A Huge Thank You!!!

🎺 Thank you to everyone who helped make this celebration absolutely EPIC! From the attendees who showed up to celebrate Mr. Robbins, to the ones who spent countless hours with me planning and prepping for the event. It was everything we hoped it would be, and more!

🎺 The Alumni Jazz Night was taken to the next level because of the generosity of Mr. Robbins former student, Tyler, who donated the incredible stage set up, as well as the time of his whole crew. Please support TRI Audio & Event Services anytime you need sound support services.

🎺 Thank you to Steve Warren for standing on that platform for hours so you could capture the night on video! The La Paz student part is available for viewing HERE. Alumni Jazz portion coming soon!

🎺 The wonderful Monica Herckt put together the memory video for Mr. Robbins. You can see that HERE.

🎺 Professional photographers (and alumni parents!) Kelli Gase and Amy Gilberstadt did an incredible job capturing the night through photographs. You can view them HERE. The password is: RR2026.

The celebration begins with an Alumni Jazz Concert directed by Walter Simonsen.
Featured guest artist, Wayne Bergeron!

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Mr. Robbins is retiring after 33 years!​​​​​

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The celebration begins with an Alumni Jazz Concert directed by Walter Simonsen.
Featured guest artist: Wayne Bergeron!

Celebrating the Retirement of
​​​​​​​Mr. Dan Robbins!

Dan Robbins has been teaching instrumental music at La Paz Intermediate School in Mission Viejo, California for 33 years. He teaches Intermediate and Advanced Band as well as String Orchestra and two Jazz Ensembles. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education.
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In 2000, Mr. Robbins was honored as the La Paz Intermediate School and Saddleback Valley Unified School District Teacher of the Year. He has been nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award, and this past year he was honored as a national quarter finalist. In addition, La Paz Intermediate Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Robbins, has been one of 6 middle schools in the U.S. selected to perform at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Fest 14 times since 2005.
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Mr. Robbins continues his work with the South Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra as the Associate Conductor, and has traveled to Europe 10 times as a performer/conductor with the ensemble since 2005.
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Dan Robbins is married to a music and nurse educator and has two boys, Nicholas and Nolan, ages 25 and 27. A musical family, both boys are former members of the La Paz music program, as a bass and trumpet player respectively.
​​​​​​​

Celebrating the Retirement of
​​​​​​​Mr. Dan Robbins!

Dan Robbins has been teaching instrumental music at La Paz Intermediate School in Mission Viejo, California for 33 years. He teaches Intermediate and Advanced Band as well as String Orchestra and two Jazz Ensembles. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education.
​
In 2000, Mr. Robbins was honored as the La Paz Intermediate School and Saddleback Valley Unified School District Teacher of the Year. He has been nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award, and this past year he was honored as a national quarter finalist. In addition, La Paz Intermediate Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Robbins, has been one of 6 middle schools in the U.S. selected to perform at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Fest 14 times since 2005.
​
Mr. Robbins continues his work with the South Coast Youth Symphony Orchestra as the Associate Conductor, and has traveled to Europe 10 times as a performer/conductor with the ensemble since 2005.
​
Dan Robbins is married to a music and nurse educator and has two boys, Nicholas and Nolan, ages 25 and 27. A musical family, both boys are former members of the La Paz music program, as a bass and trumpet player respectively.


​​​​​​​Get Event Updates

Click the image above to enter your information so we can keep you updated with the details of the events.

You can also use the form to sign up to be part of the Alumni Jazz Band on May 14th or play in the Symphony Orchestra with current students and alumni at the Carpenter Center on CSULB's campus on May 23rd.

If you would like to help with the planning or setup for the celebrations, you can indicate that on the form also.

Emails will come from "Robbins Retirement"

Share Photos & Videos

Click the photo above to share photos, record a video message, or send a written message for Mr. Robbins.
These will be compiled into a slideshow that will be playing at the event. Mr. Robbins will receive the slideshow to keep as a momento.

If you have any trouble uploading the photos, email them to retiringrobbins@gmail.com and the committee will add them for you.


​​​​​​​Donate

Use the QR code above, or use the email address associated with the account:
retiringrobbins@gmail.com
​​​​​​​All funds will be used toward securing a venue and paying for things like sound technicians, food, decorations,  & guest artists.
​​​​​​​Any remaining funds will be gifted to Mr. Robbins.
This account is held by Keira Merkovsky and is solely used for the purpose of the retirement celebration.
Lucy Bermeo and Diane Weaver will be monitoring the account for transparency.


​​​​​​​Get Event Updates

Click the image above to enter your information so we can keep you updated with the details of the events.

You can also use the form to sign up to be part of the Alumni Jazz Band on May 14th or play in the Symphony Orchestra with current students and alumni at the Carpenter Center on CSULB's campus on May 23rd

If you would like to help with the planning or setup for the celebrations, you can indicate that on the form also.

​​​​​​​Emails will come from "Robbins Retirement"

Share Photos & Videos

Click the photo above to share photos, record a video message, or send a written message for Mr. Robbins.
These will be compiled into a slideshow that will be playing at the event. Mr. Robbins will receive the slideshow to keep as a momento.

If you have any trouble uploading the photos, email them to retiringrobbins@gmail.com and the committee will add them for you.


​​​​​​​Donate

Use the QR code above, or use the email address associated with the account:
retiringrobbins@gmail.com
​​​​​​​All funds will be used toward securing a venue and paying for things like sound technicians, food, decorations,  & guest artists.
​​​​​​​Any remaining funds will be gifted to Mr. Robbins.
This account is held by Keira Merkovsky and is solely used for the purpose of the retirement celebration.
Lucy Bermeo and Diane Weaver will be monitoring the account for transparency.

Your questions answered

What are the details of the celebration?

There will be three different events to celebrate Mr. Robbins. The first will be an Alumni Jazz Concert on May 14th in the La Paz Intermediate Gym. This will be directed by Walter Simonsen, who is a professional musician and a former student of Mr. Robbins.
We will also have a guest artist at this event - Wayne Bergeron!

The second event is an adult-only event on Friday, May 15th. We will gather and mingle, and share stories and memories about the career and impact of Mr. Robbins.

The third event will be a Symphony Orchestra performance at the Carpenter Center as CSULB on May 23rd . This performance will be part of the SCYSO event, and will be an opportunity for current and former band and orchestra students to perform together.
Please note the date change for this performance. Was May 17, now May 23.

Is there anything I can do to help?

Yes! It will take a lot of people to make this night run smoothly, so your help is greatly appreciated. Please check out this Sign-up Genius to see what help is needed. Keep checking as we get closer. More ways to help will be added!

Where will the adult-only event be held?

A casual, adult-only gathering will be held on May 15th at OC Local Taproom. This venue is owned and operated by one of Mr. Robbins former students, and offers delicious food and a huge selection of drinks. We will be there between 6-9pm, so drop in when you can and stay as long as you want!

How do I sign up to play in the Alumni Jazz Band or the Symphony Orchestra?

Please complete THIS FORM so we can contact you with details.

I have questions. Who do I contact?

You can send questions to retiringrobbins@gmail.com
This email is monitored by Keira Merkovsky.

Where can I access the charts to practice?

For the Alumni Jazz Band (May 14), you can access the charts HERE.
If you have not already, please USE THIS FORM to indicate which charts you will be prepared to play.

To get the music for the Symphony Orchestra performance on May 23rd, please email Mr. Robbins to arrange a time to pick it up from La Paz. (daniel.robbins@svusd.org)
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