Education Through Music-Los Angeles looks forward to its 20th Year Benefit Gala, as we celebrate Ryan Gonzales (Director of Bands at James Monroe High School, Co-Founder, Fostering Arts Conservatory) with the Shining Star Award. This honor is given to those whose contributions have positively impacted lives & communities. Through his work as a music educator, Gonzales is proud to share his love for music and collaborate with his students. “I think the wonderful thing about being a music teacher is getting to share that feeling of performance with the students,” he shares. “Teaching performance practice, teaching music education–it allows us all to create together.”

When reflecting on his early years as a high school music teacher, Gonzales confides, “I realized that as a high school music teacher, I wasn’t going to have a job very much longer if our elementary schools and middle schools didn’t have music education.” To that end, Gonzales helped connect ETM-LA with Carlos Santana Arts Academy, fostering a partnership that impacts students and families beyond the classroom. “Partnering with ETM-LA has been so crucial for us here at the high school. What we have found is that the earlier exposure to music education that our students have, the better they perform in school, the more access to resources they have, and the more they’re able to contribute to our community.”

Always prioritizing the needs of his students, Gonzales understands the potential for music to strengthen and inspire communities. He states, “Music programs in particular are a vehicle for change. They allow us to not only change the lives of individual students, but uplift our community.”

Gonzales’ unwavering support for music education is deeply valued by ETM-LA and all of the communities who have felt the positive impact of music in their schools. We are proud to honor his generous contributions to our mission, and to work together to keep encouraging joyful, empowered, and well-rounded students. Thank you, Ryan, for supporting our mission for music in under-resourced Los Angeles schools.

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Ryan Gonzales’ Complete Bio:

Ryan Gonzales is the current band and orchestra director at James Monroe High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Mr. Gonzales conducts Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Marching Band as well as serves as Department Chair for the music department at Monroe. Mr. Gonzales is also one of the co-founders for the James Monroe High School Visual and Performing Arts Academy, as well as one of the co-founders of the Monroe Community of Schools Fine Arts Conservatory. The JMHS VAPA Academy and MNOS Fine Arts Conservatory serve over 1,200 students annually. 

During his time at James Monroe High School, the music department received numerous awards and grants featuring several grants from the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and the Arts and Healing Justice Network. 

In addition to his duties at James Monroe High School, Mr. Gonzales serves as The CMEA Southwestern Section President. Additionally, Mr. Gonzales has served as Guest Conductor for California State University Northridge having worked with both the CSUN Wind Symphony and Wind Ensembles. Mr. Gonzales also works as a clinician for middle school and high school concert bands and orchestras throughout Southern California.

Mr. Gonzales received his Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Euphonium Performance and his Master’s Degree in Instrumental Band Conducting from California State University, Northridge where he studied with Dr. Larry Stoffel.