Building People

Director: 

Donald Wade

BRENT LEVINE is a graduate of the University of Redlands, having completed a Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance. He was raised in the small mountain community of Wrightwood, California and has played the saxophone for over fourteen years. He has been preparing to be an instrumental music teacher for the last seven years. He began formal musical training in 2003 at the University of Redlands, where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education under the tutelage of Dr. Eddie Smith.
   Mr. Levine received several scholarships and awards during his time at the University. He received the prestigious Presser Scholar Award in 2005, was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda in 2007 and was twice presented with the Thelma Beardsley Award in 2007 and 2008 for outstanding work in the field of music education. This past year, he was selected as the graduate conducting assistant for the University’s Wind Ensemble and he was given the once in a lifetime opportunity of conducting throughout the year.
   Brent has been very active as a performer over the last six years. He has appeared as a guest artist with the University’s Orchestra, twice performed on the President’s Honor Recital,and performed at several University functions, including the President's High Table and Board of Trustee meetings. He has also performed with jazz combos in Redlands, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Indian Wells, San Diego and Las Vegas.
   Mr. Levine has also been very active as a music educator throughout the last seven years. During the summer of 2006 he taught elementary school music for the Coachella Valley Unified School District. That same year he was among the first group of students to present at the University's Research Symposium, offering research pertaining to socioeconomics and education. He received his teaching credential in 2008 after student teaching with Mr. Don Jaramillo and Mr. Scott Bonner. He has also taught saxophone master classes at various public schools and occasionally served as a jazz band clinician.
   Mr. Levine is humbled, excited, and honored to become a part of the Vista Murrieta High School Instrumental Music Department where he will have the opportunity to teach Jazz Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, Chamber Music and Music Theory.

Instructors:

 Katie Lobnow Since her first solo performance at the age of 11, as the sole accompanist in a musical, Katie has had a passion for the flute. She has performed professionally throughout Southern California. As a member of the Golden Alliance, Katie was the opening soloist at the 2008 Grand National Championships. In addition, she was recognized as "Outstanding Soloist" for her jazz flute performance with the Vista Murrieta Jazz Band at the RCC Jazz Festival. Katie has taught flute to elementary and middle school throughout Murrieta, and currently performs with the UC Santa Cruz Wind Ensemble, where she is studying Human Biology. This is Katie's second year as a member of the Golden Alliance staff.

 ASHLEY ELLIS - Color Guard

 

MARC PEREZ developed a love for instrumental music at an early age. Coming from a family of professional musicians it was an easy decision to start playing the trumpet at the age of 10. Switching over to French Horn in high school, he went on to play for numerous musicals, and was a member of the Inland Empire Honor Wind Ensemble his Junior and Senior year. After graduation he was kept on at Ramona to work on staff with the marching band. Marc, at this same time, marched with the Freelancers Drum and Bugle Corp earning a top 12 placing at the World Championships. A few years later the opportunity presented itself for Marc to march with the RCC Marching Tigers playing the Mellophone. After 4 years at RCC, he continued his visual work with various programs when he was able to come to Vista Murrieta and stayed for the last 6 years. While working with Vista Murrieta he is also striving to achieve his bachelor’s degree in Native American History. Marc is a huge San Diego Chargers and Angels fan and lists sleeping, playing Tribal Wars, and listening to drum corps as his hobbies.

 

MIKE CHAVEZ currently heads the front ensembles at Carlsbad HS, Great Oak HS, and Vista Murrieta HS. His performance experience includes The Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps (2008), Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps (2007), Esperanza Drum & Bugle Corps (2003-2006), and San Diego Alliance Drum & Bugle Corps (2002).
In addition, Mike spent time performing with the Winter Guard International groups Riverside Community College Drumline (2006-2009), Pulse Percussion (2005), Esperanza Indoor Drumline (2004), and was a member of the RCC Marching Tigers from 2005-2006.

Mike is part of the Innovative Percussion education team and proudly uses IP sticks and mallets.