Nathan Phung
Director of Instrumental Music + Digital Music Production/Guitar Teacher
Nathan Phung has been an active music educator, performer, composer/arranger, and songwriter since his graduation from high school in 2009. Prior to his arrival at Cajon High School in 2015, Mr. Phung completed his student teaching at Huntington Beach High School, where he assisted the prestigious Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts’ Orchestral and Media, Multimedia, and Entertainment Technology Departments under the guidance of distinguished band and orchestra teacher Gregg Gilboe and Apple Distinguished Educator Jamie Knight, respectively. Mr. Phung was actively teaching while completing his studies at CSU Long Beach, coaching marching percussion, brass, and marching/movement at various high schools and maintaining a studio of private piano students.
Mr. Phung graduated from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach with a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education and Piano Performance in 2013, completed his credential coursework at the same institution in 2015, and is currently a candidate for the Master’s in Arts in Music Education. His research interests are in popular music education, culturally relevant pedagogy in music education, and social justice issues in music education. In 2015, Mr. Phung was named Outstanding Music Education Student at the Bob Cole Conservatory. Mr. Phung is an alumnus of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia men’s music fraternity. He is also a registered songwriter and composer with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI).
As a performer, Mr. Phung has a career as a multi-instrumentalist that covers a wide swath of music including classical, jazz, ska/reggae, and punk rock. He has performed with an eclectic collection of musical ensembles including the Bob Cole Conservatory University Symphony Orchestra, East Los Angeles College Latin Jazz Ensemble, LiveSka All-Stars, Isolated Victims, The Swingin’ Eight Balls, The Maxies, Odd Robot, Half Past Two, Bad Manners, Yorktown Lads, and many more projects and ensembles. In addition to ensemble work, Mr. Phung has worked as a freelance collaborative pianist and accompanist, accepting chamber and solo accompaniment assignments as well as pit orchestra assignments for musical theater. He is an active singer-songwriter and composer/arranger; arrangement projects include various pieces of pep music for the Cajon High School pep/marching band, a 20-hands piano ensemble arrangement of Liszt’s Grand Galop Chromatique, and and various marching percussion cadences and battery arrangements. In current years, he arranges the wind books for Cajon High School’s Gold Star Regiment Marching Band. He currently plays the keyboards and sings background vocals for Odd Robot (Wiretap Records), The Maxies (Rock Ridge Music), Poindexter (Ska Punk International), and Annalies Tang (Ska Punk International). He also writes, performs, and produces for his songwriting project Nate Funk with two Cajon alumni, Logan Barton and Justyn Snowden.
Mr. Phung brings a philosophy of shaping lifelong appreciators, performers, and creators of music through practical teaching that connects music to life and society.
Matthew Thomas
Director of Vocal and Modern Music + Guitar/IB Music Teacher
Matthew Thomas is a seasoned educator with a passion for music education. With 19 years of teaching experience under his belt, Mr. Thomas has become a pillar of the Cajon High School community. He has dedicated his career to nurturing musical talent, having taught choir, IB music, guitar, and rock band classes. Matthew’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the classroom as he regularly leads his students to compete at choral festivals across California and actively engages in local music events. His leadership has not only enriched the lives of his students but has also fostered a thriving music culture within the school.
Looking ahead, Mr. Thomas is thrilled to continue his journey of shaping young minds and fostering a love for music. With unwavering enthusiasm, he eagerly anticipates the opportunity to welcome incoming students into the vibrant musical programs at Cajon High School. Through his dedication and guidance, Mr. Thomas aims to empower students to discover their musical potential, fostering a supportive environment where creativity flourishes. He is committed to building upon the success of the existing programs, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to explore and excel in the world of music.
Jeffrey Batiste
Colorguard Caption Head
Jeffrey Batiste is a performer, colorguard educator, and choreographer based in Southern California. With 9 years of performance experience (6 years on trumpet and 3 years in colorguard), Jeffrey provides excellent perspective for young performers new to the colorguard activity. In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys doing nails and playing video games.
Dylan Munger
Percussion Caption Head/Front Ensemble Instructor
Ephraim Tupe
Battery Instructor
Cajon High School Instrumental Music 