Neil Jenkins

Director of Bands, 1989-present Neil Jenkins received his Bachelor and Master of Music Education from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, and has been Director of Bands at J.P. Taravella High School since 1989.  Prior to his arrival at Taravella, Jenkins was Director of Bands at Miramar High School (1981-1989) and St. Cloud High School (1968-1979).  He also serves as an adjunct professor and director of the Broward Community College Symphonic Band since August, 2000. Jenkins is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, the American School Band Directors Association, the Florida Music Education Association, the Music Education National Conference, the Phi Beta Mu Honorary Music Fraternity, the National Band Association, and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He has served the Florida Bandmasters Association as District Secretary and District Chairman twice (2 two-year terms), Chairman of the Sightreading Committee, Chairman of the Redistricting Committee, President Elect of FBA (1998-2000), President of the Florida Bandmasters Association (2000-2002), Past-President of the FBA (2002-2004) and has served as the Conference Facilitator for the Florida Bandmasters Association since 2004. Jenkins has also represented the Florida Music Education Association as a member of the Florida School Music Association Board of Directors from 2004-2007.  In 2005, Mr. Jenkins was honored by the John Phillip Sousa Foundation as an inductee into the Legion of Honor.  In November of 2007, Mr. Jenkins will be honored by the Florida Bandmasters Association as an inductee into the FBA Hall of Fame.  An active adjudicator, Jenkins is sought in the areas of marching, music, and solo and ensemble performance assessments. While under Jenkins' leadership, the JPT Band has earned consecutive Superior ratings at the FBA District Marching Band Performance Assessments, and the concert and jazz bands have also earned numerous Superior ratings at both District and State Music Assessments. Jenkins' wife, Carol, is a first grade teacher at Pembroke Lakes Elementary and their son, Michael, is the Executive Producer for Sports & Weather at NBC's WTVJ in Miramar.

 

Cheldon Williams

Director of Bands, Director of Orchestras, 2006-present Mr. Cheldon Williams is a 2004 graduate of Florida State University where he completed his Bachelor of Music Education Degree. He is a Fort Lauderdale native and a graduate of nearby Piper High School in Sunrise.  Prior to his start at Taravella High School, Williams was Assistant Director of Bands at Cypress Bay High School (2004-2006). Mr. Williams has always been an involved and active educator in all areas pertaining to high school and middle school music education. Having a strong focus in instrumental music, Mr. Williams has been trained and performed under the batons of renowned musicians such as H. Robert Reynolds, Gary Green, Dr. James Croft, Richard Clary, Jerry Junkin, Dr. Patrick Dunnigan and many others. In his four-year tenure at Florida State University, Mr. Williams served as principal tuba player for many of the university's bands and ensembles. Mr. Williams continues his education in music by attending various symposiums and workshops aimed at gaining additional experience and deepening his understanding of music education. He is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Orchestra Association as a county coordinator, and Mr. Williams was recently named one of Florida’s Emerging New Leaders (an honor which he was nominated for by his colleagues and peers).

 

Brian Wesolowski

Director of Bands, Director of Orchestras, 2004-2006   Mr. Brian Wesolowski is a graduate of Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio where he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and jazz saxophone performance and his Master of Music Education in May 2003. He is originally from Rhode Island, where some of his accomplishments include being the principal clarinetist in the New England Conservatory Youth Philharmonic and the Rhode Island Youth Philharmonic. As the 1997 concerto competition winner, he performed the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the Rhode Island Youth Philharmonic. He has been a member of the Rhode Island All-State orchestra, concert band and jazz band, as well as numerous community groups and ensembles. Wesolowski began gigging professionally at the age of 16. While attending college in Ohio, Wesolowski was very active in the performance and education scene. He has performed with many notable jazz artists, including Jane Monheit, James Newton, Michael Philip Mossman, Greg Bandy, Kenny Davis, Amiri Baraka (LeRoy Jones), among others. He has performed at many "A list" celebrity functions. He was involved in many ensembles in the Cleveland area, including jazz trios and quartets, big bands, wedding groups, salsa, blues, meringue, and Motown groups. Mr. Wesolowski also held the position of assistant conductor of the Northern Ohio Youth Philharmonic for two years. Since moving to South Florida in 2003, Wesolowski has performed with many notable touring and local R&B recording artists. Mr. Wesolowski has studied with members of the Boston Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony and Cleveland Orchestra, as well as many influential jazz artists, including Gary Bartz, Jerry Bergonzi, Donald Walden, Peter Dominguez, Wendell Logan, Billy Hart and Robin Eubanks. Mr. Wesolowski can be seen in the 2003-2004 edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers, and is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Orchestra Association, Music Educators National Conference, the International Association of Jazz Educators and the National Association of Jazz Educators.

 

Nikk Pilato

Director of Bands, Director of Orchestras, 2000-2004   Mr. Pilato was Director of Bands and Orchestras from 2000 until 2004.  Under his leadership, the Orchestra program tripled in size from 32 members his first year to roughly 100 his fourth and final year, receiving Superior Ratings each year.  Under his direction, the JPT Band Program became the first program in Broward County history to have two ensembles receive Superiors at State Festival in 2003, and in 2004 became the first band in the county to have three bands qualify for State with Superior ratings.  While at JPT, Pilato also helped the band membership grow from 160 to almost 250.  In addition, Pilato wrote the drill and arranged the music for the Marching Trojans from 2001 onward (including this season). Nikk Pilato received his Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees from the Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he served as the principal Euphonium player in the Wind Orchestra for 4 years, the Wind Symphony for 2 years, and the Tallahassee Winds for two years (as well as being a founding member of that ensemble).  Prior to coming to J.P. Taravella High School, Pilato was the Director of Bands at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. Pilato recently graduated from Florida State University with his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Music Education and Conducting and will be teaching at the University of Louisville.  Pilato is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Florida Orchestra Association, the Florida Music Educators Association, the Music Educators National Conference, and the National Band Association.  Pilato was a member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from 1991 to 1994, serving as Drum Major in 1994, and winning the 1991 and 1993 DCM Individual and Ensemble Baritone titles.

 
 

Mike Garasi

Assistant Band Director, 1994-2001, 2003 Mr. Michael Garasi is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music where he received degrees in Percussion Performance. He has performed with the such orchestras as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New World Symphony. Mr Garasi has served as percussion instructor and assistant director at J.P. Taravella High School from 1994-2001 and in 2003. He is currently director of the Brass Band of Central Florida, the Gold Coast Symphony Orchestra and conducts the Philharmonia of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra.

 

Mark Humphreys

Associate Director of Bands, 1993-2000 Mr. J. Mark Humphreys is currently associated with the Japanese firm "Brain Company Ltd." as the head of Bravo Music Inc., its American/European office. At Taravella, Mr. Humphreys refocused the marching program on award-winning popular performance literature, built two state-superior level jazz ensembles, and with Mr. Jenkins, established Taravella as a recognized program in the US and abroad. Prior to coming to Taravella he was Director of Bands at Nova High School in Davie, Florida and the American School in Heidelberg, Germany, and Brass Specialist at the Norland Arts Performance Magnet School. His Wind Ensemble at Nova HS was highly regarded, and Jazz Ensemble was awarded by Downbeat Magazine. While in Heidelberg he received Federal recognition for his contributions to music education, and he also performed with and conducted "Musikverein Ostringen" wind ensemble. While at Taravella and Nova High Schools, Mr. Humphreys actively promoted international music exchange and interesting homestay visits abroad. His bands have toured more than a dozen nations, and hosted school and community groups from England, Germany and Japan. Mr. Humphreys was also active in the founding of the Youth Orchestra of Florida, serving as its Principal Conductor. He is a member of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.

 

Wendell Simmons

Orchestra Director, 1986-1997 Mr. Wendell Simmons was Director of Orchestra at JP Taravella up until 1997, when he took the position of DIrector of Orchestra at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts in Palm Beach County.  Mr Simmons maintains an active profile as clinician and performer throughout the country.

 

Larry Shane

Assistant Band Director, 1991-1992 Mr. Larry Shane received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Miami in 1991 and was the Band Director at Park Vista High School (Boynton Beach, FL) until a move to North Caroline in January of 2006. Mr. Shane was previously the Band Director at J. I. Leonard in Lake Worth and at Miami Southridge Senior High School (Miami, FL), Coral Shores High School (Key Largo, FL), and the assistant band director at JP Taravella High School. Over the years, Mr. Shane's ensembles have consistently received "Superior" ratings at both the District and State levels in the marching, symphonic, and jazz band fields in the state of Florida. Mr. Shane has also been a music instructor with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (Denver, CO) since 1994 and is in high demand as both a music clinician and adjudicator throughout Florida. Mr. Shane was married to his wife Randi Shane in 1995 and they have three children, Zachary Miles, born 3/30/97, Dylan Jacob, born 8/14/01 and Rebecca Lindsay, born 8/12/04.~ On a personal note, Mr. Shane is a former student of Mr. Jenkins (Miramar, Class of 1986).

 

Dennis Dunayer

Assistant Band Director, 1990-1991 Dennis Dunayer was assistant director of bands and jazz band director at JPT from 1990 to 1991.  Mr. Dunayer passed away November 21, 2003 at the age of 60 after a two year battle with lung cancer.  Dennis was born in the Bronx, graduate of Manhattan School of Music.  Dennis resided in Boca Raton, and is survived by wife Beatrice and daughters Caryn and Erica.

 

Kevin Phillips

Associate Band Director, 1985-1990 Kevin Phillips is now teaching in Michigan.  He was Associate Band Director from 1985 to 1990, and brought the jazz bands to the high levels of performance they enjoy today.  Phillips left after the 1989-1990 school year to pursue a teaching career in the Midwest.  Mr. Phillips received degrees from Florida Atlantic University and the University of Michigan.attended Oakland University, FAU, and St. Lukes.  Phillips  now teaches in Michigan at Oakland University and at Clawson Schools

 

Tom Chaffin

Director of Bands, 1984-1989 Tom Chaffin has been teaching for over 30 years, and is Director of Bands at Spring Valley High School in Wayne, West Virginia.  Mr. Chaffin was the Director of Bands at J.P. Taravella High School from 1984 to 1989.  Under his tenure, the J.P Taravella Band consistently achieved success in the marching arena, winning several marching contests and receiving straight superiors at FBA District Festival every year.

 

Bill McGhee

Director of Bands, 1981-1984 Bill was the original Band Director at JPT the year is opened.  Bill has since given up teaching and is now involved in insurance.  He lives in the Ft. Lauderdale area.

Interns

2004: Cheldon Williams (FSU)
2003: Brian Wesolowski, taught at Western HS from March of 2003 to June of 2004, former Band Director/Orchestra Director at JPT from 2004 - 2006
2001: Michelle Zebrowitz, currently studying at Memphis State University.
1997: Kirk Jackson.
1995: Miriam Altman, currently at BCC.
1994: Michael Truhan, currently the Director of Bands at Key West High School.
1992: Doug Halper
1989: Andrew Aldoretta, currently the Director of Bands at Royal Palm Beach High School.
1986: Steven Levine, currently at Parkway School of the Arts.
 

Staff

Color Guard:

Calvin Smart (2000-present)
Katie O'Connor (2003 to 2005)
Mark Leonard (2003-present)
Billy Pacifico (2000-2002)
Marissa Chuckaree (2000 to present)
Regina Byrn (1998-2000)
Shannon Berkstresser (1992-1998)
Tim Hudnall (1988-1992)
Lisa Spaulding
Pam Waldrop (1982-1987)

Percussion:

Sergio Carreno (2003-present)
Clifford Smith (2002)
Mike Garasi (1994-2003)
Ricky Huntley (1992-1994)
Tim Adams (1989-1992)
Sedric Houston (1982-1986)
Steve Posan (1981-1982)