Erik Nishimori
Mr. Nishimori began teaching at Foothill High School in 2009
Mr. Nishimori hails from Lodi California where he learned trumpet. While a student at Lodi High School, Mr. Nishimori performed in the California All State Honor Band, All Northern Honor Band, All Northern Jazz Honor Band, and San Joaquin County Honor Band.
Mr. Nishimori studied Music Education at University of the Pacific studying under Eric Hammer, Ruth Brittin, and Leonard Ott. While a student at Pacific Erik also instructed marching band and taught trumpet privately.
Mr. Nishimori also has an extensive upbringing in early New Orleans Jazz. While a student and into his young career, Mr. Nishimori was a member of several jazz groups that have performed up and down the west coast. He has also spent his time working at the Teagarden Jazz Camp in Pollock Pines California.
Mr. Nishimori lives with his wife Katie and their dog Clifford Brown. In his free time, Mr. Nishimori loves to spend time with his family and friends, travel, and ever so slowly trying to get better at golf.
Erik Nishimori directs the following ensembles: Jazz A, Jazz B, Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, and Concert Band.
Moises Fagundes
Mr. Fagundes received his Bachelor of Arts in Instrumental Music Education from California State University, Fresno. In his time at Fresno, he was a member of the Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and The Bulldog Marching Band. Mr. Fagundes studied Clarinet under Dr. Miles Ishigaki and conducting under Dr. Gary P. Gilroy. During Fagundes’ tenure at Fresno State he served the Board of Directors for the Wind Orchestra, was Drum Major for The Bulldog Marching Band and was a Fraternity Education Officer of the Gamma Pi Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Mr. Fagundes has performed with the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011. He was also a staff member with the Sacramento Mandarins (2012) and Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets (2014-2017). Fagundes has also performed with several community bands and has traveled internationally to perform at various festivals and concerts. From 2017-2022 he was the conductor for Sociedade Filarmónica Nova Aliança of San Jose, a Portuguese community band.
Prior to working at Foothill High School Mr. Fagundes taught at Milpitas High School (Milpitas, CA, Andrew Hill High School (San Jose, CA) and Tioga Middle School (Fresno, CA). Fagundes was also a marching band instructor at Leigh High School, Clovis High School, Clovis North High School, Selma High School, and Tulare Union High School.
Aside from teaching music Mr. Fagundes enjoys finding new shows to watch, traveling, and listening to music. Most of all he enjoys spending time with his wife Kristen, son Adrian, and their two cats Lou and Milo.
Moises Fagundes directs the following ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Percussion, Marching Band and Color Guard, Winter Percussion, and Winter Guard.
This is the amazing support staff that helps elevate Foothill Instrumental Music.
|
Name |
Title |
|
Shawn Griddine |
Visual Caption Head |
|
Matt Sieve |
Visual Coach |
|
Carver Frazier |
Visual Coach |
|
Briana Gier |
Visual Coach |
|
Marvin Reed |
Visual Coach |
|
Rebecca Miles |
Visual Coach |
|
Aryan Ohri |
Visual Coach |
|
Nathan Townsend |
Visual Coach |
|
Toofan Aria |
Visual Coach |
|
Chris Cyr |
Percussion Caption Head |
|
Alex Blakely |
Percussion Coach |
|
Alex Pfiefer |
Percussion Coach |
|
Ryan Myers |
Percussion Coach |
|
Xavier Choo |
Percussion Coach |
|
Adam Herrera |
Percussion Coach |
|
Lily Zheng |
Percussion Coach |
|
Michael Blair |
Percussion Coach |
|
Eddy Chavarria |
Guard Caption Head |
|
Kristi LaDuca |
Guard Coach |
|
Ashley Osterhout |
Guard Coach |
|
Grace Holmes |
Guard Coach |
|
Bethany Gier |
Guard Coach |
|
Julia Tikhonov |
Guard Coach |
|
Sarah Liggett |
Visual Coach |
|
Rishi Chowdhary |
Visual Coach |