Biography

Demetrio "Dane" Castillo is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and educator based in his hometown of New Orleans, LA.  The exploration and manipulation of sounds and vibrations have intrigued Dane throughout his entire life and the adventure has only begun!

Starting back as a youngling, Dane has performed with many different ensembles around the country and the world!  Dane was a member of the St. Louis Cathedral Boychoir, under the direction of Dreux Montegut, where the boychoir was able to tour around Italy and Canada.  The boychoir performed in many different venues and churches including mass for the St. Peter's Basilica.  Dane then transitioned from the choir scene to the band scene.  Able to perform with his high school band in Germany with another band program in Bamberg, Dane played brass and percussion throughout his time in high school leading him to be a Drum Major of the band.  His time in high school band highly influenced him to continue learning about music and to perform with many great music ensembles.

While in university, Dane has performed with music ensembles from Loyola Unversity New Orleans and with the marching band from Tulane University.  Dane auditioned and earned contracts as a touring performer with Drum Corps International and Winter Guard International performance groups that tour the country for competition. He spent summers with the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps from Lafayette, LA, and the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from Rosemont, IL.  Playing in indoor percussion ensembles in the front ensemble, he spent winters with the Elite Independent from Covington, LA, and Monarch Independent from Houston, TX.  Internationally, he was also able to travel to Schladming, Austria, to perform with the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project under the direction of Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant for Schladming’s Blasmusik Festival.  Dane currently performs on quads with the Fat City Drum Corps and around the New Orleans area gigging and jamming.

As an educator, Dane works with many different music ensembles and private instruction.  He works with many brass and percussion sections along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi.  As a private instructor, he teaches percussion, brass, and music theory in the New Orleans area and electronically.  Working with other independent groups, he works as the Front Ensemble Co-Coordinator (Pit Grandma) for St. Martin Independent based in Ocean Springs, MS, and as part of the Admin Team for the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in Rosemont, IL.  

As a composer, Dane has written for film, electronics, and various solos & ensembles.  He also has written background music for podcasts like Passion Ko and exercise programs such as Silver Wave Fitness.  Electronically, Dane enjoys writing groovy and ambient music, especially when writing with electronics and instruments like his "Machine Thoughts" for solo euphonium and electronics.  Some chamber pieces that Dane wrote include an energetic saxophone quartet "Ann Garey's Demise," a delicate trio for cello, double bass, & vibraphone "Here are the Reasons," and a variating tuba and euphonium duet "Seven Crabs."

Dane is working towards his Master's in Euphonium and Percussion Performance at Loyola University New Orleans where he also earned his Bachelor's in Music Composition.  Being influenced by many great professors and many great musicians at Loyola, Dane is studying euphonium under William Hess, percussion under Jim Atwood and Dave Salay, and Composition under Dr. Jimbo Walsh.  

Besides playing and writing music- Dane enjoys playing video games on his Nintendo Switch and PC, laughing at different types of comedy, and spending time with friends and family!

Demetrio "Dane" Castillo is a multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger, and educator based in his hometown of New Orleans, LA.  Currently, Dane is working towards his Master's in Euphonium and Percussion Performance at Loyola University New Orleans, where he also earned his Bachelor's in Music Composition.  He specializes in euphonium, tuba, concert/marching percussion, and synthesizers.  Dane studies euphonium with William Hess, percussion with Jim Atwood and Dave Salay, and Composition with Dr. Jimbo Walsh.  As a composer/arranger, he has written for film, electronics, and various solos & ensembles.  As an educator, he works with many different music ensembles and teaches private lessons along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi.  He currently works with Fontainebleau High School’s percussion section, gigs around the New Orleans area, and performs with Fat City Drum Corps (the unofficial NFL Saints Drumline) during the Saints home games!  Dane enjoys playing video games on his Nintendo Switch and PC, laughing at different types of comedy, and spending time with friends and family!