Biography

Colby Vasquez is from Tollhouse, a small town in California's Sierra Nevada foothills. He currently serves as the Interim Assistant Director of Bands at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Additionally, he is 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, Colby had the opportunity to serve as the instructor of record for the Monday/Wednesday Concert Band, in addition to guest conducting with the UF Symphonic Band, UF Brass Band, and UF New Music Ensemble. Additionally, he was the primary conductor of the UF Trombone Choir, including a performance at the 2025 International Trombone Festival in Ontario, Canada. Colby also worked with the Gator Marching Band and the athletic pep bands, including directing the basketball band for the 2025 NCAA 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 now serves as the Drill Writer & Visual Designer 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:

  • 2013 & 2014: Admin & Visual Staff for Vanguard Cadets (2013 DCI Open Class Champions & High Visual Award Winners)

  • 2015 & 2016: Admin Staff for Santa Clara Vanguard

  • 2017, 2018, & 2019: Visual Caption Head for Vanguard Cadets (2017 & 2018 DCI Open Class Champions, 2017 High Visual Award Winners)

  • 2022: Visual Caption Head for Santa Clara Vanguard

  • 2023, 2024, & 2025 : Assistant Corps Director for Santa Clara Vanguard