Location: Mayfair High School, Lakewood, CA

Thomas W. Philips
Director of Instrumental Music
Cell: 562-212-BAND (2263)

Thomas Philips, originally from Levittown, New York moved to Cerritos, California in 1970.  He later moved to Norwalk and began learning the trumpet in the 6^th grade.  With the help of his musical father, Thomas continued through high school and later earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education from California State University, Fullerton.  He came back to the area as the band director at Norwalk HS from 1989 to 1997. While at Norwalk HS, he was honored as “Teacher of the Year” in 1992 and 1996. He then accepted a position at Nogales HS in La Puente. In 2000, he was called home to Lakewood (where he lives) to teach at Mayfair High School.  In 2006, he was honored as the Bellflower USD “Teacher of the Year.” Professionally, he was the conductor of the Norwalk All City Youth Band from 2007 to 2011 and the director of the marching band at Azusa Pacific University from 2010 to 2015.  Along with the orchestras and bands at Mayfair, Mr. Philips plays his trumpet as much as possible and loves to sing in his church choir with his wife of 34 years, Kimberly. Mr. Philips also has two daughters, Alexis and Courtney and became a grandfather to Wyatt in summer of 2019!

Mr Philips is joined by a wonderful, talented and hard-working staff:
Nathan Banegas – Assistant Band Director/Visual Director
Melanie Barnett – Visual instructor/Drum Major Coach
Malika Bookout – Color Guard Instructor
Griselda Gonzalez – Color Guard Director
Harry Hutchins – Drum line Instructor/ Music Arranger
Nico Mendoza – Front Ensemble Instructor/Music Arranger
Evan Rathe – Woodwind Instructor
Jacob Tortorete – Color Guard Instructor
Chris Vieng – Visual Instructor
Miguel Sahagun – Brass Instructor
Nikki Baker – Office Assistant