Band Director
Mr. Braisher graduated from California State University, Bakersfield in 2020 having studied horn performance with Mr. Melvin Baldwin and instrumental conducting with Dr. Leo Sakomoto. He graduated cum laude, was honored as the outstanding BA graduate in music, and was admitted into the Roadrunner Society (CSUB Hall of Fame) for his commitment to leadership, academic excellence, and community service. In 2021, Mr. Braisher completed his student teaching under the mentorship of Mr. Matt Ouska at Centennial High School whom he still receives guidance from to this day.
Mr. Braisher has previously taught band and orchestra at Sierra Middle School in the BCSD school district for 2 years. There, he reinvigorated the music program following the pandemic leading the group to a new standard of excellence. He was awarded the BCSD Excellence in Educaton award in 2023 for his achievements in equity by offering a high-quality musical experience to marginalized students. An in-demand horn player, Mr. Braisher can be seen performing in the elite CSUB Community Concert Band, the Bakersfield Municipal City Band, as well as in musical theater productions at Stars and Ovation Theater. Outside of music and teaching, he enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending time with his partner Andrea and his cats.
Mr. Braisher is excited to begin his new role as the Centennial band director and offer the same life-impacting experiences to his future students!
Dillon Braisher is a native Bakersfield music performer and educator who will be teaching band, orchestra, jazz, and percussion at Centennial High School. Mr. Braisher's journey in music began 17 years ago when he picked up the french horn in Norris Middle School's beginning band program. At Frontier High School, he performed under the direction of band director Mr. Douglas Kelley where his love and understanding of music was fostered. During this time, he also became more interested in the marching arts, performing with the Bay Area based Blue Devils B Drum and Bugle Corps in 2015 and in the world-championship winning 2016 corps. 2017 brought Mr. Braisher to Madison, Wisconsin where he performed with world class Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps as they toured most of America ending with a championship night placement.
Meet the team
Kody Hernandez - Color Guard Director
Kody is an alumni from CHS and is starting his 16th year coaching at Centennial. He has been involved in the marching arts since the third grade, and played saxophone for ten years before venturing into the guard activity. He has marched five years of independent winter guard, worked with many teams around Kern County, and led Centennial to many successes over the years.
Jonathan Hernandez - Color Guard Instructor
Jonathan is a Bakersfield native that graduated from South HS and is going on to his 8th year with the Marching Hawks. He has been involved in marching music/color guard most of his life and it commenced at Roosevelt Elementary. His marching experience includes South High School and various independent groups in Central CA. He continues to work with various programs in KC.
Crispin Mendoza - Percussion Caption Head
Crispin has been involved in marching music most of his life, his primary instrument being the bass drum. His marching experience includes East Bakersfield High School, Golden Empire Drum and Bugle Corps, and Bakersfield College Drumline. He has been an instructor at East High since 2015, Centennial since 2021, and Bakersfield College Drumline/Golden Empire since 2022-23 respectively.
Matthew Brock - Battery Tech
Matthew attended Beardsley Junior High, Liberty High, and Centennial High School. He has marched snare, played mallets and other various percussion instruments. He has been a percussion tech at Centennial High School since spring of 2023. He is currently enrolled at Bakersfield College and participates in both the jazz and concert bands.
Abigail Martinez - Front Ensemble Tech
Abigail has performed with The Golden Empire Drum and Bugle Corps in both 2022 and 2023. She also performed with BCDL in 2023. Abigail is from Shafter and attended Shafter High School. She is currently enrolled at CSUB and is a medical assistant. Not only is she a tech at Centennial High but she also helps out at both Shafter and West as well.
Jack Weiler - Front Ensemble Tech
Jack is a 20 year old student who marched with the Golden Empire Drum and Bugle Corps in 2021, 2022, and 2023.He also has been a part of the Bakersfield College Drumline in both 2022 and 2023. This is Jack’s second season working with the marching hawks front ensemble and his third year teaching pit percussion.
Joshua Dunbach - Visual Tech