David Gregoric, Music Director
Mills Music is fortunate and proud to have an accomplished and renowned jazz educator, Mr. David Gregoric as our performing musical arts director.
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Mr. Gregoric began teaching at Mills in 2016 and currently directs the Symphonic Band, String Orchestra, Concert Choir and Jazz Band, as well as the all-student pit orchestra to play live soundtracks for the Mills Musical productions every spring term. Under his guidance, Mills Jazz Band has placed First Place in Folsom as well as Campana Jazz Festivals. Mills has received “Unanimous Superior” ratings at the CMEA Bay Section Festivals with the Symphonic Band, String Orchestra, and Jazz Band.
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His credentials are many, but he was just recently selected as the 2025 California All State Junior High Jazz Band director by the California Alliance for Jazz.
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Prior to joining Mills, Mr. Gregoric taught at the Marin School of the Arts and the Valley Christian Schools. The latter was recognized as one of the top music programs in Northern California at both the middle school and high school levels, giving commanding performances at the Reno, Folsom, San Jose, Campana, and Monterey Next Generation Jazz festivals. He has also taught at the Stanford Jazz Workshop, Monterey Jazz Festival Summer Camp, Jazz Camp West, Graded Jazz festival (Brazil), Lafayette Summer Music Jazz Workshop, Donner Mine Jazz Camp, Osaka Jazz festival (Japan), and San Jose Jazz Society. He has adjudicated at the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival, CMEA (Central Coast and Bay section) Jazz Festivals, Folsom Jazz Festival, ACSI Music Festival, Cuesta College Jazz Festival, and Cal State Hayward Jazz Festival.
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Mr. Gregoric is also very much in demand as an accomplished jazz trombonist around the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, and is frequently seen at gigs around the Bay. During his 25 years as a professional musician prior to starting his career as an educator, he has recorded with Pete Escovedo, Andy Narrel, Buddy Montgomery, Cab Calloway, Della Reese, Smith Dobson, Ray Brown, Dave Eshelman, and the Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra.
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He has performed with the Temptations, Jimmy Heath, Confunktion, Bobby Watson, Cyndi Lauper, Geri Allen, Sheila E., Duke Robillard, Brenda Lee, Smith Dobson, Bob Brookmeyer, Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Soul University, Michael W. Smith, San Francisco R&B All Stars, Louis Bellson, Bill Berry, Steve Turre, Bobby Shew, Twila Paris, Frankie Valli, Tex Beneke, The Four Freshman, Carol Channing, Vocal Flight, The Drifters, Sapo, Henny Youngman, Rudy Madrid and the Cruisers, QVA, Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra, Sheryl Merrymont, Dennis Wilson, Great America, Ladd MciNtosh, Vic Damone, Marlena Shaw, Gerald Albright, Jamie Davis, Square Roots, Root Awakening, Jamie Davis, Ron Konali, Martha and the Vandellas, Buddy Montgomery, Andy Narell, Dick Bright’s SRO, Little Anthony. He’s also logged time performing for Princess, Royal Norwegian, and Western cruise lines, Disneyland, Marriots Great America, Circus Vargas, and the Bentley Brothers Circus.