Directors

Gaw Vang Williams is a vocalist and educator native to Sacramento, California. She is the new band director at Folsom High School and teaches marching band, Jazz Band A and Jazz Band B, Jazz Choir, and orchestra.

She became the director of the vocal jazz program at Sacramento State in 2014, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in jazz studies and Master of Music. She began teaching in 2004, serving as a music instructor at various high schools and music organizations. Williams is an active private music instructor, and she is sought after as a clinician and adjudicator for festivals and workshops throughout the United States. She was the president of CAJ (California Alliance for Jazz) and is the vocal jazz clinician for the Monterey Jazz Festival. 

Williams was a member of the Sacramento Mandarins from 2004-2006, and she was a member of the 2007 world-champion Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. She performs at numerous venues throughout Northern California.  Professional appearances as an assisting artist include live performances with Nancy King, New York Voices, Ben Folds, and the San Francisco Symphony.

Ensembles under Gaw have won over 13 Downbeat Magazine Student Awards. In addition, her ensembles took first multiple times at the Next Generation Monterey Jazz Festival and were invited to perform at the world-renowned Monterey Jazz Festival, JEN (Jazz Education Network) National Conference, ACDA National Conference, CCDA Conference, and CASMEC. Williams was recently awarded the 2025 California State Jazz Educator Award and the CMEA Choral Director Award.

Williams co-founded Live Performing Arts Academy, a non-profit music organization providing music education and experiences for students in need.