David Lesser

Clovis North Educational Center
Director of Bands

David Lesser has been the Director of Bands at the Clovis North Educational Center in Fresno, California since opening in 2007.  He started his 25th year of teaching in the fall of 2025. He administers all aspects of CNEC Instrumental Music grades 7-12, conducts the Wind Ensemble, and directs the Bronco Marching Band and Color Guard. Mr. Lesser is the Secondary Instrumental Resource Teacher for the CUSD Visual and Performing Arts Department. Prior to the opening of Clovis North, Mr. Lesser held Director positions at Clovis West High School from 2001-2006.

His Bands have performed at numerous prestigious events including:

• 71st Annual Midwest Clinic

• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

• Music for All National Concert Band Festival

• California All State Music Educators Conference

• California Music Educators Association State Band and Orchestra Festival

The Clovis North Marching Band was the Western Band Association class or grand champion in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2021 & 2024. The Clovis North Wind Ensemble has been the Demonstration Ensemble for the California All State Music Educators Conference Conductor Symposium in 2017, 18, 19, 20, 22, & 23.  They have also been the demonstration ensemble for clinics at the Midwest Clinic (Travis Cross) and CASMEC (Robert Sheldon)

Mr. Lesser was honored in 2020 by the John Philip Sousa Foundation as a Legion of Honor Laureate.  In 2006 Lesser was named one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” by SBO magazine. He was the Fresno Madera Counties Music Educator Association Jazz Educator of the Year in 2005.  David served as an Associate Director of the Music for All National Honor Band in the Rose Parade in 2017, 2022 and will once again in 2026. He is an adjudicator for Bands of America as well as other marching, concert, and jazz band festivals, guest conductor for honor bands, and presenter at educational clinics across the United States.

David has served in numerous leadership capacities for, NAfME, The Midwest Clinic, WBA, FMCMEA, CMEA Central Section, and the San Joaquin Valley Color Guard and Percussion Review. He founded the San Joaquin Valley Concert Band Invitational, an MFA Regional Festival, celebrating its 16th year in March 2026.

Throughout his career he has championed new composers by commissioning 14 original works for Wind Band and Jazz Ensemble.

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Mr. Lesser has been married 24 years to his beautiful wife, Carol Lesser, who is a Registered Dietitian and dedicated mother. They have two children, Sarah who is a fashion merchandising major and song writer, attending CSU Long Beach and Justin who is an Engineering Major attending San Jose State University who is also an Eagle Scout, member of the SJSU Wind Ensemble, and a member of the Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps.

Mr. Lesser would like to give special thanks to the colleagues he works with daily, Mr. David Gabrielson, Mr. Jose Vargas, Mr. Shawn Glyde, Mr. Erik Dewhirst, Mr. Key Poulan, Mr. John Arevalo, and Mr. Jim Rogers for their leadership, collaboration, and hard work in creating a high standard throughout the entire Clovis North Educational Center Instrumental Music Department.

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