RCHS Marching Arts Program Staff
The Marching Arts Program at RCHS is the heartbeat of Cougar spirit! At the core of the program is our Band Director, who leads and inspires students both musically and personally. Supporting the director is a talented team of Color Guard Staff, Drumline Staff, Visual Staff, and Winds Staff—many of whom are proud RCHS alumni who return to share their passion and expertise with the next generation.
James Ana, Band Director
Mr. Ana was appointed Band Director at Rancho Cucamonga High School (RCHS) in 2022 and is now entering his 14th year of teaching—nine of which have been with the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. He holds a Master’s in Music Education from the American Band College of Central Washington University and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from California State University, Fullerton. Before joining RCHS, he served as Instrumental Music Director at A.B. Miller High School for four years and Montclair High School for five years.
Mr. Ana has been recognized with several honors, including the Outstanding Educator Award (2015, 2018) and Teacher of the Year (2017, 2024). At RCHS, he directs a thriving program that includes a competitive marching band, three concert bands, a jazz band, a nationally acclaimed color guard, and a winter percussion ensemble. Outside of teaching, Mr. Ana enjoys life with his wife, Jessica, and daughter, Amelia. Together they spend time camping in the desert, riding UTVs and dirt bikes, traveling, visiting Disney parks, and relaxing at the beach. Mr. Ana also enjoys road cycling with colleagues and friends throughout Southern California.
Gabe Escobedo
Guard Caption Head
Gabe began his teaching career at Palmdale High School and has since worked with programs across SoCal, Arizona, and Utah, including Riverside Community College Marching Tigers, Pacific Crest, and The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps.
From 2015–2018 he served as Color Guard Caption Head at The Academy, leading the corps to a DCI (Drum Corps International) Finalist finish in 2016. Gabe is also the President for the Executive Committee of WGASC, Winter Guard Association of Southern California.
Eric Shriver
Percussion Caption Head
Eric is a percussion educator and arranger, serving as Percussion Director and Battery Arranger for Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps (since 2023), Battery Arranger and Ensemble Coordinator for POW Percussion (since 2024), and Percussion Director at RCHS and Etiwanda HS (since 2022). He co-owns Front2Back Music, created
The Build-Up Method, and is affiliated with Zildjian, Remo, Yamaha, and Vic Firth. Eric is a member of SCPA's Classification Committee. To learn more about him, please visit his website at www.shriverpercussion.com.
Chris Schmitz
Visual Caption Head
Chris is a full-time drill writer, choreographer, and educator with performance experience in the Sacramento Mandarins and Blue Devils Entertainment. Originally from Northern California, he has spent the past three years working with Rancho Cucamonga HS, as well as other organizations including El Dorado HS, Etiwanda HS, and Sunny Hills HS. He currently serves as Visual Caption Head at POW Percussion and is on staff with Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps. Chris lives in Placentia, CA, where he studies dance education at Fullerton College.
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Alex Alonso
Music Caption Head
Alex is a professional musician and educator who studied trombone and percussion at the conservatories “Rafael Orozco” in Córdoba and “De La Rioja” in Logroño, Spain. He toured the US, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Africa performing with artists such as John Legend, Black Eyed Peas, and Justin Bieber. Alex has appeared in TV shows (e.g., Glee, Parks and Recreation, and The Office). Since 2016, he has served on the brass staff at Gold Drum & Bugle Corps. He is also a P.E. coach at McAuliffe Elementary in Riverside, CA. His teaching emphasizes pushing students beyond their limits while building strong musicianship, character, and work ethic.
Richard Diaz
Front Ensemble Technician
Richard has been an educator in SoCal for nearly 20 years, bringing extensive experience in percussion instruction and ensemble management. He serves as Front Ensemble Manager for Great Oak HS in Temecula, oversees the electronics and rhythm section for Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps, and works as a technician at Rancho Verde HS. In 2025, he joins the staff at RCHS, where he looks forward to contributing his knowledge and passion for music education. Richard is excited to help students grow as musicians while fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment.
Shirley Taylor
Front Ensemble Technician
Shirley Taylor is a piano pedagogue, percussion educator, and Montessori preschool teacher based in Southern California. She teaches the front ensemble at Rancho Cucamonga HS, Etiwanda HS, Los Osos HS, and POW Percussion, and has a private piano studio. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Cal State Fullerton, and her percussion performance background includes Pulse Percussion (2019–2022). Shirley completed all Certificate of Merit levels, and received top honors awards in MTAC competitions, Bach Festivals, and state conventions. Shirley is also a member of the Vic Firth, Zildjian, and Pearl education team.
Andrew Wentz
Battery Technician
Andrew, an RCHS alumnus, has performed with Gold Drum Corps and Dark Sky Percussion, gaining valuable experience as both a performer and educator. He has previously taught at Upland HS and Etiwanda Intermediate School, working with students to develop strong percussion skills. For the past five years, Andrew has served as the bass drum technician at RCHS, where he is dedicated to helping students grow both musically and personally. His passion for percussion and commitment to education continue to make him a valued member of the program.
Miguel Perez
Clarinet Technician
Miguel has been teaching music for over seven years, working with students from elementary through high school across California. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from Sacramento State, where he specialized in bass clarinet performance for five years.
In addition to teaching, Miguel is involved in local production work, bringing a well-rounded perspective to his musical career. He is passionate about fostering growth in his students while continuing to expand his own experience as an educator and musician.
Staff (Technicians)
Not Pictured
Anthony Clark - Visual Tech
Carlos Vazquez - Guard Tech
Fernando Montes - Saxophone Tech
Francisco Araiza - Guard Tech
Ryan William - Low Brass Tech
Star Wasson - Visual Tech
Alissa Beckham - Guard Tech
Nahomy De La Torre - Guard Tech
Vance Garcia - Guard Tech
Charlie Ogden - Battery Tech
Chloe Halopoff - Front Ensemble
Julie Nguyen - Visual Tech
Nick Chau
Visual Technician
Nick is a visual coach and choreographer based in the Inland Empire. Since 2018, he has taught at various SoCal schools including RCHS, Chino Hills HS, and POW Percussion. His performance experience includes Gold Drum & Bugle Corps (2017), Mandarins (2018), and Pulse Percussion (2019–2022). A dedicated dance student, Nick trains in hip-hop, house, contemporary fusion, and freestyle at studios including LMNL Space, Movement Lifestyle, and Offstage by GRV, and is part of Voyage’s Training Division: Oasis. Nick also co-founded SoCal MVT, a dance movement workshop for the marching arts community.
Kayla Quach
Visual Technician
My name is Kayla Quach and I’m a visual technician for RCMC. My performance experience includes: Instinct ‘23, POW ‘24-‘25, Pulse Percussion ‘26. I briefly taught at Huntington Beach High School and Temple City High School. I am a Rancho alumni so I’m very excited to teach for my second year and help the band become even better.
Angel Abonza-Ruiz
Front Ensemble Technician
Angel is a percussion educator based in Ontario, CA. He has taught Colony HS (2014–19), Diamond Bar HS (2016–19), Etiwanda HS (2016–25), Vessel Drum & Bugle Corps (2019), and Dark Sky Percussion (2020). He currently teaches at Rancho Cucamonga HS, Patriot HS, and is front ensemble manager at Meraki Percussion. As a performer, Angel marched with RCC (2013–15), Gold (2014), Mandarins (2015), Pacific Crest (2016), and Dark Sky Percussion (2014–18). Outside teaching, he works as a Starbucks barista and enjoys coffee every now and then.
Alexis Zamora
Flute Technician
Alexis currently studies under Mary Oppermann at California Baptist University and is pursuing a degree in Performance and Pedagogy. In addition to her performance work, Alexis is deeply involved in music leadership and administration. Alexis has gained significant professional experience through her work in orchestral libraries. She recently completed a year-and-a-half internship with the Pacific Symphony and continues to contribute library services with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her performance and administrative work, Alexis is an active educator. She maintains a private flute studio, working with students of varying ages and skill levels to develop strong technical foundations and musical expression.
Jeanette Pun
High Brass Technician
Jen is a Southern California–based musician and educator. She holds a BA in Music from Cal State Fullerton, where she studied trumpet with Barry Perkins and Dave Pittel. A versatile performer, she’s worked in recordings, musicals, marching bands, and as a Disneyland parade musician. As an educator, she teaches privately and serves as a brass instructor for ensembles at Ayala HS, El Dorado HS, RCHS, Golden Empire Drum & Bugle Corps, junior highs, and directs a concert band at El Dorado HS.