Biography

Biography

Freddy Ochoa is a music educator based in the Phoenix metro area whose goal is to provide high-quality music education accessible to all students, regardless of experience, background, demographics, or socioeconomic status.  He is currently the Director of Bands at Youngker High School in Buckeye, AZ, the principal saxophonist in the Scottsdale Concert Band, and a saxophonist with the Arizona Winds.

Freddy received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Arizona State University, where he studied with Dr. Christopher Creviston, world-renowned soloist and soprano chair of the Capitol Quartet, and Dr. Jason Caslor, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands and Orchestras at the ASU School of Music. Throughout his collegiate studies, Freddy performed with a variety of groups at ASU, including the Jazz Repertory Band, the ASU Wind Ensemble, and the Virtus Quartet.  In addition, he performed with Breakthrough Indoor Percussion and with the ASU Saxophone Choir at the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial. On stage, Freddy Ochoa has performed alongside world-class musicians such as Derek Brown, Johnny Huerta, Lisanne Norman, Joe Alessi, and Matt Lennex. Freddy is also a frequent performer with the Scottsdale Concert Band, the Arizona Winds, and with Boom Percussion.

Freddy Ochoa is an in-demand clinician in the Phoenix area and has coached soloists, chamber groups, jazz combos, and symphonic bands at Isaac Middle School, Udall Middle School, Ingleside Middle School, Akimel Middle School, Corona del Sol High School, Carl Hayden High School, Betty Fairfax High School, Mesa High School, American Leadership Academy Gilbert-North High School, Trevor Browne High School, Keller Elementary, and Garden Lakes Elementary. Furthermore, he has served as a judge & clinician for the Isaac School District Solo Festival and as a judge for the AMEA All-Region Auditions.  While at Youngker High School, Freddy helped organize and establish the first annual BUHSD Marching Band Showcase and the Buckeye Honors Music Festival.

Freddy is an avid instructor, designer, and consultant in the marching arts in Arizona and has worked with the marching arts programs at Verrado High School, Corona del Sol High School, ALA Gilbert North High School, Carl Hayden High School, Chandler High School, and Betty Fairfax High School. While at ALA Gilbert North, Freddy founded the school’s first-ever competitive percussion ensemble, leading the group to multiple first-place finishes throughout the season and earning the title of 2024 WGAZ PSRA State Champions. He is an active cymbal instructor and has coached multiple high school marching cymbal lines, as well as the cymbal lines at LINEA Percussion and Epicenter Indoor Percussion. Freddy has also served on the WGAZ Advisory Board.

In addition, Freddy also maintains a private studio of saxophone students. 

Currently, Freddy Ochoa is the Director of Bands at Youngker High School in Buckeye, Arizona, and an instructor at Epicenter Indoor Percussion. Freddy's professional affiliations include NAfME, AMEA, and ABODA.