STAFF

Mr. Detlefsen

Mr. D has been the director of bands at SPHS since it's beginning. The program started in 2011 and Mr. D is proud of the constant success and growth of the program. He is the founder and past president of South Valley Winter Arts Association and past president of the California Band Directors Association.  

Mr. Rivera

Mr. Rivera is joined SPHS in 2024 as the director of Jazz and Beginning Band. He is an active performer in the jazz scene playing drum set for a number of gigs throughout the central valley.  

Stephanie Ashcroft

Stephanie is the first SPHS color guard instructor joining the team in 2011. Throughout that time she has found much success as a performer, instructor, designer and drill writer.  Stephanie serves currently as our Color Guard Caption Head, Drill Designer, and Band Secretary. 

Austin Lyles

Mr. Lyles joined the SPHS staff in 2017 as front ensemble instructor.  He left for a few years before returning as a student teacher at SPHS in 2022. He is now the new band director at Parkview MS and Armona Elementary. He has a huge amount of knowledge in band and specifically percussion.   

Tyler Poore

Tyler is a former graduate of SPHS (class of 2024) and joined the staff as Percussion Caption Head in 2025.  Tyler has taught at a few of SPHS feeder schools and marched with independent groups in the central valley to broadin his skill set.  We are excited to have Tyler back at SPHS continuing to grow the  percussion program. 

Jesse Belantes

Jesse is a former graduate of SPHS (class of 2016), and current color guard tech. Jesse taught at a variety of schools in the south valley before returning back to SPHS in 2019. She returns with great experience to share with our students, and an aptitude to teach.  

Shyla Salmon

Shyla is a former graduate of SPHS (class of 2015) and continued teaching with us ever sense her graduation.  After taking a break to finish her degree in Long Beach, Shyla has come back and joined our team once again in 2023 as color guard instructor. We are grateful for her time and excited to have her back 

Travis Williams

Travis joined the SPHS team as our marching tech in 2022.  He has an extensive experience marching and teaching throughout the valley. Currently the director of bands at Woodlake Valley MS, we are excited to have Travis on our team working with students on discipline and technique, and brass fundamentals.

Kristen Pallas

Ms. Pallas joined the SPHS staff in 2023 as the woodwind tech. She is the current choir director for Tulare Union HS District, and a former band director herself. Ms. Pallas comes with a huge amount of experience and we are happy to have her at SPHS.   

Niko Inaba

Niko joined the staff in 2025 as a percussion tech. They have expereince marching in various ensembles in the valley, and we are lucky to have their skill and drive continuing to push our percussion into the future.