Jared Sessink is the Co-Director of Instrumental Music at Garfield, overseeing the collaborative work of all Wind Band, Jazz, and Orchestral Ensembles. Sessink has over a decade of experience teaching in the Central District, both at Washington Middle School and Garfield.

Sessink’s teaching philosophy is centered in student voice and ownership in the learning process. He sets high expectations for students and supports them through the journey of achieving excellence in music performance.

Under his leadership, Garfield has been a frequent participant in the Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition and Festival held in New York City, considered one of the most competitive high school jazz festivals in the nation. Many of his students have gone on to become educators and musicians, at institutions ranging from Berklee School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, New England Conservatory, Columbia University, Manhattan School of Music, and more.

Sessink regularly plays his trumpet in the Magnolia Big Band in Seattle. On Monday evenings, he is the Director of the North Seattle Community College Symphonic Band working with adults of all ages.

Blake Saunders has been lucky enough to teach Choir, Percussion, and Musical Theater at Garfield High School since 2019. He is the director of Garfield’s three choirs, two percussion classes, and runs all things music for any musical production the theater department puts on.

Saunders centers his classroom in community, collaboration, and communication. Walking into any of is classes, you will see joy, focus, and a lot of noise!

Outside of Garfield, you can see Saunders rocking outside Lumen Field, as he has been a member of the Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline for the past eleven years.

​Hannah Mowry (pronounced “MORE-ee”) is the Co-Director of Instrumental Music at Garfield, overseeing the collaborative work of all Wind Band, Jazz, and Orchestral Ensembles. Mowry joined the Garfield music team in 2026, and is a songwriter, educator, and advocate. Originally from Tri-Cities, Washington, Mowry obtained her Bachelor’s in Music Education with a minor in Interdisciplinary Honors from Central Washington University and holds a Master’s degree in Music Education from the American Band College of Central Washington University.

From 2018-2022, Mowry served as the Co-Director of Bands at Mount Si High School, teaching Wind Bands, Jazz Bands, Orchestra, and various music elective courses. From 2022-2026, Mowry served as the Director of Bands & Jazz at Roosevelt High School.

In October of 2021, Mowry was appointed to the position of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Chair of the WMEA Eastshore Music Region Board. As an active musician and educator, advocacy and DEI is an integral part of her musical philosophy.