Jim Mazzaferro, MSYO Resident Guest Conductor

Jim Mazzaferro currently serves as a Music Supervisor for CSU Sacramento, mentoring students working towards their teaching credential in music education. His 40 plus year teaching career has also included Archbishop Riordan High School (San Francisco), Florin High School, Sheldon High School (EGUSD), Sacramento City College and Cosumnes River College, where he was the Orchestra Director from 1999-2020. Jim was also the Camp Director/Artistic Director of Cazadero Music Camp, a summer music camp for musicians in grades five through high school from 2001 - 2021. In 2012 Jim was one of eight High School Band Directors in the country that were named a Bandworld Legion of Honor Laureate by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. In 2013 Jim was recognized by the California Music Educators Association as the recipient of the Byron Hoyt/Don Schmeer Outstanding Music Educator Award. In the 2015-2016 school year Jim was named ABC NEWS10 (Sacramento) Teacher of the Month, as well as being recognized as the CMEA Capitol Section Music Educator of the Year. In 2025 Jim received the Aubrey Penman Retired Music educator Award for his mentorship with credential students. He continues to guest conduct and adjudicate throughout California. Jim has been inducted into the CMEA Hall of Fame as well as the CAJ (California Alliance for Jazz) Hall of Fame. The Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation established a perpetual scholarship in his name for EGUSD students wishing to pursue a career in music and/or music education.