Justin Ochoa is the Acting Associate Principal Percussionist of the Kansas City Symphony. Prior to his appointment in Kansas City, he was performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic as a Judith and Thomas Beckmen Resident Fellow. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Justin began playing percussion and guitar as a kid before ultimately choosing to pursue percussion seriously. After graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy, Justin studied at the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor’s of Music in 2019. He then moved to California for graduate study at the Colburn School where he graduated with his Master’s degree in Spring 2023.

Previously, Justin has been a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, the National Repertory Orchestra, and the Breckenridge International Festival of the Arts. In addition to touring and performing with the Kansas City Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic, Justin has performed with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. His principal teachers were Ted Atkatz and Thomas Burritt. Additionally, he studied with the section of the LA Phil during his time as a resident fellow.