Justin Espiritu is an emerging conductor, educator, trumpet performer, and social media creator based in Tempe, Arizona, where he is pursuing a degree in Music Learning and Teaching at Arizona State University.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Espiritu’s musical journey began at an early age, first exploring singing and guitar before discovering the trumpet at 12 years old. He then attended the Keys Conservatory at Pinecrest Academy - Sloan Canyon in Henderson, Nevada, where he developed as both a performer and conductor through years of ensemble leadership, musical study, and performance experience.
Espiritu is now an active trumpet performer currently studying with internationally renowned soloist and Canadian Brass trumpeter, Professor Josef Burgstaller. Prior to his studies at Arizona State University, he studied with Mr. David Shepard and earned Principal Trumpet in the 2025 Nevada Music Educators Association All-State Festival, along with two consecutive Command Performance honors in the brass category (2023 & 2024). He regularly performs with professional and collegiate ensembles including The Desert Winds, Salt River Brass, Arizona State University’s top rotation ensembles, and throughout the Metro-Phoenix area. His recent performance highlights include appearances at the 2025 International Midwest Clinic in Chicago and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Espiritu began his conducting career at 14 while studying at the Keys Conservatory. By 16, he made his professional conducting debut, marking an early milestone that inspired his lifelong commitment to musical leadership on the podium. His conducting experience spans a diverse range of ensembles and levels, including the award-winning Sloan Canyon High School Wind Ensemble, The Desert Winds, Sloan Canyon Middle School Symphonic Band, Sloan Canyon Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, the Arizona State University Trumpet Ensemble, the Salt River Youth Brass Band, and the People’s Community Orchestra in Tempe. In 2023, he was awarded the Maestro Award at the WorldStrides Anaheim Heritage Festival as a guest conductor with the Sloan Canyon & St. Rose Combined Concert Band.
A passionate music educator, Espiritu began teaching at age 14 with the Sloan Canyon Beginning Band. Since then, he has taught students and ensembles across a wide range of experience levels, from beginning musicians to advanced high school performers. Espiritu teaches a private trumpet studio with students throughout Nevada and Arizona and is an active clinician working with programs that include Coronado High School, Greenspun Middle School, and the Keys Conservatory campuses. In Arizona, he works with organizations such as Rosie’s House in Downtown Phoenix, and serves as the High Brass Instructor for the Highland High School Marching Band. Espiritu was also recently appointed Director/Conductor of the Salt River Youth Brass Band, an educational ensemble of advanced brass and percussion musicians in grades 6–12 from across the Arizona area, dedicated to developing young musicians through high-level performance, mentorship, and collaboration.
In addition to his work as a musician, Espiritu is an active social media creator and manager, currently serving as Social Media Manager for the Arizona State University Wind Bands Program. Through this role, he has helped expand audience engagement, strengthen concert promotion, and contribute to substantial growth on ASU Wind Bands’ digital platforms. His media work focuses on highlighting student success, providing behind-the-scenes insight into the rehearsal and performance process, and fostering a positive, connected community within the wind band medium. In addition to ASU Wind Bands, Espiritu has also contributed to other professional and educational organizations such as the Arizona State University Trumpet Studio, the Keys Conservatory, and others. Through his personal platform, “@trumpetbyjustin,” Espiritu shares educational content, performance experiences, and perspectives on daily life as a collegiate music student.