Spotlight | Acting Associate Principal Percussion, Adrian and Nancy Kay Hertog Family Chair (One Year Position)

Justin Ochoa

Justin Ochoa joins the Kansas City Symphony as Acting Associate Principal Percussion. Prior to his appointment in Kansas City, he was a performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic as a Judith and Thomas Beckmen Resident Fellow. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Justin began playing percussion and guitar as a kid before ultimately choosing to pursue percussion seriously. After graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy, Justin studied at the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor’s of Music from there in 2019. He then moved to Los Angeles for graduate study at the Colburn School where he graduated with his Master’s degree in Spring 2023.  

Previously, Justin has been a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, the National Repertory Orchestra, and the Breckenridge International Festival of the Arts. In addition to touring and performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Justin has performed with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. While in California, he was guest timpanist with the American Youth Symphony and Principal Percussion of the California Young Artists Symphony. His principal teachers were Ted Atkatz and Thomas Burritt and additional studies were undertaken with Matthew Howard, James Babor, and Joe Pereira. 

Outside of music, Justin enjoys boxing and staying active.