Join us at the next meeting
Join us in person for the upcoming jazz workshop with Dan Taguchi on Monday, February 3rd from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, held at SOCES with Michael Turner.
Come learn from one of the best on teaching improvisation and jazz standards, open to beginner and veteran music teachers. |
About dan taguchi
Dan Taguchi retired in 2017 after a thirty-eight-year teaching career (thirty-five in the Los Angeles Unified School District). He spent the final eight years as Director of Instrumental Music at Hale Charter Academy in Woodland Hills, where he taught Mariachi, Band, Orchestra, Winds, Strings, and Jazz Ensemble. Hale jazz ensembles under Mr. Taguchi’s direction consistently earned First Place awards and Superior Ratings at festivals. Hale was chosen as a finalist at the 2012 Monterey Next Generation Festival.
Prior to his arrival at Hale, Mr. Taguchi spent fifteen years on the faculty of the Hamilton Academy of Music, where he served as Director of Jazz Studies. He also taught Mariachi, Advanced Placement Music Theory, Guitar Ensemble, and Musical Theater Pit Orchestra. Hamilton jazz ensembles under his direction earned First Place awards and Superior Ratings at local and national festivals, and performed at many prestigious venues, including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Playboy Jazz Festival, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Mr. Taguchi has served as an adjudicator, clinician, presenter, and guest conductor for secondary schools, colleges and music organizations. A woodwind specialist, he has performed with well-known groups including the UCLA and CSUN Jazz Ensembles. Mr. Taguchi has earned awards such as the 2003 Music Center Spotlight Awards “Spotlight on Teachers Award”, the 2005 Music Center Bravo Awards Honorable Mention, the 2006 Cherry Blossom Festival “Teachers Making a Difference Award”, the 2009 “K-Jazz 88.1 Educator of the Year Award”, the 2014 National Life Group “Life Changer of the Year Award”, and the 2017 Southern California Band and Orchestra Association Gold Award. He was inducted into the LAUSD Education Hall of Fame in 2015.
Now in his eighth year of retirement, Mr. Taguchi remains active as an adjudicator, clinician, coach, substitute teacher, and performer. He thanks the Los Angeles Secondary Music Teachers’ Association for the invitation to serve as a presenter at tonight’s meeting.
Prior to his arrival at Hale, Mr. Taguchi spent fifteen years on the faculty of the Hamilton Academy of Music, where he served as Director of Jazz Studies. He also taught Mariachi, Advanced Placement Music Theory, Guitar Ensemble, and Musical Theater Pit Orchestra. Hamilton jazz ensembles under his direction earned First Place awards and Superior Ratings at local and national festivals, and performed at many prestigious venues, including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Playboy Jazz Festival, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Mr. Taguchi has served as an adjudicator, clinician, presenter, and guest conductor for secondary schools, colleges and music organizations. A woodwind specialist, he has performed with well-known groups including the UCLA and CSUN Jazz Ensembles. Mr. Taguchi has earned awards such as the 2003 Music Center Spotlight Awards “Spotlight on Teachers Award”, the 2005 Music Center Bravo Awards Honorable Mention, the 2006 Cherry Blossom Festival “Teachers Making a Difference Award”, the 2009 “K-Jazz 88.1 Educator of the Year Award”, the 2014 National Life Group “Life Changer of the Year Award”, and the 2017 Southern California Band and Orchestra Association Gold Award. He was inducted into the LAUSD Education Hall of Fame in 2015.
Now in his eighth year of retirement, Mr. Taguchi remains active as an adjudicator, clinician, coach, substitute teacher, and performer. He thanks the Los Angeles Secondary Music Teachers’ Association for the invitation to serve as a presenter at tonight’s meeting.
Join us in the second meeting of the new school year at Frost Middle School in Granada Hills with host Juan Rodriguez. We will be joined by Jazz Hands for Autism in a workshop that helps us to teach our neurodivergent students. There will be a light dinner provided (donations suggested) before the meeting starts at 6:00 - 8:00 PM.
This meeting will be hybrid so that those who are not able to come in person can join via Zoom. Check back the day of the meeting for the Zoom link here.
This meeting will be hybrid so that those who are not able to come in person can join via Zoom. Check back the day of the meeting for the Zoom link here.
Join us virtually on Zoom for the upcoming online-only meeting on Wednesday, November 13 at 6:00 PM to go over suggested changes to the bylaws and an open discussion forum on pedagogical topics.
upcoming events
Scholarship opportunities for students
Stewart Rupp Scholarship
Stewart Rupp (1940-2013) was the instrumental music teacher at Paul Revere M.S. for 35 years before retiring in 2003. He was also a professional trumpet player and active member of LASMTA. After his retirement, Stew spent much of his time giving back to the community by mentoring music teachers in LAUSD and volunteering as a docent for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. His love for the city of Los Angeles and its architecture led him to give walking tours of downtown architecture for the Los Angeles Conservancy.
The Los Angeles Secondary Music Teachers Association (L.A.S.M.T.A.) is offering one $500 scholarship to a graduating 12th grade music student who shows exceptional promise and achievement in the field of music and will be majoring in Music in college. The $500 scholarship is being given in honor of former LASMTA member and distinguished music teacher Stewart Rupp.
In order for students to qualify for this scholarship, teachers must be an LASTMA member for the school year. Click here to renew your membership or join LASMTA.
Deadline to apply (application and essay) is now open. Deadline to apply is Friday, April 11, 2025.
Email completed scanned forms with the confidential teacher recommendation form to Julie West at [email protected]. |

Stewart Rupp Memorial Scholarship Application | |
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LASMTA Private Music Lessons Scholarship
The Los Angeles Secondary Music Teachers Association is offering a limited number of scholarships to secondary (middle and high school) students who show exceptional promise and achievement in the field of music. Those recommended should be beyond the beginning level and demonstrate above average accomplishment in music preparation worthy of public performance.
In order for students to qualify for this scholarship, students must be currently enrolled in their school's music program and their teachers must be an active LASTMA member for the school year. Deadline to apply (application and essay) is now open. Application deadline is Friday, April 26, 2025. ![]()
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Two types of scholarships will be offered
Scholarship #1 is for students who have studied privately.
Scholarship #2 is for students who have received training only in the public schools.
Who is eligible to audition
Scholarships will be available for voice students and instrumentalists (woodwind, brass, percussion, string, piano, guitar) in grades 6 - 12.
Scholarship amount and disbursement
The scholarships of $250 each will be paid directly to the private music teacher. Recipients will be selected on the basis of audition and evaluation by a panel of judges.
Scholarship #1 is for students who have studied privately.
Scholarship #2 is for students who have received training only in the public schools.
Who is eligible to audition
Scholarships will be available for voice students and instrumentalists (woodwind, brass, percussion, string, piano, guitar) in grades 6 - 12.
Scholarship amount and disbursement
The scholarships of $250 each will be paid directly to the private music teacher. Recipients will be selected on the basis of audition and evaluation by a panel of judges.
Solo & Ensemble Festival
The Solo and Ensemble Festival provides an opportunity for LAUSD students who sing or play standard instruments to select and prepare appropriate musical literature for performance assessment. Participates perform for a qualified adjudicator who critiques & evaluates the performance. Performers are given a written evaluation, short clinic and certificate of rating. Each entry has 15 minutes with the adjudicator to perform and then have a clinic with the remaining time. There is no limit on the number of solos or ensembles that may be entered from one school or the number of times each student may perform.
In order for students to qualify for this scholarship, teachers must be an LASTMA member for the school year. Click here to renew your membership or join LASMTA. Application to apply for 2025 is now open. Applications are due Friday, February 14, 2025. Date Saturday, March 1, 2025
Time 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Location Barack Obama Global Prep
1700 W. 46th Street Los Angeles 90062 ![]()
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Thanks for a great year!
The wrap up of 2023 - 2024 school year included the first ever LASMTA honor band and we want to thank all the music teachers and community members that have participated and joined us at meetings and events throughout the year.
We hope that you'll join us next year! In the meantime, here's a recap!
We hope that you'll join us next year! In the meantime, here's a recap!