Staff:
Patrick Doerr, Director of Bands, Chula Vista High School
Patrick Doerr grew up in Riverside, California and attended Rubidoux High School. While in High School he developed a passion for music, which led to his decision to major in music. He received a Bachelor’s in Music, K-12 Instruction from San Diego State University in 2003, and a Single Subject Credential in Music Instruction in 2004. Mr. Doerr began teaching in the Sweetwater Union High School District in 2004 at Southwest High School. In 2006, he moved to Sweetwater High School, where his bands saw success both in the concert hall, on the field, and on the street. In 2010, Mr. Doerr received his Master's Degree in Conducting from the American Band College through Sam Houston State University. Over the course of his education, Mr. Doerr has studied under some of the band world's best: Harold Warman, Charles Friedrichs, Max McKee, Col. Mike Bankhead, Robert W. Smith, Ralph Hultgren, Robert Ponto, Anthony Maiello, Col. Lowell Graham, Eugene Rouseau, Alan Keown, Winston Morris, Jim Walker, Jan Vander Roost, Robert Spring, Al and Gladys Wright, Bobby Shew, Alan Vizzutti, Pat Sheridan, Sam Pilafian, Ray Chapa, Paula Crider, Frank Wickes, and Johan De Meij (to name a few!)
Mr. Doerr came to Chula Vista Middle and High Schools in the summer of 2011, and introduced the high school band to competitive field shows, as well as hosting festivals. In 2012, the high school hosted its first ever Field Tournament. In 2017 the band qualified for SCSBOA Field Championships for the first time in the school's history, and finished 7th Place in the 3A division. In 2018, Mr. Doerr moved to Chula Vista High School full time.
Mr. Doerr is a strong advocate for the Sweetwater Union High School District band programs, having successfully run of the District Band Pageant, District Color Guard Showcase, District Honor Bands, and the District Summer Arts Academy. While at Chula Vista, Mr. Doerr started and runs the Chula Vista Invitational Field Tournament in November, the SCPA Chamber Ensembles Festival in February, and the SCPA Band/Orchestra Festival in March. He has served as the Chair of Instrumental Festivals for the California Music Educators Association, Southern Border Section. Mr. Doerr has been a presenter at the SCSBOA Winter Conference, and is an active adjudicator and head judge with the CMEA Southern Border Section Band/Orchestra Festivals.
When not doing Band related activities, Mr. Doerr enjoys spending time with his wife Tiffany, daughter Juliet, and son Liam.
Mr. Doerr came to Chula Vista Middle and High Schools in the summer of 2011, and introduced the high school band to competitive field shows, as well as hosting festivals. In 2012, the high school hosted its first ever Field Tournament. In 2017 the band qualified for SCSBOA Field Championships for the first time in the school's history, and finished 7th Place in the 3A division. In 2018, Mr. Doerr moved to Chula Vista High School full time.
Mr. Doerr is a strong advocate for the Sweetwater Union High School District band programs, having successfully run of the District Band Pageant, District Color Guard Showcase, District Honor Bands, and the District Summer Arts Academy. While at Chula Vista, Mr. Doerr started and runs the Chula Vista Invitational Field Tournament in November, the SCPA Chamber Ensembles Festival in February, and the SCPA Band/Orchestra Festival in March. He has served as the Chair of Instrumental Festivals for the California Music Educators Association, Southern Border Section. Mr. Doerr has been a presenter at the SCSBOA Winter Conference, and is an active adjudicator and head judge with the CMEA Southern Border Section Band/Orchestra Festivals.
When not doing Band related activities, Mr. Doerr enjoys spending time with his wife Tiffany, daughter Juliet, and son Liam.
James Llamas, Director of Bands, Chula Vista Middle School
James Llamas, an alumnus of Mt. Carmel High School’s Grammy Award-winning music program, joined the Chula Vista Middle School staff in the summer of 2018. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a bachelor’s in Music Education in 2008 and holds a Master’s Degree in Education from National University. Mr. Llamas began his teaching career at Mesa Verde Middle School.
Mr. Llamas is an avid Bass Clarinetist and performs regularly with the San Diego Concert Band. He is a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity as well as an Honorary Sister of Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority. He has been taught by a super-star list of music educators including Jeri Webb, Warren Torns, Garry McPherson, Randy McCray, Robert Williams, Darrell Downs, Dr. Thomas Lee, Gordon Henderson, Jennifer Judkins, Frank Heuser, Jay Posteraro, Dr. Travis Cross and Roy Anthony Jr. Mr. Llamas is excited to be at Chula Vista Middle School and the SCPA!
Mr. Llamas is an avid Bass Clarinetist and performs regularly with the San Diego Concert Band. He is a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity as well as an Honorary Sister of Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority. He has been taught by a super-star list of music educators including Jeri Webb, Warren Torns, Garry McPherson, Randy McCray, Robert Williams, Darrell Downs, Dr. Thomas Lee, Gordon Henderson, Jennifer Judkins, Frank Heuser, Jay Posteraro, Dr. Travis Cross and Roy Anthony Jr. Mr. Llamas is excited to be at Chula Vista Middle School and the SCPA!
James Barton, Color Guard Director
With 35 years of teaching experience, James has flourished as both a Color Guard Choreographer, Designer, and Director. He has had the privilege of teaching and performing with many prestigious groups at the Southern California Color Guard Circuit. James has currently coached three WGI classification levels and has had a finalist group at WGI Championships.
James has performed with such groups as, Out of the Blue. James is the Artistic Director of Prado Performing Arts which produced Prado Independent Performance Ensemble from 2010 to 2015.
Currently, James is the Color Guard Designer for Del Norte High School, Orange Glen High School, Olympian High School and Junipero Serra High School. James is also the Director/Designer/Choreographer at Mira Mesa High School, Chula Vista Visual and Performing Arts High School, and Eastlake High School.
James is the president of West Coast Winter Guard and is the founding member of the Winter Guard Circuit. In 2014 James was inducted into the Southern California Winter Guard Hall of Fame.
For the last 20 years James has been a full time marching arts educator in Southern California.
James loves spending time with his wife, three children their families and his new granddaughter. Disney is their go to place and it’s the best place to just get away.
James has performed with such groups as, Out of the Blue. James is the Artistic Director of Prado Performing Arts which produced Prado Independent Performance Ensemble from 2010 to 2015.
Currently, James is the Color Guard Designer for Del Norte High School, Orange Glen High School, Olympian High School and Junipero Serra High School. James is also the Director/Designer/Choreographer at Mira Mesa High School, Chula Vista Visual and Performing Arts High School, and Eastlake High School.
James is the president of West Coast Winter Guard and is the founding member of the Winter Guard Circuit. In 2014 James was inducted into the Southern California Winter Guard Hall of Fame.
For the last 20 years James has been a full time marching arts educator in Southern California.
James loves spending time with his wife, three children their families and his new granddaughter. Disney is their go to place and it’s the best place to just get away.
Melissa Barton, Color Guard Instructor
With 6 years of performance experience and 21 years of teaching experience, Melissa has flourished as both a color guard choreographer and designer. She has had the privilege of teaching and performing with many prestigious groups at the DCI Open Class Level, and three WGI classification levels and has had a finalist group at WGI Championships.
Melissa has performed with such groups as, Earthquake Drum and Bugle Corps and Think About It Winter Guard and Orange Glen High School. Melissa has worked with such groups as Prado Independent Performance Ensemble.
Currently, Melissa is the Color Guard Caption Head for the Del Norte High School, Orange Glen High School and Junipero Serra High School. Melissa is also the Assistant Director at Mira Mesa High School, Chula Vista Visual and Performing Arts High School, and Eastlake High School.
"When you love this activity, as much as I do and love the students you work with and always have an amazing staff around.......you what’s not to love. I cherish each moment and look forward to each new day."
Melissa has performed with such groups as, Earthquake Drum and Bugle Corps and Think About It Winter Guard and Orange Glen High School. Melissa has worked with such groups as Prado Independent Performance Ensemble.
Currently, Melissa is the Color Guard Caption Head for the Del Norte High School, Orange Glen High School and Junipero Serra High School. Melissa is also the Assistant Director at Mira Mesa High School, Chula Vista Visual and Performing Arts High School, and Eastlake High School.
"When you love this activity, as much as I do and love the students you work with and always have an amazing staff around.......you what’s not to love. I cherish each moment and look forward to each new day."
Joseph Hayes, Visual Caption Head
Joseph is a San Diego native that has been teaching the marching arts in Southern California since 2008 ranging from divisions 1A-6A. He has helped many schools achieve success in the marching activity with both music and visual training. Joseph is currently the Visual Caption Head at Chula Vista and Mira Mesa High School. He enjoys the diverse and energetic community at Chula Vista HIgh School and is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to help educate the performers of the Spartan Legion with Mr. Patrick Doerr at the helm. Aside from the schools he currently works with, he also enjoys being a consultant for many programs needing assistance with any and all aspects of the activity. His drum and bugle corps performance experience includes The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011.
During his rare moments of free time, Joseph enjoys dogs, mixed martial arts, baseball and ice cream.
During his rare moments of free time, Joseph enjoys dogs, mixed martial arts, baseball and ice cream.
Miguel Lopez, Marching Instructor
Born and raised in San Diego, Miguel Lopez has been involved with the marching arts since high school and has been teaching at multiple schools since 2013 including Chula Vista High school and Serra High School.He has experience marching with multiple drum and bugle corps including Gold(2012-2013), the Academy (2014-2015) and the Madison Scouts (2016).He is also a Chula Vista High school alumni.Outside of teaching Miguel enjoys traveling, hiking and playing video games.
Brady Giard, Percussion Caption Head
Brady Giard is a San Diego Native and is excited to continue his work at Chula Vista High School.
His teaching experience includes Valhalla High School, Chula Vista High School, and Gold Drum Corps. His marching experience includes Pulse Percussion and Blue Stars Drum Corps.
He likes long walks on the beach and a good burrito.
His teaching experience includes Valhalla High School, Chula Vista High School, and Gold Drum Corps. His marching experience includes Pulse Percussion and Blue Stars Drum Corps.
He likes long walks on the beach and a good burrito.
Bobby Starboard, Front Ensemble Percussion Instructor
Bobby graduated from Bonita Vista High in 2016. He is currently studying music education at Southwestern College where he plays bassoon. His marching experience includes Watchmen Drum & Bugle Corps, Odyssey Indoor Percussion, Riverside City College’s Marching Band, and most recently, POW Percussion and the Oregon Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps.
Gabe Bustamante, Battery Percussion Instructor
Our newest addition to the staff, Gabe graduated from Valhalla High School. He has marched Center Snare for Gold Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as Pulse Independent Percussion. Gabe has a passion for teaching, and also started the Chula Vista Middle After School Drum Line club!