Staff

Emily Davis
Director of Instrumental Music

Emily Davis is a passionate music educator with diverse experiences in K-12 classrooms. She has taught K-5 General Music at multiple school sites in Redlands, reaching thousands of students in just a few years of teaching. Ms. Davis was also the Assistant Marching Band Director at Citrus Valley High School, fulfilling many different responsibilities throughout her time there.

Ms. Davis graduated from the University of Redlands with a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a Master’s in Teaching and Learning. She focused her research on inclusive and adaptive practices for disabled students in the music classroom, believing music is for anyone regardless of background. Ms. Davis is also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, connecting her with many distinguished music educators in the San Bernardino area and abroad.

Outside of teaching, Ms. Davis continues to enjoy finding opportunities to learn and play music. She currently performs in various community ensembles in Redlands and Loma Linda, including the First Congregational Church of Redlands Choir and Handbell Choir and Loma Linda University Brass Ensemble. Primarily a euphonium player, Ms. Davis also enjoys developing skills outside of her comfort zone, such as singing and learning handbells. She encourages her students to take risks in music and likes to set that example first hand, never backing down from learning something new even if it means making a few mistakes.

Nathan Phung
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 where he was appointed Director of Bands and Orchestras, 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 and currently serves as Province Governor of Province 22, covering the Southern California and Southern Nevada region. Mr. Phung currently serves as Vice President of Membership for San Bernardino County Music Educators Association. 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.

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