Colby Vasquez

Colby Vasquez is from Tollhouse, a small town in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills. He is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Florida where he is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Instrumental Conducting. While at the University of Florida, he has conducted the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Brass Band, New Music Ensemble, and Trombone Choir. Colby also worked with the Gator Marching Band and the athletic pep bands, including directing the band for the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game in San Antonio, Texas.

Prior to attending The University of Florida, Colby was the Associate Director of Instrumental Music at Clovis West High School in Fresno, California from 2020-2023. Before that, he was the Director of Instrumental Music at William C. Overfelt High School in San Jose, CA from 2016-2019. In 2018, Colby was voted “Teacher of the Year” by his fellow WCOHS teachers and awarded the “Crown Award: Medal of Merit” by the school-site administrators.

Colby graduated from California State University Fresno in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music Education. He was a member of The Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band and the Bulldog Beat scholarship pep band. After student-teaching at Clovis High School and Clark Intermediate, he attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst where he earned a Masters of Music Education (MM) with a focus in Wind Conducting in 2016. He continues to serve as a Drill Writer for the 400-member University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band.

Colby has also been very involved in the drum & bugle corps activity. He marched in the Santa Clara Vanguard for 3 years- 2010, 2011, & 2012.  Since “aging out”, Colby has worked as a staff member for both the Santa Clara Vanguard & Vanguard Cadets in several roles including Visual Caption Head & Assistant Corps Director.