Christina Latham, Director
Christy Latham began her musical journey in elementary school in Walnut Creek, where she started playing the clarinet. After her family moved to Manteca, she joined the high school band. Following graduation, Ms. Latham attended San Joaquin Delta College, earning an Associate of Arts degree in Music, before transferring to San Francisco State University to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She then pursued a credential program and began teaching elementary band in San Francisco.
In 2013, Christy earned a Master’s in Conducting from the American Band College at Sam Houston State University. This rigorous program allowed her to study under several renowned conductors and composers, while also performing alongside some of the nation's top soloists.
Since 1999, Ms. Latham has served as the band director at Santa Cruz High School, where she has revitalized the band program, earning it a reputation for exceptional performances and high standards. Under her leadership, the Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Winter Guard, and Drumline have garnered numerous awards. She fosters a strong sense of community and pride within these groups, promoting both excellence and dedication.
Locally, Ms. Latham has been an active member of the Watsonville Community Band, Santa Cruz City Band, Cabrillo College Symphonic Winds, and the “5 o’clock Jazz Band.” She has also contributed to music education service organizations, serving on the boards of the Northern California Band Association (NCBA), the California Band Directors Association (CBDA), and the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival. She is a past president of the Central Coast Section of the California Music Educators Association (CCS CMEA) and currently serves as the President of NCBA.
In recognition of her outstanding work, Ms. Latham has received several honors, including Band Director of the Year from NCBA in 2010, Jr, High Band Director of the Year from NCBA in 2020, Music Educator of the Year from CCS CMEA in 2012, and Outstanding Teacher of the Year from the Santa Cruz Education Foundation in 2014. She has also served as a judge for both NCBA and the CMEA Central Section.
With over 30 years of teaching experience, Ms. Latham continues to find joy and inspiration in her work. The passion and pride she sees in her students, both past and present, motivate her every day and make all the challenges worthwhile.
In 2013, Christy earned a Master’s in Conducting from the American Band College at Sam Houston State University. This rigorous program allowed her to study under several renowned conductors and composers, while also performing alongside some of the nation's top soloists.
Since 1999, Ms. Latham has served as the band director at Santa Cruz High School, where she has revitalized the band program, earning it a reputation for exceptional performances and high standards. Under her leadership, the Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Winter Guard, and Drumline have garnered numerous awards. She fosters a strong sense of community and pride within these groups, promoting both excellence and dedication.
Locally, Ms. Latham has been an active member of the Watsonville Community Band, Santa Cruz City Band, Cabrillo College Symphonic Winds, and the “5 o’clock Jazz Band.” She has also contributed to music education service organizations, serving on the boards of the Northern California Band Association (NCBA), the California Band Directors Association (CBDA), and the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival. She is a past president of the Central Coast Section of the California Music Educators Association (CCS CMEA) and currently serves as the President of NCBA.
In recognition of her outstanding work, Ms. Latham has received several honors, including Band Director of the Year from NCBA in 2010, Jr, High Band Director of the Year from NCBA in 2020, Music Educator of the Year from CCS CMEA in 2012, and Outstanding Teacher of the Year from the Santa Cruz Education Foundation in 2014. She has also served as a judge for both NCBA and the CMEA Central Section.
With over 30 years of teaching experience, Ms. Latham continues to find joy and inspiration in her work. The passion and pride she sees in her students, both past and present, motivate her every day and make all the challenges worthwhile.
Teaching History
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1995
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San Francisco Unified School District:
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1996-1998
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South San Francisco Unified School District:
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1998-1999
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Stockton Unified School District:
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1999 - Present
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Santa Cruz City Schools
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2024 - Present
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San Jose State University
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Degrees and Credentials
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1987
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Manteca High School
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1991
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San Joaquin Delta College
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1995
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San Francisco State University
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1996
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San Francisco State University
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2013
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Sam Houston State University, American Band College
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Conducting Workshops
NorCal Summer Conducting Symposium
San Jose Wind Conducting Symposium
- 2018 Dr. Robert Halseth and Dr. Peter Boonshaft
San Jose Wind Conducting Symposium
- 2023 Dr. David Vickerman, Dr. Craig McKenzie, Dr. Robert Ponto,
- 2024 Dr. David Vickerman, Dr. Craig McKenzie, Dr. Robert Taylor
Extended Learning
- Cabrillo College
- Fresno Pacific University
- Holy Names College
- San Francisco City College
- University of San Diego
- University of Southern California
- University of California Los Angeles Extended Learning
Conferences Attended
- California All State Music Education Conference
- California Band Directors Association All State Conference
- California Music Educators Association All State Conference
- California Activities Directors Association All State Conference
- El Sistema National Music Education In Service
- Midwest International Band and Orchestra Conference
- National Association of Music Education Western Division Leadership Conference
- National Association of Music Merchants Confer
Awards
- Northern California Band Association High School Band Director of the Year, 2010
- Northern California Band Association Middle School Band /Director of the Year
- California Music Educators Association Central Coast Section Teacher of the Year, 2012
- Santa Cruz Education Foundation High School Educator of the Year, 2014
- Santa Cruz Jazz Society Teacher of the Year
Professional Organization Memberships
- Music Educators National Conference
- California Music Educators Association
- Northern California Band Association
- California Jazz Association
Service Leadership
Music Educators National Conference
- Collegiate President, San Francisco State University
California Music Educators Association Bay Section
- Area VI Solo & Ensemble Festival Host
- Junior HS Honor Band Band Manager, 1998 & 1999
- Bay Section Area VI Representative, 1997-1998
California Music Educators Association Central Coast Section
- Member at large
- President Elect
- President
- Past President
- Large Ensemble Chair and Host
- Middle School Honor Band Host
- High School Honor Band Chair and Host
- YES! Young Ensemble Showcase Host
- Fall Clinic Host, presenter and chair
California Music Educators Association State Level
- Board Member Representing the Central Coast Section
Northern California Band Association
- Secretary
- Awards and Clinics Vice President
- Parade and Field Vice President
- President
- Large Ensemble Host
- Junior High School Honor Band Manager
- High School Honor Band Manager
- Santa Cruz Band Review Host
- Fall Clinic presenter and chair
- Judges Training Presenter
California Band Directors Association
- Northern California Band Association Representative
Santa Cruz Jazz Festival
- Board Member & Host
Judging
Northern California Band Association
- Parade: Inspection, Marching, Showmanship, Music
- Field: General Effect, Visual
- Concert Bands
California Music Educators Association Central Section
- Concert Bands
Honor Bands
- Northern California Band Association All Northern Junior High School Honor Band, 2019
- Fresno Madera County Music Educators Association Intermediate Honor Band, 2021
- Pajaro Valley Unified School District Honor Band, 2025
Notable Performances
Parades
- Amgen Bicycle Tour Parade in Santa Cruz
- Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco
- Disneyland and California Adventure parks, Anaheim, CA
- Greek Heritage Parade in San Francisco
- Hawaii Invitational Music Festival & Salute to Youth Parade, Honolulu, HI
- James Durbin American Idol Celebration Parade, Santa Cruz
- King Kamehameha Day Parade in Honolulu, HI
- santa.com parade in San Francisco, it was the only one they had
- Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
- Santa Cruz Pride Parade
- SCHS Basketball State Championship Parade, Santa Cruz
Marching Band Performances
- Big Trees Christmas Holiday Lights Train
- East West Shriners All Star Football Game, Stanford & San Francisco
- Pier 39, San Francisco
- San Jose State Band Days
- San Francisco Fleet Week High School Band Challenge
- USS Missouri, Honolulu, HI
Concerts
- California Music Educators Association State Concert Festival
- Sonoma State Universities Weir Hall
- Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
- Disney Performing Arts, Backstage Recording Sessions
- Disney Performing Arts, Jazz Band onstage in California Adventureland
- Music For All National Concert Festival
- Sonoma State Universities Weir Hall
- Paul Shegoyan Concert Hall, Clovis CA
- Queen Kapiolani Park in Honolulu, HI
Grand Openings
- Burdell’s
- Del Mar Theater
- New Leaf Westside Market
- West Cliff Drive Bridge