Bass Trombone with Juan S.

Juan is a native of Laredo, Texas who began his college education at Texas A&M University of Kingsville (TAMUK) and received scholarship funds to attend the university. While at TAMUK, he spent his time studying both tenor and bass trombone under the tutelage of Dr. Oscar Diaz. He was also a member of both the TAMUK Trombone Choir, which was and still is considered the largest trombone choir in South Texas Region, and the South Texas Trombone Sound, a trombone octet that toured and performed across the United States and Europe. Along with that, Juan has been teaching all over Texas since 2014. Soon after completing his degree at TAMUK, Juan continued his music studies and obtained a Master of Music degree from the University of New Mexico on a full-ride scholarship. While attending the university, Juan had the opportunity to teach and perform around the community. Juan's teaching philosophy, "Any individual can grow musically, and as a human being with the guidance of a caring teacher." has led him build a culture of success in his studio, which consists of enlightening individuals of all ages. Soon after obtaining his master's degree, Juan made his way back to Texas and continued teaching privately, working with nonprofit music programs in underrepresented communities, and became a band director in the Austin Area. Now in 2021, Juan has decided to return to school and relocate to Bloomington, Indiana. Here, Juan will be attending the University of Indiana and will be obtaining his Doctorate of Music from Jacobs School of Music. While at IU, he will be studying under Dr. Denson Paul Pollard, the bass trombonist of the Metropolitan Opera. Juan's overall goal is to share the knowledge he obtained over the last 18 years and help his students find success in both their playing and importantly, their career no matter the age.