WT Band Alumni Spotlight: Nancy Teague

What years were you in the WT Band? When did you graduate?

Graduated August 12, 1971. There from 1966

What was your degree in?

BS in Psychology and Sociology

Where are you living now and what are you doing?

Los Alamos, NM just retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory last week. Will travel and do family things in the future.

Tell us about your family.

My son is an R&D Engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory for the last 30 years. My daughter-in-law is the Middle and Hugh school Band School teacher in Los Alamos. My oldest grandson graduates from Texas Tech in May going to the Game Warden Academy next Fall. Youngest grandson is a junior in High School. We’re all involved in track, soccer, band and symphony activities.

What instrument did you play?

Flute and piano

What ensembles and student groups were you involved in while you were at WT?

The WT band. I am a Delta Zeta

Tell us a favorite band memory that you have from your time at WT.

I think maybe marching band. I remember Terry Milligan being the Drum Major. Of course, I remember Dr Garner. I’ll never forget him.

Share with us what you miss most about your time at WT.

Being with friends. I still meet with my DZ friends once a year for a get together somewhere special.

Do you have a favorite memory or highlight that has happened for you since graduation?

I was part of the team that put the Mars Rover, The Curiosity, on Mars. We made the heat sources for the thermo-electric generator that runs the Rover. We were invited by NASA to the launch in FL. It was thrilling. I also started the digitization of all the film from the Trinity Test forward at the Laboratory.

What did you learn from your time at WT?

I learned that friends are forever and that music is one of the most important things in my life.

What are some of your favorite musical memories?

I just remember wonderful concerts and rehearsals.

Why did you come to WT?

I grew up in Canyon. My mother’s family all attended WT starting when it was a teachers college. My grandfather’s brother, C.E. Strain, was the second band director of the WT band in 1926. My aunt, Adeline Strain Barker, started the high school band in Canyon. My whole family on my mother’s side were into music and played in the band. Band and music are in my DNA. I wanted to follow in their steps and I was right there to do it at WT.

What was your favorite band trip and why did you like it so much?

I don’t even remember. I only think we did one while I was in band.

Do you have any advice for current WT students?

Keep playing music. It’s a life-long adventure and it’s so rewarding.