Corey Heddon, Music Director
Corey Heddon grew up in Lakewood, California. He began studying music at the age of five when he began playing the piano. Throughout high school, he played several instruments in the school’s marching band – finding his niche with brass instruments. His affinity for marching band led him to drum and bugle corps where he marched in the Santa Clara Vanguard A Corps from 2004-2005. During his age out year in 2005, he was the Baritone section leader and won the DCI Individual and Ensemble competition in the Solo Baritone category. He has since been active as a visual instructor, show designer, and brass specialist in several Southern California schools. Mr. Heddon was on the instructional staff for the Santa Clara Vanguard for the 2009 season as their baritone technician.
Mr. Heddon received his Bachelor’s of Music Education from California State University, Long Beach. At CSULB, he was a member of the musicians’ fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Currently, he is the Instrumental Music Director at University High School in Irvine, California. He is constantly looking for the opportunity to continue his education and to spread his joy and passion for music to all of those he teaches. He and his wife Melissa reside in Irvine, California.
Grace Lee, Music Director
Grace Lee grew up in Los Alamitos, California. Her mother knew right away that she had a natural talent in music when she overheard her playing the piano at the age of 3. She had the innate ability to play music by ear and was able to perform Mendelssohn’s Wedding March on the piano after overhearing it at her cousin’s wedding. By the age of 6, Ms. Lee began to study the violin and soon entered into various competitions offered by the state. By the age of 10, Ms. Lee had won top places in ASTA, SYMF, CM Panel, and various other competitions in Southern California, and was featured in the Korean Times as the Korean Music Festival grand prize winner. Ms. Lee was the youngest member of both OCYSO and PSYO ensembles when she was in elementary and middle school. As a freshman, she was awarded “Most Promising Musician” from Orange County High School of the Arts.
Ms. Lee received her Bachelor’s in Music Performance, specializing in Violin, from UC Irvine. She studied with renowned violinist, Harotune Bedelian, and was offered a music scholarship and also served as an Arts Bridge Scholar. Ms. Lee graduated as a Rawlins Scholar, and with honors for high musical achievements. She continued her studies and received her Masters in Teaching and music credential from UC Irvine. Ms. Lee is thrilled to be teaching at Uni, and hopes to share her love of music and inspire students to be the best they can be.
Additional staff:
Drumline: Michael Woo
Color Guard: Lauren Gary
Music: Christopher Rountree
Pit Caption Head: Jack Mizutani
Visual Caption Head: Bobby Frey
Visual Coach: Dolfo Picanto
Former Staff Members
Jennifer Gohn – Music Director (2008-2010)
Melissa Heddon – Color Guard Instructor (2008-2009)
Brandon Johnson – Music Director (2006-2008)
Kim Jarvis – Color Guard Instructor (left in 2008)
Gayle Bentley – Music Director (2002-2007)
Jeff Austerman – Marching Band Director (2004-2006)
Peter Fournier – Music Director (left in 2002)