Teen Gabby Ortizo played his electric guitar at graduation ceremonies at El Camino College

While Gabriel “Gabby” Ortizo of Granada Hills doesn’t come from a musical family, music ran deep in his veins. At the tender six he played several instruments and composed songs.

Now the 17-year-older got his chance to show off those gifts the afternoon of May 29 at graduation ceremonies held at El Camino College in Torrance.

He played an electric guitar to his compositional take on the Star-Spangled Banner, the USA’s national anthem.

He says his style is hard to describe but somewhere between Hans Zimmer and Jeff Beck. Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer best known for The Lion King and Dune. Beck was an English guitarist and a member of the rock band The Yardbirds whose instrument style eventually focused on an innovative sound ranging from blues and hard rock, jazz fusion and a blend of guitar-rock and electronica.

Once Gabby learned he was chosen to perform at the college graduation and given an opportunity to shine, he felt driven and excited. “I just wanted to make the people around me really proud and … just give everybody a graduation to remember,” he said.

His other musical talents include playing the piano, the drums and bass. He began his musical journey at his family’s church at six years old when he developed a strong passion for the electrical guitar. The passion continued after enrolling as a fourth grader at iQ Academy of Los Angeles, an online public school.

The structure of online learning gave him the time and space to develop his musical talents while working part-time at his aunt’s small business. He’s been in teacher Lily Greggio’s homeroom class the past four years.

“I don’t have enough good things to say about him,” Greggio said. “He’s an amazing student and has been focusing on improving his musical abilities. (He’s) honing his craft and (now) will be working on it for his college career.”

Greggio said Gabby consistently turns his school work on time, takes pride in it and submits high-quality work.

“What I admire about him not just as a student, but as a person that’s extremely respectful,” said Greggio. “It’s really just been a joy to watch him grow into this young man he’s become.”

Gabby initially felt a bit terrified, and worried about the “what ifs” given he was about to perform a well-known sentimental piece — different from what listeners might expect from him.

“I went into this with the intent to honor the gift that God has given me, and my family, and all my friends, and all the people there at their graduation,” he said. “Now I’ve come into this with a much deeper and thankful mentality.”

Come this fall, he will head to Pierce College in Woodland Hills to further explore the world of music.