Kristen Pallas, Director of Bands
Miss Kristen Pallas is a 2009 graduate of Fresno State, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. While at Fresno State, Miss Pallas studied conducting with Dr. Gary P. Gilroy and flute with Dr. Teresa Beaman, and performed with a variety of ensembles including the Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, Flute Ensemble, and the Bulldog Marching Band. Prior to accepting her position at El Diamante, Miss Pallas taught at Ceres High School where her groups consistently earned Superior ratings at CMEA festivals and her marching band was a top three contender in competitions affiliated with WBA. As a performer, Miss Pallas has performed in venues throughout the state, most notably the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Fresno State Wind Orchestra. A strong believer in serving music education, she has just begun her second term as Secretary of the California Band Directors Association and Vice President of the South Valley Winter Arts Association and also served as Treasurer of the Central Valley Guard and Percussion Circuit and as a manager of the Fresno County Youth Choir. In the summer of 2017, Miss Pallas completed her Master's Degree in Band Conducting through the American Band College of Sam Houston State University. She is proud to be a Miner!
Miss Kristen Pallas is a 2009 graduate of Fresno State, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. While at Fresno State, Miss Pallas studied conducting with Dr. Gary P. Gilroy and flute with Dr. Teresa Beaman, and performed with a variety of ensembles including the Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, Flute Ensemble, and the Bulldog Marching Band. Prior to accepting her position at El Diamante, Miss Pallas taught at Ceres High School where her groups consistently earned Superior ratings at CMEA festivals and her marching band was a top three contender in competitions affiliated with WBA. As a performer, Miss Pallas has performed in venues throughout the state, most notably the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Fresno State Wind Orchestra. A strong believer in serving music education, she has just begun her second term as Secretary of the California Band Directors Association and Vice President of the South Valley Winter Arts Association and also served as Treasurer of the Central Valley Guard and Percussion Circuit and as a manager of the Fresno County Youth Choir. In the summer of 2017, Miss Pallas completed her Master's Degree in Band Conducting through the American Band College of Sam Houston State University. She is proud to be a Miner!
Andrew Ziehm, Percussion Arranger
Andrew is an instructor and arranger in the Central Valley and worked with Miss Pallas for five years at both Ceres and El Diamante High Schools. He is the percussion caption head at James C. Enochs High School in Modesto, CA. As a performer, Andrew marched snare with Blue Devils B in 2012-2013, Blue Devils from 2014-2015, and Pulse Percussion in 2016. He was on staff with POW Percussion in 2017.
Andrew is an instructor and arranger in the Central Valley and worked with Miss Pallas for five years at both Ceres and El Diamante High Schools. He is the percussion caption head at James C. Enochs High School in Modesto, CA. As a performer, Andrew marched snare with Blue Devils B in 2012-2013, Blue Devils from 2014-2015, and Pulse Percussion in 2016. He was on staff with POW Percussion in 2017.
Paul Lujan, Visual and Brass Caption Head
Paul is an alumni of Fresno State, where he earned a Bachelor's in Music Education. He performed with the Santa Clara Vanguard in 2012-2013 and is currently on brass staff with Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets. Paul is the band director at Pacific Union Elementary School in Fresno, CA and performs with Winds of Clovis under the direction of Dr. Gary P. Gilroy and Christine Keenan.
Paul is an alumni of Fresno State, where he earned a Bachelor's in Music Education. He performed with the Santa Clara Vanguard in 2012-2013 and is currently on brass staff with Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets. Paul is the band director at Pacific Union Elementary School in Fresno, CA and performs with Winds of Clovis under the direction of Dr. Gary P. Gilroy and Christine Keenan.
Tomas Reyes Chavez, Visual Staff
Tomas is a Kinesiology major at CSU, Bakersfield and marched with both the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets and the Santa Clara Vanguard. Tomas is on visual staff with the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets.
Tomas is a Kinesiology major at CSU, Bakersfield and marched with both the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets and the Santa Clara Vanguard. Tomas is on visual staff with the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets.
Ryan Schimpf
Ryan is a music major at COS and an alumni of the El Diamante Marching Miners. Ryan marched euphonium with Blue Devils "B" in 2018.
Ryan is a music major at COS and an alumni of the El Diamante Marching Miners. Ryan marched euphonium with Blue Devils "B" in 2018.
Garrett Uichanco
Garrett is an alumni of the El Diamante Marching Miners and is a student at COS. He performs with the COS Symphonic Band.
Garrett is an alumni of the El Diamante Marching Miners and is a student at COS. He performs with the COS Symphonic Band.
Bryan Criswell, Percussion Caption Head
Bryan is a graduate of Mt. Whitney High School and also teaches at Golden West High School. He has performed with Blue Devils "B" and Red Wave Indoor.
Bryan is a graduate of Mt. Whitney High School and also teaches at Golden West High School. He has performed with Blue Devils "B" and Red Wave Indoor.
Brandon Gladden, Color Guard Caption Head
Brandon Gladden has been a color guard coach, program designer, and drill writer for the past decade and has produced award winning groups at Alta Sierra Middle School, Buchanan High School, Sunnyside High School, and Washington Union High School. As a performer, he has performed with the Santa Clara Vanguard, Santa Clara Vanguard Winterguard, NOCO Dance Company, D&J Dance Company, and with the Japanese tour of Blast! the musical.
Brandon Gladden has been a color guard coach, program designer, and drill writer for the past decade and has produced award winning groups at Alta Sierra Middle School, Buchanan High School, Sunnyside High School, and Washington Union High School. As a performer, he has performed with the Santa Clara Vanguard, Santa Clara Vanguard Winterguard, NOCO Dance Company, D&J Dance Company, and with the Japanese tour of Blast! the musical.
Meghyn Torabi, Color Guard Staff
Meghyn Torabi graduated from El Diamante High School with the class of 2017. She spun with the color guard for her entire four years, and was captain for her senior year. In addition to being the tech for El Diamante's guard, she is the caption head for the La Joya Middle School Color Guard. Meghyn looks forward to growing as a performer and plans to audition for independent color guards.
Meghyn Torabi graduated from El Diamante High School with the class of 2017. She spun with the color guard for her entire four years, and was captain for her senior year. In addition to being the tech for El Diamante's guard, she is the caption head for the La Joya Middle School Color Guard. Meghyn looks forward to growing as a performer and plans to audition for independent color guards.