Don Orser started playing the violin in 5th grade. While working on his B.A. at Northridge, he studied both violin and viola with Myron Sandler. His first full-time music position was at Lincoln High School in East Los Angles. While there he took a handful of students and a music department in shambles and turned it into an award-winning program during his five-year tenure. He then moved to Simi Valley and taught orchestra and band there in the high school.

In 1997, Don returned to CSUN for his graduate studies, receiving his Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting in 1999 and is currently director of the Matilija Junior High School Music Department. Since arriving there, he has expanded the music program to include an award winning choir, strings, two jazz bands, intermediate and advanced bands. Each year these groups perform throughout the Ojai Valley and all over Southern California representing the school and also appear in countless parades and festivals. In addition to teaching, Don has enjoyed a wide variety of musical experiences, including conducting the Ojai Community Chorus.

Don joined The Iron Mountain Boys in 2006 and made quick work of converting his symphony-level playing to the raucous and spirited virtuosity of a bluegrass fiddler. His extensive formal training also enables him to provide wonderful vocal harmonies when he’s not singing lead.

He lives in Ojai with his wife Karen (herself a crackerjack banjo player), and their two children, Brian and Collin.