While Gabriel “Gabby” Ortizo of Granada Hills doesn’t come from a musical family, music ran deep in his veins. At the tender age of six, he played several instruments and composed songs.
Now the 17-year-old got his chance to show off those gifts the afternoon of May 29 at graduation ceremonies held at El Camino College in Torrance.
He played an electric guitar to his compositional take on “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the USA’s national anthem.
Once Gabby learned he was chosen to perform at the college graduation and given an opportunity to shine, he felt driven and excited. “I just wanted to make the people around me really proud and … just give everybody a graduation to remember,” he said.
His other musical talents include playing the piano, the drums and bass. He began his musical journey at his family’s church at age six when he developed a strong passion for the electrical guitar. The passion continued after enrolling as a fourth grader at iQ Academy of Los Angeles, an online public school.
The structure of online learning gave him the time and space to develop his musical talents while working part-time at his aunt’s small business. He’s been in teacher Lily Greggio’s homeroom class the past four years.
“I don’t have enough good things to say about him,” Greggio said. “He’s an amazing student and has been focusing on improving his musical abilities. (He’s) honing his craft and (now) will be working on it for his college career.”
Greggio said Gabby consistently turns his school work on time, takes pride in it and submits high-quality work.
