Michael Hernandez, Interim Artistic Director

The Board of Directors is so very pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Hernandez as the Interim Artistic Director beginning January 1, 2025. During his service as Interim, the Board will be searching for a permanent Artistic Director to open our next season in July 2025.

Michael Hernandez is a retired music educator who taught for 40 years in Stockton. He began his teaching career at St. Mary’s High School and elementary schools in the Stockton Diocese. He moved to Stockton Unified School District in 1986 and taught middle school band, orchestra, and choir at Webster Middle School and classroom music, band and orchestra to kindergarten through eighth grade students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School.

Mr. Hernandez is a graduate of University of the Pacific, Conservatory of Music. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 1981 and Masters in Music Education in 1988. He studied clarinet with Dr. William Dominik and saxophone with Dr. Don DaGrade. Michael studied conducting and sang in choirs under Dr. William Dehning.

Michael Hernandez is an active professional musician in the Stockton area. For many years he has played Bass Clarinet in the Stockton Symphony and he is a member of Pacific Avenue Clarinets. He is currently the conductor of the Valley Concert Band, a professional band that plays for the Victory Park summer music concerts as well as other venues in the area. For many years, Michael has sung in the Stockton Chorale and Master Chorale and has served as the Assistant Conductor of the Chorale since 2019, assisting with all five (5) singing groups of the Chorale Family.