I was born in San Antonio, Texas. "Santone", for you Texans out there). I was born around 10 miles from the Alamo. No, I did not fight in the Battle of the Alamo! : )
If you get a chance to visit San Antonio, Texas, take a ride to the top of the "tower of the Americas".
The IMAX in San Antonio, Texas is very cool, also. Go and see the "Alamo:The Price of Freedom". Its very powerful!
The San Antonio, Texas River Walk is also fantastic. If you have never been there. You have to go there! Its located in Downtown San Antonio, Texas. You really cannot miss it. Just ask someone if you have difficulty finding it.
Casa Rio is one of my favorite places to eat at the River Walk.
Yes, very romantic, also.
High Schools
I attended three high schools.
9th and 10 grade was King High School in Kingsville, Texas.
I played 1st and 2nd trombone in the symphonic band.
Our mascot was the Brahma Bull.
We played songs like the bullring fight songs.
I started listening to brass music when I was starting high school and Maynard Ferguson played some awesome music at the time.
I remember that he used to give concerts at local high schools.
I was fortunate to go to one of his concerts before he passed away.
I will never forget it!!!
I started taking private piano lessons in the first grade.
I studied under many teachers during the years. During my high school years, I studied early piano music and Chopin piano preludes and waltzes at the University of Texas, A & I.
He was my best piano teacher. I hope he still remembers me. I continue to play the piano. Playing the piano has opened many opportunities to play at weddings and special events. I remember playing "Maple Leaf Rag" for the former President Gerald Ford when he visted the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo many years ago.
There was no school song, at that time, so we hummed the school song.
We played many cool songs in the marching band.
Like "Green Onions", "Watermelon Man", "Horse" and others.
I finally graduated from El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, California.
The best band tune we played was "El Rancho Grande"
My son, Luke, is the Drum Major for the John Burroughs High School Marching Band. This is a very cool picture of my son, Luke, playing in the drumline. He is the one with the "B" on his uniform.
Their mascot is the "Indian".
The Marching Band went to Disneyland on January 2006 to lead the night time Main Street Parade. The video shows 2 drum majors leading the band. Luke is the one on the right. Below is a 33 second video clip of the event.
I do my best to play / compose music when
I get a chance.
Current projects
I play trombone with the Contemporary Worship Band at
Lake Avenue Church.
I'm working on very cool future brass arrangements. These arrangements are playable at the high school level. If you played your instrument during middle school and are now a good high school player, you should not have problems with these arrangements. For more information, email me at: mariposapro@yahoo.com
My favorite brass musician is Maynard Ferguson. I went to one of his concerts and was literally blown away by his trumpet sound. Powerful! We were able to meet on of Maynards trumpet players, Carl Fischer. We purchased his CD.
I have been playing the tin whistle for about 1 year now. It is really an easy instrument to play. I started playing by getting a book and taking one page at a time until I built up my fingering and control of the airflow into the fipple. It's a great sounding instrument and very easy to play.
I have started to learn to play the flute. I'll let you know how this goes later.
This is my dog, Champ. Cooling off on a hot summer day!
I attended three high schools.
9th and 10 grade was King High School in Kingsville, Texas.
I played 1st and 2nd trombone in the symphonic band.
Our mascot was the Brahma Bull. 
We played songs like the bullring fight songs.
I started taking private piano lessons in the first grade. 
11th grade was LBJ High School in Austin.
I was part of the infamous
I finally graduated from El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, California.
The best band tune we played was "El Rancho Grande"
