Mrs. Kara Hernandez is the Director of Orchestras at Ronald Thornton Middle School. She constantly collaborates with the directors at Baines Middle School, Crawford High School, and Ridge Point High School to ensure the Sienna Orchestra students have a meaningful musical, educational, and community experience throughout their seven years.

Mrs. Hernandez firmly believes that her purpose in life is to provide an exceptional music education for students. She has experienced this first hand from the music educators in her life, leading her to give back to her colleagues and community.

Mrs. Hernandez is a product of FBISD and its excellent orchestra programs. She graduated from Clements High School under the direction of Mrs. Ginger Wolfe and attended Commonwealth Elementary School and Fort Settlement Middle School. She began her orchestral journey at Fort Settlement under the direction of Mrs. Angela Peugnet. Mrs. Peugnet had a profound impact on her life and inspired her to become an orchestra director. Her teacher influences include Mrs. Angela Peugnet, Mr. Michael Isadore, Ms. Karimah Browne, Mr. Jason Finnels, Mr. Andy Moritz, Ms. Suzanne LeFevre, Mr. Wayne Brooks, Dr. John Snyder, and Maestro Franz Krager.

When she is not teaching or practicing her viola, she enjoys spending time outdoors and supporting the Houston Astros with her husband and their four children. She enjoys reading, baking, playing board games, hiking, spending time with her musical colleagues, listening to My Chemical Romance, attending rock concerts, and serving the Greater Houston community.