Staff

Director

Peter Ye began teaching at Palisades Charter High School in 2022, where he directs the concert bands and marching band program. A Southern California native, he earned his B.A. in Music Education from UCLA as a percussionist, studying with Theresa Dimond and Gregory Goodall.

Visual Caption Head

Sean McDermott has been on the Pali Team for over 10 years.  He brings a unique vision to the Marching Band and Drumline shows that separate Pali from the pack by creating shows that are full of unexpected choreography and story telling.

Visual Technician

Thomas Kato is the band director Paul Revere Charter Middle School. 

Mr. Kato is a Pali Band alumni and received his B.A. in Music Education at UCLA as a French Horn player. Thomas is an award-winning performer and educator, performing with groups including the Sacramento Mandarins and Concord Blue Devils, and Pulse Percussion.

Color Guard Director

Allison Avina-Wyant is a Los Angeles-based color guard instructor and performer as well as an alumni of the Pali Band. Her associated ensembles include Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps, Diamante, Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps, and Icon Winter Guard.

Allison has been teaching both the Pali Band and the Samo Band for eight years. She also holds a B.A. in Fashion Design from CSU Long Beach and designs the color guard costumes every year.

Color Guard Technician

Ceasar Avina-Wyant is a director at Ocean View High School and Paramount High School, his alma mater, and a coach in various groups across Southern California. He has performed with the winter guards Infinity Winterguard and Diamante Independent World Winterguard, Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps, Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps, and Icon Winterguard. 

Ceasar received a certificate from CSULB for cyber security and will begin pursuing an AS from LACC as well. 

Battery Coordinator

Kiichi Okumura is a drumline instructor and performer based in Southern California. He has performed with various groups such as Pacific Crest, the Blue Stars, the Santa Clara Vanguard, POW Percussion, and currently Pulse Percussion

Front Ensemble Coordinator

Ken Thang is a drumline instructor and performer based in Southern California. He has performed with various groups such as Pacific Crest, Meraki, and Gold Drum and Bugle Corps. 

Currently, Ken is pursuing a B.M. in Percussion Performance at UCLA.

Woodwind Technician

Shannyn Sul is a Palisades Charter High School Alum and went on to earn her Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from UCLA, studying with Erin Bouriakov, Denis Bouriakov, and Ben Smolen. During her time there, she was also an active member of the UCLA drumline.