Eric Calderon
Saxophone, Flute & Clarinet

Eric Calderon

  • Classical saxophone
  • Jazz & contemporary
  • CSUDH

Eric Calderon began his musical journey at age 10 when he picked up the saxophone. A graduate of Alain Leroy Locke High School, Eric served as drum major and continued his studies at California State University Dominguez Hills, studying classical saxophone under Dr. Chika Inoue while expanding into Jazz and Contemporary music with Pancho Williams and Dr. Teodross Avery.

Eric is active with Mu Phi Epsilon’s Gamma Sigma Chapter and has served on the board as chorister, advocating for performance opportunities. He received a scholarship in memory of Maria Jaque and participated in CSU Summer Arts for Classical Saxophone, studying with Dr. Inoue and additional faculty.

Eric also contributes to the Fernando Pullum Community Art Center and aspires to earn doctorates in music performance, sharing his passion with future generations.

Nickolas Ortiz
Saxophone (Alto & Tenor), Flute, & Clarinet

Nickolas Ortiz

  • Music education
  • Senior Jazz Orchestra
  • Mentorship focus

Nickolas Ortiz is a saxophone musician and Music Education graduate of California State University, Dominguez Hills. His talent was recognized early, leading to an invitation to join Fernando Pullum’s Senior Jazz Orchestra.

At CSUDH, Nickolas explored classical music under Dr. Chika Inoue and jazz with Dr. Teodross Avery, finding his strongest calling in jazz ensemble and mentorship. Nickolas is passionate about guiding the next generation of musicians and helping students develop both skill and confidence.

Gary Gould
Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, & Composition

Gary Gould

  • M.M. Music
  • 15+ years teaching
  • Global performance

Gary Gould is a multi-woodwindist and dedicated teacher committed to making music learning enjoyable and engaging. With a Master’s degree in Music and a performing career spanning the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, and beyond, Gary brings deep experience to every lesson.

He won a major saxophone contest hosted by a Los Angeles radio station and built a long-running performing career. Gary has over 15 years of teaching experience, has led bands, and has spoken at educational conferences. He has worked with students at institutions including OCSA, Irvine Valley College, and Cal State Fullerton.

Gary’s teaching emphasizes innovation, tailored approaches, and strong fundamentals for lasting progress—supporting students whether they play for fun or pursue professional goals.

Daniel Torrez
Saxophone (Alto & Tenor), Flute, & Clarinet

Daniel Torrez

  • Music education
  • Student-centered
  • Multi-instrumentalist

Daniel Torrez is a dedicated musician and educator whose passion for music began in middle school. Over the past 7 years, he has developed his musicianship on saxophone with performance experience and teaching work across skill levels.

Daniel studies music education at CSUDH with classical instruction under Dr. Chika Inoue and contemporary jazz with Dr. Teodross Avery. He values thorough explanations and adapts his teaching to each student’s learning style.

In addition to saxophone, Daniel plays clarinet, flute, and piano, and draws inspiration from jazz, soul, R&B, and reggae.

Shooka Afshar
Piano, Voice & Flute

Shooka Afshar

  • 20+ years experience
  • Classical vocal performance
  • Composition & musicianship

Shooka Afshar is a professional opera singer, composer, pianist, flutist, vocal pedagogue, and music educator with over two decades of teaching and performance experience. She holds a Master's Degree in Classical Vocal Performance from the Longy School of Music and has completed specialized training in vocal pedagogy, vocal therapy, and breathing techniques through Boston Medical Center.

For the past fourteen years, Shooka has served as a tenured music faculty member at The Chestnut Hill School of Music, teaching voice, piano, and flute in private and group settings. Her expertise also includes musicianship, diction, composition, vocal pedagogy, and movement-based instruction. Drawing on Dalcroze Eurhythmics and four years of Plastique Animée training, she incorporates movement to strengthen students' rhythm, coordination, phrasing, and musical expression.

Shooka also leads group music and movement classes for children and adults without formal musical training, emphasizing ensemble skills, creativity, stage presence, and healthy performance techniques.

An accomplished performer and composer, Shooka received a Harvard Music Award in 2022. Her original compositions have been featured at cultural events, including the Farhang Foundation's Persian New Year Festival in Los Angeles, where Nowrooz Stayed Untouched was performed. She also led an artist residency in northern Italy for The Manipulation Project, an interdisciplinary production combining music, dance, theater, and visual arts.

Through her comprehensive, creative teaching approach, Shooka inspires students to build technical proficiency, confidence, musical intelligence, and a meaningful connection to their individual artistic voice.

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