PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles High School Jazz Band earned multiple awards and individual honors at the 2026 Dos Pueblos High School Jazz Festival, showcasing the talent of local student musicians while competing against ensembles from across California.

The Bearcat Jazz Band took second place in the Senior High Novice Division, recognizing the group’s strong overall performance during the annual festival held in Goleta.

Several Paso Robles students also received individual and sectional recognition from festival adjudicators. Honors included Best in Festival Section — Trombones, awarded to Jaime Cota, Khalil Conrad, and Christian Serna, while Serna also earned Best in Festival Soloist.

Additional recognitions included:

Outstanding Rhythm Section Outstanding Trombone Section Outstanding Guitar Soloist: Oliver Taylor Outstanding Drum Soloist: Maxwell Toohey-Bergvall Outstanding Rhythm Soloist: Emery Teale

The annual festival hosted by Dos Pueblos High School brings together student jazz ensembles for a full day of performances, adjudication, and educational clinics led by professional musicians and jazz educators.

On Saturday, March 14, the Paso Robles students perform at the Cuesta College Jazz Festival at Cuesta College, a free and on on-stage clinic featuring jazz programs from across the Central Coast.