At the Mandarins, our core belief is that music education contributes greatly to the mental and social development of children. The mission of the Mandarins Music Academy is to “Give the Gift of Music” to as many children as possible in an equitable way. Music education and performance provide an emotional outlet of expression for the children that are needed more than ever.
The Mandarins Music Academy began in 2016. While many were advocating for music education at the state and federal level, the Mandarins took a more grass roots, entrepreneurial approach. Just start up band programs and help them grow. So we began with one cute little elementary school program with 11 students at Ehrhardt Elementary School in the Elk Grove Unified School District. The program doubled in the number of schools and children served every year… until COVID hit. We are pleased to partner with the Elk Grove Unified School District to support band programs at all 43 elementary schools. As the program expands, we are excited to provide music education to over 1,200 students (over a hundred times more students than when we began!).
Every student receives a Mandarins Music Academy t-shirt that they can wear for rehearsals or as a performance uniform.
The class is taught by a Mandarins Music Academy Music Director. They are responsible for teaching two one-hour sessions per week either before or after school. The Music Director is supported by our Music Advisors. These MA’s have an average of 30 years experience teaching in the classroom. They provide feedback and coaching on how the music directors can increase their effectiveness in the classroom.
MMA Black Belt Method
 Karate Belt - 1st Degree |  Karate Belt - 2nd Degree |  Karate Belt - 3rd Degree |
|---|---|---|
 Karate Belt - 4th Degree |
Music Academy Faculty
Program Director
Martin Bua
Martin Bua brings a wealth of knowledge to the Mandarins Music Academy. He has fulfilled nearly countless roles as a musical jack-of-all-trades, starting with piano at age five and clarinet at age eleven. Since then, he has learned many instruments and joined a variety of ensembles, from small woodwind quintets and flute choirs, to large wind symphonies and symphony orchestras. He was most recently the principal clarinet for the Österreichchor, traveling to Vienna to perform Mendelssohn's Elias. While he was there, he also joined the Bogenhofen Bläserchor as first horn. He has toured internationally not only as an instrumentalist, but also as a vocal soloist and choir member. To round out his musical experience, he co-led his university's drumline, Knightline, on tenors.
Assistant Program Director
Alyssa Gonzales
TBD
Music Advisor Director
Jim Mazzaferro
Jim Mazzaferro is the MMA Music Advisor Director. Jim has been involved with the MMA since its inception in 2016. He has helped to create the curriculum and to recruit and coach MMA Music Directors. Jim is one of the most sought-after music educators with over 40 years of experience as an award-winning educator, clinician, adjudicator and conductor. In this expanded role he will be overseeing our Music Advisors, who are some of the most experienced music educators in our Sacramento region. Jim retired in 2016 as the director of instrumental music at Sheldon High School, located in the Elk Grove Unified School District. Jim currently serves a Music Supervisor for CSU Sacramento. His 40 plus year teaching career has also included Archbishop Riordan High School (San Francisco), Florin High School, Sacramento City College, and Cosumes River College, where he was the Orchestra Director for over 20 years. Jim was the Camp Director/Artistic Director of Cazadero Music Camp, a summer music camp for musicians in grades five through high school from 2001 - 2021. Born and raised in San Francisco, Mazzaferro attended Lowell High School, playing in the school’s Concert Band and Orchestra. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from San Francisco State University, playing in the Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. Edwin C. Kruth, and served as Principal Bassist in the University Symphony under the direction of Lazlo Varga. Mazzaferro received his Masters degree in Instrumental Conducting from California State University, Sacramento, studying conducting under Dr. Robert Halseth. Mazzaferro has also studied conducting with Frederick Fennell, Jack Stamp, Allan McMurray, and Eugene Corporon. Jim is a multiple recipient of “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers”. Mazzaferro was named 2005 Teacher of the Year in the Elk Grove Unified School District and in 2009 named as a Crystal Apple recipient as an outstanding educator in the EGUSD by LDS students from Sheldon High School. In 2009, Jim was recognized by the Sacramento Area Theater Association with an “Elly” Award for his musical direction of Sheldon’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie.” In 2012 Jim was one of eight High School Band Directors in the country that were named a Bandworld Legion of Honor Lauerate by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Lauerates are recognized for maintaining a high quality concert band program and have contributed significantly to the profession through dedication to bands and band music. In 2013 Jim was recognized by the California Music Educators Association as the recipient of the Byron Hoyt/Don Schmeer Outstanding Music Educator Award. In 2015 Jim conducted the California Band Directors Association All State Junior High Concert Band at the California State Music Educators (CASMEC) State Conference in Fresno. In the 2015-2016 school year Jim was named ABC NEWS10 (Sacramento) Teacher of the Month, as well as being recognized as the CMEA Capitol Section Music Educator of the Year. The Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation has established a perpetual scholarship in his name for EGUSD students wishing to pursue a career in music and/or music education. In February 2017 Jim received the CMEA Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award at their annual state conference in San Jose. In 2018 Jim guest conducted the John F. Kennedy Middle School Orchestra (Cupertino) in their performance at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. Jim continues to guest conduct and clinic groups throughout California.
Special Needs Outreach
Beginning in the Fall of 2023, the Sacramento Mandarins Music Academy has been offering a general music class to students with special needs. The school is called the Jessie Baker School and is part of the Elk Grove Unified School District, the largest district in Northern California. There are approximately 160 students, ranging from 5 to 22 years old.
This program was started by Jim Tabuchi, who was at the time the President and CEO of the Sacramento Mandarins. Their mission is to "Transform Lives through Performing Arts". This is just one of the ways that the Mandarins achieve their mission. The idea behind this program is to give the gift of music by providing access to music and to focus on their abilities, rather than their disabilities. This idea was presented to Jennifer Wilbanks, EGUSD Director of Instructional Support, and she immediately agreed to the program.
Mandarins Music Academy FAQ
MMA Music Director Positions Available
The Mandarins Music Academy is actively recruiting Music Directors to teach these elementary school programs. We are seeking music educators and musicians who are interested in a rewarding job giving the gift of music to the next generation of musicians.
Apply online with the MMA Music Director Application Form here.