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Instrumental Music Director - Ms. Yeon Choi
Instrumental Music Director - Ms. Yeon Choi
Yeon Choi received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of California, Irvine, and her California Teaching Credential from California State University, Fullerton. Ms. Choi has taught at all scholastic levels, including elementary, middle school, and high school. She started teaching at Arroyo Vista Middle School. She then taught at Niguel Hills Middle School and was selected as the 2014 Capistrano Unified School Districts Teacher of the Year.
Her groups are known on a local and regional level for their attention to detail and the quality of their musical performances, where they consistently earned superior and unanimous ratings at festivals. This past year, Ms. Choi performed with her students at the International Band and Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall and received the highest rating of Gold. This year, the Chamber orchestra was chosen as the representing ensemble group at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Music Educators Conference. Their performance at the Orange County Segerstrom Performing Arts Center earned the highest rating of Mastery!
Ms. Choi has professional affiliations with the California Orchestra Directors Association, American String Teachers Association, and the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Her service to SCSBOA includes All-Southern Honor Group String Orchestra Manager, All-Southern Honor Group Full Orchestra Manager, Middle School honor group audition panelist, conference clinician, Vice President of Middle School Education, and Vice President of String Education.
Ms. Choi believes music education allows students to develop a music appreciation and encourages the skills and discipline necessary for achieving musical success throughout a lifetime of experiences. Students learn the importance of a cooperative team effort while working with fellow members to accomplish shared goals.
Her groups are known on a local and regional level for their attention to detail and the quality of their musical performances, where they consistently earned superior and unanimous ratings at festivals. This past year, Ms. Choi performed with her students at the International Band and Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall and received the highest rating of Gold. This year, the Chamber orchestra was chosen as the representing ensemble group at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Music Educators Conference. Their performance at the Orange County Segerstrom Performing Arts Center earned the highest rating of Mastery!
Ms. Choi has professional affiliations with the California Orchestra Directors Association, American String Teachers Association, and the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Her service to SCSBOA includes All-Southern Honor Group String Orchestra Manager, All-Southern Honor Group Full Orchestra Manager, Middle School honor group audition panelist, conference clinician, Vice President of Middle School Education, and Vice President of String Education.
Ms. Choi believes music education allows students to develop a music appreciation and encourages the skills and discipline necessary for achieving musical success throughout a lifetime of experiences. Students learn the importance of a cooperative team effort while working with fellow members to accomplish shared goals.
Instrumental Music Director - Miss Natalie Do
Instrumental Music Director - Miss Natalie Do
Email: nndo@capousd.org
Email: nndo@capousd.org
Natalie Do graduated with a double Bachelors of Music in Music Education and Cello Performance in 2019 and teaching credential in 2020 from California State University, Long Beach, followed by a Masters of Arts in Music Education in 2023 from San Jose State University.
Beginning her teaching career during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Miss Do has taught multiple sections and levels of string orchestra, concert band, jazz band, guitar ensemble, music technology, and special education general music in her time as instrumental music director at Vista View Middle School, as part of Ocean View School District in Huntington Beach, CA. At Vista View, Miss Do established a multi-level orchestra, guitar, and band program with over 200 middle school music students by the 2023-24 school year, competing and performing in various festivals and events such as Angels Stadium, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Music in the Parks. Miss Do served as the Visual and Performing Arts lead teacher at Vista View, as well as co-director for the Ocean View Honor Orchestra and Jazz bands.
Prior to her time at Vista View Middle School, Miss Do has coached a number of middle and high schools in both strings and the marching arts across Orange County. She has coached and coordinated with youth ensembles including Orange County Youth Symphony, University of Redlands Cello Camp, and CSULB Honors Festival. Student teaching in Los Alamitos Unified School District, Miss Do also worked extensively with the jazz bands, orchestras, and concert bands at Los Alamitos High School and Oak Middle School.
Outside of school teaching, Miss Do continues to perform and record as a professional cellist in addition to teaching her private studio of piano and cello students. Upon finishing her Masters program at SJSU, Miss Do presented at the California All State Music Educators Conference (CASMEC) on her thesis research, “Establishing Orchestra at the Title I School Site,” in 2023 and at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) Southwest Conference as a part of the “Young Educators Panel,” in 2022.
Miss Do believes that music education helps create an outlet for students to grow into the best versions of themselves. Students not only develop a passion for the arts, but are also given the opportunity to practice leadership, teamwork, and camaraderie through music.
Richard Huang is a performer, educator, and marching percussion battery arranger with over 30 years of experience. He has worked with numerous high schools and drum corps, most notably the 2001 WGI Silver Medalist Fountain Valley HS, the 2009 SCSBOA Gold Medalist Savanna HS, the 2014 ADLA Gold Medalist Anaheim HS, Taipei Yuehfu, The Troopers, and Pacific Crest. Since joining Tesoro High School in 2017, he has been an integral part of the marching percussion program, helping lead the ensemble to a Silver Medal at the 2018 ADLA Finals.Richard is currently an elementary music teacher with the Capistrano Unified School District, continues to arrange and teach at Tesoro High School, and is a musician at the Disneyland Resort.He holds a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach, and a teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton.
Vivian Rodriguez has been an active front ensemble technician in southern california since 2015. Vivian has marched many renowned organizations, some of them including Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2017) and Broken City Percussion (2016-2019).
In her time, Vivian has taught various schools and organizations such as Gold Drum and Bugle Corps (2024-2025) and Dark Sky Percussion (2020). From 2019-2025, Vivian was the front ensemble manager for West Ranch HS, and has led them to be a 5 time medalist in the percussion scholastic concert world category, and 5 time finalist in the percussion marching world category.
Outside of the marching arts, Vivian has a passion working in the homeless sector and is currently working to become a licensed social worker in order to support children and families in need. Vivian hopes to eventually incorporate therapeutic and mental health services into the marching arts, given that the activity can be extremely demanding and rigorous on the youth.
In her time, Vivian has taught various schools and organizations such as Gold Drum and Bugle Corps (2024-2025) and Dark Sky Percussion (2020). From 2019-2025, Vivian was the front ensemble manager for West Ranch HS, and has led them to be a 5 time medalist in the percussion scholastic concert world category, and 5 time finalist in the percussion marching world category.
Outside of the marching arts, Vivian has a passion working in the homeless sector and is currently working to become a licensed social worker in order to support children and families in need. Vivian hopes to eventually incorporate therapeutic and mental health services into the marching arts, given that the activity can be extremely demanding and rigorous on the youth.
Jadanne Donis
Front Ensemble TechJadanne Donis
Email: jadiedonis@gmail.com
Jadanne Donis is a front ensemble educator and dedicated performer based in Southern California. She began her music career at Tesoro High School and is currently pursuing a business degree at Irvine Valley College. In addition to her studies, she serves as the front ensemble coach at Edison High School.
Jadanne’s performance experience includes marching with Vessel Drum and Bugle Corps (2024) and Meraki Indoor Percussion (2025).
Beyond performing and teaching, Jadanne is passionate about mentoring students and helping young musicians grow both on and off the field.
Jadanne’s performance experience includes marching with Vessel Drum and Bugle Corps (2024) and Meraki Indoor Percussion (2025).
Beyond performing and teaching, Jadanne is passionate about mentoring students and helping young musicians grow both on and off the field.
Gavin Worch, a former Tesoro High School graduate, is currently pursuing technical theater at Saddleback College. His academic aspirations include transferring to California State University, Fullerton, to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts with a specialization in Design and Technical Production, along with a minor in Business Administration.
During his high school years, Gavin pursued technical theater, where he was a stage manager overseeing eleven Tesoro Theater Arts productions. Most notable, "Noises Off" by Michael Frayn and "SpongeBob the Musical" by Kyle Jarrow. Upon graduation, Gavin was hired as the technical director for the Tesoro Arts Theater department. Subsequently, he was recognized by the instrumental music department directors for his technical expertise and was appointed as the sound technician for the marching band.
In addition to his high school job experiences, he works as a sound and lighting technician for various corporate events under two production companies, WZ Sound and Reaction AV.
Gabe Rodriguez
Color Guard InstructorGabe Rodriguez
Email: gabe7991@gmail.com
Gabe Rodriguez was born and raised here in Southern California. He has performed across the west coast with various groups in the World, Open, and A Class divisions. This has helped him develop an understanding of what is expected from a performer at all levels. He brings with him variety of knowledge he learned from mentors around the country. Some of the groups he has performed with include Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, Diamante Independent World, and Vox Artium. Gabe has taught and mentored schools across the Southern California region. Some of those school include Taft Charter High School and 2020 Rose Parade participant Rancho Verde High School.
Gabe is currently working on his bachelor’s degree in liberal studies at California Polytechnic University of Pomona. His goal is to inspire students to be the best versions of themselves whether that be in color guard or in the classroom. His end in mind is to work his way from being a teacher and become an administrator at the elementary school level.
Gabe is currently working on his bachelor’s degree in liberal studies at California Polytechnic University of Pomona. His goal is to inspire students to be the best versions of themselves whether that be in color guard or in the classroom. His end in mind is to work his way from being a teacher and become an administrator at the elementary school level.
Santino Sanchez graduated from Glen A. Wilson High School in 2023, where he was an active member of the winter guard program. After high school, he performed with Vox Artium out of San Diego for one season before joining the Santa Clara Vanguard, where he has marched for the past two summers and earned a bronze medal this past season.
Currently, Santino is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Public Health at Soka University of America. He is excited to bring his performance experience and passion for the activity to inspire and support the next generation of performers.
Chris Schmitz is a full-time drill writer, choreographer, and educator based in Southern California. Originally from Northern California, he performed with the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps and Blue Devils Entertainment before moving south, where he has spent the past four years designing and teaching for programs such as Rancho Cucamonga HS, El Dorado HS, Etiwanda HS, and Sunny Hills HS.Chris currently serves as the Visual Caption Head at POW Percussion and Visual Designer for Immortal Winds, and is also on staff with the Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps. His past instructional experience includes Gold Drum and Bugle Corps, Gold Indoor Percussion, and Golden Empire Drum and Bugle Corps.Combining his background in the marching arts with formal training in dance, Chris is pursuing a degree in Dance Education at Fullerton College. He resides in Placentia, California, and continues to dedicate his career to developing innovative visual design and training performers at all levels.
Jason Ezquerro received both his B.M. in Instrumental Music Education and California Teaching Credential from California State University, Long Beach. He started his career in 2023 at Las Flores K-8, where he still serves as both the Middle School Instrumental Music Director and Electives Department Chair. Mr. Ezquerro has also worked with the instrumental music program from his alma mater, Tesoro High School, since 2021. As a former student of Capistrano Unified himself, Mr. Ezquerro is thrilled to remain involved with the students and staff in the community.
Since returning to Las Flores Middle School as a teacher, Mr. Ezquerro has worked together with his students to grow a new culture for the Instrumental Music program, now having over 170 members involved. In 2025, the Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) Board of Directors selected Mr. Ezquerro as a recipient of the Rising Star Award. As an educator, he is devoted to sharing the importance of music with his students and believes that the critical thinking skills and ambitious work ethics found in a musical environment create lasting results of success across all aspects of life.
Since returning to Las Flores Middle School as a teacher, Mr. Ezquerro has worked together with his students to grow a new culture for the Instrumental Music program, now having over 170 members involved. In 2025, the Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) Board of Directors selected Mr. Ezquerro as a recipient of the Rising Star Award. As an educator, he is devoted to sharing the importance of music with his students and believes that the critical thinking skills and ambitious work ethics found in a musical environment create lasting results of success across all aspects of life.
Kira Liu gained a passion for dance and movement during her time at the UDC dance studio, where she dabbled in various different styles. She then started her marching arts journey with the Mission Viejo color guard, performing with the program for 4 years. After graduation she joined the POW Percussion visual ensemble, where she has been for the past 2 years. Kira has taught movement at a few schools in the last couple years, including Mission Viejo HS and University HS.
Kira is currently working towards a digital media degree at Irvine Valley College and plans to go back for a kinesiology degree to pursue physical therapy. She hopes to provide marching arts specific care to help performers stay healthy and strong throughout their marching careers and after.
Kira is currently working towards a digital media degree at Irvine Valley College and plans to go back for a kinesiology degree to pursue physical therapy. She hopes to provide marching arts specific care to help performers stay healthy and strong throughout their marching careers and after.
Dr. Hee Sagong is a violinist and experienced educator with a rich background in both performance and teaching. She recently relocated to Orange County after performing for seven years with the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Prior to her tenure in Buffalo, she was a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and The Syracuse Orchestra. A versatile musician, Dr. Sagong has explored a wide range of styles from baroque to contemporary as a soloist and chamber musician, performing across United States and Western Europe.
At age 15, she was accepted into the Preparatory Program of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, studying with Alexander Kerr, former concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. She continued her studies with Professor Kerr at Indiana University, earning a Bachelor of Music with Distinction. Dr. Sagong completed her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with renowned violinist Oleh Krysa, a protégé of the legendary David Oistrakh. At the end of her master’s degree, she was awarded the Performer’s Certificate for outstanding performance and received the Orchestral Studies Diploma. During her doctoral studies, she served as Professor Krysa’s teaching assistant for three years, working closely with undergraduate and graduate violin majors.
With nearly 20 years of teaching experience, Dr. Sagong has worked with students of all levels, from beginners to conservatory trained musicians. Her students have earned placements at prestigious festivals including the NYO-USA, National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, and National Repertory Orchestra, as well as acceptance into top institutions such as the Eastman School of Music, the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. With her deep musical expertise and passion for teaching, Dr. Sagong is dedicated to nurturing and fostering the next generation of artists with technical excellence, musical expression, and lifelong love for music.
Crystaline Tran is a native of Southern California with a diverse portfolio as a violinist and teacher. She has established a rapidly growing violin studio in Orange County. Her students have earned top chairs in their respective school ensembles in Capistrano Unified School District, Saddleback Unified School District, Irvine Unified School District, and Tustin Unified School District. She is also a violin coach for middle and high schools in these school districts. Ms. Tran most recently joined the staff at Long Beach Harmony Project, which works directly with Long Beach Unified School District to provide access to music education for youths in underserved communities.
In addition to teaching, Ms. Tran freelances in the Orange County and Los Angeles areas. Recent projects have included live performances of original works for major streaming platforms such as Apple TV+, Amazon, CBS, and Paramount+, recording at the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Bros. Studios, and playing in the premiere of Stephen Ferre’s “Postcards from Home.”
Ms. Tran earned a B.M. in String Performance while on full scholarship at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music (BCCM) at California State University, Long Beach. She is continuing her studies as a graduate student under scholarship at the BCCM and is studying with Moni Simeonov.
Greg Wesley, a Tesoro High School alumni, is thrilled to return to the Titan community as a violin and viola coach. Greg is a recent graduate from California State University, Long Beach, holding a B.A. in Psychology with personal interest in the social sciences and orchestral performances.
Coupled with his previous leadership positions within the orchestras at Tesoro itself, some of Greg’s history in orchestral performances include membership with the Orange County Youth Symphony, rotations with the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music (BCCM) Symphony Orchestra as a music non-major, as well as a nation-wide Scottish tour with the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland during his exchange program in Europe.
Leading an eclectic lifestyle, Greg is beyond excited to return to his roots in music at Tesoro while beginning his San Diego-based pursuit in healthcare. Since rebooting his life in the US during summer 2024, Greg has loved channeling his love for music by teaching private lessons, returning to the BCCM Symphony Orchestra for one last season, and coaching CUSD-based middle school orchestras!
Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Preston is a professional violist, violinist, and dedicated music instructor in the Southern California region. For high school, he attended the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, California where he was able to study music at a very high level and gain valuable orchestral and chamber music experience in addition to his regular academic studies. Outside of school, Preston also participated as a violist in the Orange County Youth Symphony (OCYS) and was a co-founding member of the Orange Coast String Quartet playing various gigs such as weddings, birthday parties, and other private events.
After high school, Preston attended Chapman University where he studied Viola Performance under the instruction of Robert Becker, former principal violist of the Pacific Symphony. While at Chapman, Preston was able to further his skills as the principal violist of The Chapman Orchestra as well as participate in masterclasses with the Juilliard String Quartet, the Kronos Quartet, the Emerson String Quartet, the Quartetto di Cremona, and Grammy Award-winning violist, Richard O’Niell. For graduate school, Preston attended the University of Colorado Boulder where he graduated with his Master’s Degree in Viola Performance under the instruction of Erika Eckert.
During his time in Colorado, Preston served as a private violin and viola teacher for the Denver-Boulder metro areas as well as a strings mentor and chamber music coach for the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras. He currently teaches private violin and viola lessons in Orange County, California and hopes to continue to share his passion for music and inspire the next generation of young musicians. Preston has also performed professionally as a violist with the South Coast Symphony, the Lyric Opera of Orange County, the Boulder Symphony Orchestra, and the Boulder Chamber Orchestra. Some hobbies Preston likes to pursue during his free time include cooking, baking, rock climbing, hiking, and photography.
Sydney Moss Perez is a professional cellist hailing from the Los Angeles area. Sydney received her Bachelors and Masters in music from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach under the direction of Dr. David Garrett, as well as an Artist Diploma from the San Francisco Academy Orchestra with Amos Yang.
Sydney has held a varied performance career, with orchestral engagements with groups such as the San Francisco Philharmonic, chamber music performances, and in concert at festivals alongside artists such as Kygo, Journey, Metallica, and more.
When not performing, Sydney is an avid educator, maintaining a competitive private studio, as well as teaching the community at local schools and programs.
Previous teaching engagements include Enriching Lives Through Music, an internationally recognized El Sistema that Sydney helped develop and receive grants from Carnegie Hall, National Endowment of the Arts, and the California Arts Council. Sydney's previous coaching programs have gone on to perform at the Lincoln Center, Davie's Hall, Carnegie Hall, and record at Skywalker Ranch.
Sydney has held a varied performance career, with orchestral engagements with groups such as the San Francisco Philharmonic, chamber music performances, and in concert at festivals alongside artists such as Kygo, Journey, Metallica, and more.
When not performing, Sydney is an avid educator, maintaining a competitive private studio, as well as teaching the community at local schools and programs.
Previous teaching engagements include Enriching Lives Through Music, an internationally recognized El Sistema that Sydney helped develop and receive grants from Carnegie Hall, National Endowment of the Arts, and the California Arts Council. Sydney's previous coaching programs have gone on to perform at the Lincoln Center, Davie's Hall, Carnegie Hall, and record at Skywalker Ranch.
Chris Hornung is an active performer and dedicated educator based in Orange County, California. He serves as principal bass of both the Dana Point Symphony and the Orchestra Collective of Orange County, while also performing regularly with numerous professional and community ensembles throughout Southern California. His versatility as a bassist has led him to collaborate in a wide variety of settings, ranging from symphonic repertoire to chamber music, contemporary works, and crossover projects.
In addition to his performing career, Chris is a passionate and experienced teacher. He holds faculty positions at Concordia University Irvine, Chaffey College, Coastline College, MiraCosta College, and Orange Coast College, where he works with both music majors and non-majors, helping students build strong fundamentals while also developing their artistry and musicianship. Beyond the collegiate level, Chris is frequently invited to coach bass sections at local high schools and maintains a thriving private studio, teaching students of all ages and levels.
Each summer, Chris serves on the faculty of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan, where he works with young bassists from across the country, guiding them through intensive rehearsals, lessons, and performances. Through his teaching and performing, he is committed to fostering a love of music, building technical excellence, and inspiring the next generation of bass players.
Christopher Sterling is a Los Angeles-based bassist from Orange, active across Southern California’s classical music scene. He earned his degree in Music Education and Double Bass Performance from California State University, Long Beach, where he studied under Doug Basye of the Pacific Symphony. Christopher is currently continuing his studies at CSULB with a focus on Orchestral Conducting.He performs regularly with ensembles including the Seacoast Symphony, San Gabriel Valley Symphony, and the Southern California Philharmonic, bringing a thoughtful and expressive approach to each performance.
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