Christina Latham, Director
Ms. Latham started playing clarinet in elementary school in Walnut Creek. She continued throughout Intermediate School with Mr. Scott, the teacher for both elementary & middle school. She joined the high school band when her family moved to Manteca. There, she received the Louie Armstrong Jazz Award and a scholarship from the Manteca Teachers Association. She served on the band council and was a teacher's assistant for band director, Mr. Prat.
After high school she attended San Joaquin Delta College. At Delta she was the assistant to the band director, Charles Jennings, and learned many skills essential to running a band.
Ms. Latham transferred to San Francisco State University to complete her Bachelors of Music Degree. She became the MENC Student chapter president and fundraised enough to send the group to the state conference for two consecutive years. She was the assistant to the band director, LeRoy Roach and helped run the band during the school year and the Band Directors reading clinic for many summers.
After her degree she started the credential program working at Lowell HS in San Francisco. After one semester she was hired to teach elementary music in San Francisco for one semester while the permanent teacher was on sabbatical. Her master teacher was Sally Ann Ryan, who provided guidance and inspiration.
From 1999 to the present she has been the band director at Santa Cruz High School. She has been a member of the Watsonville Community Band, Cabrillo College Symphonic Winds and “5 o’clock jazz band”. She served as the Secretary and Awards and Clinics Chairperson on the Board of the Northern California Band Association (NCBA). Her service to the profession also includes serving the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival Board as a member at large. In 2010, Ms. Latham was awarded Band Director of the Year by the NCBA.
After high school she attended San Joaquin Delta College. At Delta she was the assistant to the band director, Charles Jennings, and learned many skills essential to running a band.
Ms. Latham transferred to San Francisco State University to complete her Bachelors of Music Degree. She became the MENC Student chapter president and fundraised enough to send the group to the state conference for two consecutive years. She was the assistant to the band director, LeRoy Roach and helped run the band during the school year and the Band Directors reading clinic for many summers.
After her degree she started the credential program working at Lowell HS in San Francisco. After one semester she was hired to teach elementary music in San Francisco for one semester while the permanent teacher was on sabbatical. Her master teacher was Sally Ann Ryan, who provided guidance and inspiration.
From 1999 to the present she has been the band director at Santa Cruz High School. She has been a member of the Watsonville Community Band, Cabrillo College Symphonic Winds and “5 o’clock jazz band”. She served as the Secretary and Awards and Clinics Chairperson on the Board of the Northern California Band Association (NCBA). Her service to the profession also includes serving the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival Board as a member at large. In 2010, Ms. Latham was awarded Band Director of the Year by the NCBA.
Ron Salinas, Assistant Director
Ron Salinas, a former drum major of the SCHS band, has worked with the color guard since 1980, with only a three-year absence. He began his career with the band as one of 15 trumpet players, switching to french horn his sophomore year to help his director, Mr. Mac, fill that section. Ron led the band for two years as drum major, earning 20 first place awards. He is one of a select few Northern CA drum majors to ever 'place' in a Southern CA band review.
Over the years, his color guards have also earned an enviable record of awards from competitions statewide. Early on, his ID unit set the standard for excellence, and his signature "snake" move (aka the "Santa Cruz Wave"), served as inspiration for many ID units throughout Northern CA. Ron's groups have enjoyed multiple undefeated seasons, sweepstakes awards, and Winterguard Championship titles in the Advanced & Open Divisions in the Northern CA Band Association (NCBA) circuit.
Ron earned his degree in Graphic Design/Illustration from San José State University and is an adjudicator for the NCBA, where he also serves on the winterguard advisory committee, co-authored the NCBA Winterguard Judges Training packet, and is the current winterguard GE caption head.
Over the years, his color guards have also earned an enviable record of awards from competitions statewide. Early on, his ID unit set the standard for excellence, and his signature "snake" move (aka the "Santa Cruz Wave"), served as inspiration for many ID units throughout Northern CA. Ron's groups have enjoyed multiple undefeated seasons, sweepstakes awards, and Winterguard Championship titles in the Advanced & Open Divisions in the Northern CA Band Association (NCBA) circuit.
Ron earned his degree in Graphic Design/Illustration from San José State University and is an adjudicator for the NCBA, where he also serves on the winterguard advisory committee, co-authored the NCBA Winterguard Judges Training packet, and is the current winterguard GE caption head.
Keegan McCoy, Color Guard Instructor
As a performer, Keegan has performed in World Class ensembles including the “Santa Clara Vanguard” Drum Corps, and “In Motion Performance Ensemble” Winter Guard.
During his years as a member of the Cardinal Regiment, Keegan played trumpet in jazz and concert band, performed with the Colorguard, and served as Drum Major. His senior year, Keegan was awarded the John Philip Sousa Band Award and earned the title of 2021 California State Drum Major Champion in Peacock’s ADMC Circuit.
During his years as a member of the Cardinal Regiment, Keegan played trumpet in jazz and concert band, performed with the Colorguard, and served as Drum Major. His senior year, Keegan was awarded the John Philip Sousa Band Award and earned the title of 2021 California State Drum Major Champion in Peacock’s ADMC Circuit.