Welcome our New Advanced Treble and Madrigals Class of 2025-2026
Marielena Teng (she/her) earned a bachelor’s in Music Education from San Diego State University (SDSU). As a San Diego local she started her career as a Choir Director in the San Diego Unified School District and since then has focused her teaching in the Mira Mesa area such as Wangenheim Middle School, Challenger Middle school and Mira Mesa High School. Ms. Teng is currently the Choir Director at Mira Mesa High School, Challenger Middle school and is the Intermediate Choir Director for the San Diego Children's Choir. Apart from Choir, Teng is the Drama Club Advisor for Challenger Middle School and the Music Director for Mira Mesa High School's Theatre Program. In addition, she is currently the California Music Educators Association Southern Border Section's (CMEA-SBS) Vice President focusing on Choral Education.
Within her early years of teaching, Ms. Teng has been recognized for her commitment in choral education and have received the following awards and recognitions. The Rising Star Award for New Upcoming Teachers in SDUSD (2022), Mackenzie-Haney Secondary Award for Choral Education at the Secondary Level (2023), the Pearson-Silver Burdett Choral Educator Award recognized by the California Music Educators Association Southern Border Section (2023) and was the Guest Conductor for the SDUSD 5th Grade Honor Choir (2025).
Since Ms. Teng's first year as a coach in 2018 at MMHS, she has dedicated her time and efforts in rebuilding the choral program back to it's original beginner to advance level structure. After receiving her Pre-Credentials in 2020 she reached out to both Principals at MMHS (Mr. Jeff Sabins) and CMS (Mr. Erik Sullivan) and offered a 3-5 year plan to start and rebuild both Choral Programs at both of the sites at the same time. With the support and approval from both Principals, she is currently on her 4th year of the plan and has followed through with her initial idea. With humble beginnings of one class per school site at the start, both locations now have a beginner to advance structure reinstalled into their curriculum with history of receiving high ratings at festivals and CMEA State recognition. While the numbers per class will look different every year, both school sites now have space for growth to happen easily. As a Mira Mesan herself, Ms. Teng knows how much talent and passion is here in this community and she will continue to do her best in insuring that more musical opportunities will be available to them. If you wish to support and make a positive impact to the students, please donate, spread the word and encourage your student(s) to continue singing in the Mira Mesa area.
When donating, please select "Choir" as your category after selecting your amount.