Craig Denny, a native of Loxahatchee, FL, has dedicated his life to sharing his passion for music and inspiring young musicians. Currently residing in Boca Raton, FL, Craig has been happily married to his wife, Amy Denny, since 2000. Together, they have two sons and three foster daughters. Both of his sons have followed in his footsteps with a passion for music during their educational journeys. 

Craig earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2000. His teaching career began in 2001 at Hardee Senior High School in Wauchula, FL. In 2002, he returned to his hometown and began teaching at Silver Lakes Middle School, where he remained until 2004. That year, he accepted the position of head band director at Loggers Run Middle School in Boca Raton, FL. Since then, Craig has been a cornerstone of the school's music program, nurturing countless students and fostering a love for music.

Throughout his distinguished career, Craig has received numerous accolades, including being recognized twice as the Rotary Club Teacher of the Year. He is also a three-time recipient of the Florida Bandmasters Association Linda Mann Five Year Superior Award, a testament to his commitment to excellence in music education.

Craig Denny's dedication to his students and his craft continues to leave a lasting impact on the Boca Raton community, inspiring the next generation of musicians.

        Dr. Gianni Bianchini is among the leading pianist, vocalist and organist in today’s jazz scene. He has played, recorded or studied with many of jazz’s prominent artist such as; Jason Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, Joshua Redman, Jeff “Tain” Watts, John Scofield, Stefon Harris, Kenny Werner, Jean Michel-Pilc, Gil Goldstein, Ron McClure, Oscar Stagnaro, Carlos Averhoff, Justin Faulkner, Ralph Lalama, Duffy Jackson, Warren Wolf, Chico Pinheiro, Ira Sullivan, Steve Bailey, Frank Vignola, Jimmy Bruno, Bruce Foreman, Ron Jackson, Kevin Marcus (Black Violin) and countless others across from around the world.
         Throughout his education, Dr. Bianchini has had the opportunity to study at some of the most prestigious music schools in the world. He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelors degree from Berklee College of Music, a masters degree from New York University, and was recently awarded his Doctorate in jazz piano performance from the University of Texas.   
          Dr. Bianchini is currently on staff as a Director of piano at Berklee College of Music's La Universidad de San Francisco de Quito, in Ecuador. Dr. Bianchini taught as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Texas and as an Adjunct Professor at New York University. In addition to teaching, Dr. Bianchini continues to preform with his piano trio, organ trio (GOT), and his quintet (The Quintini) across the globe.

Coming soon.

Over the years, Mr. Gibble has played regularly with the Brass Renaissance quintet and South Florida Wind Symphony as the principal trumpet, and has also
appeared with the Palm Beach Pops. He also served as the conductor and personnel manager for the Orchid City Brass Band, South Florida’s only
British-style brass band that he co-founded, from its inception in 2012 through 2018.

Prior to his arrival in Florida, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Chester University (Pa.) with a B.S. in Music Education. After graduation, he taught
instrumental music in the Eastern York School District in Pennsylvania to a variety of grade levels for eight years before returning to school to receive his M.M. in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas where he played with the world-renowned One O’clock Lab Band and Downbeat Award-winning Two O’clock Lab Band. Gibble also has composed or arranged over 45 pieces for Brass Quintet, Brass Band, and Jazz Ensemble. His original work, entitled “Duncan Celebration, ” was selected and performed by the Boston Brass in 2012 at the Duncan Theatre on the PBSC campus to commemorate their 25th anniversary. His Jazz Ensemble compositions and arrangements have been performed and/or recorded by suchDAVID GIBBLE BIO - REVISED JULY 2024 notable artists as Ira Sullivan, Carl Saunders, Stephen Scott, and Mike Brignola, along with ensembles like Duffy Jackson’s Swingin’ New Band (Miami and Nashville editions), the Jazz Rats Big Band, the Jazz Rattette, the Palm Beach StateCollege Tuesday Nite Big Band, the Boise State University Jazz Ensemble, Russ Freeland’s Jazz Trombone Ensemble, and the Duke Ellington Award-winning New World School of the Arts in Miami. Several of his arrangements for Jazz Ensemble have been available through the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press since 2003.

Coming soon...

John Normandin is the Music Department Chair and Director of Bands at Palm Beach State College.
Prior, from 2012-20124 he was an Adjunct Professor of Music at Miami-Dade College North Campus
where he directed the Jazz Band and the Low Brass Studio. Leading to that, he was the Band Director at
Palm Springs Middle School in Hialeah, Florida for 19 years, where his bands consistently earned 
Superior ratings at FBA Music Performance Assessments. Mr. Normandin continues to serve as an 
Adjudicator for the Florida Bandmasters Association since 2005 and has been selected several times as 
an Honors Band Conductor for Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach School districts. He has also 
collaborated as a clinician with the 2021 Florida All-State Middle School Jazz Band, currently works as a 
clinician with middle school and high school band programs across the state and can be seen 
performing around the South Florida tri-county area in styles including Classical, Jazz, Compa, and Salsa. 
Mr. Normandin is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Jazz Performance at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami.

Now at the ripe age of 45, pianist and keyboardist Stephen Scott has secured his membership in what author Stanley Crouch calls, “the inventive elect .” Scott’s recordings, Something to Consider,Aminah’s Dream, Renaissance, The Beautiful Thing and The Vision Quest all written, arranged and produced by Scott, document his evolution as a pianist, composer, band leader and 'one of the leading lights not only of his generation but also of the mainstream jazz renaissance.’

With a career that spans over 30 years, he has performed and or recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Betty Carter, Sonny Rollins, Roy Hargrove, Freddie Hubbard, Pieces of a Dream, Dr. John, Ron Carter and many others. He began his career at age 14 performing with former ‘Basie' trumpeter Dave Burns and soon after at age 18, landed the gig with Vocalist Betty Carter. He spent nearly ten years as the pianist with saxophonist Sonny Rollins. Among the many recordings he has been involved with are the Grammy Award winning recordings of Betty Carter’s LOOK WHAT I GOT, Joe Henderson’s LUSH LIFE, and THIS IS WHAT I DO and WITHOUT A SONG: THE 9/11 CONCERT both with Sonny Rollins.

Scott has appeared on ”THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, numerous live performances for various BET ON JAZZ programs and the movie CAFÉ SOCIETY. Scott’s compositions and arrangements have been played and or recorded by many other artists. JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER, recognizing his talents as a composer commissioned him to compose a musical work. The piece entitled POSTCARDS FROM HOME was performed by the Lincoln Center orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis and premiered in the winter of 1996.

Over the years Mr. Scott participated in many master classes, lectured at many universities and music/jazz education programs around the world including Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center's Jazz Ahead program. He is presently a clinician at the Dillard Center for the Arts, Artist in Residence at Broward College

 Originally from North Carolina, Ben Sparrow (saxophone) has been active on the South Florida music scene for more than a decade.  Performance credits include the North Carolina Symphony, The Drifters, Under The Streetlamp and the Florida Wind Symphony Jazz Orchestra.  He has also performed and/or recorded with Brazilian jazz artists Phill Fest, Nanny Assis, Isac Jamba and Gafieira Rio Miami. Ben was one of the founding members of the Delray Jazz Collective, dedicated to performing original compositions and fusing various styles.  In addition, he lends his warm saxophone sound to Blues Equation, an organ quartet featuring Hammond artist Tom Regis.  Ben’s music has led him to performances at the Palm Beach International Jazz Festival, Jazz Fest Pompano Beach, and Fiesta Sunset Jazz in the Dominican Republic.  A passionate educator, Ben also teaches at Palm Beach State College and West Gate Elementary.

Karl is a native Ohioan who has called South Florida home for the past 25 years. While attending Capital University in Columbus, Karl performed with local jazz artists Rusty Bryant, Hank Marr and the Vaughn Wiester Big Band. After earning a degree in Jazz Performance from Capital, Karl hit the road with the “Glen Miller Orchestra” under the direction of Larry O’Brian. Following his road stint he joined Carnival Cruise Lines where he became the Musical Director of the Celebration Orchestra. Karl eventually settled in South Florida, where he continues to lend his talent to a variety of musical settings. He has appeared with Jazz artists Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Rosanna Vitro, Richie Cole, Zoot Sims, Eddie Higgins, Dolph Castellano and Jesse Jones. Theatrical and variety show credits include performances with Elaine Paige, Joe Piscopo, Roberta Peters, Anthony and Will Nunziato, Tony Sandler, Lesley Gore and the Shrine Circus. A lifelong student, Karl continues in his pursuit of musical development and appreciates every opportunity to share his talent.

Christopher Patsis is a South Florida native, growing up in Lake Worth. Chris is a skilled professional bassist and composer, who is known as a first call bassist amongst the diverse Florida music community. Chris studied music at Florida State University where he earned a Bachelors of Music Education. Chris is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. His first musical endeavor in life was in the classical orchestral world as a French hornist. He regularly performed in the top ensembles at Florida State including the University Philharmonia Orchestra and the Wind Orchestra. Chris is currently a bassist/composer for a handful of creative music projects and is an in demand freelance bassist for a multitude of different types of gigs and recording sessions.

John Rodriguez is a Palm Beach County School District product graduating from Santaluces High School in 2004. John also is a graduate of the University of South Florida receiving his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance and Bachelor of Science in Music Education in 2009. John continued his studies at the University of Maryland earning a Master of Music in Jazz Performance in 2012. Mr. Rodriguez returned to South Florida and began his teaching career as an Elementary Music Teacher with Seminole Trails Elementary from 2012 - 2017. John earned the Teamwork USA Instrumental Music Grant, the Teamwork USA Elementary Scholarship Grant, the Green Schools Recognition Program and was nominated as Teacher of the Year from 2014-2017.

In 2017 John began his 6 year tenure as the Director of Bands at Palm Beach Gardens High School. In 2021 The Mighty Fightin' Gator Indoor Ensemble earned a Silver Medal in FFCC's Indoor Winds Category in 2021 and went undefeated in SFWGA's Indoor season. They finished 8th in the entire nation for the Indoor Winds category in their first year! The Mighty Fightin’ Gator Marching Band swept their class at the John I. Leonard Jamboree, and finished 2nd at the Jupiter Festival of Bands. The Marching Band also attended the Florida Marching Band Championships for the first time in school history earning a spot in Finals competition and coming in 4th in the state! Under the baton of Mr. Rodriguez, the wind ensemble has earned a superior rating the past two years and the Jazz Band achieved superior status last year. John has also enhanced the school’s Winterguard program, expanded from one team to two teams and earned multiple top 3 placements and a Gold Medal in 2019 in the South Florida Winterguard Association Circuit.

In 2023 John Rodriguez was named the Director of Bands for Dr. Joaquín Garcia High School in Lake Worth and continues to bring musical experiences through excellence to the community, state, and nation.

Christopher M. De León is a dedicated educator with a remarkable career spanning fifteen years in public school music education. Currently serving as the Director of Jazz Studies at the esteemed Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Mr. De Leó has a passion for music and an unwavering commitment to nurturing and developing the highest potential hidden within each of his students.

Throughout his tenure as a music educator, Mr. De León's ensembles have consistently achieved national acclaim in a diverse array of musical genres including Jazz Groups, Concert Ensembles, Marching Ensembles, and the Pageantry Arts. His Jazz Ensembles been selected as a three-time Essentially Ellington Festival and Competition National Finalist (2019, 2020, 2021), selected to perform as a featured ensemble at the Jazz Education Network Conference (2024), earned top honors at the Swing Central Jazz Festival (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020), receiving recognition as winners of Downbeat Magazine Student Music Award Winner (2018, 2021, 2023), and awarded first place at the Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival (2015) and National Jazz Festival (2022). Under his guidance and direction, his concert and marching ensembles have received top honors at Festivals in Carnegie Hall and Atlanta Symphony Hall, awarded the FMBC Florida State Class 5A State Champions (2011), recognizes as an 8 time Band of America Regional Champion (2012-2019), crowned as the Bands of America Grand National Champions (2014), and featured as performers at the 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Numerous renowned jazz guest artists and clinicians have shared the stage with his ensembles and provided clinics. These artists include Terrell Stafford, Marcus Printup, Wycliffe Gordon, Scotty Barnhart, Ron Blake, Charlie Porter, Bob Reynolds, Jason Marsalis, Rodney Whitaker, Jeff Rupert, John Lamb (former bassist with Duke Ellington), and Buster Cooper (former trombonist with Duke Ellington).

Born and raised in Miami, Florida to immensely supportive Cuban parents, Mr. De León graduated with a Bachelor's in Music Education, with an emphasis in Jazz Studies, from The Ohio State University. He is an active member of the National Association for Music Educators, the Florida Bandmasters Association, and the Jazz Education Network. His professional accolades include the National Band Association's Certificate of Merit and Citation for Excellence in Music Education, along with the Suncoast Jazz Festival's Sonny LaRosa Jazz Educator of the Year Award in 2016. Outside the world of music education, Mr. De León finds joy in his family life. He is happily married to his wife Traci and takes pride in being a devoted father to his daughter Alyssa Maria, aged 11, and two sons, Julian Alexander, aged 6, and Jonathan Michael, aged 4..

Tom Stancampiano will be joining the 2019 Summer Band Camp staff as the trumpet instructor where his duties will encompass teaching daily master classes for all trumpeters as well as private lessons.

Mr. Stancampiano has been a freelance trumpet player for over forty years. He holds a B.F.A. in Music Education from Florida Atlantic University and also studied jazz at University of Miami where he played in the Concert Jazz Band.

After playing first trumpet on the European tours of Broadway shows Evita, West Side Story and Forty Second Street he moved to New York City and worked as a substitute on various Broadway shows and big bands.

Since 2003 he has been teaching at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton where he resides with his wife Jenny and their two children Paul and Angie.

Coming Soon.

Gina Rand was born and raised in Wellington, Florida. She first became introduced to music in fifth grade when she began playing piano before joining her school band and picking up clarinet the following year. She attended the University of South Florida and graduated with her bachelor’s in Music Education in 2022. During her time at USF, she worked as a marching band technician with Palm Harbor University High School while also being a clinician at numerous schools and all county events throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. Ms. Rand maintains an active private studio in which she instructs piano, clarinet, and saxophone students. She is also the Vice President of Membership for Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity’s Fort Lauderdale Alumnae chapter as well as a marching band woodwind and visual technician at Palm Beach Central High School. Currently, she is the middle school band director at The Conservatory School at North Palm Beach.

Frank Bermudez received his undergraduate degree in Music Theory and Composition from the State University of NY/College at New Paltz. After working for two years in arts administration he completed education core classes at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida to become a teacher. He received his National Board Certification in 2004.

Mr. Bermudez is currently the band director at Tradewinds Middle School in Greenacres. He has taught music in the Palm Beach County School District for over 22 years. During that time his students have enjoyed a great deal of success at local music assessments and community performances.

Mr. Bermudez is also a free-lance French Hornist and has performed for many local organizations, churches and community bands.

Jenn Girdlestone (formerly Mammino) is in her 13th year as the director of bands at Boca Raton Community High School where she oversees the concert bands, marching band, and jazz band.

Mrs. Girdlestone attended Florida State University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance. While at FSU, she performed in the world-renowned Florida State University Marching Chiefs serving as the Head Drum Major and Horn Section Leader. She also performed in the Symphonic Band, Wind Orchestra, Philharmonia, and Symphony Orchestra. During her college years, she performed as a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps for four years, serving the last two years as Mellophone Section Leader and Soloist. She was also a member of the Tau Beta Sigma national honorary band service sorority.

Mrs. Girdlestone has a passion for developing student leadership and training the next generation of leaders. She directs the Marching Band Leadership camp for Palm Beach County’s Summer Band Camps and also co-leads the Drum Major session at Penny’s Camp in St. Petersburg, FL. Mrs. Girdlestone is also a clinical educator and works with college interns to help them make their final preparations to become music teachers in their own classrooms.

Mrs. Girdlestone also performs with the Orchid City Brass Band on tenor horn, with the Palm Beach Brass Quintet on French horn, and in her church worship band on bass and piano.

Steven Mailloux-Adler is currently the Band Director at Woodlands Middle School in Lake Worth, FL. As a timpanist and percussionist in the marching arts, he has performed with and taught at Carolina Crown, STRYKE Percussion, and the Frost Band of the Hour Drumline. As a graduate of the Frost School of Music, Steven studied under Svet Stoyanov and Matthew Strauss and performed with a number of Frost’s premier ensembles. He has hosted dozens of masterclasses, round tables, and maintenance clinics and is a proud part of the Vic Firth/Zildjian Educational Team.

Matthew Nichols is a performer and educator currently performing in South Florida. He is the director of percussion studies at Florida Atlantic University, where he maintains the percussion studio, teaches percussion lessons, directs the percussion ensemble, instructs the percussion pedagogy class, and is on staff as the percussion caption head for the Marching Owls.

Before living in Florida, he spent time working as an instructor at multiple high schools and middle schools in the Greater Richmond area while also maintaining a successful studio of private students. As a performer, he performed with the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra, Richmond Wind Band, School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC), and was invited as a guest soloist for the Richmond Symphony's Youth Orchestra 50 year Gala Celebration. He also performed with many jazz ensembles, show choirs, and pop music groups, such as Moruza and McBeth.

While in South Florida, Mr. Nichols has had the opportunity to work as a clinician at many middle schools and high schools in Palm Beach County, as well as with the Miami Symphony Youth Orchestra in Miami, FL. He has performed with the Miami Symphony, the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Grand Opera, Nu Deco Ensemble, the Atlantica Classical Orchestra, the Palm Beach Symphony, Lynn Philharmonic, and the New World Symphony. His time as a performer has given him the chance to perform with artists such as Jacob Collier, Ben Folds, Cory Henry, Kishi Bashi, Stephen Marley, Danay Suarez, Emily King, Time for Three, Matthew Joy, Bilal, Dayramir Gonzalez, and more.

Mr. Nichols holds a Bachelors degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he studied under Justin Alexander, Peter Martin, Jim Jacobson, William Messerschmidt, Brian Jones and Tony Martucci. He holds a Masters degree from the University of Miami, where his teachers were Svet Stoyanov, Matthew Strauss, and John Yarling.

Christina Nichols Christina is currently the director of bands at Wellington Landings Middle School, since 2013. The symphonic band and jazz ensemble has consistently scored superior ratings under her direction. Her bands have also received the Linda Mann 5 year Superior Award in 2020 and she is a recipient of the FBA’s Tom Bishop Award. She was also a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator’s Award in 2019.

Christina is currently the director of bands at Wellington Landings Middle School, since 2013. The symphonic band and jazz ensemble has consistently scored superior ratings under her direction. Her bands have also received the Linda Mann 5 year Superior Award in 2020 and she is a recipient of the FBA’s Tom Bishop Award. She was also a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator’s Award in 2019.

SCurrently, Christina is a member of FMEA, NaFMe, and the Florida Bandmasters Association. She is also part of the FMEA’s Emerging Leaders Program.

In her free time, when she’s not studying, she enjoys time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs, Holly and Mr. Charles.

Mr. Jonathan Ferguson graduated with a Bachelors in Music Education from Valdosta State University(GA). While studying music education, he took every opportunity to perform in an array of ensembles; Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Saxophone Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, Saxophone Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, and numerous other small ensembles and recitals.

Mr. Ferguson’s performance history afforded him the opportunity to continue performing with Royal Carribean Cruise Lines shortly after graduating, and again with the Tara Winds Symphonic Band (Atlanta), and multiple pit orchestras for musicals and a variety of pop ensembles.

Understanding the importance of a band students’ first years, Mr. Ferguson has dedicated his career to middle school and beginning band since he began teaching at Hill-Gustat MS in Sebring, Florida in 2005, also teaching at Edwards Middle School (Conyers, GA), and Osceola Creek MS, Woodlands MS, and currently Emerald Cove MS all here in Palm Beach County.