Steven Hendee-Bio

Steven Hendee is currently the Director of Bands at Castro Valley High School. Prior he served 12 years as the Director of Bands at San Francisco Unified School District’s School of the Arts (SOTA), 6 years in the same position at Hayward High School. In addition he held positions in Oakland Unified and briefly left teaching to become an education consultant for Byron Hoyt Music Company.

Mr. Hendee teaching duties at SOTA include: Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Music Theory, Ear Training and a Survey of Music History. Each Spring he is responsible for auditioning and admitting students into the wind and percussion program, listening to over 100 auditions for just 20 openings. In addition, he is SOTA’s Technology Coordinator, assisting teachers and students in the implementation of technology in both artistic and academic aspects. He has the unenviable position of being both a “band geek” and a “computer geek”

Working closely with the Bay Area professional music community, Mr. Hendee is responsible for helping to coordinating the departments unique Artist in Residence program, a collaboration between SOTA and some 20 professional musicians. Students are given the opportunity to receive coaching and mentoring from some of the best musicians in the Bay Area, including many who perform with the San Francisco Symphony, Ballet and Opera Orchestras. In addition Mr. Hendee has enriched the school’s music curriculum by introducing seminars in World Music, Music Technology and Career Paths in Music. In 2010 Mr. Hendee established the SOTA Guitar program and in 2012 a World Music Program he additionally established a World Music program.

Outside of the classroom Steve is an active member of the California Music Education Association both at the State and Regional (Bay Section) levels. He is currently the CMEA Bay Section Past President (President 2010-2012) In addition for Bay Section he has served as their Public Relations coordinator, Webmaster, Assistant Area Rep, Solo and Ensemble Host and Large Group Host. At the state level he served as the CMEA Music Technology Representative, playing an active role in the selection of presenters at the annual CMEA Professional Development Conference. In addition he has been a guest conductor honor bands through out California including San Luis Obispo County, Fremont Unified School District and San Francisco Unified. Mr. Hendee has also been on the staff of Hayward La Honda music camp as their Senior Symphonic Band Director and has directed Middle School and Junior High School Bands at the Cazadero Performing Arts Camp.

Mr. Hendee received his bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from California State University, Hayward where he studied with Tim Smith, Dave Eshelman, Jay Rizzetto, and Marv Nelson. Steve is indebted to many of his colleagues who have influenced and guided him over the years, especially Norman Dea (Las Lomas High School), Jerry Pannone(SOTA), Don Kruse (Fremont Unified School District). Mr. Hendee is a trained BTSA (Beginning Teacher Support and Assesment) provider who is committed to helping those who are new to our profession. When not being a band director he enjoys spending time with his wife Sharon and two daughters, Emiko and Kimiye. Steven can be reached at stevenhendee@yahoo.com