Band & Color Guard Staff

Eric Samson

Director of

Instrumental Music

 

Band Office: 714-986-7588
Contact: esamson@pylusd.org

Mr. Samson is Director of Instrumental Music at El Dorado High School.  He previously served three years as Assistant Director and prior to that as percussion instructor and writer. His present duties include Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic and Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble and Jazz Band.  In 2003, Eric was a participant of the Henry Mancini Institute (HMI) and performed with the HMI Orchestra until operations ceased in 2006.  While performing with HMI, he had the opportunity to share the stage with artists such as Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Michael Buble and Bill Cunliffe.  Eric continues to be in demand as a freelance percussionist, percussion arranger, and performs regularly with his own Latin jazz band, Indigenous Soul.Mr.

Mark Irons

Assistant Band Director

and Orchestra Director 

 

Contact: mirons@pylusd.org

 

Background Info….

Angela Tousley

Color Guard Director  

Contact: colorguard@eldoradoband.com

Background Info….

Darren Van Derpoel

Marching Percussion Captain Head, Battery Arranger

Contact: dvanderpoel@pylusd.org

Darren Van Derpoel resides in Diamond Bar, CA and works throughout Southern California as a music educator. After graduating from Vista HS in 2005, he went on to perform with Esperanza Drum and Bugle Corps, Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps, Black Knights Indoor Percussion, Riverside Community College Marching Band, and RCC Indoor. Darren earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Management from Cal Poly Pomona in 2013.  He currently serves as the co-director and performing member of Sidle Entertainment, who provide performing ensembles for special events and sports teams, such as Los Angles Clippers and the Los Angeles Chargers.  Darren has been an active percussion instructor in Southern California since 2005, working with several high schools and independent groups.  In addition to El Dorado, he is the Caption Head Battery Arranger for the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps and the Battery Arranger for Dark Sky Percussion. He also currently teaches at Diamond Bar HS, Nogales HS, and Ayala HS.  Darren proudly uses Remo Drumheads and Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets.

Percussion:  Sean Gordon  sgordon@pylusd.org

*Front Ensemble Instructor: Kailani Grider
*Battery Tech: 
*Visual Instructor: Noah Weule
*Field Show Music: Key Poulan
*Drill Design: Steven Etudillo
*Color Guard: Jen Guldner
*Color Guard: Rosie Queen