Manny Castaneda is an active music educator and performer in Southern California and South Western United States. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Manny has had a varied career as a performer in the percussion realm spanning from his time as member of the Troopers (snare), and Bluecoats (front ensemble) Drum and Bugle Corps, to his time as a member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, The El Paso Wind Symphony, Star City Percussion Ensemble, and currently as a freelance musician in the greater Los Angeles area where he can be found playing anything from orchestral, rock, metal, funk, alternative, hip hop, pit work/musicals, as well as session and touring work.

 As an educator, Manny is the front ensemble caption head/coordinator at Elan Indoor Percussion, battery manager and tenor tech for Watchmen Drum and Bugle Corps, formerly a tenor and front ensemble tech for Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps, and a battery and front ensemble tech for Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps. 

Scholastically, Manny is head of percussion at Gabrielino High School, Lynwood High School, Mark Keppel High School, and serves as a staff member/consultant for several other SoCal programs.  He was previously involved with several highly successful SoCal programs to include Workman, El Segundo, Charter Oak, Diamond Bar High School.   He also taught at Coronado High School in Las Vegas, and with west Texas area percussion and university programs.

In addition, Manny is an active clinician and lecturer in the southwestern United States covering orchestral and marching percussion, drum set, and music business aspects.

Manny proudly endorses Aquarian Drumheads and Innovative Percussion Drumsticks and Mallets.