Brandon Cruz has been involved in a variety of musical settings. As a classical percussionist, he has performed with the New World Symphony, Miami Symphony Orchestra, Miami Master Chorale, Greater Miami Symphonic Band, Civic Symphony Orchestra of Boston, and the Brockton Symphony Orchestra. He was timpanist and Latin percussionist for the World Champion Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps in 1995 and 1997. He has also performed for several musicals including productions of “Cabaret”, “Mack & Mabel”, “Baby”, & “Chess.”
In addition to a wide spectrum of performance experiences, Mr. Cruz has always been actively involved as a writer, arranger, and educator. He has written percussion music and arranged for several Miami-area high schools. Between 1995 and 2000, he served as percussion instructor for G. Holmes Braddock, Coral Reef, and Barbara Goleman Senior High Schools. During this time, he regularly performed clinics at several public schools and served as consultant to improve local percussion programs. Since 2004, he has been director of percussion and assistant director of jazz at Charles Flanagan Senior High. With several public performances, his students have entertained thousands locally at events such as the ING Miami Marathon, Pines Day Celebration, and Relay for Life as well as multiple television appearances. They have also received performance recognition at the local and state level by the Florida Bandmasters Association. During his summers, Mr. Cruz is the music director for the Broward Arts Camp where he fully develops, programs, and prepares young musicians of all ages and levels for performance at the end of each camp session. In addition to all that he does locally, Brandon has released an ongoing series of instructional lessons for drums available through easymusiclessons.com. Mr. Cruz is currently nominated to become an adjudicator for the Florida Bandmasters Association.
Mr. Cruz received his Bachelor's Degree in Classical Performance from Florida International University in April 2000. His instructors included John Kapanekas, John Tafoya, Errol Rackipov, Hector Neciosup, Jonathan Joseph, and Ignacio Berroa. He earned his Master's Degree in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory of Music in May 2003. He studied with Gary Chaffee, Jon Hazilla, Sa Davis, Jerry Leake, Ken Schaphorst, George Russell, Oscar Stagnaro, Danilo Perez, Dave Samuels, and Jerry Bergonzi. In September 2002, Brandon Cruz was recipient of the Allan Dawson Memorial Scholarship presented by the Boston Jazz Society.
PERCUSSION STAFF
Danny Augustin, Percussion Instructor
Bio Coming Soon...
VISUAL/MUSIC STAFF
Sean Breland , Intern from FSU
Mr. Breland was born and raised in South Florida. Mr. Breland is currently working on his is Bachelor’s degree in music education from Florida State University. Mr. Breland studied directly under Dr. John Drew. Dr. Drew is a world renowned trombone performer. During his youth Mr. Breland had the opportunity to march in the drum and bugle corps activity with the Glassmen from Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Breland was able to march with the Glassmen for a total of four years and was a soloist in the summer of 2005. During the 2006 tour the Glassmen traveled to Europe and was the most memorable summer of his life. Mr. Breland is currently loven’ interning at Flanagan High School under Mr. Stephen Rivero.
VISUAL/MUSIC STAFF
Paula Hyman, Visual Instructor
Paula is a proud alumnus of Flanagan High School , graduating way back in 2002. In her time at Flanagan, she participated in the Freshman Concert band, Symphonic winds, Wind Ensemble, Jazz band, and of course, the Marching band, where she was trumpet section leader her senior year. Paula also participated in many area honor bands and also received a total of 15 superior ratings at solo and ensemble festival over her 4 years at Flanagan. She began her long drum corps career her senior year, marching with The Cadets drum and Bugle Corps where she played lead mellophone for 5 years. After the summer of 2005, Paula filled a baritone spot with the Syracuse Brigadiers Senior corps and last winter she traveled to the far east and won a marching band championship performing lead trumpet with a group based out of Nagoya, Japan named Aimachi. This past summer she was the head visual technician for the Teal Sound, a division II drum corps based out of Jacksonville, FL. The Teal Sound placed 3rd in Division 2/3 finals, their highest placement ever, as well as recieving the highest score for a 3rd place corps for finals in division 2/3 history. Paula first started teaching Flanagan in the fall of 2002 as a visual tech. She moved back and forth from FL to the Northeast teaching various schools in both areas of the country. She has worked with Souderton HS (Pennsylvania) West Orange HS (New Jersey) Hialeah Miami Lakes, Cypress Bay HS, Santa Fe HS, and West Boca HS. In September of 2005 she taught the band camp for the UCLA Bruin Marching band. Paula returned to Flanagan in 2006 for The Blueprint and has been thrilled to be back home ever since!
CURRENTLY WORKING AT WEISS-ROHLIG USA LLC, A FREIGHT FORWARDING COMPANY IN THE MIAMI AIRPORT AREA. STUDYING TO BECOME A U.S. CUSTOMS BROKER
VISUAL/MUSIC STAFF
Orlando Mastrapa , Visual Instructor
Orlando Mastrapa was born and raised in Miami, Florida where he attended Miami Coral Park Senior High School. While there, Orlando recieved many leadership awards as well as participating in various ensembles including jazz band, percussion ensemble, concert band, and marching band. While participating in Miami Coral Park's wind ensemble as the principal tuba player, they were invited to play at the world renown Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Upon graduating high school, Orlando then attended Florida International University where he studied music performance for two years. At FIU, he studied privately under the former Florida Philharmonic's Principal Tubist, Jay Bertolet. Mr. Mastrapa was also the principal tuba player for the Wind Ensemble for those two years and also sat in as the tuba player with the FIU Orchestra as well.
As far as the outdoor music activity, Orlando was a member of various drum and bugle corps throughout the course of 4 years. He was a member of the Magic of Orlando in 2003 and 2005 as well as a member of The Cadets in 2006 and 2007. he has taught at various high school's including Braddock Sr. High School, Flanagan High School, West Boca Raton High School, and as a clinician for Hialeah High School. He is also currently serving as the drill writer for Palmetto Sr. High School.
VISUAL/MUSIC STAFF
Eddie Jimenez , Visual Instructor
Mr. Jimenez got involved in the marching activity in the year 2002 when he joined The Magic of Orlando Drum an Bugle Corp. He was soon assigned to a lead position and became a rookie soloist . That year The Magic of Orlando became the Division II world champions and placed an incredible 11 place in Division I . Mr. Jimenez was a student of Mr. Steven K. Rivero at Hialeah High School where he promptly began teaching soon after graduation in 2003 . Mr. Jimenez has attended Bands Of America numerous times with different marching bands . Four times as a student and many more as a marching and music consultant .In the year 2003 Mr. Jimenez
joined The Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corp were once again he was assigned to a lead position and became The Boston Crusader's rookie soloist . When Mr. Jimenez returned to The Boston Crusaders in 2004 he was featured throughout the production as a trumpet soloist . In 2005 Mr. Jimenez joined the 12 time World Champion Blue Devils where he was appointed as the 4th best player out of nearly 90 trumpet players that auditioned . That same year he toured all over Europe with the Blue Devils winning every competition including a major International competition held in Kerkrade Holland were many countries in Europe and Asia were represented . In 2006 Mr. Jimenez returned to the Blue Devils and due to his outstanding playing abilities he was assigned to the number one spot out of nearly 100 trumpet players half of which audition for upper lead . That year his childhood dream came true and he became a Blue Devil's trumpet soloist .Mr. Jimenez also participated in Individual and Ensemble competitions performing a classical trumpet solo earning 3rd place in all of Drum Corp International and 2nd place for a brass ensemble performance . Mr. Jimenez's hard work and dedication indeed payed off . Soon after aging out of Drum Corp in 2006 he was awarded Most Improved Brass Player
and was placed in the Blue Devils Hall of Fame .Mr. Jimenez is currently finishing up his classical trumpet performance and composition degree at the University of Miami where he focuses most of his time in composition and studying Orchestral trumpet performance with Craig Morris who was the principle trumpet player at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra .
VISUAL/MUSIC STAFF
Carlos Franco, Visual Instructor
Carlos graduated from FHS with the Class of 2006, and this is the second season that Carlos will be with the Falcon Sound marching band. Featured as soloist he grew quickly within the ranks of the program. In the classical scene, Carlos has been performing with the Broward symphony orchestra as principal trobone player, where was featured as an euphonium soloist in Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, and famous trombone solo Morceau Symphonique. In the jazz scene he performs with Jason Hainsworth's big band also known as the BCC big band, featured both as lead trombone player, and soloist. He developed a great passion for the pageantry arts as soon as he started "I started band on my tenth grade, in the concert band and Jazz band, and as soon as I saw the Brain I fell in love with it, I wanted to do it ASAP, and as soon as I knew what drum corps was I brought myself to the challenge." Carlos marched two years with the Falcon Sound Marching Band, and has completed two seasons with The Boston Crusadors drum and bugle corps until he ages out. He currently attends BCC where he is attempting a Trombone Performance AA, and during fall of 2008 he will be attending FSU for music education. "I am very excited to be teaching at Flanagan again, everyone in the staff is very talented and experienced, and it's going to be a great learning experience. The show is great, the kids have potential, and it's a great opportunity to go to BOA and be the best that we can be as a team."
VISUAL/MUSIC STAFF
Cliff Newkirk, Visual Instructor
Clif Newkirk was born and raised in a suburb around Dallas. He attended NorthGarlandHigh School, where his marching career began. After his sophomore year in high school he became a member of the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. He was a member of the World Champion Drum Corps for six years. Clif taught for one year at WesternHillsHigh School in Ft. Worth, TX. He is now on staff for the mighty Falcon Sound.
COLOR GUARD STAFF
Emma Roberts, Color Guard Instructor
Emma was born in Ellesmere Port, England, moved to Canada
and was raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. During the summer months Emma is a full time staff member with The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps. She was also a performing member of the Cadets from 1997-2000.She has marched and taught color guards such as Emerald Knights, Cardinals, Oakland Crusaders, Genesis II, Bluecoats, Patriots, OoltewahH.S, Walkersville H.S, Patriots, and Emerald Marquis. Emma also travels each year to Sweden to work with the Strangnas Drum & Bugle Corps. Emma currently works full time in the Administration department at Flanagan H.S. She also goes to school part time (Nursing) and enjoys running half-Marathons in the U.S and Canada. She has been a fulltime member of the Flanagan H.S Band and Winterguard staff since 2001.
time member of the Flanagan H.S Band and Winterguard staff since 2001.
COLOR GUARD STAFF
Matt Winans, Color Guard Instructor
Matt was born in raised in the small town of Medina, NY. After graduation he attended the State University of New York (SUNY) at Brockport in Rochester, NY where he earned two bachelors degrees in Communications and Dance. He recently moved to Florida to teach the Flanagan Colorguards.Matt's experience in colorguard goes beyond his age as his mother, (Clara Lake) marched and taught colorguard for 25 years at Medina High school. Matt was a member of the Medina High School Winterguard and Marching Band as well as being the drum major his senior year. Other marching experiences include the Empire Statesmen Sr. Drum corps, the Rochester Patriots Independent World Guard, and the Cadets Drum Corps. He has also taught many groups through out New York including; Eastridge High School (Director 2002-2005), The Cadets, Empire Statesmen, Orchard Park High School, East Syracuse Minoa High School, Hilton High School, Medina High School, and Pheonix High School color guards. He looks forward to being apart of the Flanagan family for years to come.
COLOR GUARD STAFF
Keith Campbell , Color Guard Instructor
Mr. Keith Campbell began his Band and Colorguard experience at Miramar High School in 1995. He performed in "Lethal"- which at the time was the prestigious colorguard of South Florida- until he graduated in 96. Mr. Campbell auditioned for the Alliance of Miami Colorguard for the 97 season and made the team but ended up not completing the season. After taking a year off he decided to go for it once again and marched Alliance 98 and 99. Mr. Campbell, not being completely satisfied with his 2 year experience in the World Class finals in Dayton, Ohio then decided it would be best to try something different. He auditioned for the new team on the block in the South Florida circuit called Team Miami(now known as Braddock Independent). Needless to say with his incredible talent he completed a year with Team Miami as an open class finalist in 2000. Keith, felt that his days as a performer were done so he was asked to be an instructor for Braddock Independent- he went on to help them get a medal in open class and 3 time world class finalist in Independent World. As time passed Keith began making a name for himself and helped out with Flanagan High School Winterguard and also was a part of the instructional staff that got Flanagan a medal and moved into Scholastic World Class(One of the happiest days of his run in the activity). His creative and artistic choreography has also been seen with the Crossmen Drum And Bugle Corps 2001-02 and the Boston Crusaders 04. After taking a year break from both Winterguard and Drum Corps he is HAPPY to be back at Flanagan High School!
COLOR GUARD STAFF
Hayden Rhodes, Color Guard Instructor
Hayden is from Monroe, CT. He studied music and psychology at University of Connecticut. He has marched in the Connecticut Hurricanes Drum Corps, Emerald Marquis winterguard, and was Captain of the Cadets of Bergen County drum and bugle corps.
COLOR GUARD STAFF
Christine Nemeth, Color Guard Instructor
Christine Nemeth grew up in Ohio and Florida, where she graduated from Plantation High School. From there, her educational career continues at Northwestern University, home of the “Best Band in the Land.” As a member of the Marching Wildcat Band, she grew to love color guard and the hard work that goes with it. At the end of her final marching season, NUMB was awarded the Sudler Trophy for college bands in 1992. With a BS in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern, she returned to Florida,and later began teaching Earth/Space Science at Flanagan High School. She fell into working with the Flanagan Color Guard soon after this, and has been blissfully happy ever since.
COLOR GUARD STAFF
Alex Casimir, Color Guard Instructor
Alex marched at Flanagan for 2 years and was captain of the A-guard in
the 2003-2004 season. Graduated from Flanagan High in 2004. She is
currently enrolled at Florida International University where is studying
political science.
COLOR GUARD STAFF
Nicole Martinez, Color Guard Instructor
Nicole was born and raised in Miami. She began her colorguard experience at Braddock Senior High School in 1999, and marched through 2002. She marched Braddock’s world guards 2000-2002. She also marched Drum Corps with The Cadets 2002-2006. Nicole is extremely EXTATIC about teaching the Flanagan colorguard!
MUSIC ARRANGER
Dennis Llinas, Music Arranger
Mr. Dennis Llinas graduated from Hialeah High School in 1998. Mr. Llinas then attended Florida International University earning his bachelors degree in Music Education. While in college, Mr. Llinas marched four years of Drum and Bugle Corps with the Boston Crusaders from the years 1999 through 2002. He then went on to teach the Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2003.
Mr. Llinas has been instructing high school percussion programs since his graduation with schools including Hialeah High School, Miami Springs High School, Palmetto High School, Stoneman Douglas High School, Cooper City High School, and Felix Varela High School to name a few.
At the age of 19, Mr. Llinas was asked to arrange his first marching band show covering all wind and percussion parts. Since then, he has grown to write for over 20 high schools throughout Florida and extending through Minnesota and Massachusetts. He was also hired by the South Florida Percussion Company to compose and teach their program from the years 2000 through 2003.
Since then, Mr. Llinas has been commissioned to compose pieces for performers from various universities including Florida International University, University of North Texas, and the University of Central Florida.
Dennis Llinas is currently finishing his second year at Miami Coral Park Senior High School. By his second year, he has earned the marching band straight superiors (a first since 1999), the Wind Ensemble straight superiors (a first since 2000), and the Jazz Band straight superiors (first time in over 26 years). The Wind Ensemble was invited to the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational in 2006 and received straight superior ratings from adjudicators such as Mark Camphouse and David Holsinger. The Jazz Band participated at the Festival Disney competition in 2006 and was awarded grand champion for the Jazz Ensembles.
