Danny Chase
Visual/Marching Instructor

Danny is a graduate of the Riverside Kingsmen Marching Band at Martin Luther King High School, class of 2006. During his tenure at King, Danny was heavily involved with band, where he played trumpet. Danny is currently attending Cal State Fullerton where he is majoring in Radio-TV-Film; he expects to earn his undergraduate degree in the spring of 2011. After graduation, he plans to begin an exciting career in writing, directing, and producing films or television shows.

Danny began working for Mr. Gray in May of 2007, and has been an integral part of the Marching program ever since. According to him, he began aiding the program because he was already familiar with the basic needs of the program and he felt comfortable teaching Mr. Gray's new students. He especially liked attending and helping when the program was invited to compete in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl Parade. Danny likes working with the students in the Riverside Kingsmen program because he likes seeing their progression as the season goes on, especially during band camp where "time is our friend." Danny's basic teaching style is that every student is an individual and must be treated as such; use past experiences to teach what is to come.

Adrienne Geffen
Clarinet Instructor

Having graduated in 1999, Adrienne is an alumni of Upland High School where she played clarinet in the music program. Adrienne is also the holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Clarinet Performance from Northwestern University and the holder of a Master’s degree in Woodwinds Performance from Cal State Fullerton. During her time in college she continued to play clarinet while also learning how to play flute and saxophone.

Adrienne began working for Mr. Gray during 2007 because she knew his work ethic. Mr. Gray was actually the instructor to her high school band director! At King, she provides clarinet lessons as well as instruction to the prestigious Clarinet Choir. She also provides her expertise to Western High School in Anaheim and the Orange County High School for the Arts.

Mario Godoy
Saxophone Instructor

Mario is a 2006 graduate of Martin Luther King High School and the Riverside Kingsmen Band where he played tenor saxophone. He is currently attending University of Redlands, where he is majoring in Music Performance and performing with the Wind Ensemble. His expected graduation will take place during May 2010. He expects to continue his education with the pursuit of a postgraduate degree in Music Composition.

Mario began working for Mr. Gray immediately after his graduation from the program in 2006 and continues to work due to the exceptional personalities of the students and their willingness to learn new material. He especially likes the concert/recital performances that take place in the spring. Mario is a firm believer in the philosophy that anyone can play an instrument.

Mark Hilado
Percussion Instructor

Mark is a graduate of the Riverside Kingsmen Marching Band at Martin Luther King High School, class of 2009. During his tenure at King, Mark was heavily involved with band, where he played tenors in the Battery section for all four years. Furthermore, Mark was a leader in the section for his Junior and Senior years. Mark is currently attending UC Riverside where he is majoring in Biological Sciences; he expects to earn his undergraduate degree in the spring of 2013.

Mark began working for Mr. Gray during the summer of 2010, and has been an integral part of the percussion program ever since. According to him, he began aiding the program because he still has a great interest in playing percussion as well as a desire to aid his alma mater. Also, Mark mentioned that he has a lot of learned knowledge from his tenure with the Riverside Kingsmen program that he would like to try and pass on to the current members. In addition to helping at King HS, Mark aids the percussion students at Oaks MS in Ontatio.

Gloria Locklin
Clarinet Instructor

Gloria is a 2006 alumni of Colton High School. During her tenure she was enrolled in the music program during her junior and senior years where she played bass clarinet during concert season and percussion during marching season. She is currently attending Riverside Community College as a Music Education major; however, she desires to transfer to Cal State Fullerton to complete her undergraduate degree during 2011.

Gloria began working for Mr. Gray during the 2008-2009 school year in order to gain some teaching experience. She likes to give her students collegiate level music and teach them to not only play it but, play it well. She loves when students ask her questions because it proves that they actually want to learn something from her.

Cameron Nabhan
Saxophone Instructor

Cameron is an 2007 alumni of Palm Springs High School, where he played saxophone and was very involved with the music program. He is currently in pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and California teaching credential from University of Redlands. His expected commencement will occur during June of 2011. After graduation, Cameron would like to use his Single Subject teaching credential to instruct a high school music program.

Cameron began working for Mr. Gray during January of 2009 as a saxophone instructor and as the conductor of the Saxophone Choir. He chose to work for Mr. Gray due to his reputation as a model music educator. During his short time with the program, Cameron has already managed to aid the Saxophone Choir in earning a "Superior" rating at a regional Festival competition. When asked about the reason he teaches, Cameron mentioned that he believes all students should be able to experience music as it is a multi-faceted subject that is extremely beneficial to anyone who has the opportunity to study it.

Joshua Norton, D.M.A.
Brass/Trumpet Instructor

Joshua graduated from Ventura High School in 1999 where he was a member of multiple performing groups. While in High School, he was a member of numerous All-State Honor Bands and Orchestras, marched the Rose Parade with the Tournament of Roses Herald Trumpets, and was a two time State Champion Drum Major. Upon graduation, Joshua attended the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where he studied under Marie Speziale, former Assistant Principal Trumpet of the Cincinnati Symphony. While there, Joshua was a member of the Trumpet Ensemble, which won the National Trumpet Competition in 2001. Among his many performances at Indiana University, performing Hector Berlioz’s Requiem and playing in the IU Wind Ensemble under Ray Cramer are two that stand out. After Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Trumpet Performance, Joshua headed to New York to the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, where he was a member of the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony and Chappaqua Symphony. Joshua graduated from the Manhattan School of Music with a Master’s Degree in Trumpet Peformance and a Performer's Diploma in Orchestral Trumpet Performance. After his time in N.Y. was finished, Joshua moved out west and began his Doctoral studies in Trumpet Performance at USC. While attending USC, Joshua performed with the USC Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Scholarship Brass Quintet, and has maintained an active freelancing career in the Los Angeles area, including performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In May of 2010, Joshua graduated from USC with his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance with an Academic Minor in Music Theory. Beginning in the fall of 2010, Joshua will be joining on as Faculty with California Baptist University and Golden West College.

Joshua began working for Mr. Gray in 2007 after a chance meeting to adjudicate his Brass Recital Night. He knew of Mr. Gray and his excellence in music education from watching his pervious program. During his three years at King High School, Joshua started the King Brass Choir, instructed the trumpets at an individual level, and worked with the Parade Band and Drum Major. Of many memories that Joshua has of working at King High School, hearing the brass choir mature over the past two years and seeing adjudicators speechless at the sound of the group is the most memorable. Since graduating from USC, he looks forward to winning an Orchestra job anywhere in the U.S., and establishing his own successful studio as a University Professor.

Brian Nunez
Color Guard Caption Head

Brian is a 1996 graduate of Fairfield High School, which is located in Fairfield, CA. During his high school career, Brian was a member of the "Scarlet Brigade" Marching Band, where he played euphonium. He excelled in the program and eventually advanced to become Drum Major and Band President. Brian is currently enrolled in Le-Cordon Bleu in Hollywood, CA. After completion of his program, he would like to obtain a career in the culinary world but, also stay involved in the pageantry arts.

Brian began working for Mr. Gray due to his reputation in the marching world during 2002, and followed him to King High School during the 2003-2004 school year. He is currently instructing the Color Guard team during the fall and the Winter Guard team during the Winter/Spring. Brian especially liked traveling to Pasadena and marching alongside the group in the 118th annual Rose Parade. He also loves the support that he receives from the booster program as well as the team spirit and sense of camaraderie that Mr. Gray fosters.

Brian works with many programs throughout the southern California area, including various drum corps programs, summer camp programs, and University of California - Los Angeles. He tries his best to make sure that all of his students leave his tutelage with more than just the knowledge on how to spin and dance, like the tools to work effectively in a group later in life.

Jacob Reece
Percussion/Pep Band Instructor

Having graduated in 2009, Jake is an alumni of the Riverside Kingsmen Band & Colorguard here at Martin Luther King High School. During his tenure in the program he played several of the percussion instruments, including drum set with the Pep Band. Jake is currently attending Cal State University San Bernardino where he is majoring in Entrepreneurial Management with an expected graduation date of June 2013. He expects to earn a postgraduate degree after his undergraduate work is complete.

Jake began working for Mr. Gray almost immediately after his graduation from the program. In his own words, “being a part of something like the marching band was phenomenal; I was exposed to a lifestyle and a culture that no one else on the campus got to experience. The places we went and the things we achieved dwarfed many of my other achievements in this point of my life, and I wouldn’t have traded that for the world.” In other words, aiding the band is an attempt to give back to the program and teacher that have given him so much through his 4 years of high school.

Jake has adopted the teaching philosophy that there is a time for work and a time for fun while enrolled in band. As long as the work is getting done correctly and on time then the students should be able to enjoy themselves.

Sergio Reyes (R.J.)
Marching Instructor

R.J. is a 1997 graduate of Rubidoux High School, where he was enrolled in Mr. Gray's previous program. R.J. was enrolled in band where he played saxophone and oboe.

R.J. began working for Mr. Gray during 1998 and followed him to King High School during the 2003-2004 school year because of his love for music. Although he finds it difficult to pinpoint a favorite moment from his tenure with King; however, he enjoys being able to pass on his experiences to all the students. He also enjoys seeing the kids reap the benefits of all their hard work and dedication; this makes him look forward to watching them grow as individuals who will settle for nothing short of greatness.

R.J. teaches exclusively with the Riverside Kingsmen and when asked about his teaching philosophy he responded with a quote from Vince Lombardi, "I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle-victorious."