Meet the Director
Mr. Ramiro Castañeda serves as the Director of Instrumental Music at Norwalk High School, where he leads the school’s marching band, concert band, jazz band, string orchestra, drumline, and pep band.
He brings over a decade of experience in music education, ensemble direction, marching arts instruction, student leadership development, and performance production. His background includes work as an assistant high school band director, university athletic music director, brass caption head, visual and brass instructor, drum major technician, adjudicator, and event coordinator.
A proud Los Angeles native, Mr. Castañeda earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. During his time at Cal Poly Pomona, he performed with the university’s concert band, wind ensemble, orchestra, and athletic bands while studying trumpet, horn, composition, arranging, and conducting with respected educators and professional musicians.
At Norwalk High School, Mr. Castañeda is committed to building a program rooted in musical excellence, student leadership, creativity, responsibility, and community. Under his direction, the program continues to grow through a culture grounded in the L.A.N.C.E.R. values: Leadership, Artistry, Nobility, Commitment, Excellence, and Resilience.
Beyond daily instruction, Mr. Castañeda works to create meaningful performance experiences for students through concerts, festivals, field trips, parades, community events, and multimedia concert productions. He also mentors student leaders, tech crews, and media teams, giving students opportunities to contribute both on stage and behind the scenes.
Mr. Castañeda served as a Co-Director of the 605 All-Star Band, helping lead over 500 students from eight high schools across three districts in their historic appearance in the 2025 Rose Parade. He has also helped host major regional music events, including SCSBOA Regionals and Trills & Thrills Music Festival.
He is an active member of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, California Band Directors Association, California Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, California Teachers Association, and National Education Association.
Mr. Castañeda is honored to serve the Norwalk community and remains committed to helping students grow as musicians, leaders, creators, and people.
He brings over a decade of experience in music education, ensemble direction, marching arts instruction, student leadership development, and performance production. His background includes work as an assistant high school band director, university athletic music director, brass caption head, visual and brass instructor, drum major technician, adjudicator, and event coordinator.
A proud Los Angeles native, Mr. Castañeda earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. During his time at Cal Poly Pomona, he performed with the university’s concert band, wind ensemble, orchestra, and athletic bands while studying trumpet, horn, composition, arranging, and conducting with respected educators and professional musicians.
At Norwalk High School, Mr. Castañeda is committed to building a program rooted in musical excellence, student leadership, creativity, responsibility, and community. Under his direction, the program continues to grow through a culture grounded in the L.A.N.C.E.R. values: Leadership, Artistry, Nobility, Commitment, Excellence, and Resilience.
Beyond daily instruction, Mr. Castañeda works to create meaningful performance experiences for students through concerts, festivals, field trips, parades, community events, and multimedia concert productions. He also mentors student leaders, tech crews, and media teams, giving students opportunities to contribute both on stage and behind the scenes.
Mr. Castañeda served as a Co-Director of the 605 All-Star Band, helping lead over 500 students from eight high schools across three districts in their historic appearance in the 2025 Rose Parade. He has also helped host major regional music events, including SCSBOA Regionals and Trills & Thrills Music Festival.
He is an active member of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, California Band Directors Association, California Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, California Teachers Association, and National Education Association.
Mr. Castañeda is honored to serve the Norwalk community and remains committed to helping students grow as musicians, leaders, creators, and people.