Music Education / Teacher Training
Faculty
Gregory X. Whitmore
Associate Professor of Music
Gregory Xavier Whitmore is Conductor of the University Symphonic Winds at California State University Fullerton (CSUF). In addition to this artistic responsibility, Dr. Whitmore is an Associate Professor of Instrumental Music Education and serves as Area Coordinator of the CSUF Music Education Department. Dr. Whitmore is also in his 11th season as Music Director of the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, one of only a handful of youth wind ensembles connected to a group one professional symphony orchestra (Pacific Symphony) in the United States.
Dr. Whitmore’s previous appointments in higher education include tenure as Director of Bands at Irvine Valley College (Irvine, CA), Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut, CA), and College of the Desert (Palm Desert, CA). Prior to his work in higher education, Dr. Whitmore spent 13 years as Director of Bands at Cathedral City High School (Cathedral City, CA).
A proud Midwesterner and native of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Dr. Whitmore earned his bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from The University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance. While a student at Michigan, Dr. Whitmore performed in the University of Michigan Symphony and Concert Bands; and led the University of Michigan Marching Band as “Michigan’s Man Up Front” - Drum Major - from 1999 to 2001 – becoming the second Black Drum Major in the history of the University of Michigan. Dr. Whitmore received his master's degree in music with an emphasis in wind conducting from California State University Fullerton. Dr. Whitmore holds a master’s degree, and a doctorate in music and music education from Columbia University (Teachers College) in the city of New York.
A Second Place Winner of the 2017 American Prize in Conducting, Dr. Whitmore has conducted ensembles around the world in such notable concert venues as The Golden Hall of The Musikverein (Vienna), The Wiener Konzerthaus (Vienna), The MuTh (Vienna), Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (Costa Mesa, CA), Symphony Hall (Chicago), The Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Carnegie Hall (New York City), Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles), Meng Concert Hall (Fullerton, CA), Weill Hall (Sonoma, CA), The Ambassador Auditorium (Pasadena, CA), Holy Trinity Church (Stratford, England), St. John’s Smith Square (London), Chateau Vaux le Vicomte (Paris), and Heidelberg Castle (Germany). Under Dr. Whitmore’s direction, the Cathedral City High School Symphony Band was selected to perform as the showcase ensemble during the 2008 California Band Directors Association Annual Convention. Dr. Whitmore is a conductor for the World Strides Honors Performance Series.
With a research interest in music educator values as operationalized into pedagogy, in addition to investigating the concert band as an artistic medium; Dr. Whitmore has presented research at music education symposia throughout the United States and abroad, including The Midwest Clinic, and the International Society of Music Education World Congress. Dr. Whitmore’s research has been published in Visions of Research in Music Education. Dr. Whitmore has been recognized in four editions of Who ’s Who Among America ’s Teachers and he has been included in the 2005/2006 Edition of the National Honor Roll’s Outstanding American Teachers. Dr. Whitmore was selected to represent the State of California by School Band and Orchestra Magazine in the 2008 edition of “50 Band Directors Who Make a Difference”.
Dr. Whitmore belongs to professional organizations that include College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society, The National Association for Music Education, Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, and the California Music Educators Association.
Learn more about Dr. Whitmore at
gwhitmore.com
Christopher Peterson
Professor of Music
Christopher Peterson is Professor of Music at California State University, Fullerton where he directs the Concert Choir and the CSUF Singing Titans, and teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in choral music education. In May of 2019 he was honored as the annual recipient of the CSUF Carol Barnes Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in 2018 he received the CMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award for the Southeastern Section of California. In his thirty years as a music educator, Dr. Peterson has taught in elementary, middle school, high school, church, community, festival, and collegiate settings. He is also a published author, editor, composer, and choral arranger for Hal Leonard Music Publishers. His choral methods college textbook Resonance: The Art of the Choral Music Educator is currently in press and will be published by Pavane Publishing in Spring of 2021. Peterson has served as State Choral Representative and Southern Section President for the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), as well as the Western Division Representative for the National Association for Music Education’s (NAfME) Council for Choral Education. He has also served the California Choral Directors Association in various offices, and is the current CCDA President-Elect. He has been invited to teach, judge, and conduct choirs in more than thirty US states, five Canadian Provinces, and nine countries including China, England, Sweden, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, and Holland, and has conducted All-State Choirs across the nation including Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, and California. Dr. Peterson also holds the position of Director of Music at Irvine United Congregational Church in Irvine, CA. In his “spare time” Chris sings bass with the Masters of Harmony, nine-time International Men’s Chorus Champions of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Dr. Peterson earned the Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine, and the Master of Music in Choral Conducting performance from the University of Maine. He earned the Doctor of Philosophy in Choral Music Education and Conducting from Florida State University where he studied with Rodney Eichenberger, Andre Thomas, and Clifford Madsen.
Dr. Bri’Ann Wright
Assistant Professor of Music
Dr. Bri’Ann Wright has over 18 years of experience teaching music in various capacities. Wright completed her Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, two master’s degrees in music and music education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Augsburg University. Wright’s research interests center music and arts education policy and evaluation. She has published in Arts Education Policy Review and presented at many national and international education conferences. Wright’s teaching expertise is in general music, where she focuses on creativity and the use of popular and folk music. She stresses the importance of aural and rote learning processes for her students while elucidating the need for specific teacher-focused music theory practices. Wright has experience starting music and arts programs and has designed music and arts curricula. She is passionate about creating community pathways and partnerships using music and the arts.
About The CSUF Music Education Area - Becoming A Titan of Music Education!
Music Education at Cal State Fullerton is an energetic, enthusiastic, and dynamic degree program for aspiring music educators interested in teaching at any educational level and in any musical interest (Band, Choral, Orchestral). Blending in-depth study in music pedagogy, music education philosophy, and the professional aspects of music education – Titan Music Educators leave Cal State Fullerton fully prepared to lead the 21st Century Music Classroom. The CSUF Music Education Program emphasizes a course of study that is both “of our time”, and forward thinking, combined with the principles and study of artistry and musicianship. CSUF Music Education majors are charged to teach people, not simply teach music. The music education program at Cal State Fullerton has been designated “innovative and exemplary” by the Commission on Teacher Education of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
The CSUF Music Education Program is based on our peaceful, park-like campus in Fullerton, CA. However, The CSUF Music Education Program has expanded our classroom to offer Titan Music Educators experiences teaching and observing throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, and Riverside County with community partners and local school districts. The CSUF Music Education classroom is an artistic and dynamic space, with CSUF Music Education Majors learning from and collaborating with leading K-12 Music Educators from across the Southern California Region, as well as interacting with leading music education pedagogues from innovative Music Education Programs at leading universities from across the United States.
Music Education Area Beliefs & Values
The Music Education Faculty at California State University Fullerton believe that the teaching of, and preparation of future music educators is a serious venture. We believe that the teaching profession is a profession rooted in human possibility. As such, we see our role as faculty in our student’s curricular experience at CSUF as an academic and moral responsibility - training students to leave CSUF fully prepared to be the best teacher and pedagogue for the young lives they will inspire and positively change as a teacher of children in music. The Music Education Faculty also believe that we have an ethical responsibility to collaborate with our students along their academic journey while at CSUF to make their music education experience as artistic, rigorous, impactful, practical, and expeditious as possible – so students are fully prepared to enter the music classroom as a Titan of Music Education. We are fiercely proud of our Titan Music Educator Alumni who now lead music programs throughout our region, state, and country. We are dually proud of the reputation that those alumni have brought upon our Music Education Program, due to the degree of preparation and immediate impact that Titan Music Educators are having in the lives of school music students. To quote former Irvine Unified School District Visual and Performing Arts Administrator Brad Van Patten, “CSUF Music Educators arrive to the classroom with the warranty of a strong music education experience.”
CSUF Titan Music Educators – Music Educators “Leading the Way”.
CSUF Music Education majors are student musicians who blend artistry, pedagogy, and the desire to positively inspire students into an impactful career as music educators. CSUF Music Educators come from every area and region of Southern California, as well as from The Bay Area, Northern California, and from out-of-state. CSUF Music Education Majors bring a wealth and depth of personal and cultural experience with them to our campus, which adds to the breadth and depth of the CSUF Music Education Experience. Titan Music Educators are artistic, engaged, inclusively minded, inquisitive, scholarly, committed, hard-working students within the CSUF School of Music. The CSUF Music Education Program is a community, offering participating students a bevy of opportunities to develop a professional network of colleagues while in the degree program.
“I had an amazing experience at CSUF, both as an undergraduate and graduate student. From the incredible teachers and mentors to passionate fellow students, I always felt supported and challenged to reach my own potential. As a graduate student, I remember feeling like my education was far less about figuring out the answer, but instead learning to ask the right questions. This has turned into a lifelong desire to learn and grow.”
-Ben Case
CSUF Music Education Alumnus
2023 California Teacher of The Year
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I am interested in becoming a Music Education Major at CSUF. How do I begin that process?
A. Wonderful! We have a place for you in Music Education at CSUF!
Music Education Majors are students in the CSUF School of Music. As such, you will need to successfully audition into one of the Applied Studios (Instrumental or Vocal) to secure a seat in our program. Auditions are held yearly (typically in the January/February). Interested students are encouraged to reach out to our Music Education faculty as soon as possible, as we are interested in assisting you throughout the entirety of the audition process.
Q. What is the academic experience like within CSUF Music Education?
A. Students will find the intellectual environment at CSUF to be academically and artistically rigorous, deeply musical, and personally rewarding. Your academic experience will combine the best of traditional artistic training fused with academic and scholarly inquiry (both in and out of the School of Music). Music Education majors follow a set course of study in applied lessons, music theory and history, as well as a bevy of music education courses aimed at deepening and improving your pedagogy.
Q. Will I have someone to guide me through my academic journey at CSUF as a Music Education Major?
A. Yes! Seeing you through your academic to Commencement is our goal!
All Music Education majors are assigned to an academic advisor within the School of Music, whom you will meet with for formal advising once per semester. Additionally, you are always able to schedule advising meetings at any time throughout the semester to get any questions you have answered. CSUF has extensive additional resources to assist students in General Education Course Advisement, and Academic Support Services.
Q. What is the “Credential Process”?
A. The Credential Process is the set of steps you will need to complete to earn your Teaching License. The first step in this process is be accepted into the CSUF School of Music as a Music Education Major and completing all of your coursework successfully. As you approach your final year as an undergraduate student, you will begin the formal process of applying to the Credential Program (through the CSUF College of Education, in partnership with the School of Music). Every CSUF Music Education Major completes the Credential Interview and Assessment. The CSUF Credential Assessment & Interview will ask you to demonstrate all of those requisite skills that K-12 School Districts expect of any music teacher candidate (e.g., The ability to play brass, woodwind, percussion, and string secondary instruments, conducting, leading a choral warmup, sight singing, choral pedagogy demonstration, instrument pedagogical transposition on a secondary instrument, piano skills, and a clear statement about your philosophy of music, including an demonstrated understanding of music pedagogy). All of this occurs in the Spring. You will be fully prepared for this process by the CSUF Music Education Faculty. Once you have successfully completed the Credential Assessment and Interview, and you successfully complete all your pre-credential coursework, you will graduate, and be cleared to begin Student Teaching.
The Credential/Student Teaching Year is a post-baccalaureate program throughout all of California (meaning after you graduate with your degree, you return for student teaching). At CSUF, student teaching consists of a one school-year placement in public school sites in the immediate Orange County area as a student teacher. CSUF Student Teachers follow the academic year of the school sites where they are placed and spend this year in an intensive teaching externship partnered with Mentor Teachers who are K-12 professionals in their music programs. Student Teachers are observed throughout the year by Cal State Fullerton University Mentors, as well as take courses on campus. Students will also complete the requisite teacher credential statewide assessments. Upon successful completion of all the aforementioned, students will earn their K-12 Single Subject Teaching Credential, allowing you to teach in California as a professional music educator.
Q. Will my CSUF Teaching Credential be accepted in other states?
A. Pertaining to teaching licensure acceptance, California has reciprocity with many other states across the country, so your teaching credential will be accepted to secure a teaching position in other states. Note: this will differ state by state.
Q. I have a music education or music degree from another college/university, can I come to CSUF to earn my teaching credential?
A. Yes. As a reminder, the credential process is a post-baccalaureate program throughout all of California. The only difference between colleges/universities is the length of time you spend student teaching (at CSUF, you will student teach for one academic year). Those who are interested in earning their credential at CSUF will need to initiate the process by reaching out to the CSUF Music Education faculty. Typically, the first step in this process is to meet with the interested candidate and study the candidate’s academic transcripts to ensure all pre-credential courses required by CSUF Music Education are completed successfully. It if is deemed that pre-credential courses are missing, these courses will need to be completed prior to student teaching. Additionally, all interested candidates will need to successfully complete the Credential Interview and Assessment (see requirements above in question four). While other academic areas at CSUF who offer a credential in education accept students twice per year (Fall/Spring), CSUF Music Education only accepts students for a Fall start. In order to enter the program for a Fall start, interested candidates MUST contact the CSUF Music Education faculty in order to ascertain and complete all of the requisite steps in order to successfully enter the program (these steps are typically completed in February – March). If an interested candidate misses this window, they will need to wait until the next opportunity to apply for the program the following year.
Q. I have completed and earned a non-music degree from another college/university, can I come to CSUF to earn my teaching credential?
A. Yes. Please see the response to question six in order to better understand this process.
Q. How are student teaching placements decided?
A. Student teaching placements (i.e., The school sites where you will undertake your student teaching), are decided collaboratively between you and the Music Education Faculty in the months leading up to the Credential Year. The CSUF College of Education formally secures the student teaching placement.
Q. Are there other avenues to enter the Credential Program?
A. Yes. The State of California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 130 “TK – 12 Education Trailer Bill” (AB 130)
", aimed at allowing new options for Teacher Candidates to demonstrate basic competency in their areas of study. The intent of this legislation was to shorten the pipeline of teacher candidates to the classroom.
While the bill does create a “pipeline” to the classroom, entering the classroom successfully as a music educator calls for a series of requisite skills that all teachers who enter the classroom must possess (these skills are being vetted extensively by school districts in the hiring process of any interested teaching candidate). While this may allow for a faster route to the classroom, interested candidates will still need to meet with CSUF Music Education Faculty to determine the best path forward academically and pedagogically in order for the interested teacher candidate to be fully prepared to be successful upon entering the classroom.
Q. What are the costs for the CSUF Credential Program?
A. Please visit the following links to get more information about Credential Program Tuition & Costs
and the CSUF Credential Program
Why Become a Titan of Music Education at Cal State Fullerton?
The CSUF Music Education Program is artistic and intellectual environment that is designed to inspire, guide and collaborate with participating students. Blending the best of the traditional school of music performance environment with the academic study of the best of music education pedagogy – The CSUF Music Education Program is about collaboration, community, academic scholarship, and artistry. The Cal State Fullerton School of Music provides a thorough preparation for your future success as a music teacher.
We invite you to become a “Titan” of Music Education!
Sincerely,
Dr. Gregory Xavier Whitmore
Area Coordinator – CSUF Music Education Area
Associate Director of Bands
Music Director – Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
gwhitmore@fullerton.edu
Student Teaching University Mentors/Student Teaching Clinical Coaches
CSUF Music Education Majors and Credential Students find the Credential Year (a.k.a “Student Teaching Year”) to be a year of meaningful classroom instruction as pre-service music educators. At CSUF, Student Teaching occurs over the course of a full academic year. CSUF Music Education Student Teachers are placed in two different school sites selected in collaboration with CSUF Music Education Faculty, and are fully immersed in all aspects of their student teaching placement sites. Additionally, all CSUF Music Education Majors are partnered with University Mentors/Student Teaching Clinical Coaches who bring a depth of professional experience in the field as artist-educators, and a wealth of pedagogical acumen to assist CSUF Student Teachers throughout their student teaching placement year. The Cal State Fullerton Music Education Experience has a positive impact to Titan Music Educator’s career trajectory. The impact that CSUF Titan Music Educators are making in the field are numerous, positive, and life-changing to student-musicians across Southern California. We invite you to learn more about our Student Teaching University Mentors/Student Teaching Clinical Coaches below.
Dr. Timothy Benge
The musical journey of Dr. Timothy Benge began with singing in a children’s choir at age 7 and studying trumpet at age 9. This later led to a Bachelor of Music degree and teaching credential from CSU, Long Beach; a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance and wind conducting from the University of Redlands; a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education from USC and an administrative credential from CSU, San Bernardino.
Dr. Benge’s professional experience includes over forty-five years of service as a music educator in public high schools, colleges, universities, and independent music programs. His ensembles have earned numerous concert festival superior ratings, a state marching band championship, and invited appearances at venues such as Carnegie Hall. For many years, Dr Benge served as an adjudicator for DCI, WGI and numerous scholastic contests across the country. He remains active in the professional music world, including his current work as Conductor and Music Director of the SoCal Pops.
After retiring from public education in 2016, Dr. Benge accepted a role as President of the Southwest Judges Network where he oversees all training, assigning and quality control for adjudication of events sponsored by the California State Band Championships. He also serves as Vice-president of the Southwest Music Education Association.
His approach to teaching music is simple: “Focus on the students, they are the treasure of education. Music is the vehicle for sparking engagement towards personal, social, and musical growth.” His best advice to young music teachers is straightforward: “Continue to study music and building your knowledge and teaching skills for the entirety of your career. Either you continue growing or the decay begins.”
Scott Domingues
Scott Domingues is in his 22nd year in education, currently serving as the Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist in Anaheim Union High School District. Previous to that assignment, he spent 14 years as the Director of Bands at Loara High School. Under his direction, the Loara program excelled in all areas of performance. Mr. Domingues’ concert bands are widely regarded as among the finest in the state, routinely receiving superior ratings while playing the very best literature in the wind band idiom. Students from Loara regularly play in regional and state honor bands and go on to play at the finest musical institutions in the country. The Loara Bands have toured throughout the state and performed at the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C.
Mr. Domingues serves as an active adjudicator and clinician in the area and is on the board of the SCSBOA (Southern California Band and Orchestra Association) as the VP of Festivals. He has been involved in growing the membership base by engaging local music education students, as well as hosting a membership spotlight podcast. In 2016, Mr. Domingues was awarded the OCMAA (Orange County Music Administrators Association) Outstanding Arts Educator award in the area of Instrumental Music and in 2021 he was awarded the GOLD Award from the SCSBOA in recognition of his years of service to Music Education.
Brandon Elliott
Dr. Brandon Elliott enjoys an expansive career as a conductor-educator, musician, arts leader, and consultant. He is the Founder & Artistic Director of Choral Arts Initiative
, an award-winning new music choral ensemble based in Orange County, California. Under his leadership, Choral Arts Initiative receives critical acclaim and recognition for its artistic excellence, musical innovation, and dedication to performing music from a vibrant roster of living composers. With a passion for new music, he has commissioned 25 works, conducted over 100 premieres, and released three Billboard-charting albums. In his work with Choral Arts Initiative, Brandon earned the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming and the Louis Botto Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Equally passionate about teaching, training, and mentoring musicians, Brandon is the Choral and Vocal Studies Director at Saddleback College
. He previously served as Director of Choral & Vocal Activities at Moorpark College for nine years. Brandon is also a Lecturer in Music Education at California State University, Fullerton where he serves as a clinical coach and mentor for pre-service music educators in the field. He regularly serves as an adjudicator, clinician, preparatory conductor, guest conductor, and guest speaker for festivals, competitions, and local K-12 programs. His commitment to music education was recognized by the Recording Academy as a 2022 GRAMMY Music Educator Award semifinalist.
As a vocal musician, Brandon has sung with various professional and contracted choruses. Previous engagements include singing under Craig Hella-Johnson in the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble, Pacific Chorale with John Alexander, and various ad hoc ensembles for artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Beck, Star Wars Live, and Zelda Live. He teaches voice students in classical, musical theatre, and pop genres, with current and former students performing on Broadway, recording projects, and various stages across the country.
Karen Garrett
Karen Garrett was Vocal Director at Santiago High School in Corona for 26 years and is currently Adjunct Professor at California Baptist University, teaching classes in Music Education, Choral Conducting and directing Choral Ensembles. Prof. Garrett served on the state board of the American Choral Directors Association as Repertoire and Standards Chairman for Women's Choirs from 2005-2009 and served as president of the Southern California Vocal Association from 2016-2018. She has served as session clinician for sight-singing and the state music education standards at CMEA, SCVA and ACDA conferences. Prof. Garrett is the author of "Sight Singing for Festival Choirs", a sight singing course for choirs, available through JW Pepper. In 2020 she was voted "Choral Director of the Year" for the state of California by the California Choral Directors Associated. Prof. Garrett earned her BA in vocal performance at California University East Bay and her Masters in Choral Music from the University of Southern California.
Phil Mortensen
Phil Mortensen is completing his 36th year in Music Education and has been with the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District since 1989. During his tenure there he worked as the Instrumental Music Director at Valencia HS (1989-2004) and the Director of Orchestras at Yorba Linda HS (2010-2023). Since 2004 he has been the Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator, having expanded the program in recent years to include music and a visual arts instruction for all students in grades K-6. Mr. Mortensen is an Honorary Life Member of the Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) and was their President from 2009-2011. In 2018 he received the Music Educator of the Year award from the CMEA Southeastern Section and was recently recognized as an Outstanding Arts Administrator by both SCSBOA and the Orange County Music and Arts Administrators. Mr. Mortensen continues to work as an active clinician, conductor and music judge in the greater southern California region.
Kris Parish
Kris Parish, the founding director of Santiago High School’s BOSS (Bands Of Santiago Sharks), developed the instrumental program during his tenure from 29 students in 1995 to over 225 members. A well rounded program, his various groups performed three times at Carnegie Hall, twice in the Tournament of Roses Parade and received consistent Superior ratings at Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association festivals for concert and jazz ensembles. In 2019 he retired after 39 years at the Corona-Norco Unified School District teaching instrumental music within all grade levels (elementary, middle and high school). Mr. Parish is currently an adjunct professor at California Baptist University while also serving as a supervisor for California State University, Fullerton student teachers in the area of instrumental music. He has also been an adjunct professor teaching music education and/or directing bands at California State University, Los Angeles, the University of California, Riverside and Riverside City College. Mr. Parish has directed several honor bands in Southern California throughout his career and continues to serve as an SCSBOA and Music In The Parks adjudicator and clinician for orchestras and concert, jazz, and parade bands. Outside of teaching, Mr. Parish has performed professionally on trumpet with Burt Bacharach, Natalie Cole, Chris Botti, Bob James, and David Benoit among other notable musicians. He received the “Veteran Teacher of the Year Award” given in 2017 by the Southern California Schools Band and Orchestra Association and was also the recipient of the “Yale University Distinguished Music Educator Award,” a national award given bi-annually at Yale University for outstanding accomplishments teaching music in our nation’s public schools.
Laura Taylor
Laura Taylor is a Graduate from Cal State Fullerton. She entered the teaching profession as a Band and Choir Teacher in 1986 at her Alma Mater, Griffiths Middle School in the Downey Unified School District. She remained in this position for 37 years retiring in 2023. During her career she led the students to primarily superior ratings at Band and Choir festivals. She also served as VAPA Department chair, district Music mentor and organized the district Honor Band. Her bands have also participated in SCSBOA regional festivals scoring superior ratings. They were also invited to participate in the CMEA festival at Sonoma State, April 2023. She traveled with her choirs to Washington DC to participate in an invitational festival. She was a guest adjudicator at the Anaheim UHSD festival. She has been an SCVA Adjudicator for many years and has recently been accepted as a SCSBOA adjudicator. Mrs. Taylor has been a guest conductor for numerous choirs. Laura continues to sing in various choirs including Meritage, church choirs at several churches and currently works with the choir at The Cause in Orange County. Laura was also a member of the Salute to American Band Directors Marching Band for the Rose Parade in 2022 and the Macy’s Parade in 2023.
Rita Watson
Rita Watson taught for 27 years at Bernardo Yorba Middle School in Yorba Linda. Bernardo Yorba had over 225 musicians actively involved in the marching band, wind ensemble, concert band, jazz band, string orchestra, and beginning and intermediate bands.
Rita is the product of strong mid-west music programs, receiving her elementary and secondary education in Hartley, IA, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Morningside College in Sioux City, IA. She has her Master’s Degree in Computers and Education. She has taught elementary, middle school and high school musicians in Ponca, NE, for 5 years, Austin, TX, for 2 years, and Brea, CA, for 3 years before coming to Bernardo Yorba. She has also taught the Woodwind Methods class at California State University-Fullerton.
Mrs. Watson has conducted honor groups for Saddleback School District, California Music Academy, Orange School District, Anaheim School District, A-B-C School District, High Desert (San Bernardino County), San Luis Obispo County, and the Hart Union District. She was the director of the 2014 SCSBOA Jr. High Jazz All-Stars. While at Bernardo Yorba, her jazz bands have been selected to play at the State P.T.A. Convention, the Distinguished School Award Ceremony, the California Music Educators Convention, and the California League of Middle Schools Conference.
Rita was awarded the 2009 Outstanding Arts Educator - Secondary Level from the Orange County Arts and Administrators Association. In 2010, she was honored in Sacramento as California League of Middle Schools District 11 (Orange and part of L.A. counties) Educator of the Year. The SCSBOA has presented her with Meritorious Service Awards, the Continuing Service Award, the Veteran Teacher Award, and the Honorary Life Member Award. She has served on the SCSBOA Board of Directors, hosted many solo and ensemble festivals, and, numerous times, served as a presenter for SCSBOA conferences. Bernardo Yorba Middle School’s PTA honored her with the Golden Oak Award in 2017.
Rita played clarinet and bass clarinet professionally for seven years with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. Presently, she coordinates and supervises music festivals and awards ceremonies for Music in the Parks and Festivals of Music. She also serves as a student teacher supervisor through California State University, Fullerton. Retiring after 37 years in music education, she delights in golfing, reading, and hiking. Along with her husband, Rich, she enjoys travelling in Europe, Hawaii, and throughout the contiguous United States .
Dr. Bri’Ann Wright
Dr. Bri’Ann Wright has over 18 years of experience teaching music in various capacities that include pk-12 public school, undergraduate and graduate courses and workshops, private lessons, extracurricular music and music theater, and preschool. Wright has published in Arts Education Policy Review and Research Studies in Music Education. She has presented her research at multiple national and international conferences including the Annual Meetings for the American Education Research Association, the National Association for Music Educators, Society of Music Teacher Education, and the International Society of Music Education international conference among many others. Wright received her Ph.D. from University of Maryland in College Park, her Ed.M. and M.A. degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her B.M. in piano performance degree from Augsburg University. Wright’s current research interests include music and arts education policy, creativity, and issues of equity and social justice in the music classroom. Her teaching expertise is in pk-12 general music, creativity, popular music pedagogy, and early childhood music. Wright is currently starting her first year as an assistant professor in music education at California State University Fullerton.
