Cesar Mendoza is a graduate of the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) where he received a degree in Music Education. While at UIUC, Mr. Mendoza studied with world-renowned trombonist, Jim Pugh. Additionally, he studied jazz with Tito Carrillo and Joan Hickey, conducting with Linda Moorehouse and Elizabeth Peterson, and Music Education with Jeananne Nichols, Bridget Sweet, Adam Kruse, and Donna Gallo. Mr. Mendoza performed in multiple groups at UIUC, including the Latin Jazz Band, Wind Orchestra, and Philharmonia Orchestra.
Mr. Mendoza is currently in his 4th year at McCracken Middle School in Skokie, Illinois. The McCracken Middle School Concert Band has grown from 18 students his first year to 34 in his short span as director. He has led them to performances at the Center Cass District 66 Concert Band Festival and the Prairie State Middle School Concert Band Festival.
Mr. Mendoza is an active performer, arranger, writer, and band leader. He has performed with jazz greats such as Terrell Stafford, John Clayton, Tom Garling, Wayne Bergeron, and Chip McNeill. Some of the venues he has performed in include Chicago Symphony Center, Joe Segal’s Jazz Showcase, Montreux Jazz Festival, and the Umbria Jazz Festival. He is constantly writing and performing original music with his quintet.
Mr. Mendoza maintains an active private lesson studio and is frequently asked to work with schools in the Chicagoland area. He also maintains a private lesson studio where he teaches euphonium and trombone.
Mr. Mendoza was the recipient of the Warren H. Schuetz Memorial Award for Excellence in Music Education from the University of Illinois in 2018.