BIOGRAPHY:

Mr. Orser was born in Los Angeles and raised in Lancaster, Ca. His interest in music began in the 5th grade when he started playing the violin. He attended Antelope Valley Community College and California State University at Northridge. His first full-time music teaching position was at Lincoln High School in East L.A. While there, he took a handful of students and a program in shambles and turned it into an award winning organization. He returned to CSUN for graduate studies receiving his Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting.

Don Orser is currently director of the Matilija Junior High School Music Department. Since his arrival, he has expanded the musice department to include award winning choir, strings, jazz bands, intermediate, and advanced bands. This year, working with the Ojai Youth Symphony, he has introduced a strings class at Matilija.

In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Orser has enjoyed a wide variety of musical experiences. He has directed the Ojai Community Chorus. He has performed throughout Germany, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia as a member of the CSUN Symphony Orchestra. He currently is a vocalist and mandolin player in a bluegrass band called The Iron Mountain Boys.

This Ojai Treasure has made a lasting and positive impact on our youth through his music.

 

 

MENTOR:

Rotarian Marty Babayco

Rotary Club of Ojai