Directors and Staff

Information about the Directors and Staff at Foothill Instrumental Music

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

 

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