Oscar Fuentes Jr.
Greater Los Angeles And Orange County, CA.,USA
Summary
Dynamic music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and music technologist with over 15 years of diverse experience in performance, music production, curriculum design, youth instruction, and program operations. Expertise in crafting culturally responsive curricula and effectively teaching multi-ability learners, including neurodivergent students. Skilled in leading ensembles and integrating advanced technology such as Ableton Live and modern audio workflows. Proven track record in church music leadership, music direction, and managing small-campus production operations. Recognized for a calm leadership style, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to build strong relationships while delivering high-quality learning experiences in fast-paced artistic environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Music Instructor (Piano & Guitar, Ensemble)
Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center
04.2025 - Current
- Teach music across Performing Arts, Therapeutic Arts, and After-School Programs (Engage 360), including K-12, adults, and neurodivergent learners.
- Align lessons with IPP/IEP goals and use music as a tool for communication, regulation, and confidence building.
- Develop curriculum in piano, ensemble playing, rhythm foundations, songwriting, beatmaking, and DAW/iPad-based instruction (GarageBand/Ableton).
- Collaborate with cross-department staff to deliver inclusive, culturally responsive programming.
- Communicate progress to families and prepare students for recitals and community showcases.
- Music Instructor (Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Production)
On-Call Musician & Music Director (Piano/Keys, Bass)
Saddleback Church
11.2024 - Current
- Provide on-call musical support for contemporary worship and gospel services.
- Serve as Music Director, leading rehearsals, cueing transitions, shaping arrangements, and managing Ableton playback.
- Stepped in as Interim Technical Coordinator at a local campus, supporting Sunday production operations including audio, lighting, media, volunteer teams, and stage flow.
- Collaborate with Worship Directors/Pastors and production staff to maintain service consistency and team cohesion.
Professional Musician / Music Technologist / Educator
Self / independent contractor
01.2011 - Current
- Perform professionally on bass, piano/keys, drums, and guitar across hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, and contemporary genres.
- Studio recording and performance credits with Lupe Fiasco (SLR 3), Aloe Blacc, Shafiq Husayn, Taz Arnold, Kenny Lattimore, and Paul Jackson Jr.
- Produce and sound design using Ableton Live, specializing in sample-based production, MIDI workflows, virtual instruments, and hybrid performance rigs.
- Provide technical setup, playback integration, session prep, routing/signal flow support, and live show assistance for artists and teams.
- Teach piano, guitar, bass, drums, music theory, rhythm, songwriting, and digital music production to K-12 and adults.
- Design lesson plans, multi-week curriculum, and differentiated instruction for neurodivergent learners (IEP/IPP aligned).
- Support program logistics through scheduling, parent communication, recital preparation, and progress tracking.
Technical Advisor
GLIDEWELL LABORATORIES
08.2022 - 03.2025
- Delivered high-level technical troubleshooting and customer support in a fast-paced healthcare/technology environment.
- Strengthened operational skills in communication, workflow optimization, problem-solving, and multi-department coordination—directly applicable to music school operations and program leadership roles.
Music Coordinator
Journey of Faith Church
01.2019 - 12.2020
- Coordinated worship programming, scheduled musicians, and led rehearsals.
- Performed on piano, bass, and drums and supported service flow, arrangement planning, and musical direction.
- Mentored emerging musicians and supported production logistics for weekly services and events.
Education
Music, Music Education, Piano Pedagogy - Piano Pedagogy (in progress)
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA11.2025
Music (Associate's degree) -
El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA01.2011
Music (Associate's degree) -
Los Angeles Harbor College
Wilmington, CA01.2010
Skills
- Multi-Instrumental Performance
- Ableton Live / Logic Pro / Pro Tools
- Beatmaking & Sound Design
- Live Playback & Hybrid Rigs
- Music Direction (MD)
- Curriculum & Lesson Design
- Ensemble Leadership
- DAW Instruction (K–12 & Adult)
- MIDI workflows
- Technical troubleshooting
- Audio engineering
- Signal flow management
- Neurodivergent learner strategies
Accomplishments
- Contributed Bass Guitar performance to tracks produced by Soundtrakk (Lupe Fiasco), including work on “SLR 3”.
- Assisted producer Taz Arnold in early creative sessions for Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly ("For Sale?"), contributing Synth Keyboard ideas and textures in a high-level production environment.
- Collaborated with Fullerton College faculty to strengthen pipeline programs between community arts education and collegiate music pathways.
- Design culturally responsive music curriculum used at OCCTAC across performing, therapeutic arts, and after-school programs.
Certification
Piano Pedagogy Certificate (In Progress)
Fullerton College – Expected Completion Spring 2027
- Focus on piano education, musicianship, teaching methods, and applied pedagogy.
- Coursework aligned with requirements for MTAC Certificate of Merit teacher eligibility
Languages
English
Spanish - Fluent
Timeline
Music Instructor (Piano & Guitar, Ensemble)
Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center
04.2025 - Current
On-Call Musician & Music Director (Piano/Keys, Bass)
Saddleback Church
11.2024 - Current
Technical Advisor
GLIDEWELL LABORATORIES
08.2022 - 03.2025
Music Coordinator
Journey of Faith Church
01.2019 - 12.2020
Professional Musician / Music Technologist / Educator
Self / independent contractor
01.2011 - Current
Music, Music Education, Piano Pedagogy - Piano Pedagogy (in progress)
Fullerton College
Music (Associate's degree) -
El Camino Community College District
Music (Associate's degree) -
Los Angeles Harbor College