Jon Ortiz is a Doctoral student and Graduate Teaching Assistant in Percussion at Texas Tech University studying with Alan Shinn. Originally from Odessa, Jon began studying percussion with Jimmy Olague in Middle School and continued until he graduated from Odessa High School. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University in 2016. He is a member of the national music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda, and received the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Collegiate Music Educator award. He worked as an ambassador and student recruiter for the Texas Tech College of Visual and Performing Arts.

In 2019, Jon graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Masters in Percussion Performance where he studied with Lalo Davila, Brian Mueller, and Julie Davila. He was a Graduate Teaching Assistant and worked with the MTSU Band of Blue Drumline, and was a director for multiple Percussion Ensembles, Steel Bands, and Salsa Bands while in Tennessee. Jon was also a member of the front ensemble staff for the indoor percussion group, Audio Theater.

Jon traveled to Sydney, Australia to work with H. Robert Reynolds in preparing an auditioned High School age ensemble to perform at the Sydney Opera House. Under the direction of Dr. Lisa Rogers, Jon travelled to Canada and Scotland to perform with the Steel Band, Apocalypso Now. He was also a member of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland, TTU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, TTU Symphony Orchestra, MTSU Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensembles, and Opera productions. While receiving his degrees, Jon performed with the Tennessee All-Collegiate Percussion Ensemble, Lubbock Symphony, Jack Bounds Trio, and with artists, Liam Teague, Victor Provost, Mike Mixtacki, Fausto Cuevas, Andres Forero, and Lalo Davila.