Darnella Davidson taught instrumental music in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for 38 years. Her legendary high school bands performed in the Opening Ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, at professional National Football League games, on television, in film, print, and with numerous celebrities including Rosemary Clooney, Vanessa Carlton, Debbie Allen, George Lopez, and Pharrell Williams. Her competitive bands at San Pedro and Los Angeles High Schools combined earned 30 consecutive LAUSD City Band Championships and 8 Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) Field Band Championships. Her concert groups have performed at the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theater, and Disneyland.

Recognized for her work as an educator, Mrs. Davidson has received commendations from various civic leaders including President Bill Clinton. She is a SCSBOA Honorary Life Member, CMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award recipient, GRAMMY Music Educator Award Semi-Finalist, CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence recipient and has been a presenter at the prestigious Midwest Clinic. Darnella has been recognized for her work on several television programs including The Kelly Clarkson Show, The NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and featured in The Instrumentalist magazine.

In retirement, Mrs. Davidson continues her work as a consultant, adjudicator, conductor, clinician, and Associate Director with the LAUSD All District High School Honor Band, which is an annual participant in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.

She has served as a Los Angeles County Arts Commissioner and currently is on the Board of Directors for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association. Mrs. Davidson enjoys supervising student teachers for California State University, Northridge.

Darnella Davidson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from California State University, Northridge, and a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

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