Mary Kay Altizer serves as the Performing Arts Department Chair and Director of the Institute of Arts and Innovation at Oaks Christian School. Additionally, Mary Kay conducts the Orchestra, leads the Songwriting program, and is a staff writer, arranger, and composer. Mary Kay has performed in many musical arenas throughout her career, from symphony pianist to studio musician. She received a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music, a Professional Certification in Music Recording and Production from Berklee College of Music, certifications in Logic Pro X and Pro Tools, and holds a Master of Arts in Educational Technology from Azusa Pacific University. Mary Kay has been teaching at Oaks Christian since 2000 and is a recipient of the Atsinger Award for Teaching Excellence, naming her “Teacher of the Year.” She was also honored in 2018 with a "Distinguished Alumni Award" for Innovation in Education by the Graduate School of Education at Azusa Pacific University, recognizing her work in spearheading international music collaborations with OCS and music schools across Sweden.
Naomi Mandojana joined the Oaks Christian Performing Arts Department in 2017 as the Director of Middle School Orchestras. A Wisconsin native, Naomi studied violin, viola, flute, and voice during her formative years. She continued to study viola at the Conservatory of Music Lawrence University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in K-12 Instrumental Music Education. Naomi has served in several capacities as an instrumental music educator in both public school and private studio settings across the country. In addition to directing string orchestras, she has taught band, choir, guitar, and piano. Her diverse experience lends a unique perspective when preparing students to play in the orchestra, chamber, or eclectic ensembles. She is passionate about string pedagogy and helping students discover the beauty of resonant tone and mindfulness in music. She loves to engage students in ways that will empower them to explore their musical interests, strives for excellence, and serve others with their talents. Naomi is a standing member of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and a registered violin and viola teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA)
