Faculty

Marketing and Operations Coordinator   A native of Miami, Michelle Sanchez began studying viola at age nine. Ms. Sanchez started pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance in 2009 under the tutelage of Michael Klotz. Throughout her college career, Ms Sanchez has had the opportunity to play for many renowned conductors such as David Effron, […]

Executive Director Vivian Gonzalez is a proud product of Miami Dade County Public Schools Magnet Programs and community music organizations. As a child, Ms. Gonzalez participated in Greater Miami Youth Symphony, South Florida Youth Symphony, and Youth Orchestra of Florida (now called Florida Youth Orchestra). At ten years old, Ms. Gonzalez made her solo debut

Percussion Coach   Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico,Lucas Sanchez enjoys a multi-faceted career as a timpanist, percussionist, and teacher. Mr. Sanchez currently performs with the Palm Beach Symphony under the direction of Gerard Schwarz, the Florida Grand Opera, the Nu Deco Ensemble, and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra; in the past he has appeared with the

Endangered Instruments Mrs. Marie Escobar is a native of Waynesboro, MS. During her high school years she was a member of the All-District Band, 4 years, and All-State Band, 1 year, as a Trumpet player, and also earned Superior at all Solo & Ensemble Competitions 7th -12th Grade. Mrs. Escobar then attended Jones County Junior

Young Sousas   I started my musical adventure at age 7 playing drums in church. When I turned 12 years old, I was accepted to study at the Escuela Libre de Música de Hato Rey, in Puerto Rico. This is when I discovered the saxophone. There I studied under Angel Marrero and Indio Martínez. After

Preparatory Strings   Described as artistic, refined and passionate; Vera Nji succeeds in combining a vivacious energy with the resounding tone of the viola. She studied with Pamela McConnell and performed under the direction of conductor Thomas Sleeper as a member of the University of Miami Symphony Orchestra and accompanied them on a tour of Nassau, Bahamas.

Preparatory Strings   Born into a musical family, Hungarian violinist Julia Jakkel began her musical studies at the age of five. Julia won numerous prizes at national and international competitions during her teenage years. Julia received her Bachelor of Music degree, Magna Cum Laude in May 2016 at Lynn University’s Conservatory of Music, as a student of

Jazz Band   Patrick Araujo is a Miami-based artist and musician that brings a unique and vibrant sound from his worldly music inspirations, an Emmy Award-winning musician, Patrick has been able to show his well-diverse talents in a multitude of genres, from Jazz to Classical and everything in between. His ability to stylistically indulge his sound

Young Mozarts Conductor & Education Coordinator Nerissa Rebagay is a doctoral student in Music Education at the Frost School of Music. She has experience teaching chorus, strings, and modern band instruments to students of all abilities in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She conducts the Young Mozarts orchestra and serves as Education Coordinator with the Greater

String Orchestra ConductorOn medical leave for our 2021-2022 Season   Mirlynez Iglesias-Mendez was born in La Habana, Cuba where she started her violin studies at the age of seven. She knows how to play a wide variety of musical styles on the violin. She held membership in the opera and ballet symphonic orchestra in her native