Kevin Gallagher
Kevin Gallagher is currently the director of Bands at Aragon High school. After graduating high school from Aragon under the direction of Mike Galisatus, Kevin attended California State University Fresno and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music education. During his tenure at CSUF, Mr. Gallagher had the honor of studying with Dr. Lawrence Sutherland, Dr. James Miley, Paul Shaghoian, Dr. Gary Gilroy and many others. Of the 19 years of teaching he spent twelve years teaching at Hillsdale High before moving to Aragon High school. As a professional trombonist and percussionist, Mr.Gallagher currently gives lessons to private students and has performed with artists such as: Kim Richmond, The Fresno Philharmonic, Kenny Rogers, Bobby Shew, Maynard Ferguson, Moonlight Jazz Quartet and many others. In addition to teaching at Aragon, Kevin has been a professor at the College of San Mateo for the last eighteen years with seven of those directing the Symphonic Band program.
John Chen
John Chen maintains a rigorous schedule as Orchestra and Choir Director at Aragon High School and Choir Director at Menlo College, where he leads vibrant and successful music programs. In addition to his work as a high school music director, he is an active vocalist, collaborative pianist, and conductor, balancing a busy career as a vocal coach, orchestral and choral conductor, presenter, and clinician.
Mr. Chen’s musical education includes studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy and the Aspen Music Festival, where he specialized in organ, harpsichord, and classical voice. His ensembles and soloists consistently earn high placements and ratings at festivals and competitions under his direction.
He holds a B.M.E. from San Francisco State University with dual concentrations in voice and piano, a Kodály Certification from Holy Names University, an M.A.Ed. from Notre Dame de Namur University, and both a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies and an M.M. in Conducting from Messiah University. Mr. Chen has taught at both the K–12 and collegiate levels, has directed more than 50 musicals and operettas, is an active member of ASTA, NATS, CODA, TODA, and TCDA, and in 2023 was included in Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide.