Phil Mortensen has served on the Board of Directors since 2009. In the spring of
2025, Phil will retire after 37 years in Music Education. Most of his time was spent in the
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District where he taught Instrumental Music at
Valencia HS (1989-2004), Orchestra at YLHS (2010-2023) and served as the district
Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator from 2004-2025.
Mr. Mortensen is an Honorary Life Member of the Southern California School Band &
Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) and was their President from 2009-2011. In 2018 he
received the Music Educator of the Year award from the CMEA Southeastern Section
and was recently recognized as an Outstanding Arts Administrator by SCSBOA, the
Orange County Music and Arts Administrators (OCMAA) and the California Music
Educators Association (CMEA).
Mr. Mortensen is a Head Field Judge for SCSBOA and judges numerous Music in the
Parks festivals each spring. In fall of 2024, Phil joined the faculty at Cal State Fullerton
where he is a clinical coach for several music education candidates. He enjoys
presenting at state/local conferences, speaking at local universities and consulting with
various school districts in the southern California region.
In his free time Phil enjoys playing golf and following his Dodgers. He is also a volunteer
scout leader having assisted over twenty youth to earn the Eagle Scout award. He is a
proud father of two Eagle Scouts who are flourishing in their own careers.