Hello
I'm Mr. Portillo and welcome to UP Music! Read my bio below to get to know a little bit more about me, and why I am passionate about what I do.
My Story
Position with UP Music:
UP Music Founder / Band Instructor
Main Instrument
Saxophone
Favorite Song/Piece
Depends!
Classical - Stravinsky "The Firebird Suite"
Jazz - Anything by Charlie Parker
Pop/Modern"ish"- Anything with sweet harmonies - Boyz II Men "One Sweet Day"
Dream Vacation
Anywhere on a beach. I'm pretty active so we would have to be playing volleyball, skiing, sailing, or something!
At what point did you know you wanted to be a teacher?
I knew very early. I started teaching one of my friends bass guitar and drums when I was in high school. I was hooked pretty quickly when I saw them have their "light bulb" moment.
What is the most inspiring part of your job?
It's actually not a musical answer. The most inspiring part of my job is building relationships with my students and families. Watching them progress in all areas of life.
What is your classroom like?
Chaotic! More like organized chaos. We make big sounds, I crack a lot of jokes (I think I'm funny), and we learn a ton. I'm big in regards to honesty and helping my students learn. I'm quick to celebrate an accomplish and I'm gentle when something needs to be fixed.
If you could pass any wisdom along to your students, what would you share?
Progress over perfection and enjoy the journey. People tend to want to be perfect right from the beginning and that's not how life works. If we learn how to adjust our attitudes and keep your feet moving in the right direction, amazing things happen.
The best piece of advice you've ever received:
"Love hard." My mom
Favorite quote:
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."