Valencia High School Win Next Generation Jazz Festival

 Valencia High School Vocal Jazz Two N’ Four Vocal Jazz Ensemble received first place out of the nation to be awarded a spot and asked to perform at the 2018 Monterey Jazz Festival. The festival will feature guest artists like Norah Jones, Dianne Reeves, as well as many more. Two N’ Four will perform on Sunday, September 23 at 12:45 p.m. Please contact Christine Tavares-Mocha for more specifics at cmocha@hartdistrict.org.
Students performing in their September Encore show include: Kelley Fredrickson, Jaden Lewis, Clay Elias Riche, Henry Anderson, Yonghee Shin, Maddie Miller, Alexia Vincent, Calvin Kim, James Evans, Danna Dumandan, Chris Gilbert, Zachary Miranda, Sophia Bellefeuille, Kenneth Borchart, Matthew Ahn, and Therese Masangcay.
Valencia Vocal Jazz Ensemble has received seven Downbeat Awards, including the 2018 Winner of “Top High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble” (tying for a second time in this top honor with Folsom Jazz Choir). In March 2017, Valencia Choir traveled to New York City to sing at Carnegie Hall and this year will travel to Greece and Italy to sing at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican. Valencia Vocal Jazz Two N’ Four received First Place in the Fullerton Jazz Festival and Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey. They are most excited about hearing great music at MJF61 and are thrilled and honored to perform at the 61st Monterey Jazz Festival.
Valencia Choir is directed by Christine Tavares-Mocha. The Choir Program has over 200 students within their six choirs. They are a public high school choir and survive on 100 percent fundraising, around 40 fundraisers a year. Christine Tavares-Mocha has been the choir director for 16 years. In her spare time, she loves nothing more than to spend time with her three-year old son Jackson, one-year old baby Cole, and husband, Scott.