Educational Background

B. Ed., Music Education, Clarion University of PA
M.A., Music Performance Trombone, Indiana University of PA
D.M.A., Trombone, West Virginia University

Dr. Ortega serves as the Director of Athletic Bands and Instructor of Trombone and Euphonium. He teaches The Mulerider Marching Band, Pep Band, Concert Band, Marching Band Techniques, Orchestration and Arranging, Trombone Choir, Tuba/Euphonium Choir, Trombone, and Euphonium Lessons. During his undergraduate, he worked with regional marching bands and assisted with program growth. These opportunities led to an active playing/teaching career that sparked the interest in performing. He eventually went to Indiana University of PA to earn a Master of Arts degree in Music performance on Trombone. While there he also worked with the Grey Knights Drum and Bugle Corp, a Drum Corp Associate, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Altoona Brass Collective, Clarion River Brass, and the Warren Philharmonic. After his master’s degree, Dr. Ortega accepted a graduate assistant position at West Virginia University, later earning a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trombone. During his time at WVU, he assisted the 350 member Mountaineer Marching Band, the “Pride of West Virginia”. He also performed with the Black Diamond Philharmonic, a local band in Morgantown, WV. Teachers of Dr. Ortega include: Drs. Jeffery Wardlaw, Christian Dickinson, Tim Paul, Hubert Toney jr., Keith Jackson, and Prof. Hakeem Bilal. Dr. Ortega is a member of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, the International Trombone Association, a member and sponsor of the Gamma Omicron Tau Beta Sigma chapter and an Honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.