Matthew Fell
Artistic Director of the Concert Band
Appointed Artistic Director of the Concert Band of the San Francisco Pride Band in January 2026, Matthew Fell is an accomplished music educator and conductor dedicated to helping performers achieve their full potential through transformative musical experiences. He holds degrees in Music Education and Trombone Performance from BIOLA University and a Masters in Instrumental Conducting from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University. These experiences shaped his philosophy that exceptional music education must balance technical excellence with personal growth and a community of acceptance.
Currently the Assistant Director of Bands at Amador Valley High School, Mr. Fell co-leads the 300-member marching program and directs the top jazz ensembles. His student-focused approach creates an environment where musicians of all levels feel supported while being challenged to grow. This philosophy was honed during his tenure as Director of Bands at Serrano High School (2016-2023), where he worked to revitalize the program that first inspired his own musical journey, emphasizing both artistic achievement and personal development.
Matthew Fell has served as the director of the Jenny Lin Foundation Concert Band since 2024. The Jenny Lin Foundation offers a summer music opportunity to students of the East Bay free of charge, helping them to grow as musicians while supporting the efforts of a great non-profit organization for student safety.
At the core of Mr. Fell’s teaching is the conviction that music education should nurture the whole student. Whether working with beginners or advanced musicians, he creates opportunities to develop technical skills while fostering community, confidence, and joy in music-making.
Michael J. Wong
Artistic Director of the Marching & Pep Bands
Michael J. Wong is the first Artistic Director of the Marching & Pep Bands for the San Francisco Pride Band. A third generation San Franciscan, Mike joined the Band in 1998 while he was a teenager studying physics and music at U.C. Berkeley. He has literally grown up in the Band taking on the roles of Horn Section Manager, Music Librarian, Drum Major, and volunteer Marching Director and Assistant Conductor, before being appointed to the position of Artistic Director of the Marching & Pep Bands in 2016.
Mike harnesses an abundance of energy, passion, creativity, and musicianship to provide leadership for both the Marching & Pep Bands, shepherding our members through hundreds of parades, performances, and community events. He aims to continue developing the artistic repertoire, programming, and production to further build and sustain the Band’s visibility. When he was first hired as Artistic Director, Mike said: “One of the things I love about the Band is its intersection of all parts of the LGBT community that includes multi-generational members of all sexual orientations and gender identities. After marching in my first parade with the Band as a teenager, it’s a great honor to be hired as the Artistic Director of the Marching and Pep Program almost 18 years later.” As one of the most visible components of the San Francisco Pride Band, the Marching and Pep Bands are critical in fulfilling the organization’s mission of increasing visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.
Mike has a colorful and diverse musical background. Not only does he play Horn in F, marching horn, and euphonium with the Band, he has also played with many Bay Area music ensembles, including the West County Winds, the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony, the Foothill College Symphonic Band, Golden Gate Brazz, the Diablo Valley College Symphonic Band, the U.C. Berkeley Wind Ensemble, and the U.C. Berkeley Math Orchestra.
Former Artistic Directors
- Jon Reed Sims,founder (1978-1982)
- Tom Smith(1982)
- Lesesne Van Antwerp(1982-1985)
- Jay Kast(1986-1988)
- Jeff Foote(1988-1989)
- Wayne Love(1988; 1989-1990)
- Nancy Corporon(1990-1996)
- Jadine Louie(1996-2006)
- Dr. Roberto-Juan Gonzalez(2007-2008)
- Jadine Louie(2009-2012)
- Pete Nowlen(2013-2025)
