Huzzah Music Publishing

“Diversity is the mix. Inclusion is making the mix work”
— Andres Tapia
  • A man with a beard and short hair sitting in an office chair, wearing a yellow T-shirt with a wolf logo, a crown headband, and a whistle around his neck, with his arms crossed. There is a whiteboard, a cart with equipment, and a desk with a laptop in the background.

    Keith Hunter

    WRITER MAXIMUS

    Keith Hunter is in his 14th year of teaching and currently teaches 5th grade band and Gunn Jazz II in the Palo Alto Unified School District. He received his B.M. in Music Education and Trombone Performance from San José State University and his Masters in Conducting from the American Band College. During his career in PAUSD, Keith has been the recipient of the PAEA Excellence in Education Elementary for “Inspirational Teaching: Inspiring and Encouraging Others,” received a CAC Sweetheart Award from the Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs, and a PAEA Ovation award. Keith is currently serving his third year as the elementary music representative on the CMEA board. Outside of school he likes to spend time with his family, playing games, and riding bikes!

  • A man with glasses laughing and placing his hand on his chest, sitting at a table. He is holding a box of Lutefisk with a colorful logo, and wearing a gray t-shirt with a tree and the word 'Evolve'. There is a green checkered cloth hanging on the back of his chair and a wooden panel behind him. He's in a room with beige walls, with a deer head mounted on the wall in the background.

    Shawn McGinn

    INSPIRING LEADER

    Shawn McGinn teaches Big Band Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band II at Gunn and Elementary Band in PAUSD. Mr. McGinn has a B.A. in Music Education from Gonzaga University, with a Master’s Degree in Conducting from Southern Oregon University. Working previously in Morgan Hill, Mr. McGinn served as the Director of Instrumental Music and VAPA coordinator at the secondary level. He has guest conducted at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and was named Teacher of the Year at his school sites in 2014, and 2018. Mr. McGinn has performed in a variety of ensembles in Japan and Europe. Mr. McGinn is celebrating 21 years in Music Education.

  • A man sitting on the ground organizing colorful stomp boxes, which are laid out in a case, with some open boxes and additional stomp boxes nearby.

    Gary Ortega

    EDITOR EXTRAORDINAIRE

    Gary Ortega is in his 11th year of teaching elementary music in the classroom. He received his B.M. in Jazz Studies and M.A. in Music from San Jose State University studying jazz improvisation and composition. He currently teaches 5th grade instrumental music in Palo Alto Unified School District. Mr. Ortega got his start in beginning band in 2012 as a founding teacher for the Progressions Program in San Jose, CA, an El Sistema inspired program targeting at-risk youth through music and aftercare assistance. He has taught middle school Band, Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and Music Production and spent time at the university level teaching beginning jazz improvisation. A long journey with music production has put him behind the songs and music of the BandBridge Series and his passion for starting beginning students is driving the wheel of making the best book possible for students and educators.