Resume

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Music Director

September 2025 - Present

The youngest music director in the LA Archdiocese, Mario works as the music director of 7 choirs at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Irwindale. Each choir has 15-40 members, meeting weekly, where he provides solo and group lessons. Mario makes musical arrangements and contracts musicians for special masses. Accompanies, sings, and directs choirs on Saturdays at 7 pm, Sundays at 11 am, and 1 pm. Congregations range from about 200 to 2,000 people. Performs for masses, quinceañeras, weddings, and funerals, with repertoire of traditional Catholic hymns and Contemporary Christian Music. Performs bilingually (English and Spanish) as a lyric tenor. 

St. Louis of France Catholic Church, Music Ministry Member

October  2021 - September 2025

In charge of the LifeTeen 1 pm youth choir. Arranged music for special masses and taught vocal and instrumental techniques.  Congregations range from 50 to about 1,000 people. Performed for masses, quinceañeras, weddings, and wedding renewals at Saint Louis of France Catholic Church. Performed by trilingual singing (English, Spanish, Tagalog) and played piano and guitar for these events.

September 2025 - Present

Currently works in two music ministries at Saint Louis of France Catholic Church in La Puente, 4:30 pm on Saturdays and 8:30 am on Sundays. Still performs for events here.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Music Ministry Member

October  2021 - Present

After volunteering on guitar and voice from 2012-2020, Mario began his professional musical journey at St. John the Baptist Church in Baldwin Park. He currently works as the music director of the 5 pm LifeTeen Mass, with congregations ranging from 100 to about 1,500 people. He sings and accompanies himself for masses, quinceañeras, weddings, and funerals at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church. Mario arranges music for special masses and teaches vocal and instrumental techniques.

Saint Paul High School

August  2019 - May 2021

Was a part of the Saint Paul High School for two academic years. 

Preformed guitar and voice for school rallies and masses. 

Bishop Amat High School

August  2021 - May 2023

Was a part of Bishop Amat High School for two academic years and graduated with a 4.5 weighted GPA with honors and awards. Gained vocal, theatrical, and instrumental performance knowledge through student leadership, marching band, jazz band, chamber choir, theatre, and dance. 

University of La Verne

August 2023 - May 2026

Attends the University of La Verne as a Music Major and will graduate in May of 2026 (graduating a year early). Participates in the choir and instrumental ensembles, touring in Germany and the Czech Republic. Mario has been under the instruction of Todd Strange (Voice), Ariel Pisturino (Voice), Clarissa Shan (Voice), Dr. Jason Lo (Piano), Michael Ryan (Guitar), and Michael Boos (Guitar). Mario holds several leadership roles, including president of the ULV Cover Band, vice president of the ULV Music Club, and section leader of the ULV jazz band and the tenors in the ULV Chamber Singers. Featured guitar, piano, and vocal soloist in many concerts.

The Heatstrokes (Band)

June 2022-Present

What Mario started as a four-piece, 50’s rock cover band has expanded into a multi-genre, 10-person ensemble, featuring two trumpets, trombone, saxophone, three singers (alto, soprano, tenor), and a full rhythm section. The Heatstrokes perform Mario's original arrangements and compositions. Their current setlists include genres of cumbia, salsa, rock, rock en español, funk, and jazz. They play for a variety of different events, including many receptions and concerts, featuring Mario’s original compositions. 

Mario and Julianna (Musical Duo)

July 2021-Present

Mario and Julianna (Othmer, a current USC student) are a music duo based in San Gabriel and Los Angeles County, performing for restaurants, weddings, quinceañeras, funerals, and more. Genres of the duo include classical, sacred, jazz, pop, and contemporary. Mario accompanies both Julianna and himself on guitar and piano.