Alamo City Arts
Artistic Director 

​Alamo City Dance Company
Company Director ​

Alamo City Arts Academy
Academy Director ​

Kathleen Rodriguez Hall

Katie Rodriguez Hall is a San Antonio native with over 30 years of experience in the performing arts and a proven track record in creative direction, organizational leadership, and business management. A multifaceted artist and professional, Katie combines her expertise in classical ballet, jazz, tap, folklorico, flamenco, Latin ballroom, hip hop, and musical theatre with a visionary approach to arts administration and live event production. ​

Katie’s artistic journey began at the San Antonio School for the Performing Arts (SASPA) under the mentorship of Scott Conway, performing with the Alamo City Dance Company in acclaimed productions such as The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Lepidoptera. Her passion for San Antonio’s cultural heritage led her to become a core dancer for *Fiesta Noche del Rio*, a role that deepened her connection to the city’s vibrant artistic traditions. 

After earning the title of Miss Fiesta San Antonio, Katie expanded her leadership skills at Texas A&M University as president and choreographer of Ballet Folklorico Celestial. She went on to direct large-scale productions as Choreographer and Artistic Director for Tombstone Texas and Santa’s Wonderland. Upon returning to San Antonio, she advanced within the Alamo City Performing Arts Association (ACPAA), earning the title of Ballet Master before ultimately succeeding her mentor as Artistic Director. 

In 2020, alongside Cory McRae, Katie led Alamo City Arts through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring productions continued safely while securing critical relief funds to sustain the organization. Recognizing the needs of dancers and families who had lost studios during this time, she spearheaded the creation of Alamo City Arts Academy. Under her direction, the academy became a positive, welcoming space for disciplined and passionate dancers, reflecting her commitment to community and the arts. 

Katie has extensive experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, bringing a unique blend of financial acumen and creative vision to her roles. She has successfully overseen business operations, fundraising initiatives, and strategic planning for non-profit organizations, while also managing the complexities of live event productions in the for-profit world. Her ability to navigate both landscapes has been instrumental in driving growth and ensuring sustainability for the organizations she serves. 

Katie’s recent accomplishments include directing live entertainment for Visit San Antonio's Halloween events and the nationally syndicated Ford Holiday River Parade, where her organizational and creative expertise brought these high-profile productions to life. As the current Director and Choreographer of Fiesta Noche del Rio, she has elevated the show to new heights while fostering a sustainable and engaging vision for its future. 

Katie continues to innovate and inspire as the Artistic Director and Chief Financial Officer of Alamo City Arts, bridging the gap between creativity and business-oriented operations to ensure the organization’s growth and success. 

Alamo City ​Symphony Viva
Music Director, Conductor​

Joseph Kneer

Conductor and violinist Joseph Kneer currently serves as Conductor of the Campanile Orchestra at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, Associate Professor of Music and Conductor of the Trinity Symphony Orchestra at Trinity University, and Music Director of Alamo City Symphony Viva, a concert and ballet orchestra based in San Antonio. Winner of the Audience Choice and Third Prize at the 2023 Los Angeles Conducting Competition, Kneer has conducted numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the Oberlin Chamber Players, the Mercyhurst String Ensemble and community string chamber music program, the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra, and the Brown Memorial Presbyterian Chancel Choir in Baltimore.

Recent collaborations and engagements include Dvořák’s Violin Concerto with Jinjoo Cho, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with pianist Carolyn True, Poulenc’s Gloria with the Trinity University Choir, a period production of Dido and Aeneas with Trinity’s Opera Workshop, Symphony Viva’s production of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, and the premiere of Roger Zare’s commissioned work Neowise for the TSO in May 2021. In demand during the 2023-2024 season, Joseph leads a full year of concerts and ballet performances, including productions of The Nutcracker and Little Red Riding Hood with the Alamo City Dance Company. Conducting mentors include Larry Rachleff, Donald Schleicher, Neil Thomson, Scott Weiss, John Farrer, and Howard Williams.

Kneer holds a B.M. in Violin Performance from Oberlin Conservatory, an M.M. and D.M.A. in Violin Performance from the Peabody Institute, and an M.M. in Theory Pedagogy, also from Peabody. Joseph’s principal violin teachers include Mary West, Milan Vitek, Herbert Greenberg, and Violaine Melançon. Prior teaching appointments include Mercyhurst University and the Peabody Preparatory.

Heart of Texas Concert Band
Music Director, Conductor

Mark Rogers

R. Mark Rogers received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from The University of Texas, having previously earned his Masters and Bachelors of Music Education degrees from Texas Tech University. His early teaching career included Graduate Teaching Assistant at Texas Tech University and The University of Texas, and staff arranger for the Longhorn Band; member of the band staff at Spring and Westfield High School (1977); Assistant Professor of Music/Director of Bands at South Plains College (Levelland, TX) 1978-1985; Assistant Professor of Music/Director of Bands at the University of South Alabama (Mobile) 1987-1993.

In 1980, his first published work, the overture to Verdi’s Opera, La Forza del Destino appeared with Southern Music Company, and in 1993 he joined the firm full time as Director of Publications. He continues as Managing Editor of Kaiser/Southern Music Company. His editions of the music of Percy Grainger and John Philip Sousa have entered band repertory worldwide. He has had his works performed by all five of the Washington, DC service bands. Rogers is widely published, and has works represented in the catalogs of Alfred, Boosey and Hawkes, E. C. Schirmer, European American Music, Hal Leonard, Ludwig, and Southern Music Company (United States), as well as G & M Brand, Molenaar, Peer Music, Schott Musik International, and Tierolff Muziekcentrale (Europe). Articles by Rogers have appeared in Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, The Instrumentalist Magazine, and the Texas Bandmasters’ Association Journal. Dr. Rogers is a current ASCAP member with over 60 works listed, (although his total number of collaborative works is much higher) earning royalties both domestic and international. His most recent works include the 5th Symphonies of Sergei Prokofiev, and Dmitri Shostakovich, complete.
Mark was a guest presenter at the Eastman School of Music on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Eastman Wind Ensemble. He has also guest conducted community and professional bands, regional honor bands and orchestras, and area high school and middle school bands and orchestras. Mark has multi-faceted experience in music theatre, appearing on stage many times, in substantial roles (notably Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady); conducting in the pit, countless times (Evita); as well as playing bassoon in many pit orchestras (Nutcracker). Mark serves on the San Antonio Arts Commission representing City Council District 10, is a member of San Antonio Musicians Society, Association of Concert Bands, Texas Music Educator’s Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, College Band Directors National Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the International Double Reed Society. Rogers serves on the adjunct faculty of three colleges in south and central Texas; and performs on bassoon and contrabassoon with six regional orchestras. Former members of his private bassoon studio have been accepted and continue their bassoon studies in numerous collegiate music programs and in professional orchestras both in the United States and Europe.
Dr. Rogers is the founding conductor of the 80-piece volunteer community band, the Heart of Texas Concert Band, which has performed over 100 free concerts in the San Antonio area in its 10 year existence. Under his leadership, the band performed the American premier of Menu by Spanish composer, Carlos Pellicer, which led to the commissioning of Euphoric City, written for the Tricentennial of San Antonio. Mark was instrumental in bringing composer Pellicer to San Antonio for the premier in May 2018. Among the notable soloists who have appeared with the band is Barry Hearn, Associate Principal Trombonist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, who performed Johann de Meij’s T-Bone Concerto. Composer de Meij guest conducted the HTxCB at the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention/Clinic in 2012.
Rogers is the proud recipient of the Grainger Medallion, from the International Percy Grainger Society; the Commander’s Award for Excellence from the United States Army Field Band; and several Paul Revere awards for Graphic Excellence, from the Music Publisher’s Association.
His wife, Sudie, plays clarinet in the Heart of Texas Concert Band. The Rogers’ have a musical family, and all participate in the band performances when they can! Mark and Sudie take great delight in their family: Robert and wife Kelly and their daughters, Brynn and Olivia; James and wife Alyssa and their children, Bradley and Hannah; and John and wife Kami, and their sons Ethan and Levi.

Memory Lane Dance Band
Artistic Director

Patrick Authement

Education
Patrick Authement earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1972 and a Master’s in Clarinet Performance in 1976, both from Southeastern Louisiana University.
Military Service
Patrick proudly served in the United States Marine Corps as a bandsman at the Marine Corps Development and Educational Command in Quantico, Virginia.

Career in Music Education
Patrick devoted his professional career to music education, serving as a band director at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. His work included teaching band, orchestra, choir, and general music. After a long and impactful teaching career, he retired in 2008 and relocated from Michigan to San Antonio, Texas.
Founding the Heart of Texas Concert Band
Upon moving to San Antonio, Patrick became the founding president of The Heart of Texas Concert Band in 2008. He served as the organization’s president for eight years and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. In addition, Patrick founded and currently conducts a dance band now known as Memory Lane.
Community Involvement and Performances
Patrick has been a principal clarinetist with the Helotes Area Community Band and The Heart of Texas Concert Band for over 14 years. He also performs clarinet with the Beethoven Maennerchor Concert Band. Over the years, Patrick has appeared as a guest soloist and conductor with The Heart of Texas Concert Band and as a soloist with the Helotes Area Community Band.
His extensive performance experience includes playing with prestigious ensembles such as The Concert Band of America in Washington, D.C., the Fairfax Community Band in Fairfax, Virginia, and The Virginia Grand Military Band in Arlington, Virginia. Additionally, he played clarinet for 24 years with The Farmington Community Band and served as lead tenor saxophone with the Farmington Dance Band in Farmington, Michigan.
Continuing to Share His Passion for Music
In addition to his community performances, Patrick continues to teach as a clarinet master class instructor, sharing his expertise with local high school students and inspiring the next generation of musicians.
Patrick Authement’s lifelong dedication to music and community has left an indelible mark on the world of music education and performance, both locally and nationally.

Alamo City Stage Company
Artistic Director

Shawn Kjos

Shawn Kjos is thrilled to embark on an exciting new chapter as Artistic Director of the Alamo City Stage Company, a proud part of Alamo City Arts. Dedicated to enriching San Antonio’s vibrant arts community, Shawn is committed to bringing innovative theatre experiences to life and creating opportunities for local talent to shine.
In 2025, Shawn will take his creative vision worldwide, traveling to Air Force bases across the globe to present his original productions and host pop-up theatre intensives.

Previously, Shawn served as Artistic Director of The Harlequin Theatre for an impressive 13 years. During his tenure, he wrote, directed, and produced over 50 productions, including more than 30 original works, significantly growing the theater’s audience and impact.

Shawn’s career began aboard some of the most stunning cruise ships at sea, where he collaborated with legendary performers such as Petula Clark, Joel Grey, and The Four Freshmen. Upon returning to San Antonio, he became a standout performer at SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, cementing his reputation as a dynamic entertainer.

An accomplished artist, Shawn has received numerous accolades from the Alamo Theatre Arts Council, including awards for Best Direction of a Musical, Best Costume Design, Best Supporting Actor, Best Musical Arrangements, Best Music Direction, and Musical of the Year. Additionally, the U.S. Army Festival of the Arts has recognized his excellence in vocal performance, costume design, and sound design.

With a career spanning over three decades, Shawn has not only excelled in entertainment but also in event logistics, booking talent for San Antonio’s largest events and coordinating large-scale corporate productions.

Shawn holds a degree in Marketing from Our Lady of the Lake University. He looks forward to continuing his journey of creative excellence with Alamo City Arts while inspiring audiences and performers alike.

Alamo City Mariachi Academy
Academy Director

Aaron Rios

Born December 18, 1978 in San Antonio, Texas, Aaron Rios is a first generation Mariachi musician. He began playing at the age of fourteen, and has performed professionally since the age of nineteen.  Mr. Rios has been teaching Mariachi music for over 25 years. 
Holding a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Northern Iowa, Aaron found himself drawn into the Mariachi World.  As an educator Mr. Rios’s main belief is to elevate the Music while teaching the true art of the heritage and culture, breaking down stereotypes and elevating Mariachi music to the respect and passion it deserves.

As a Professional Musician, Aaron has performed all around the United States and has performed and shared Stage with mariachis such as  Campanas de America, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán.  He has also accompanied a wide variety of Texan vocalists and People like Placido Domingo, Celia Cruz, Rick Treviño, and Grupo Pesado to name a few. 
As the Director/Owner of Mariachi Gallos de Oro.  Aaron along with the other members enjoy performing all over Texas celebrating Mariachi music and sharing Mexico’s Greatest gift to the World.  Mariachi Gallos de Oro is honored to hold a residency every summer at Fiesta Noche de Rio, Raising funds for nonprofits in San Antonio.  Mariachi Gallos are dedicated to the traditional elements of Mariachi music and entertaining at the highest of professionalism . Mr. Rios along with Mariachi Gallos de Oro are committed to giving back to the community by teaching students of all ages the beautiful music of our culture