Meet the faculty who work hard to bring arts education to Christian Brothers and help our talented students shine.
Art History
Amy Neff
B.A. in Art History, Brigham Young University, M.A. in Education, UC Davis
Amy Teaches AP Art History at Christian Brothers. She also teaches FCP and CP World History II. In addition to academics, she moderates Lasallian Youth, attends Venaver and Kairos events and currently serves as the Grad Night Coordinator.
“I love the global nature of art and the AP Art History curriculum. All over the world and throughout time, people have created art. It is one of the things that unites us as humans. I think Art History is important in helping us understand and appreciate different peoples and cultures. Plus, examining a masterpiece of painting or sculpture in great depth and detail is a wonderful way to spend a class period!”
Choral
Christian Bohm
BA in Music and Italian, Brigham Young University
MBA in Arts Administration from Brigham Young University
“I have a great love for Christian Brothers, and am excited to return as Director of Choral Music. I look forward to building up the program through quality music and entertaining performances.”
Gaw Vang-Williams
B.M. In Jazz Studies and M.M. in Vocal Performance, CSU, Sacramento
Gaw teaches Vocal Jazz at Christian Brothers and conducts CB City Rythm, our Vocal Jazz ensemble. She has taught at VAPAC (Visual and Performing Arts Charter), C.K. McClatchy, Folsom High School, Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, and Sierra College. She has been the Director of Vocal Jazz Ensembles at CSU, Sacramento since 2014. Under her direction, Sac State Vocal Jazz has taken 7 Downbeat Magazine student awards, and first place college ensemble at the 2016 and 2017 at the Next Generation Monterey Jazz Festival.
“I love teaching because it is worthwhile to see my students succeed in something they work really hard for. I believe that every student has their own unique way of learning music and I am excited to take that journey with them.”
Instrumental
Travis Maslen
B. A. of Music from CSU, Sacramento, M.A. in Theory in Composition in progress at CSU, Sacramento
Travis teaches all instrumental courses at Christian Brothers, including Beginning Band, Concert Band, Honors Band, String Ensemble and Jazz Band. He leads the Drumline and Jam Band at CB sporting events. He is also the moderator of the Ukulele Club, and the Orchestra Director for CB Musicals. Away from Christian Brothers, Travis conducts Tuba Christmas, an event that features over 150 tuba and euphonium players from across Northern California.
“I’m obsessed with music. Whether at the school or at home, I’m always playing and writing. I enjoy the freedom to run an instrumental program, and I love including our students in choices about music selection. Our repertoire is really determined by the needs and interests of our students.”
Journalism
Dave Anderson ’07
B.A. in English, UC Davis
Dave joined the CB faculty in 2012. As a member of the Arts department, he teaches Introduction to Writing for Publication/ Writing for Publication II. He is the Chief Media Advisor for the Talon, CB’s student news publication, and is consulting advisor for KBFT, the student broadcasting network. Mr. Anderson is also a member of the English Department, teaching Sophomore Literature and Composition. He serves as PA announcer for select Falcon sporting events. Check out the work of our student journalists at CBTalon.com!
“It is a true honor and thrill to help uphold the strong arts and media tradition that is synonomous with Christian Brothers High School. Our students are exceptional in talent and character.”
Media
Melissa Flowers
BS in Accounting from Wayne State University.
Melissa currently co-teaches our Sports Broadcasting class. She is also CB’s Assistant Athletic Director and assistant varsity women’s basketball coach.
‘I love being a part in aiding young minds to grow, especially at the high school level. Being able to put a block in their educational foundation is a privilege.’
Brendan Hogan ’95
B.A. in Communications with a minor in Television, Film, and New Media, San Diego State University, Adobe Creative Suite certified, graduate of the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies
Brendan teaches Video Production 1, Broadcast Journalism (Talon Morning News), Advanced Media Arts, Film Production and Senior Video Production. You can see the work of our media students on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/KBFT. He is a board member of the NorCal Media Educators and has taken students to the Student Television Network Convention for since 2005. Brendan enjoys life at home with his wife and three children.
“I think media education is more important now than it has ever been. The students are bombarded with media and media messages, and there is a direct correlation between learning how to produce media and understanding its messages. In the media arts classes at CB, we are focused on improving media literacy for all of our students.”
KBFT’s video highlights of the best of CB Arts
Theatre
Michael D. Jackson
Western Stage Theatre Conservatory, B.A. and M.A. in Theatre, CSU, Sacramento
Michael is the Artistic Director of the theatre program, and teaches Theatre Arts and Acting Focus. He moderates the Theatre Society club, directs CB theatrical productions, and supervises the student-written, student-produced One Acts. He also brings his talents as Costume Designer, Props Master and Scenic Painter to the theatre program. He has extensive professional experience with California Musical Theatre (Music Circus) and Music Theatre International (theatrical licensing), and has written and directed productions in Sacramento and New York.
“It is a rare privilege to work for a school so devoted to the arts. We have the tools and support to offer students a college-level experience. My favorite aspect of giving students a theatre education is to see them blossom in talent and confidence as they make discoveries about themselves and working with others.”
Heather Christianson ’01
B.A. in Theatre, University of Southern California
In addition to teaching Theatre Arts, Heather serves as Technical Director of the George Cunningham ’40 Performing Arts Center, faculty advisor to Friends of the Arts, and coordinator of the Tech Factor, a student group for technical theatre. She has worked professionally for California Musical Theatre (Music Circus), Sacramento Theatre Company, and LA Women’s Shakespeare.
“Theatre requires all talents. That’s what I enjoy most about it. I get such a thrill from the collaboration of a diverse group, and the inclusive community it creates. To be able to foster this environment at my beloved alma mater gives me tremendous joy and satisfaction.”
Visual Arts
Robert Boriskin
B.A. and Teaching Credential University of California, Santa Cruz
Rob teaches flipped Ceramics classes at CB (Interested? go to his webpage at flippingceramics.com). He also works with a professional potter in Loomis in his free time where he does horsehair and raku firing (lisabonedesigns.com). He has taught at the UC Davis Craft Center and has coached CB Golf for the past two years.
“I have been doing ceramics since 1969 and continue to find new ways to enjoy the craft. I hope all of you can find something as fun to do with your retirement as I have found teaching at CB.”
Christine Kerr
B.A. in Art, San Francisco State University, M.A. in Fine Art, Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London, Teaching Credential, CSU, Sacramento
Christine currently teaches a variety of Visual Arts classes at Christian Brothers including Introduction to Art, Advanced Painting, and Ceramics.
“As an artist I enjoy exploring themes in my artwork through a variety of media. I paint with oil, acrylic and watercolor, draw mostly with graphite and colored pencil, and have a love for ceramics as well. I think this feeds my passion for teaching different media and techniques. I find it infinitely rewarding to watch my students grow in their skills and develop a style of their own.”
Polo Lopez ’08
BA in Art Studio with an emphasis on painting and drawing, Masters of Art Studio with an emphasis in painting and drawing both from Sacramento State.
Polo is the instructor for Digital Art, the latest addition to the Visual Arts program at CB. Along with being a teacher, he is also the School Resource Coordinator in the Facilities department, the head coach of the Men’s Volleyball program on campus, and one of two moderators for the Diversity and Inclusion Student Committee (D.I.S.C.).
“Be the example you needed growing up” Christian Brothers gave me so much in my formative teenage years and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the CB Community.
Findlay McIntosh
B.A. in History, UC Davis, M.A. in History, CSU, Sacramento
Findlay teaches Introduction to Art at Christian Brothers. He has studied with Wayne Thiebaud and taught bronze casting at the UC Davis Craft Center, and Art History at the California Academy of Art and Design. Findlay enjoys gardening, cross fit, and road trips, and spending time with his wife, Carole, his three children and five grandchildren, and his dog, Sophie.
“I began teaching art and religion at Christian Brothers in 1998. It has been an exciting journey to be part of the transition at CB going from blackboards to iPads. The one constant has been the quality and kindness of our students.”