Hometown:
San Antonio, Texas
Education:
Colburn School, M.M. ’23
University of Texas at Austin, B.M. ’19
Pam and Sonny Wiegand Chair
Bio:
Justin Ochoa is a percussionist and timpanist pursuing his Master of Music degree at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where he studies with Ted Atkatz. Previously, he has studied with Thomas Burritt and Shaun Tilburg. He has been a fellow at the Round Top Festival Institute, Texas Music Festival, and virtually at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Summer Institute in 2020. He has appeared as a guest percussionist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and the Midland-Odessa Symphony. In Los Angeles, Justin performs as Principal percussionist and timpanist with the California Young Artist Symphony, and has appeared as Principal timpanist with the American Youth Symphony.
What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I love to box as a hobby, and have been doing so on and off since 2018.
Name three of your favorite composers:
Olivier Messiaen, Pierre Boulez, and Gabriela Ortiz
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I dabble in screenwriting by writing short scripts for fun.
What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
Musical collaboration with as many people as possible, good hangs, hiking a 14er, and getting a ton of ensemble experience!