Staff

Director of Bands: Susie Marin

Email: susie.marin@cjuhsd.net

The Wishing Tree

"...Mrs. Marin has said the band is merely the vehicle she uses in order to help us become better human beings and to be more successful later on in life..." —Eddie Gonzales, former student, Graduate Engineering Harvey Mudd

Susie Marin is a young-at-heart music educator with over 23 years teaching experience. She is a Southern California native having grown up just outside of Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelors in Music Education from Cal State Fullerton, her Credential from Azusa Pacific University, and a Masters in Instrumental Conducting from Southern Oregon University and the American Band College.

She has taught in Long Beach Unified and Azusa Unified School Districts. She has been the Director of Bands at Azusa High School for 21 years while simultaneously serving as the district music coordinator and overseeing the music programs k-12. Under her leadership the Azusa High Bands earned numerous Unanimous Superiors at SCSBOA District Festivals and Jazz Festivals. On the field her bands have been recognized for creative and musical performances; having earned 3 SCSBOA Field Championships and numerous high caption awards for Visual Effect and Performance. She has traveled with her students and performed throughout Europe as part of the Voyagers Tour.

Susie serves on the SCSBOA Field Adjudication Steering Committee and is an SCSBOA Festival and Field Adjudicator. She believes learning is life long and regularly attends workshops and conferences so she may better serve her students.

She has been recognized for her commitment to her students and the community of Azusa with a Teacher of the Year Award and the Teachers Honoring Excellence Award.

She believes in building relationships with students and parents through music. Through commitment to excellence and pride in their program students develop lifelong skills that help them grow into creative, responsible, and productive members of society.

Susie is married to Bill Martinez her college sweet heart. They both play saxophone and are music educators and are the parents of two feline fur babies Jack and Wilbur.

"Through her work ethic she has taught me what it means to be dedicated, motivated, and most importantly what it means to be on a team." —Metztli Cisneros, Former student, Pre-med UCSD


Percussion: Bryan Nungaray

Email: banmusic86@gmail.com

Bryan Nungaray is currently an active educator in the realm of marching arts. He assumes the roles of instructor, designer, program coordinator, and director for several programs in the state of California.

He is currently owner of BAN’d Music and the director of percussion for Etiwanda High School from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. While maintaining a busy schedule that is not solely limited in writing and teaching, he also designs for Vessel Indoor Percussion from Ontario, CA and Fountain Valley High School from Fountain Valley, CA.

Aside from previously working with the Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps from Sacramento, CA, he has also worked for the Academy Drum & Bugle Corps from Tempe, AZ and Ayala High School from Chino Hills, CA.

Bryan is a proud endorser of Innovative Percussion, Pearl/Adams, Remo, and Zildjian products.

He currently resides in Fontana, CA.


Color Guard: Robert Rodriguez

Email: rodriguezr87@icloud.com

Robert Rodriguez has been involved in the pageantry scene at all scholastic levels, including, elementary school, middle/jr. high school, and high school. Over his fourteen year career, which began in 2005, his groups have been known locally and regionally for their attention to detail as well as the quality of their performances. Some of the highlights of his career have been working with Riverside Poly High School, Rancho Verde High School, and Vista Murrieta High School.

Mr. Rodriguez has also had success teaching drum corps. He worked with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps from 2015-2018 and most currently with the 2019 Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps.

He believes color guard provides an opportunity to develop an appreciation for performance and encourages the skills and disciple necessary for achieving success throughout a lifetime of experiences. Students learn the importance of a cooperative team effort while working with fellow members to accomplish the shared goals.

Robert is currently beginning his 4th year as caption head of the Etiwanda Color Guard.