Performing Arts

The Performing Arts Department of Leigh High School provides a wide variety of performing arts educational experiences for Leigh’s students. Students have opportunities to perform in instrumental and vocal music ensembles, marching ensembles, plays, musicals, and to learn about technical theater. Many performing arts ensembles and individual performing arts students from Leigh win awards in local and state-wide competitions. Our performing arts programs are some of the largest on campus, serving more than 400 students.

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Performing Arts Staff

Alex Christensen serves as Director of Music and as Performing Arts Department Chair at Leigh High School in San Jose, California, where he is in his 10th year teaching Instrumental Music. Mr. Christensen directs Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensembles, Marching Band, Winter Percussion, and Winter Guard, at Leigh High School.

In summer of 2013, Mr. Christensen served on brass staff for the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. In summer of 2015, Vanguard Cadets won Drum Corps International’s Open Class Championship as well as the High Brass Title, with Mr. Christensen as Brass Caption Head.

Mr. Christensen completed his Undergraduate Studies in Music Education Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff, Arizona. His professors of greatest influence have included Dr. Nicholas Ross, Dr. Edith Copley, Mr. Joel DiBartolo, Mr. David Vining. Mr. Christensen recently completed his Masters Degree in Music Education with the American Band College and Central Washington University.

Jonathan Yani is a graduate of San Jose State University with a Bachelor of the Arts in Technical Theater, and a Minor in English Literature. He has always enjoyed tinkering and figuring out how to make things / how things work. After working as an extra-curricular coach he decided to pursue his credential to be able to work with the passionate youth at Leigh.

He finds himself drawn to the dark side of theater. He's passionate about set design, and costuming. His greatest source of pride are his students that have decided to pursue theater post-graduation from Leigh.

He has recently also taken on teaching Project Lead The Way:Introduction To Design PLTW:ID He enjoys the challenge taking on a new curriculum comes with, especially as he spearheaded the initiative allowing it to receive both CTE and Visual Arts credit.

Alexander Christensen Music, Dept. Chair

achristensen@cuhsd.org
Jonathan Yani Theater

jyani@cuhsd.org
Maria Griswold English/Theater

mgriswold@cuhsd.org

Performing Arts Parent Association (PAPA)

Leigh High School Performing Arts Parents Association (PAPA) seeks to foster and promote an enthusiastic interest in the Performing Arts at Leigh and throughout the community. This parent organization strives to develop communications and relationships among Leigh High School staff, PAPA members, and the wider Leigh High School community.

PAPA is a completely volunteer run organization, supporting all of the performing arts students, teachers, staff and organizations at Leigh High School. PAPA provides a framework for parent and community support, both financially and operationally, for the Performing Arts at Leigh High School.