Corey Castillo is a freelance bassoonist and educator based in Austin, Texas. Born and raised in California, he received his bachelor’s degree from UCLA and recently earned his master’s degree in bassoon performance from The University of Texas at Austin. In addition to performing with orchestras and chamber ensembles across central Texas, Corey maintains a large studio of middle- and high-school bassoon students and spends far too much time making reeds.

Away from the bassoon, Corey is a passionate marching arts educator and student leadership clinician. From 2018 to 2023, he was a member of the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps as a mellophone player and head drum major, and received the “Blue Devil of the Year” award in 2022 and 2023. He has been a visual staff member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps since 2024 and has taught numerous high school marching bands in Austin and Los Angeles. In the digital world, Corey collaborates with Silent Command in hosting and producing The 8 to 5 Club, a podcast for leaders in the marching arts.