The man behind the music: Golden Valley High’s Vasquez earns state recognition

Golden Valley High band director Mike Vasquez will be the recipient of the 2027 California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Paul Shaghoian Jazz Educator of the Year Award. The award, which is named for Paul Shaghoian, who taught in the Clovis area, is essentially the CMEA “Jazz Educator of the Year.”

 

Vasquez will receive the award at CMEA State Awards in January in Sacramento. Vasquez says being selected for the award is a huge honor.  “I had the privilege of being taught by Paul Shagoian for two years in the late 90s,” Vasquez said.  “There are so many great teachers in the State of California; it was a shock to be informed of my selection. There are some really good things happening in our MUHSD music programs, even without the inspirational music scenes in the larger metropolitan areas.”

 

Vasquez was inspired to learn how to play music at a young age when his father took him to see Tower of Power at the Merced County Fair. He started in band at Ada Givens Elementary School and continued at Hoover Middle School and then Merced and Golden Valley high schools with retired band director Greg Christiansen. 

 

Vasquez received a full scholarship to Fresno State for music. He’s been teaching music in Merced for 25 years, working as the band director at Tenaya Middle School from 2002 and then taking over the Cardinal Regime at Golden Valley for Christiansen in 2012. 

 

“Being only the second band director to lead the program after following in the footsteps of Greg Christiansen is no small task,” said Golden Valley assistant band director Stephen Diaz. “Those are big shoes to fill, and maintaining the level of success and tradition that had been established is a challenge in itself. But Mike hasn't just maintained it; he has continued to elevate the program and exceed expectations.”

 

Diaz says Vasquez’s impact at Golden Valley is unmeasurable. Vasquez has an ability to connect with every type of student. “He can run an incredibly productive rehearsal, hold students to a high standard, and then, in the same breath, have the entire room laughing and engaged,” Diaz said. “He knows when to push students, when to make them laugh, and how to make them feel like they belong. I think that's what makes him so special as an educator.”

 

“He has helped create a program where students want to show up, work hard, and be part of something bigger than themselves,” Diaz added. “As someone who gets to work alongside him every day, I see the impact he has on this program and on the kids who walk through our doors. Honestly, it's something that inspires me every day.”

 

Vasquez prides himself on his ability to connect with students. Despite leading a marching band with approximately 250 students, Vasquez makes it a priority to connect with each and every one of his band members. 

 

“I never tell them anything we try is hard; I tell them this is going to be fun and then we get to work,” Vasquez said. “Leading a band of over 230 students is a daunting challenge, but if I can connect with each student throughout the year, then the collective ensembles will be more cohesive and focused when we work together to make music.”

 

There are currently nine full-time music teachers from Golden Valley and countless former students studying, performing, and recording music as a career. Vasquez takes great pride in playing a small part in his students’ music journey.

 

“The amount of time and work Mike puts into the Cardinal Regime is hard to put into words,” Diaz said. “What people see on Friday nights, at competitions, and at performances is really just the finished product of countless hours of work that most people never see. There are early mornings, long days, tough rehearsals, and countless hours spent planning, arranging, preparing, organizing, and finding ways to make the program better.”

 

Diaz says Vasquez puts in the time because he cares deeply about his students and wants them to have the best experience possible. 

 

“I genuinely believe Mike is doing jazz education at the highest level,” Diaz added. “And to see that happening right here in our community, at our school, is something I think is worth celebrating. He is one of the most selfless educators I know. He is constantly finding ways to give students opportunities, investing his time and energy into making sure they get experiences that will stay with them long after they leave GV. He does so much of it without ever looking for recognition.”

 

One of the greatest treasures for Vasquez is having all four of his sons choose to be a part of the Cardinal Regime. “Being a music educator has been a blessing,” Vasquez said. “Being a music educator at MUHSD has been an incredible blessing, but having the support of the GVHS families and most importantly my wife and family has been the greatest blessing of all. I am married to Melissa Vasquez, and we have four incredible sons: Simon, Aaron, Matthew, and Ezra, all of whom made the choice to participate in music at GVHS.”

 

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.