BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ed Francis- Producing Artistic Director
Ed graduated from the Austin Graduate School of Theology, Austin, Texas, USA. After years of marching in high school bands, competing in the Jr. Drum Corps, touring with the USAF World Wide Talent Contests and performing in local bands, Mr. Francis decided to bring his passion for percussion into the heart of his community where he began teaching as a drum coach at Round Rock Drums and also co-founded Rhythm Workshops. The latter being a non-profit dedicated to bringing musical experiences into the community, at no cost to the children – focusing on groups of people who have little access to making music. He also devoted 8 years in the USAF as a Mental Health Unit Specialist working at an Alcohol Rehabilitation Center, Substance Abuse Recovery Center. Mr. Francis worked for the Center for Health Care Services MH/MR where he served adults with special needs. Mr. Francis never forgot how music and drumming helped him to work through the pain of growing up in an abusive and dysfunctional home environment. The scars may have run deep, but the power of having a positive outlet helped to build his self confidence and slowly release the otherwise debilitating anxieties building up in the young man. While working with Rhythm Workshops Mr. Francis relates his experiences to young people everywhere.
Kevin Gathright
Kevin Gathright is a native Austinite with a certain affinity for the "Live Music Capital of the World.” Born into a family of musicians his love for drumming started at an early age - as early as 3 years old, his father took him along to many gigs around Austin and let him sit on his lap to play the drums. That was forever ingrained into the mind and heart of Kevin, which in turn allowed him to join the middle school band in the 6th grade and start his wonderful journey as a drummer/musician. In 2001, Kevin graduated Westwood High School, where he helped in the development of Westwood Independent Music Productions to help further classmates find their identity in music and facilitate a peer group that coincides with similar talents. During High School he also played in the esteemed Westwood Drum line. After HS Kevin attended a sound engineering school at Austin Sound Lab (currently MediaTech Institute). Kevin went on to play drums on several records for local musicians, and produced a few himself. For the last 5 years, with 21 records under his belt, performed 100's of live shows, and now uses his love for music and worship to help teach others and bring them together.
Hannah Kania
​Hannah received her BA and Masters in Education from Texas State University and has been an Elementary Special Educator for 15 years. She taught in Austin and currently teaches in Round Rock ISD where she was named 2015 Teacher of the Year for Claude Berkman Elementary. Ms. Kania is mom to two terrific sons, one of whom is a Round Rock Drums drummer. She has been a Cub Scout leader and Pack committee member for 4 years. Music has always been an important part of her family’s life, as she met her husband at Texas State while marching in the Bobcat Marching Band. As a sister to a person with severe disability, Ms. Kania has seen the healing impact music has had through music therapy, as a teacher she has seen the powerful impact music has on the students she works with everyday. Ms. Kania will strive to help bring music education to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity, because we all benefit from the gifts music can give.
Angelic Smith-Phillips
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Angelic is originally from Cleveland, OH. She traveled to Cincinnati to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Her background is working with at-risk youth accompanied with mental health disorders. After relocating to TX in 2007 she began working with adults on Parole in the State of Texas. While working with parole she continued her studies with the University of Phoenix and obtained her Master’s degree in Administration Security in Criminal Justice.
She has 2 beautiful daughters who have been affiliated or participated with Mr. Ed at Round Rock drums. She currently works with a non-profit organization called Soul Tree Collective. The organization cultivates the talent and passion of youth (10-21 years old) in all genres of music. Soul Tree Collective also collaborated with Round Rock drums where the youth were able to combine vocals to their drumming experience. In 2016 she started a youth ministry within her church at the Kingdom of God Christian Center called In the Middle Ministries (13-17 years old). She is a member Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, Inc. Mu Beta Sigma, Round Rock chapter where she is the Rhorer Advisor of girls 12-18 years old who are motivated by community service.
Angie’s goal is to motivate, encourage and inspire today’s youth to be their best at whatever they dream to be. Allowing our youth to be creative will encourage them to become our next leaders, teachers and entrepreneurs.
Jim Stuart
Jim lives in Round Rock, Texas and has been married to Lisa Stuart for 26 years. They have one son, Jarek, who is 23 years old. Jim started his law enforcement career in 1982 at the University of Texas Police Department in Austin, Texas. In 1986 he was hired by the Round Rock Police Department. He is currently the Commander of the Training Division. Jim has worked in every area of the Round Rock Police Department, but has spent the majority of his career working narcotics investigations and as a member of Round Rocks SWAT team. Jim has a Bachelor Degree from Ohio Christian University in Organizational Leadership. He has had a lifelong appreciation of music and has been drumming for the past 15 years. Jim and Lisa both love to travel, listen to live music, and reading good books. Jim believes keeping children focused on positive activities early can help them become more confident and successful adults.
Jennifer Zeiner