Choral

Leah Heine ’96

Ms. Heine is a CB alumna from the Class of 1996 and returned in 2023 to take the position as Choral Music Director. Ms. Heine found her passion for choral music right on this very campus. After graduating from CB she went on to earn her Bachelor of Music from San Diego State University in 2003. She began teaching choral music full time in 2004. While working as a teacher she earned her Master of Arts in Education in 2013 from the University of San Francisco. In addition to teaching choir Ms. Heine has also taught AP Music Theory, Instrumental Music and Pep Band in her 21-year career.

Ms. Heine has traveled to Europe as both a singer and as a director. She traveled with the Sacramento Choral Society to Central Europe in 2005 and performed in venues including St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and Smetana Hall in Prague.  She traveled with her own high school choir to Rome in 2016. Some of the highlights included singing at the Feast of the Epiphany Mass with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica and performing a concert in the beautiful Church of St. Ignatius. 

When not in the classroom you will most likely find Ms. Heine either on the golf course or cooking in her kitchen, where she feeds friends and family on a regular basis. 

Instrumental

Ross Hammond ’95

B.A. in Communications Studies, CSU Sacramento

Ross has returned to his alma mater with more than two decades of experience as a professional musician. He is a respected jazz guitarist based in the Sacramento area, though he has brought his talents to many arts scenes including Northern Arizona University (artist residency), a tour of Japan, and Lincoln Center (Jazz educator and Clinician). He leads student musicians in the classroom and beyond, teaching Band, Honors Band, and Guitar classes, and heading the Pep Band, Drumline and the Open Mic House Band.

   Check out his Spotify channel! Here

“I love being back at CB and sharing with the students what I have learned from a lifetime of music”

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 synonymous with Christian Brothers High School.  Our students are exceptional in talent and character.”

Natalia Schorn ’00 

Media

Mike Sanchez ’06

Alonzo Aguillio ’20

Alonzo Aguillio joined the Christian Brothers High School faculty in 2025 as mathematics and engineering teacher. He holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University Chico in CAGD (computer animation and game design) with an applied computer graphics minor and psychology with a child development minor. He is Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Engineering certified and serves as the robotics team coach. Mr. Aguillio graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 2020.

“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.”

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.”

Visual Arts

Laura Hohlwein

B.A. in English/Art Minor from CSUS; M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Vermont College; M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Art from Transart Institute, Austria

Laura Hohlwein has been teaching Art, Art History and Creative Writing for a very long time, mostly at the Art Institute of California, Sacramento, in various colleges of the Los Rios Community College District, and in several California prisons through the Arts in Corrections program. She has a volume of collaborative poetry, “What’s Funny About Forever?” published by Random Lane Press. She happily joined Christian Brothers in 2021 as the Digital Art Teacher, but also teaches Advanced Painting, Honors Drawing and Painting, AP Art History and AP Drawing. She is professional studio artist who has exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally. She has a bottomless love of art and creative inquiry and is blown away by the gifts and passions of the Visual Arts students at CB.

“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.”

– Vincent Van Gogh

Nicole Martin ’12

B.A. in Art History, Seattle University, M.A. in Art History, American University

Nicole joined the MVPA Department in 2024 and teaches Ceramics 1A, Ceramics 1B, Art History, and Art Survey. She is an art historian, ceramicist, and educator with experience developing educational programming for museums and non-profit organizations. As a graduate of Christian Brothers High School, she is thrilled to return to CB’s vibrant and rich arts department. She spends her free time throwing on the wheel, riding her bike, rock climbing, and reading.

“Art is for everyone! One is never done creating or learning about art. I am grateful to be part of the CB community, where student creativity is valued and uplifted.”

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Main Objectives & Priorities

1. Research and investigate the benefits to, and impediments of, attending CB versus other secondary school options.
2. Further enhance all “early touch” pre-enrollment opportunities, like shadow days, PAL tournaments, youth sports programs, and more, and investigate new opportunities for early exposure.
3. Explore summer camp and school opportunities for growth.

Action Items to Achieve Goal Four

Tell me about your affiliation to Christian Brothers and current situation.

I graduated from CB in 2020 and am now a sophomore at UC Davis, where I signed to play basketball.

How did you become connected with Christian Brothers?

In fifth and sixth grades, I played basketball for the CB feeder team, SAC Fury. I met my basketball coach, Ron Gully, who introduced me to the CB faculty and staff. My mom fell in love with the culture here, which was just amazing. The dynamic of academics and athletics working together was unbelievable.

How did those impressions change over time?

Once I became a student here, it was about the culture and the relationships with my teachers. That built the pathway for my brother as well. He hates to admit it, but everybody knows him as Bria’s little brother. And it’s been amazing how he carried those relationships on. I still have those relationships, too – especially with two of my teachers, Ms. Bronson and Ms. Williams. I grew a bond with them and we’re still close.

Can you tell me about any key events or memories that stand out for you from your years at CB?

One of the main events was definitely Holy Hoops my senior year. It was so great to see everybody come out and cheer us on to one last win against St. Francis on our home court. I’d also include just about any school-wide rally or function – seeing everybody come together with their friends as part of a community.

Experiencing a Holy Bowl win was also really special because it gave us momentum for upcoming years in all the sports and sweeping the “holy games” that year.

Are there aspects of your experience with CB that matter to you, but the general public might not know?

I would definitely say for the academic side, everybody knows it’s a really good education. I have a lot of cousins and younger people that listen and take advice from my family, and we’ve always said, if you want your child to succeed, then they should go to Christian Brothers.

After graduating from CB, I saw a lot of people struggle in academics when they first got to college. My experience was different in that I was well prepared.

What would you say is your vision or expectation for where CB’s going in the future?

Keep doing what they’re doing. One of my main goals in life is to become an anesthesiologist and give back to the community. CB aligns with those values. One thing that I definitely took away from Christian Brothers is the “Enter to learn, leave to serve” mentality. I want to give back to those who are less fortunate than I am and to pay it forward for all the people who have invested time in me. I want to show my appreciation and do the same for others.

Any other thoughts you’d like to share that you think the world should know about CB and your experience here?

I’d say a lot of people only see the athletics part of me and that’s definitely a big part of my experience here. My athletic contributions and achievements at Christian Brothers were definitely noteworthy. But I’d also want to emphasize the academic part. It is very important to receive a good education, wherever you’re headed and whatever you’re doing next.