James Baker Director of Instrumental Music
Mr. Baker is proud to be the instrumental music director at La Quinta High School. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1988 with a BME (Music Education), left a note for his Auntie Em, took his dog, and left for California. After working a while in the Entertainment Division at Disneyland, he joined the faculty at LQHS in 1990. Mr. Baker was the recipient of the 2005 Orange County Arts Educator of the Year Award, the 2006 California Music Educator Association (Southern Section) Music Educator of the Year, and the UC San Diego Outstanding Teacher Award of Excellence for 2005 and 2006. The highest honor Mr. Baker has received is the opportunity to work with the many talented students (and parents) at La Quinta High School.
Steve Hensley Director of Choral Music & Theater
Steve Hensley has been teaching for twenty-nine years, seventeen at La Quinta High School. His choirs and theatrical productions are esteemed throughout the Southland. Numerous awards have come his way, including being a Los Angeles County Music Center Bravo Finalist, Outstanding Music Educator of Orange County Award, and the Disney Creativity Challenge Teacher of the Year as well as Westminster Teacher of the Year. Steve Hensley is listed in Who's Who of America's Teachers and Who's Who in America. He has directed and produced numerous musicals including Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, Fiddler On The Roof, South Pacific, and Bye Bye Birdie! The Los Angeles Times, Variety, and Backstage West (nee Dramalogue) have given him rave reviews for his musical direction in such productions as Coming of Age, and Holy Ghosts. In his spare time, Steve has served as president of the Orange County Music Educators Association, California Music Educators Association - Southern Section, and has served on the Board of Directors of the California Music Educators Association -State Board. A graduate of the USC Thornton School of Music, Steve Hensley has degrees in Clarinet Performance and Composition.
Mr. Eric Simons Assistant Band Director
Mr. Simons is currently the director of instrumental music at Irvine Middle School. He serves as the Assistant Director of Bands and drill writer for the LQ Aztecs. Mr. Simons is an accomplished bassoonist and comes to us from the great state of Ohio. Mr. Simons holds a Masters Degree in Music Education from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant. (That explains why Mr. Simons is so cheerful and pleasant!)
Julie Lopez Color Guard and Winter Guard Coach
Julie Lopez has been the guard coach at La Quinta for a total of six years. She is responsible for all guard activites including costume design, flag design, winter guard drill design, choreography, and field visuals. Julie is also an aide in the special education department at LQ.
Tony T. Nguyen Drum Coach
Tony T. Nguyen has served as percussion instructor at LQ for two years. Mr. Tony's responsibilities include show development of winter drum line, adapting percussion parts for marching band, and assists in teaching drill and visuals for marching band. Tony is also the drum instructor for Garden Grove HS, San Marino HS, and Brea Olinda HS.
Jesse Rivera Rifle Tech - Guard
Mr. Jesse Rivera is the rifle and sabre tech. for the LQ Aztecs. Mr. Jesse assists with teaching movement and choreography. In his spare time, Mr. Jesse enjoys candlelight dinners, long walks on the beach, and puppies.
Kerri Weisenberger Friends of Music President, Saxophone Coach
Kerri Weisenberger is the President of the Friends of Music, the parent music booster club at La Quinta High School. Kerri is also the saxophone and oboe coach for the instrumental music department. As president, Kerri oversees all aspects of the booster club, manages the football snack bar, oversees distribution and care of uniforms, manages fund raisers, transports equipment, repairs instruments, purchases reeds, and keeps the staff sane. Last year, Kerri was awarded "Volunteer of the Year" by the Orange County Department of Education, and she was named a "Hero In Education" by the California Lottery.
