About

About the Program

Contact the Director

Ms. Sophia Sumpo

ssumpo@eduhsd.k12.ca.us

Mission Statement

The Ponderosa Band Program’s mission is to ensure that the skills necessary to become first-class musicians, performers, and leaders are being developed by providing high quality music instruction as part of a well-rounded education.

About Us

The Ponderosa Band Program is home to award-winning groups and musicians and serves approximately 200 students each year. Ensembles include concert band, symphonic band, two jazz bands, competitive field show marching band, winter percussion, winter color guard, and a number of student-run combo ensembles. Our talented young students work extremely hard and spend hours in preparation for exciting performances both local and afar. The band program consistently brings home top ratings in all their performance endeavors.

Support

The band is supported by the Ponderosa High School Band Booster Club, a 501c3 non-profit organization that aides in supporting the Ponderosa Bands and Color Guard. Please join the Boosters and help us provide the best band experience for our kids!

Meet Our Staff

Band Director – Sophia Sumpo

Welcome to the Ponderosa Bruin Bands website!

My name is Sophia Sumpo and I am the director of all of the instrumental ensembles at PHS. I grew up in Sacramento and graduated from Pleasant Grove HS in Elk Grove. After earning my Bachelors in Music Education from Sacramento State in 2021, I went to San Diego State University to pursue my teaching credential. I have taught music throughout Northern and Southern California bouncing from Jazz Band, drumline and Marching Band to Orchestra and Choir. When I'm not teaching on campus, I'm teaching piano, guitar, and voice at my home studio.

Percussion Caption Head – Kenya Abdallah

Kenya Abdallah joins the Ponderosa Marching Band percussion staff for the 2022 season. She earned her Bachelors of Music Education with a Percussion emphasis from Sacramento Stateand is currently pursuing her teaching credential through CSU East Bay. Her marching experience includes Blue Devils C 2016-2018, Golden Empire 2020-2021, Colts 2022, Sacramento State Marching Band 2019-2021, Sacramento State Indoor 2020.

Color Guard Caption Head – Madison Resendes

Hi, I'm the Ponderosa High School Color Guard Caption Head. I went to Ponderosa and was in Color Guard all four years. I graduated as the Captain and joined the Sacramento State Color Guard. During my five years in the Sac State Guard, I was the Captain for three of those years. Throughout the years, I developed a strong sense of devotion to Color Guard and want to continue being a part of it. As a coach, not only do I want to teach them the skills, technique, and discipline, but I also want to show them how fun this performance sport can be!

Percussion Instructor -

Winds, Visual Instructor + Drill Designer - EJ Charles

EJ Charles is the director of bands at E.V. Cain Middle School in Auburn, California. He has much experience in the marching arts as a performer as well as an educator. His performance credits include the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps from 2015 to 2016 as well as the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps from 2017 to 2019. On the teaching end, EJ has worked with numerous programs around the Sacramento area as a drill designer, visual caption head, show coordinator, and music technician. Additionally, he has worked with Golden Empire drum corps as a brass technician and Immortal Winds of Sacramento as a visual tech. For the 2024-2025 season, EJ will additionally be taking on the role of drill designer for the Ponderosa marching band. He is very excited to continue working with Ms. Sumpo and the rest of the staff at Ponderosa!

Winds, Visual + Drum Major Instructor - Jesus Alberto-Muniz

Bio coming soon!

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