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Percussion Caption Head / Front Ensemble Arranger

Eddie Ortega

Eddie is a percussionist/music educator from Southern California. Eddie has consulted and taught various percussion ensembles throughout Socal, some of which include, Rosemont MS, Blair HS, Verdugo Hills HS, Crescenta Valley HS, Moorpark HS, Pasadena City College Marching Band/Tournament of Roses Honor Band/Winter Drumline and Impulse DBC. Not only does he teach at GV, he also teaches at Meraki Percussion as a front ensemble instructor. Eddie brings his extensive knowledge in orchestral and marching percussion. He recieved his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Industry Studies and his Master of Arts degree in Music Industry Administration from California State University, Northridge. This will be his 2nd year on staff.

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Percussion Instructor / Battery Arranger

Riff Gordon

Riff Gordon is an alumnus of Golden Valley High School, Class of 2023. Throughout his high school career, he was deeply involved in the school's art programs, particularly in music. He served as both Drumline Captain and Band President for the Grizzly Band, performing on quad and snare drums in the drumline and playing drums in the jazz band. He also performed with the William S. Hart District Honor Band. After graduating in 2023, Riff returned to Golden Valley to teach and currently serves as the Percussion Instructor and Battery Arranger for the Grizzly Band. He also works as a theatre technician, providing sound engineering support for instrumental music, choir ensembles, theater productions, dance performances. Beyond his work at Golden Valley, Riff takes on professional gigs in mixing, recording, sound design, foley, and post-production. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Audio Engineering at The Los Angeles Recording School, a division of The Los Angeles Film School. This will be his 3rd year on staff.

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Audio Specialist / Percussion Instructor

J. Fernando Diaz

J. Fernando Diaz is an instructor, audio engineer, and instrument repair tech from Southern CA. He received his degree in Commerical Music from Pasadena City College. His marching experience includes the PCC Lancer band and Pacific Crest. He has taught groups such as Crescenta Valley HS, Impulse DBC, PCC Lancer bands, Vanguard Cadets, and the Santa Clara Vanguard. This will be his first year on staff.

Visual Instructor / Woodwind Specialist

Andrew Shousha

Mr. Andrew Shousha is the Band and Choir Director at La Mesa Jr. High School, Golden Valley's feeder program, where he teaches Beginning Band, Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, Choir, and Jazz Band. He feels fortunate to serve over 200 students and their families as they participate in these transformative experiences. He firmly believes in the importance of music in a well-rounded and comprehensive education and is committed to developing students into persistent and tenacious learners through the vehicle of an excellent music ensemble experience. In addition to his classroom experience, he is active on the Southern California marching band scene, having served as a marching instructor, woodwind coach, and drum major coach at various schools for 6 seasons. He is excited to join the Golden Valley Grizzly Band staff this year.

Mr. Shousha earned his bachelor's degree in music education, magna cum laude, from California State University, Northridge, where he was the principal saxophonist of the CSUN Wind Ensemble and led the National Association for Music Education Collegiate Chapter as President. While at CSUN, he earned several prestigious awards, including the Ella Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship, the Mary Louise Reilly Music Education Scholarship, and the Outstanding Student award in Music Education. He was also selected by his peers for Outstanding Student awards in both the Wind Ensemble and the Wind Symphony. After graduating, Mr. Shousha went on to earn his teaching credential in K-12 Music from CSUN where he had the privilege of studying under an excellent faculty of master teachers.

Mr. Shousha is an active member of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, the California Band Directors Association, the California Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education and has presented at the California All-State Music Education Conference several times. He is a vocal advocate for the transformative power of music education and looks forward to welcoming new students to his classroom every August.