both enjoy being part of a wonderful community of outstanding music educators.