Steve Charnow is currently in his 30th year as a teacher in Clovis Unified, all as the Director of Bands at Alta Sierra Intermediate School. He directs the school’s Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Intermediate Band classes, as well as assisting with the Buchanan Area Elementary School Band programs. Prior to his position at Alta Sierra he served as Director of Bands at Hoover High School in Fresno. He has given private clarinet and piano instruction in the Fresno/Clovis area for 30+ years. Mr. Charnow received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Master of Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting from California State University, Fresno.

​Mr. Charnow has been an active member of several professional organizations, serving as the Band Representative and the Secretary for the Fresno-Madera Counties Music Educators Association, and Band Manager for the CBDA All-State Bands.  He is currently a member of FMCMEA, CMEA, CBDA and MENC. 

​Over the course of the years he's been at Alta Sierra, Mr. Charnow has served as the guest conductor for the All-County Intermediate School Honor Bands for the Fresno-Madera Counties Music Educators Association, the Tulare-Kings Music Educators Association, and the Bakersfield City School District. In 2004, Mr. Charnow was honored as a “Teacher of the Year” finalist by the California League of Middle Schools.  

When he's not teaching music, Mr. Charnow enjoys spending time in the mountains and at the coast with his wife Ashley and their three daughters, Madeline, Emily and Haley.