Arnie Yáñez is originally from Alice, Texas and has lived in Austin for 25 years. He attended the University of Mississippi and holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education, All-Level from The University of Texas at Austin where he studied Elementary School music Pedagogy with Dr. Robert Duke and Dr. Judith Jellison. As an educator, Mr. Yáñez has been teaching instrumental music in the Austin Independent School District for 20 years. He has taught at high school, middle school, and elementary school as well as working with pre-school aged children in Austin day care centers. Mr. Yáñez is currently director of bands at three elementary schools and teaches at Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin ISD. He teaches beginning band students and has worked as a percussion clinician for Austin area high schools and junior high/middle schools. Mr. Yáñez is a member of The Percussive Arts Society and Texas Music Educators Association.

As a percussionist, Mr. Yáñez has performed in over 100 musicals, including performances in some of New York City’s Broadway theaters. He has been performing for the last 15 years as percussionist at Zachary Scott Theater and The State Theater. In addition to theater work, Mr. Yáñez works as a studio drummer and percussionist for radio, television, and film sound tracks as well as various Latin, jazz, and rock bands in the Austin area.

Mr. Yáñez is a composer and writer of children’s songs and stories, as well as an arranger and composer of music for beginning bands. He can also be seen on PBS’s nationally televised show, "e;The Biscuit Brothers,"e; as a member of the "e;Itty Bitty Biscuit Band."e;