John Theisen (Band Director) (sounds like ‘Tyson’)

John is originally from Central Minnesota where he graduated from Rocori High School in 1989. In 1990 He moved to California to join the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps where he played snare drum. He was Blue Devil of the Year in 1992.

After aging out of Blue Devils, John began his teaching career with several drum corps including the Blue Devils B Corp, Blue Knights Winter Drumline, Nite Express (IA), and Black Gold Winter Drumline (OK). He has taught with many successful band programs including Rosemount High School, The University of Tulsa, Broken Arrow High School, Moore Public Schools, Collinsville Public Schools, and consulted, arranged, and judged for many programs around the country.

John completed his undergraduate degree from the University of Tulsa and is currently finishing his masters degree with the American Band College in Ashland, OR. The groups he has worked with have enjoyed much success and great experiences including 9 Bands of America Regional Finalist appearances, 2 Grand National Finalist appearances, 8 State Championships, many superior ratings at Concert Band Contests, Band Trips to several states, Hawaii, and China!

John has lived in Minnesota, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, is moving back to California to be with loved ones and is looking forward to great new opportunities. The Buena High School Music Program is an exciting new step for John, and he looks forward to sharing his skills with the community to foster great musical and life enhancing experiences.

Lauren DeOliveira (Percussion Coach)

Lauren DeOliveira graduated Newbury Park High School in 2006. Her passion for music started in sixth grade when she began playing the tenor saxophone. She was involved in wind ensembles, and jazz bands through out middle school and high school. She was in marching band for all four years of high school and played cymbals in drumline for her junior and senior year. In 2005, she also marched cymbals in Mystikal Drum and Bugle Corps. In 2008, Lauren was very excited to start teaching cymbals for Buena High School and in 2009 she was the marching instructor for the marching band season. Lauren currently teaches at Buena High School. Lauren graduated from Cal State Channel Islands with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Anthropology. She currently works as a project manager for a local archaeology firm. Lauren plans to continue on with graduate school and get her PhD in Archaeology.

Matthew Cook (Front Ensemble Instructor)

Matt Cook is a Los Angeles based percussionist involved in a variety of outlets from classical art music to Middle Eastern, jazz and popular music ensembles.

Originally from Atlanta, Matt can be heard around the country performing with various projects and other artists. Recent engagements have featured Matt with the Robin Cox Ensemble, California E.A.R. Unit, Sonic Generator, ensemble GREEN, PARTCH Ensemble, Loud Objects, Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra and the United Musicians Symphony Orchestra of Los Angeles.

A member of the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet, Matt has participated in numerous festivals and concerts including the Monday Evening Concert Series, What’s Next? Festival, California Day of Percussion, and the Music and Conversations Series to name a few. Their new release, "Ritual Dances" can be found on iTunes and have an upcoming release on Sono Luminus Records internationally in over 60 countries.

An accomplished chamber musician, Matt has worked closely with such composers as Roger Reynolds, Sofia Gubaidulina, Philippe Manoury, Olga Neuwirth, Tristan Perich, Steve Horowitz, David Johnson and Lewis Nielson.

As a drummer and world percussionist Matt has performed with singers Claudia Vasquez, Coco York, Anthony Starble, Joanna Lemle, indie-pop band Artichoke Heart Souffle, and various musical theater companies in Los Angeles.

Matt has been a featured clinician and performer at The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, USC, Fullerton College, CalArts, CSU Long Beach, UC Santa Cruz, Sacramento State University, University of California Irivine, CSU, CSU Bakersfield, Chapman University, and Percussive Arts Society Central California Day of Percussion.

A graduate of The Oberlin Conservatory of Music (BM) and California Institute of the Arts (MFA), Matt currently leads the Percussion Department at Ventura College in Ventura, California and is a proud Mike Balter Artist Endorser. Visit www.matthewhcook.com for more information.