Meet the faculty who work hard to bring arts education to Christian Brothers and help our talented students shine.
Choral
Leah Heine ’96
Ms. Heine is a CB alumna from the Class of 1996 and returned in 2023 to take the position as Choral Music Director. Ms. Heine found her passion for choral music right on this very campus. After graduating from CB she went on to earn her Bachelor of Music from San Diego State University in 2003. She began teaching choral music full time in 2004. While working as a teacher she earned her Master of Arts in Education in 2013 from the University of San Francisco. In addition to teaching choir Ms. Heine has also taught AP Music Theory, Instrumental Music and Pep Band in her 21-year career.
Ms. Heine has traveled to Europe as both a singer and as a director. She traveled with the Sacramento Choral Society to Central Europe in 2005 and performed in venues including St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and Smetana Hall in Prague. She traveled with her own high school choir to Rome in 2016. Some of the highlights included singing at the Feast of the Epiphany Mass with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica and performing a concert in the beautiful Church of St. Ignatius.
When not in the classroom you will most likely find Ms. Heine either on the golf course or cooking in her kitchen, where she feeds friends and family on a regular basis.
Instrumental
Ross Hammond ’95
B.A. in Communications Studies, CSU Sacramento
Ross has returned to his alma mater with more than two decades of experience as a professional musician. He is a respected jazz guitarist based in the Sacramento area, though he has brought his talents to many arts scenes including Northern Arizona University (artist residency), a tour of Japan, and Lincoln Center (Jazz educator and Clinician). He leads student musicians in the classroom and beyond, teaching Band, Honors Band, and Guitar classes, and heading the Pep Band, Drumline and the Open Mic House Band.
Check out his Spotify channel! Here 
“I love being back at CB and sharing with the students what I have learned from a lifetime of music”
Journalism
Dave Anderson ’07
B.A. in English, UC Davis
Dave joined the CB faculty in 2012. As a member of the Arts department, he teaches Introduction to
Writing for Publication/ Writing for Publication II. He is the Chief Media Advisor for the Talon, CB’s student news publication, and is consulting advisor for KBFT, the student broadcasting network. Mr. Anderson is also a member of the English Department, teaching Sophomore Literature and Composition. He serves as PA announcer for select Falcon sporting events. Check out the work of our student journalists at CBTalon.com!
“It is a true honor and thrill to help uphold the strong arts and media tradition that is synonymous with Christian Brothers High School. Our students are exceptional in talent and character.”
Natalia Schorn ’00
Media
Brendan Hogan ’95
B.A. in Communications with a minor in Television, Film, and New Media, San Diego State University, Adobe Creative Suite certified, graduate of the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies
Brendan teaches Video Production 1, Broadcast Journalism (Talon Morning News), Advanced Media Arts, Film Production and Senior Video Production. You can see the work of our media students on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/KBFT. He is a board member of the NorCal Media Educators and has taken students to the Student Television Network Convention for since 2005. Brendan enjoys life at home with his wife and three children.
“I think media education is more important now than it has ever been. The students are bombarded with media and media messages, and there is a direct correlation between learning how to produce media and understanding its messages. In the media arts classes at CB, we are focused on improving media literacy for all of our students.”
Theatre
Michael D. Jackson
Western Stage Theatre Conservatory, B.A. and M.A. in Theatre, CSU, Sacramento
Michael is the Artistic Director of the theatre program, and teaches Theatre Arts and Acting Focus. He moderates the Theatre Society club, directs CB theatrical productions, and supervises the student-written, student-produced One Acts. He also brings his talents as Costume Designer, Props Master and Scenic Painter to the theatre program. He has extensive professional experience with California Musical Theatre (Music Circus) and Music Theatre International (theatrical licensing), and has written and directed productions in Sacramento and New York.
“It is a rare privilege to work for a school so devoted to the arts. We have the tools and support to offer students a college-level experience. My favorite aspect of giving students a theatre education is to see them blossom in talent and confidence as they make discoveries about themselves and working with others.”
Heather Christianson ’01
B.A. in Theatre, University of Southern California
In addition to teaching Theatre Arts and Technical Theatre, Heather serves as Technical Director of the George Cunningham ’40 Performing Arts Center and coordinator of the Tech Factor, a student group for technical theatre. She has worked professionally for California Musical Theatre (Music Circus), Sacramento Theatre Company, and LA Women’s Shakespeare.
“Theatre requires all talents. That’s what I enjoy most about it. I get such a thrill from the collaboration of a diverse group, and the inclusive community it creates. To be able to foster this environment at my beloved alma mater gives me tremendous joy and satisfaction.”
Visual Arts
Laura Hohlwein
B.A. in English/Art Minor from CSUS; M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Vermont College; M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Art from Transart Institute, Austria
Laura Hohlwein has been teaching Art, Art History and Creative Writing for a very long time, mostly at the Art Institute of California, Sacramento, in various colleges of the Los Rios Community College District, and in several California prisons through the Arts in Corrections program. She has a volume of collaborative poetry, “What’s Funny About Forever?” published by Random Lane Press. She happily joined Christian Brothers in 2021 as the Digital Art Teacher, but also teaches Advanced Painting, Honors Drawing and Painting, AP Art History and AP Drawing. She is professional studio artist who has exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally. She has a bottomless love of art and creative inquiry and is blown away by the gifts and passions of the Visual Arts students at CB.
“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.”
– Vincent Van Gogh
Nicole Martin ’12
B.A. in Art History, Seattle University, M.A. in Art History, American University
Nicole joined the MVPA Department in 2024 and teaches Ceramics 1A, Ceramics 1B, Art History, and Art Survey. She is an art historian, ceramicist, and educator with experience developing educational programming for museums and non-profit organizations. As a graduate of Christian Brothers High School, she is thrilled to return to CB’s vibrant and rich arts department. She spends her free time throwing on the wheel, riding her bike, rock climbing, and reading.
“Art is for everyone! One is never done creating or learning about art. I am grateful to be part of the CB community, where student creativity is valued and uplifted.”
Findlay McIntosh
B.A. in History, UC Davis, M.A. in History, CSU, Sacramento
Findlay teaches Introduction to Art at Christian Brothers. He has studied with Wayne Thiebaud and taught bronze casting at the UC Davis Craft Center, and Art History at the California Academy of Art and Design. Findlay enjoys gardening, cross fit, and road trips, and spending time with his wife, Carole, his three children and five grandchildren, and his dog, Sophie.
