Staff
Director of Bands: Susie Marin
Email: susie.marin@cjuhsd.net"...Mrs. Marin has said the band is merely the vehicle she uses in order to help us become better human beings and to be more successful later on in life..." — Eddie Gonzales, former student, Graduate Engineering Harvey Mudd
Susie Marin is a young-at-heart music educator with 28 years of teaching experience. She is a Southern California native, having grown up just outside of Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor's in Music Education from Cal State Fullerton, her Credential from Azusa Pacific University, and a Master's in Instrumental Conducting from Southern Oregon University and the American Band College.
She serves as the Director of Bands at Etiwanda High School and has taught in Long Beach and Azusa Unified School Districts. She has served as the Director of Bands and District Music Coordinator for Azusa USD. Under Mrs. Marin's direction, her ensembles have earned numerous Unanimous Superiors at SCSBOA District Festivals and Jazz Festivals. On the field, her bands have been recognized for creative and musical performances, having earned numerous SCSBOA Field Championships and many high caption awards. She has traveled with her students and performed throughout Europe and in the London New Year's Day Parade.
Mrs. Marin has served the SCSBOA as Vice President of Field Adjudication, served on the Field Adjudication Steering Committee, and is an SCSBOA Festival and Field Adjudicator. She has presented at the SCSBOA Music Educator's Conference and the CASMEC Conference. She believes learning is life long and regularly attends workshops and conferences so she may better serve her students.
She has been recognized for her commitment to her students with a Teacher of the Year Award, the Teachers Honoring Excellence Award, the SCSBOA Distinguished Member Award, and the WGASC Exceptional Band Director Award.
She believes in building relationships with students and parents through music. Through commitment to excellence and pride in their program, students develop lifelong skills that help them grow into creative, responsible, and productive adults.
"Through her work ethic, she has taught me what it means to be dedicated, motivated, and most importantly, what it means to be on a team." — Metztli Cisneros, former student, Pre-med UCSD
Assistant Director: Eric Villalobos
Email: merassistantbd@gmail.com
Born and raised in Whittier, California, Mr. Eric Villalobos is a music educator, an active professional musician, and an Army Musician in the Southern California area. His performances have taken him around the United States, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan.
Mr. Villalobos began his formal music education at Fullerton College, where he served as a teaching assistant to Dr. Tony Mazzafero. He continued his education at the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, VA. Mr. Villalobos earned dual Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Tuba Performance from Azusa Pacific University, where he also served as a teaching assistant to Dr. John Burdett. Additionally, Eric holds a Master's in Education with an emphasis on Inspired Teaching and Learning from National University.
Mr. Villalobos, often referred to as "Mr. V," has held several notable positions in music education. He served as the Director of Bands at Warren High School in Downey, CA, and as the Band Director at Valley Christian High School in Cerritos, CA. Several years ago, Eric joined the staff at Riverside Community College, where he serves as a tuba instructor for the world-famous RCC Marching Tigers. Mr. V has also served as the Assistant Director of Bands at California High School in Whittier, CA, and as a brass and visual instructor at Azusa High School under Mrs. Susie Marin. He also previously served as the Executive Director for Élan Percussion from Covina, CA.
During his deployment to Afghanistan in 2011, Mr. Villalobos's primary mission was to teach the Afghan National Army Band. Eric is a member of the California Music Educators Association (CMEA) and the Southern California Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Mr. Villalobos is also the principal tubist for The Orange County Wind Symphony and a Guest Conductor for the University of California Irvine Wind Ensemble.
Over the years, Mr. Villalobos has had the privilege of receiving instruction from distinguished educators such as Dr. John Burdett, Dr. Tony Mazzafero, Doug Nordquist, John Van Houten, Chuck Koontz, and Lise Friisbaastad. He has also participated in masterclasses with numerous experts, including Dr. Emily Moss, Dr. Peter Haberman, Dr. Abel Ramirez, Dr. Dan Tembras, Larry Gookin, Scott Teeple, Richard and Cheryl Floyd, Alan McMurray, Timothy Holtan, Craig Kirchhoff, Avital Handler, and Rafael Payare.
Percussion: Eric Shriver
Email: etiwandapercussion@gmail.com
Eric Shriver is a Percussion Educator and Designer based in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He has performed with the Bluecoats, Pulse Percussion, Black Knights, Pacific Crest, and RCC Marching Band. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Industry Studies) from California Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Currently, Eric serves as the Percussion Director and Battery Designer at Etiwanda and Rancho Cucamonga High Schools. He is also the Ensemble Coordinator and Battery Arranger for POW Percussion and the Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps.
Eric's work with drum corps is extensive. He has served as a snare tech for the Bluecoats and Cavaliers, the Percussion Caption Head and Battery Arranger for the Blue Stars, and the Percussion Head and Battery Arranger for Gold. His WGI teaching experience includes roles as Snare Tech and Ensemble Coordinator for Pulse Percussion, Battery Arranger for Élan Percussion, and Battery Arranger for Gold Indoor Percussion.
Eric is a member of the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) Classification Committee. He is also a co-owner and designer at Front2Back Music, a company that creates shows for marching bands and indoor ensembles. Additionally, he is the owner and creator of “The Build-Up Method,” a set of rudimental percussion practice methods that use logical skill-building exercises and audio tracks.
Color Guard: Miguel Vela
Email: velmigg26@gmail.com
Miguel Vela is a dedicated and passionate member of the marching arts community and currently serves as the Color Guard Director at Etiwanda High School. He has devoted countless hours to instructing, learning, and directing a wide variety of programs throughout his career.
Mr. Vela’s experience includes working with world-class groups such as the RCC Marching Tigers, Fantasia Winter Guard, and The Concord Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps. With 12 years of experience teaching scholastic-level color guard groups, he has inspired many young performers to strive for success within the activity.
Some of his most notable achievements in directing include his work with Yorba Linda High School, Whittier High School, South Hills High School, and John A. Rowland High School. Miguel believes that color guard shapes students' lives, helping them exceed their own expectations as performers through passion, commitment, and dedication.
Miguel resides in Whittier, CA, and is currently attending California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) to obtain his degree in Psychology. He aims to become a Guidance Counselor/Advisor for all ages. Through his work as a coach, he has discovered a love for helping individuals understand their strengths and use that knowledge as a gateway to personal success.
Miguel has been working with the Etiwanda Marching Eagle Regiment since 2022 and plans to continue sharing his knowledge within the marching arts community for many years to come.