After a youth wind ensemble rehearsal, 16-year-old Marc Placencia nervously approached Patrick Sheridan to introduce himself - the rest is history.

Two years later he was accepted into Sam Pilafian's studio at Arizona State University.

Placencia worked closely with the two famous collaborators, jump-starting a varied and vibrant career as a professional musician.

Prior to winning an audition for the Navy Fleet Bands in 2017, Placencia was a freelance musician and educator in Phoenix, AZ.

Currently, Placencia lives near Seattle where he performs professionally and gives masterclasses around the Northwest United States.

He has appeared with a multitude of orchestras and bands, including:

  • Phoenix Symphony
  • Tucson Symphony
  • AZMusicfest Orchestra
  • West Valley Symphony
  • Musica Nova Orchestra
  • Pro Arte Orchestra
  • Salt River Brass
  • Bad Cactus Brass Band
  • Disneyland All-American College Band, 2017

As a soloist, Placencia has been featured by the Salt River Brass, Navy Band Northwest, Arizona State University Wind Ensemble and played Carnival of Venice on King FM 98.1 in Seattle.

What’s more, he is also the winner of the SWRTEC Mock Orchestra Competition, runner up in the SWRTEC Tuba Solo Competition and was a winner of the Arizona State University Concerto Competition.

Placencia’s primary mentors include:

  • Sam Pilafian
  • Patrick Sheridan
  • Deanna Swoboda
  • and Gabriel Sears

Recommendations

"My Wessex Gnagey Eb is the easiest instrument I have ever played. It completely unleashes my creative potential when performing."