Meet the Team

Martin Diaz

BAND DIRECTOR

Martin Diaz is proud to serve as the new Band Director at Centennial High School. A French horn player and Bakersfield-area musician, Mr. Diaz earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from California State University, Bakersfield and is fully certified in the Kodály music education method.

Mr. Diaz began his teaching career working with students at both the elementary and middle school levels. At the elementary level, he taught general music classes and choir, helping students develop foundational skills in singing, movement, music literacy, and performance. At the middle school level, he directed concert bands and jazz band, guiding young musicians as they developed their instrumental technique, ensemble skills, confidence, and love of music.

Throughout his career, Mr. Diaz has also coached and worked with music programs across the Bakersfield community. He brings extensive experience in marching band, indoor percussion, concert band, and jazz band. As a versatile musician, he has participated in every major type of school ensemble, including band, orchestra, and choir, giving him a broad and well-rounded perspective on music education and ensemble performance.

His performance experience includes playing with the Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra, Bakersfield Winds, Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra, and Kings Symphony Orchestra. As a vocalist, he has performed with the Bakersfield Master Chorale and the Bakersfield College Chamber Singers.

Highlights of Mr. Diaz’s musical career include performing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and touring internationally through Vienna, Prague, and Berlin. He is excited to bring his experience, passion for music, and commitment to student growth to the Centennial High School music program. Mr. Diaz looks forward to building a culture of excellence, musicianship, teamwork, and pride with the Centennial Marching Hawks.


  • Kody Hernandez

    COLOR GUARD CAPTION HEAD

    Kody is an alumni from CHS and is starting his 18th 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.

  • Crispin Mendoza

    PERCUSSION CAPTION HEAD

    Crispin Mendoza graduated from East Bakersfield High School then went on to march bassdrum for 3 seasons at Golden Empire Drum & Bugle Corps(DCI) and 3 seasons at Bakersfield College Drumline(WGI). Coaching career includes East Bakersfield HS since 2015, Centennial HS since 2021, Bakersfield College & Golden Empire since 2023.

  • 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.

  • JANE MABERRY

    FRONT ENSEMBLE TECH

  • JACKSON 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.

  • DAVID BEASON

    BATTERY TECH

    David is our newest battery coach, specializing in marching snare drum. Originally from Tulare, CA, David has worked with Mission Oak and Tulare Union since 2022. His marching career includes Golden Empire Drum & Bugle Corps ('22-'24), Bakersfield College Drumline ('23-'24), and Red Wave Indoor in Fresno, CA ('25). Along with joining our staff in 2025, David is attending CSU Bakersfield, pursuing a degree in Liberal Studies with the goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.  


  • TYLER HART

    BETTERY TECH

  • DANIEL ROBERTS

    FRONT ENSEMLE TECH

  • KATELYNE DEFRISCO

    COLOR GUARD INSTRUCTOR

    I have been involved in colorguard for 8 years and started when I was in middle school. I have marched

    I-Squared, Icon winterguard, and am a Centennial alumni. I have coached at East Bakersfield for 2 years and starting my first year as a coach at Centennial.