by Yunhee Cha

          Tonya Florer entered Eagle Territory December 2009 as its new choir director. Not new to the Clovis Unified School District, Florer has been working in the music department helping students for 19 years.

          Born and raised in Fresno, Florer first started studying music at five years old and accompanied the piano for her church in the fifth grade. She attended Tarpey Elementary, Kastner Intermediate, and Clovis West for one year before transferring to Fresno Christian High School.

          Throughout her life she has played piano, sung and played several other instruments. She graduated from Fresno Pacific University with a music major.

          Florer has three children: Bryce, who is nine years old at Freedom Elementary; Shaylee, a freshman at Clovis East and Trevor, a senior at Clovis East.

          Not only are the family members very musically talented, they own a dog named Chester and a cat named Maestro. Chester is a loving dog that runs away frequently.

          As an accompanist and assistant director, Florer has assisted at Clovis High School, Clark Intermediate, Fresno Christian High School, Tarpey and Lincoln Elementary Schools. She has played the piano and assisted conducting in the music department.

          Florer recently heard about the open position at Clovis West, and after a lengthy interview process started work the week before winter break.

          After applying online and experiencing five different interviews, Florer was finally hired. The last interview was with her superintendent, whom she had to give a music lesson.

          “I have personal connections here because I graduated from Kastner and attended Clovis West. And like my husband says: ‘Eagles rule,’” Florer said.

          “The kids here have a great attitude and welcomed me with open arms,” she said.

          “She has already connected with the students,” senior Cassidy Todd said. “We are working harder now than we have since the beginning of the year.”

          James Foxx, the substitute choir director stood in for a good part of the year until a permanent choir teacher was found. Foxx, who used to teach choir at Clovis High, has several years of teaching experience.

          The choir group plans to attend several festivals in the spring. “I hope we can pull off the superior ratings that are expected,” Florer said. “I also hope the kids will sing with musical lines and expression and ultimately be satisfied with their sounds.”

          Florer currently attends school to pursue further education. She has taught private lessons for piano and voice as well as teaching at Fresno School of Music.

          “I also have a strong competitive sprit because of competing in sports and music in my life that I bring to the classrooms,” she said.

          “She’s brave coming in halfway through the year,” senior Emily Ballard said. “We have really appreciated that she could come. She has really been kind and cares about the students.”