Staff

Joe Kelly - Director

Joseph Kelly is a 2000 graduate of San Jose State University with a bachelor’s in French horn performance with an emphasis in music education. In 1998, he was hired to coach the marching band at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale and was hired in 2000 to the full-time staff shortly after receiving his Teaching Credential from SJSU. In his time at Fremont, the instrumental program has expanded from about 34 students to well over 100 students consistently in three Concert Bands, two String Orchestras, Marching Band, Winter Guard, Winter Percussion, and Jazz Band. The groups consistently receive high ratings at festivals, competitions and concerts.

Professionally, Mr. Kelly Currently serves as the Treasurer for the California Music Educators Association Bay Section representing 9+ counties of the greater bay area. He also served as the Vice President (4 years) , President (3 years) and Past-President (4 years) of the Santa Clara County Band Director’s Association helping to run and organize the annual County Honor Band and is the current site host for the annual honor band auditions in January. In 2006, Mr. Kelly Guest conducted the Lake & Mendocino Counties Honor Band up in Ukiah.

Mr. Kelly still performs on a regular basis on both his French Horn and conducting. He is the current Principal Horn player for the Cambrian Symphony Orchestra and a section member of the San Jose Wind Symphony. Additionally, he performs numerous musical theater productions in the south bay, primarily with South Bay Musical Theater, West Valley Light Opera, and Sunnyvale Community Players. He is a two-time TBA (Theater Bay Area) Finalist as “Best Music Director” for his music direction in SBMT’s 2018 production of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and SBMT's 2019 production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie." He is also a member of the “4+1 Brass Quintet” and “SUITE Woodwind Quintet.”

He lives in Sunnyvale with his wife, Deborah, and his two beautiful daughters, Hannah and Sophia. He remains forever grateful of their unending support.

Jenny Ugale - Music Caption Head

Jenny Ugale (they/them) is a Bay Area native, born and raised in San José, and a product of public education having attended De Anza Community College, Ohlone Community College, and San José State University. They have been a lifelong participant of music and an admirer of the greater world of performing arts, formally introduced to the arts at a young age of five through ballet and piano lessons. Jenny had a solid musical foundation by the time they wanted to learn clarinet and saxophone in middle school and admittedly only learned sax to go on the Disneyland trip with the jazz band. Being a part of a highly competitive marching program in high school, Jenny fell in love with the combination of physical, mental, and musical challenges of the activity. Had Jenny not experienced the level of artistry that was a product of camaraderie, perseverance, and commitment to excellence, Jenny would not have discovered their passion of building community through music.

Although Jenny’s dream to give back to their community as a public school music director has been diverted, their passion for building community has not waned. They hope to inspire students to not only have an unyielding appreciation of the arts, but to become members of their community that are: confident in themselves and the skills they can contribute, mindful and caring of others, critical thinkers who are curious about the world, and people who are willing to learn and grow.

When Jenny is not engrossed in teaching, music administration, performing, or supporting other artists, they can be found hiking in the wilderness (barefoot, depending on the season and company) or basking in the warm California sun at local parks with a book in hand. They also spend their time exploring coffee, milk tea, and mom-n-pop food shops throughout the Bay--Recommendations are always welcome!

Dominic Tejam - Visual Caption Head

Dominic’s journey in the marching arts began at Independence High School in San Jose, California, where he performed as a trumpet player and developed a strong foundation in music and visual performance. His dedication and leadership helped shape the program during his time there, culminating in his graduation in 2017.

That same year, Dominic joined the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, where he marched in both the 2017 and 2019 seasons. His debut season was especially memorable, as the Vanguard Cadets were crowned DCI Open Class Champions in 2017, marking a high point in his early drum corps career.

While pursuing his college degree, Dominic continued his musical journey by joining the San Jose State Spartan Marching Band and participating in various music ensembles across campus. In 2018, he began his teaching career as a visual staff member at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, California. His instructional leadership and design contributions helped elevate the program’s visual performance, and in 2022, he was promoted to visual caption head, where he continues to lead and inspire the next generation of performers. During this time, Dominic also briefly returned to Independence High School to teach visual for the 2021 and 2022 seasons putting the experience he gained from learning from his past mentors to continue to push Fremont’s visual program to new heights.

Dominic’s journey in the marching arts has been shaped by the opportunities to learn, perform, and teach alongside passionate and talented individuals. From his early days as a performer to his current role as an educator, he remains grateful for the experiences and communities that have supported his growth. He continues to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with the next generation, always striving to contribute positively to the programs and students he works with.

Sam Shi - Percussion Caption Head

Garrett Moya - Color Guard Director

Garrett Moya first joined color guard during his freshman year winter season in 2011 at Fremont High School (Sunnyvale, CA). He originally joined to perform alongside his best friend since the second grade, but then continued with the activity ever since.

Immediately following his high school color guard experience, Garrett marched with Dynasty Winter Guard (San Jose, CA) in 2015 and 2016, where he helped to win two CCGC Independent Open Class Championships. After that, Garrett then went on to march with the Blue Devils B Corps (Concord, CA) in the summer of 2016 and helped to win their fifth-time DCI Open Class Championship. Following that in the summer of 2017, Garrett then aged out with the Blue Devils A Corps (Concord, CA) and helped to win their eighteenth-time DCI World Championship.

Along with being a performer, Garrett also began teaching as a color guard tech in 2014 at Westmont High School (Campbell, CA). Following that in 2016, Garrett then was a color guard tech and later became the color guard director in 2018 at his alma mater, Fremont High School (Sunnyvale, CA).

Along with continuing to direct the Fremont High School Color Guard, Garrett also recently marched with Imbue Winter Guard (Modesto, CA) during the 2020 winter season, graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies at San Francisco State University (San Francisco, CA) in the Spring of 2020, and has begun to teach as a color guard tech at Dublin High School (Dublin, CA) during the 2021-2022 school year.

As a proud alumni of the Fremont High School Color Guard, Garrett is very grateful for the opportunity to now lead the program and is excited for what’s to come!

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