MYami at St. John’s Episcopal Church
The band program in high school and college at Samford University is where Katie Martinez solidified her goals of making music a professional part of her life. In May of 2001, she graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree and then moved to Akron, OH where she received her Master of Music from the University of Akron in May of 2004. Looking for a warmer place she chose to do work towards a Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami.
In August of 2006, Katie Martinez became a teacher in the Miami-Dade County Public School System to spread her love of music to students throughout Miami and most recently Homestead. In the Fall of 2011, she transferred to Gateway K-8 to start the middle school band and music program. Some of the programs that she has developed at Gateway is the Gateway Croc Chorale where they have performed at district showcases, Florida International University, and the Homestead Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The Croc Chorale also performs a musical each spring which some of the musicals include, Annie, The Lion King Jr, Mulan Jr, and High School Musical Jr, Moana Jr, and this year Disney’s Descendants.
In addition to her after school activities, in which she incorporates music opportunities for the entire school, she also teaches Middle School Band, Orchestra, Rock Ensemble and Theater. Each December the Gateway Bands and Orchestras present a Holiday concert and another performance in the spring. These students have the excitement of presenting a concert to audiences which increases their self-esteem and confidence. The band has performed at Florida International University and the Rock Band and chorus have performed at Title I events throughout the South Region of the County. Mrs. Martinez also works as an instructor for the Greater Miami Youth Symphony.
from Venezuela at the age of 8, Michelle Moya started her music studies in the school choir. In middle school she began to take music more seriously when she picked up the cello. Michelle continued her studies by joining the Orchestra magnet at South Miami Senior High School and there, she took on percussion as her secondary instrument. In high school, Michelle attended many honors festivals and was part of Symphony and Chamber Symphony at GMYS. After graduating from high school a year early, she continued her studies at Miami-Dade college where she will graduate with her associates degree in spring of 2021.
Michelle plans to continue her studies with a bachelors and Masters degree in the future.