MISSION HILLS HS
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Directors
Christopher Coughlin
Director of Bands
Mr. Coughlin joined the Mission Hills music program in 2016.
He began his teaching career in Mesa, Arizona where he taught band at Taylor Junior High School and served as Arts Department Chair and Technology Liaison, initiating the district’s pilot program in music technology.
Mr. Coughlin is an accomplished trumpet player and is a former member of the Tempe Symphony Orchestra and Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Mr. Coughlin holds a BA degree in Music Education and Composition from Arizona State University, where he served as drum major for the celebrated ASU Sun Devil Marching Band. He also holds a Master’s degree in Band Directing from Sam Houston State University in Texas.
Joshua Hall
Director, Indoor Perccusion
Mr. Hall began teaching at Mission Hills High School in 2013 as a drumline instructor and became a full-time music teacher in 2020. Mr. Hall specializes in rudimental percussion and digital music and as brought an overall wealth of knowledge to Mission Hills High School.
Mr. Hall has taught, arranged, and worked as a clinician for several high school percussion ensembles throughout Southern California, including Valhalla, San Marcos, and Carlsbad. He has worked as a snare technician and battery coordinator with Watchmen Drum and Bugle Corps, Gold Indoor Percussion, and has consulted for Catalyst Percussion.
His performance experience includes Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, Dark Sky Percussion, the San Diego State University Marching Aztecs, and the SDSU wind symphony and symphony orchestra.
Mr. Hall holds a B.A. in Communication and a Minor in Classical Music from SDSU, as well as an M.A. in Communication from SDSU.
Ellis King
Director, Jazz
Mr. King has performed with several world class ensembles including the LA Pops and the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps.
Mr. King is passionate about public music education and firmly believes that it is an ideal medium for teaching the values of accountability, empathy, and communication.
Mr. King received his degree in Music Education from UCLA.
Alexander Bolender
Director, Color Guard
Staff
Zack Elliott, Music Assistant/Percussion
Josias Miguel, Jazz Band/Saxophone
Ed Spillane, Student Teacher
Anhita Pestonjamasp, Flute
Toni Cortez Aguilar, Flute
Shaina May, Oboe
Alan Elena, Bassoon
Breanna Haemor,Clarinet
Cameron Clements, Saxophone
Connor Bagheri, Trumpet
William Perrine, Horn
Kayla Aponte, Trombone
Tyler Shepard, Euphonium / Tuba
Mario Ledesma, Choir Assistant
Sydney Ash, Vocal Coach
Caleb Wohlgemuth, Vocal Coach
Ethan Icezyala, Color Guard
Emily Heath, Color Guard
