Dr. Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of California, Los Angeles where she teaches music education courses and supervises student teaching. She is a Fulbright Scholar, holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles, a Masters of Music Education in String Pedagogy from The Hartt School of Music, and a Bachelors of Music in Music Education and Violin Performance from Chapman University. Dr. Gamboa-Kroesen is delighted to serve as director of the Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings, a premier youth string orchestra in Southern California.

Prior to her appointment at UCLA, Dr. Gamboa-Kroesen taught orchestra in the Irvine Unified School District for sixteen years, conducted the Long Beach Harmony Project Orchestra, was on faculty at the Chapman University Conservatory of Music from 2012-2019, and served a mentor teacher for UCI, CSULB, and Chapman University. She received the 2015 Orange County Outstanding Educator, Instrumental Music Award and the 2016 IUSD Excellence in Teaching Award for Visual and Performing Arts.

Dr. Gamboa-Kroesen’s scholarship and research interests include inclusive teaching practices, school connectedness, and culturally responsive pedagogy. She enjoys an active schedule of conferences presentations including presentations for College Music Society, National Association for Music Education (NAfME) National Music Research and Teacher Education Conferences, the California All-State Music Education Conferences (CASMEC), and Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Annual Conferences. Dr. Gamboa-Kroesen regularly serves as guest conductor and clinician for orchestras in California and Arizona and delivers curriculum workshops for school districts throughout Southern California.