Band Director since 2002
Jerome Diebolt
Mr. Diebolt graduated from Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego before attending Cal State Fullerton. He graduated from CSUF Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts in Music Education in 2001. He received his teaching credential the next year while student teaching at El Dorado High School and Tufree Middle School in the Placentia-Yorba Linda School District. In 2007, he received his Masters in Conducting from Southern Oregon University through the American Band College program.
Mr. Diebolt took the job as Sonora’s Instrumental Music Director in 2002. His ensembles have garnered many first place awards (San Dimas Western Days Parade, Chino Band Review and Field Tournament, Kennedy Field Show, Fullerton Festival of Bands, and the La Palma Days Parade) and Superior ratings. Members of his groups have performed in London, Paris, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Tournament of Roses Parade and All-Southern and All-State Honor Bands. He was selected as Sonora’s Teacher of the Year in 2007.
Graduates of his program have gone on to play at many fine institutions including University of Southern California, Cal State Fullerton, Biola, UC Irvine, Fullerton College, Mt. San Antonio College, Wheaton, and Roosevelt University.
Mr. Diebolt has served as an Honor Band Manager, Honor Band Auditioner, and Judge with the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association.
He lives in Brea with his wife Rebecca, his daughters Taylor and Aubrey, his son Nathan, and his dog Zeppelin.
Color Guard Director since 2022
Melissa Perez
Melissa graduated from Brea Olinda High School before obtaining an Associates in Psychology from Irvine Valley College in 2022. She is currently attending the University of California, Irvine where she is to receive a Bachelors in Social Ecology during Spring of 2026. Melissa also represented UCI within the UC Center Sacramento Program where she interned for the California Department of Education during the Summer of 2025.
Melissa’s educational background has shaped her coaching journey, as she uses evidence based coaching strategies to support the team. Through the implementation of an Individual First Program in conjunction with integration of “Growth Mindset”, she has cultivated a space where guard members are able to shine as performers, students, and individuals!
Melissa joined Sonora Raider Regiment as the Color Guard Director in 2022. During her time at Sonora, the color guard ensemble has garnered many awards including; 2022 WGASC HSAA Silver Medalists and 2023 WGASC HSA Silver Medalists.
drumline battery coach
Rodolfo “Rudy” Lizardo
Rudy graduated from Sonora High School in 2017, where he was deeply involved in the school’s music programs, with a primary focus on the marching arts. During his high school years, he performed with several local ensembles, including the Incognito Drum and Bugle Corps during the 2015 and 2016 seasons and Élan Percussion during his senior year.
Following graduation, Rudy continued his marching career with Élan Percussion in 2018 and 2019 and with the Watchmen Drum and Bugle Corps in the summer of 2018. He also had the privilege of performing as a guest with Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps in the 2019 Rose Parade.
In addition to performing, Rudy began developing his educational career by teaching Sonora High School’s fall and winter drumline programs alongside his peers and currently serves as the primary battery instructor. He also served as a tenor instructor for the Brea Olinda Winter Drumline in 2018.
Rudy currently works as an Emergency Medical Technician in the San Gabriel Valley and Santa Fe Springs areas. He is passionate about advancing his career in Emergency Medical Services while continuing his dedication to music education.
Woodwind Coach
Justin Francis
Justin Francis serves as Woodwind Coach for the Raider Regiment, bringing more than 25 years of experience as a music educator, conductor, composer, and performer. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from California State University, Fullerton, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music from Azusa Pacific University.
Mr. Francis began his musical journey at a young age, studying classical piano, where he discovered his love for writing music. At the age of 10, his original compositions were winning national competitions and local showcases. While performing in choirs, musicals, and piano ensembles, he began to explore the alto saxophone, and his passion for woodwind studies quickly emerged. His training continued with Ernie Del Fante in jazz saxophone and later with James Rotter, first-call saxophonist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. As his high school career unfolded, he served as Drum Major for the La Mirada High School Marching Band, where he was given the John Philip Sousa award. During his collegiate journey, he received the Presidential Scholarship at Cal State Fullerton, where he studied composition, conducting, and music technology.
Throughout his career, Mr. Francis has directed award-winning choirs and orchestras, leading performances at Disneyland, Angel Stadium, houses of worship, fundraising events, schools, and benefit concerts. His professional work has also included roles as a studio musician, producer, engineer, recording artist, and composer for commercials, trailers, and film media. His compositions have debuted both locally and abroad and can be found on all major streaming platforms.
In addition to his role at Sonora High School, Mr. Francis teaches Instrumental Music and Music Production in the Los Nietos School District, where he has been responsible for designing and building the district-wide Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program for all K–8 students. He also maintains a recording studio business in La Habra, CA, along with an active private studio, teaching lessons in saxophone, piano, guitar, and voice.
As a dedicated woodwind specialist, Mr. Francis focuses on tone production, technique, and musical expression while helping students develop confidence and ensemble skills. He lives in Whittier with his wife, Lisa, and their four children and is honored to serve the Sonora Raider Regiment Band program.
Brass Coach
Bernie Parsons
Mr. Parsons has extensive experience as a performer and teacher. He studied privately with several master brass teachers – notably world renowned Harold Mitchell and Claude Gordon. Studying at Fullerton – Cornell University.
Front Ensemble Coach
Ryan Choe
Ryan Choe is a Sonora alumni who attended as part of the class of 2017. He has since gone to attend schools at Cal State Long Beach, Fullerton College, and most recently Cal State Fullerton in pursuit of a degree in Business Accounting.
Ryan has been involved in music since 2004 and has been apart of the program since 2013. Be has performed in groups such as Incognito, Cal State Long Beach Concert band, and Fullerton College Percussion Ensemble. Aside from our program, he has coached at Brea Olinda High School, Tesoro High School, and is also currently coaching at Fullerton Union High School.
Ryan hopes to fulfill a mentorship role with his students learning keyboards beyond the regular curriculum, an opportunity he never had in his high school career. His goal is to improve his student’s music literacy and technical skills while developing student leadership skills alongside Jerome Diebolt, Rodolfo Lizardo, and Melissa Perez.
Outside of class, he enjoys a plethora of hobbies like specialty coffee and is always eager to learn what the world of coffee can offer from brewing methods and techniques, sustainability, and weird coffee trivia and trends.
Past Band Directors
| Fall 2001 – Spring 2002: | Ray Rust |
| Fall 1993 – Spring 2001: | Mike Pergola |
| Fall 1990 – Spring 1993: | Mark Taber |
| Fall 1982 – Spring 1990: | Rae Boeving |
| Fall 1975 – Spring 1982: | Nick Papageorge |
| Fall 1972 – Spring 1975: | Larry Triplett |
| Fall 1966 – Spring 1972: | Jack Watkins |