Meet the Team

Mr. Anthony Tamborino was born and raised in Stamford, CT and went to college at Syracuse University (where our current president, Joe Biden went to law school). He majored in English and Communications and then moved out to Los Angeles, where he worked in television doing post-production jobs on several TV series for the History Channel and TLC. However, he then remembered that one his dream jobs his whole childhood growing up had been to be a teacher, and he changed careers, getting his master's degree from the School of Education at UC - Irvine. Mr. Tamborino has been at VAPA since 2018 teaching - the ELD, 9th grade and ERWC English courses. He loves books and encourages everyone to pick up a good read when they have the time. In his spare time, he likes to hang out with his partner and two cats in their Long Beach home, play his Nintendo Switch, go bowling, bake desserts, and hike the different mountains in Southern California. Go Legacy Tigers!

Ms. Valerie Espinoza is the newest staff member on faculty at Legacy VAPA. After serving the VAPA community as a Teachers Assistant and Student teacher, she may be joining the faculty as our vocal music teacher in Spring, 2021. Ms. Espinoza completed her BA and credential at California State University, Los Angeles, after attending Lynwood High School. Ms. Espinoza is also very involved as a community music teacher and assistant for the LAUSD All-city Marching Band.

Mr. Juan Cuevas graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education form California State University Los Angeles. He attended Huntington Park High School where he was a music student of Dr. Trimis. In Fall of 2016 he took over the Legacy VAPA High School music program where he has currently been building the program by starting a Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Mariachi, and an AP Music Theory class coming 2018/19 school year. During Mr. Cuevas’ first year at Legacy VAPA he led the marching band to 2nd place in the South Gate Children’s Lane Parade competition, and 1st place in the Jazz Band Music in the Parks competition in San Francisco.  His passion for teaching has led Mr. Cuevas to continue his education and will be graduating with Master’s Degree in Education this Spring and is constantly reminding his students that “…the saddest thing in life is wasted talent, and the choices that you make will shape your life forever.” -Chazz Palminteri.

Mr. Gustavo Giron is VAPA's Tech Theatre director and video/theatre assistant. After completing AA requirements at East Los Angeles College, Mr. Giron is completing his BA in Technical Theatre at California State University, Long Beach.