As a student, he won first prize in the 1992 UNT Concerto/Aria competition with his symphonic overture, A Titan's Epitaph.

The University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Anshel Brusilow, first performed the overture in 1993.

The work commissioned by Austin, Grand Duo Concertante, has been featured on several nationally syndicated college radio programs.

In the record world, he has collaborated with The Wallflowers' Rami Jaffee and blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

He served as the first Composer-In-Residence of the Bel Canto Northwest Opera Festival and has given clinics across the country on film composition.