John Aranda

John Aranda is a professional musician and educator who graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a master’s degree in trumpet performance. He studied under Boyd Hood, Roy Poper and Burnette Dillon. Upon graduating from USC, Aranda won the job of assistant principal trumpet and later principal trumpet with the State Orchestra of Mexico. While in Mexico City, he joined the faculty of the State Conservatory of Mexico as trumpet professor, theory professor and director of the jazz ensemble. After six years in Mexico, Aranda returned with his family to Los Angeles. Today he keeps busy as a freelance musician and teacher. He has worked within a diverse genre of groups and organizations including: the L.A. Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, Pacific Opera, Los Angeles Ballet, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Pacific Ballet and Disneyland. He performs as a pit musician in many shows in both the L.A. and Orange county areas and was a member of the Solomon Burke Blues band. He is a tenured member of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, principal trumpet of the Dana Point Symphony, and O.C. Winds. In the summer of 2018, Aranda was among several international trumpet artists/clinicians to participate in The International Trumpet Solo Competition held in Fuxin, China. There he played in solo recitals, group concerts and judged the finals of the 2018 competition. Currently, Aranda is a member of the Pomona College Music department where he teaches applied trumpet.