09/21/2026
Music Education News:
Music education alumni are making a difference in the schools. Vanessa Gates (BA, 2021; Credential, 2022) is beginning her 5th year in the field, teaching TK–8 music (including piano, theory, choir, and ukulele). She continues to use her vocal skills in musicals with Stockton Civic Theatre and in the Zion Pops Choir. Ricardo Garcia (BA 2022, Credential, 2023) recently received tenure in the Castro Valley Unified School District. Ricardo has taught general music, band, strings, and choir in his time with CVUSD and, in his words, “I’ve done it all!”
Other CSUEB alumni are making a difference beyond the classroom. After serving as choir director at De Anza High School from 2017–2026, Stephanie Álvarez (MA, 2018 in Choral Music; Credential, 2019) is presently serving as Program Manager for Schools and Neighborhood Partnerships at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in Richmond.
Dr. John Eros (Coordinator of Music Education) will present a paper at the 2026 NAfME National Music Research and Teacher Education Conference in Long Beach, with Dr. Jenny Gee of San Diego State University. Their paper is entitled "K-12 Music Teachers’ Self-Efficacy for Classroom Management.” Dr. Eros was also recently interviewed by a local newspaper on the topic of renewed interest in CDs among teenagers.
Visit https://www.csueastbay.edu/music/prospective/music-ed.html for more information on Music Education at CSUEB.
