11/25/2024

Meet Hannah Vinney, the Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Director at Wedgefield School in Orange County. Ms. Vinney is currently in her 4th year of teaching. During this time, the middle school music department has grown from 78 to over 160 students. Last year, Wedgefield School received impressive ratings in all three music subjects and attended Orchestra MPA for the first time. Ms. Vinney received her Bachelor’s in Music Education and Oboe Performance from the University of Central Florida where she served as State Secretary for CNAfME and various leadership positions for Tau Beta Sigma and Sigma Alpha Iota. In addition to working at Wedgefield School, Ms. Vinney is the Woodwind Caption Head for East River High School. Ms. Vinney's goal is to create a culture of community while also encouraging students to maintain high expectations for themselves and pride in their program. Thank you, Ms. Vinney, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida!

11/25/2024

Meet Gabriela Serpa, Chorus Director at Christa McAuliffe Middle School in Palm Beach County. Gabriela is in her second year of teaching and consistently provides life-changing opportunities for her students. She has made it her mission to participate in every honor choir, workshop, and evaluation offered in Florida, including, but not limited to, Palm Beach Honor Choir, Tenor/Bass Day, MPAs, ACDA Honor Choir, and All-State. Her dedication does not break for Summer! Her first summer as a teacher saw her developing and implementing a summer choir retreat for the young singers in her program. With high expectations of herself, as well as her students, Gabriela strives to teach them the skills of music literacy and beautiful, healthy singing! She is extremely proud of her students and has big things planned in her second year of teaching. Thank you, Ms. Serpa, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida!

11/25/2024

Meet Ms. Jesalin Gonzalez, the Chorus Director at Ben Hill Middle School in Tampa. Ms. Gonzalez is now entering her third year of teaching at Ben Hill Middle School. During her time at Ben Hill, she has quickly worked to recruit and build her program to the largest it’s ever been, impacting a large percentage of the school! Going above and beyond for the Music Education profession, Ms. Gonzalez has also leads a Summer Music Camp for choral students and currently serves as the middle school all county chair for Hillsborough County. Thank you, Ms. Gonzalez, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida

11/25/2024

Ms. Gaby Tordi is incredibly honored to serve as the Davidson Middle School Panther Band Director in Okaloosa County. She has been teaching at DMS since August of 2022. During that time, Ms. Tordi received incredibly high district assessment ratings. In addition, Ms. Tordi and the Davidson Middle School Band boast an impressive enrollment of around 250 band students across grades 6-8! Ms. Tordi received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education (2019) and Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting and Clarinet Performance (2021) from the University of Florida. During her undergraduate and graduate studies, she performed in the UF Wind Symphony, Clarinet Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Gator Marching Band, and various chamber groups. Ms. Tordi served as a Graduate Assistant with the UF Gator Band, concert ensembles, and the undergraduate conducting courses. Additionally, she works as a regular clinician with several middle and high schools throughout central Florida. She has performed with the New World Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and, most recently, at the Festival des Anches d'Azur in La Croix-Valmer in Paris, France, with the UF Wind Symphony. Ms. Tordi’s professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Sigma Alpha Iota Women’s Music Fraternity, and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Thank you, Ms. Tordi, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida!

8/6/2024

Mr. Rad Bolt is in his fourth year as the Director of Bands at George Jenkins High School in Polk County. Under his leadership, the band program has flourished in enrollment and musical achievement at the district and state levels. Mr. Bolt places special emphasis on fostering a culture of safety, inclusivity, and growth in his music classroom. He has also made increased efforts to make his students and program visible in the community. With a steadfast belief in the power of music for all, Mr. Bolt started a beginning band class at his school to create as much accessibility and opportunity as possible for the students on campus to join band. 

Thank you, Mr. Bolt, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida!

8/6/2024

Meet Amanda Goldberg, the choral director at Wellington Landings Middle School in Palm Beach County!

Since taking over the program in 2021, the school’s choral program has tripled in size. Participation in FVA & ACDA events is a priority for Ms. Goldberg. Every one of her students participates in MPAs, resulting in impressive ratings for her many ensembles. While juggling a lively school program, Ms. Goldberg serves as the assistant director of the Girl Choir of South Florida and is also an active church musician. In her three years as a music educator, she has already presented at state and regional FMEA & ACDA conferences. Ms. Goldberg’s love for learning is infectious. She spends her free time attending concerts & observing rehearsals, all because she’s on a quest to grow as an educator. She creates a nurturing atmosphere in her classroom while setting high expectations, focusing on music literacy and proper vocal technique. The foundation she provides her young singers empowers her students to soar!

Thank you, Ms. Goldberg, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida!

4/16/2024

Meet Brittany Hawthorne, the choral director at Oak Ridge HS in Orange County!

Mrs. Hawthorne has quickly established herself as a transformative force in the music education realm. In just two years at Oak Ridge, her dedication to growth and excellence has propelled her program to new heights. Her active participation in conferences, All-County events, and the Music Performance Assessments (MPA) showcases her commitment to continuous improvement.

Under Mrs. Hawthorne's guidance, students have flourished, achieving remarkable success at the MPA and earning a Superior Rating in only her second year at the school. Her immediate impact is felt not only within the school but also throughout the county. The genuine bond she shares with her students and their mutual passion for her and choral music is unmistakable and inspiring.

Thank you, Mrs. Hawthorne, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida!

4/16/2024

Meet Ms. Katie Thomas – Music Teacher at Yates Elementary School in Hillsborough County! Katie is in her fifth year of teaching at Yates Elementary, where she also serves as Specials Area Team Leader and SAC & Parent Family Engagement Chair for the school. In 2023-2024, Ms. Thomas received the Hillsborough County Elementary Music Educator’s Council (HCEMEC) "Rising Star Award," which is presented to one music teacher yearly who demonstrates excellence in their 1st through 5th year of teaching. Service to the music teaching profession is also a big part of what makes Ms. Thomas great. She is currently on the Executive leadership board of HCEMEC, and has served as one of the Florida Music Education Association’s “Emerging Leaders”. Creating meaningful music-making opportunities for her students is of great importance for Ms. Thomas, as her students participate in All County, All State, and a variety of community music endeavors. With a focus on creating life-long musicians, Ms. Thomas also partners with her feeder schools to create a trajectory of continued learning and music-making for her students.

4/5/2024

Meet Ms. Angie Duenas – Orchestra Director at Vero Beach High School in Indian River County! Ms. Duenas currently serves as the Director of Orchestras at Vero Beach High School and Gifford Middle School in Vero Beach, Florida. In her first year at Vero Beach High School, the orchestra has grown in size and pride, made Superior Ratings at Solo & Ensemble and District Concert MPA, and the Philharmonic Orchestra had their first opportunity to attend State Concert MPA since 2019. 

Prior to her appointment at Vero Beach High School, Ms. Duenas was the Director of Orchestras and Piano Instructor at Bridgewater Middle School. During her time at Bridgewater Middle School, the orchestra program tripled in size, and made appearances at district events after a five-year hiatus. She also worked as a sectional coach for the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and served as a coach for the Orange County Public Schools Middle School All County Orchestras during her time in Central Florida. Her students consistently received Superior Ratings at Solo & Ensemble MPA as well as Concert MPA.

As a freelance violist, Ms. Duenas has enjoyed a wide variety of performance opportunities, including with the Treasure Coast Wind Ensemble and currently with the Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra. Ms. Duenas graduated Cum Laude in 2020 with a Bachelor of Music Education, where she studied viola under Dr. Pamela Ryan and music education with Dr. Kasia Bugaj. She holds professional affiliations with NAfME, FMEA, FOA, and ASTA.

4/5/2024

Meet Ms. Jennifer Luechauer – Band Director at James S. Rickards Middle School in Broward County! Ms. Luechauer has been working to build the band program at James S. Rickards from the ground up, literally. When she began at the school, the roof had just collapsed, and all the grade levels were dispersed across three separate campuses. Knowing the value of band education, Jennifer made it her mission to reach all of her students by commuting every day to each of these campuses. Oftentimes, she was required to teach in a shared space without instruments since they were still in a collapsed building. During the day, Jennifer taught in a shared portable with the school’s I.T. manager, and in the afternoons, she went alone into the collapsed building to retrieve instruments and clean them for her students. By the end of the year, Jennifer had engaged all of her students in music theory and music games, and introduced them to band instruments. She went on to take students to District Solo and Ensemble, managed to earn an excellent rating at District Concert Assessment and built her band program up to over 170 students. Recently, Jennifer was the recipient of the Sigma Alpha Iota Fort Lauderdale Alumni Chapter Outreach Grant to replace music lost in the building collapse, and the National Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies Inc. Grant to replace damaged and stolen instruments because of the collapse. Her persistence is admirable and through all the tribulations the world has thrown towards the program, Jennifer rises above it all for her students.

4/5/2024

Meet Hayley Christie - Chorus Director at Howard Middle School in Marion County!

Mrs. Christie, now in her third year leading the chorus at Howard Middle School, has revitalized the program that faced challenges during the pandemic. She has guided students to impressive achievements, including performances at All-State, the Marion All-County Choir Festival, and various local events. Under her guidance, student retention has consistently improved, and Mrs. Christie is grateful for the program's remarkable progress. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Music Education from Florida State University with the goal of continuous improvement as an educator so that she can better impact the school and community.

2/27/2024

Meet Victoria Senko – Orchestra Director at Deltona Middle School in Volusia County!

Ms. Senko, is the Orchestra Director at Deltona Middle School, where she showcases her passion for music education and an impressive background as a violinist. Over the past two school years, she has overseen a remarkable transformation, most evident by tripling the enrollment in the orchestra program. Ms. Senko's dedication to the field of music education is evident through her involvement in prestigious programs like the FMEA Emerging Leaders program and the Ohio State String Teachers summer workshops. She has also served as Chair for the Volusia All-County orchestra showcase and actively participated in the American String Teachers Association conferences. As a professional violinist, Victoria has graced multiple professional orchestras, and she's made it a personal mission to showcase her students' talents within the community. Victoria Senko is undeniably an invaluable asset to Volusia County Schools and a driving force behind the success of our Florida Music Education Association programs. Her commitment to nurturing young musicians is truly inspiring.

2/27/2024

Meet Alex Burden – Band Director at Labelle High School in Hendry County!

Mr. Burden is currently in his third year as the Band Director at LaBelle High School in Hendry County. Since taking over the program at LaBelle in 2021 he has doubled the number of students enrolled in LaBelle High School's band program, improved upon ratings received at MPA events, created a second concert band, organized a parent support group, created new opportunities for his students including the establishment of a Winter Guard, and hosted a marching band festival at LaBelle for the first time. Under Mr. Burden’s leadership, students at LaBelle have achieved at a consistently high level at Marching, Concert, and Solo and Ensemble Music Performance Assessments. Congratulations to Mr. Burden for making an immediate impact at LaBelle High School, and to his students for their many achievements!

2/27/2024

Meet Mr. Matthew Spindler – Band Director at Riversprings Middle School in Wakulla County! Matthew is in his 3rd year as a Florida Music Educator. During this time, he has increased the enrollment of his program and pushed his students to achieve at a high level. Mr. Spindler has been active in his community and has taken his students to perform for local elementary schools and school board meetings. Mr. Spindler has taken his students to perform at the FAMU Wind Band Festival and even a Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball game! Mr. Spindler has been a fierce advocate for his program and music education in his community, which resulted in the school district allocating funds for new instruments for his program in 2023-2024.

Thank you, Matthew, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida!

10/27/2023

Meet Ms. Taylor Gelb – Chorus Director at Silver Sands Middle School in Volusia County! Ms. Gelb is in her 3rd year as a Florida Music Educator, during which time her choir program has demonstrated tremendous growth. Her teaching methods are innovative, creating a nurturing atmosphere where students thrive creatively and academically. Ms. Gelb's commitment to musical excellence is evident in the remarkable growth of her choir and their exceptional performances. Her ability to instill a deep understanding of vocal techniques has contributed to the choir's success and speaks volumes about her teaching prowess.  

Thank you, Taylor, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida!  

10/27/2023

Meet Mr. Daniel Rivera, music teacher at Hialeah Gardens Elementary in Miami-Dade County! Mr. Rivera is serving in his 5th year as a Florida Music Educator, during which time he has shown great passion and achievement as a teacher. Mr. Rivera had the privilege of conducting the FEMEA Rising Stars opportunity for third graders at the University of Florida, conducting the Orff Ensemble for the Superintendent's Honor Festival in 2024, and guiding the 2024 FEMEA Regional Ensemble. His exceptional work has been further recognized through grants, including the 2023 DCMEA Music Educators Grant and the 2023 Florida Education Initiatives Grant. Mr. Rivera is also the author of "Empathy," an SEL-based lesson book and unit rooted in the Orff Schulwerk philosophy, slated for release in January 2024. 

Thank you, Daniel, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida!  

10/27/2023

Meet Mr. Joseph Bigler, Chorus and Orchestra Director at Palmetto Ridge High School in Collier County.

Mr. Bigler is in his 7th year as a Florida Music Educator, during which time he has created enriching musical experiences for his students. Under Mr. Bigler’s direction, the Palmetto Ridge Choir and Orchestra were invited last year to perform as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, and the Choir was just recently invited to perform the National Anthem on National Television for the start of the NASCAR Xfinity Series: Contender Boats 300 Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mr. Bigler has also served the Music Education profession in various ways, such as participating in the FSMA Leadership Summit and serving as the District 18 Chairperson for the Florida Orchestra Association.

Thank you, Joseph, for making an immediate impact on your students, community, and music education in Florida!

10/27/2023