Director of Bands
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 García High School in Lake Worth and continues to bring musical experiences through excellence to the community, state, and nation. In their inaugural year the Bulldog Band Program earned a Superior Rating at District Concert Band MPA and were GOLD Medalist for the South Florida Winterguard Association Circuit Championships. 2024 & 2025 promise to be a strong continuation of the groundwork being laid at Dr. Joaquín García High School. Go Bulldogs!
Director of Percussion
Danny Aiello is a Santaluces High School alumnus, graduating in 2006 only two years after band director Mr. Rodriguez. Daniel marched with Stryke/Infinity Percussion for five years and aged out with the Blue Devils in 2009. He is passionate about teaching percussion and is excited to start building one of the best programs in the state.
Visual Coordinator
Joey Caverretta is stepping into the Visual Caption Head role this year, Joey brings with him 14 years of music experience. His performance career involves such organizations as Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, Florida Atlantic University, and the recent WGI Winds Independant World Champions, Stryke Wynds. In his fourth season on board this staff, Joey forms one pillar of an exceptional World-Class educational team at Dr. Joaquín Garcia High School.
Colorguard Consultant/Choreographer
Chris Hand is an Elementary Music teacher at Eagle Ridge Elementary in Broward County, FL. Over the years, he has worked with numerous High School programs across the state including schools such as Park Vista HS, John I. Leonard HS, Palm Beach Gardens HS, Nova HS, and many more. Currently, he maintains a consistent educator role at Stoneman Douglas High School since 2012, and now enters his second year with Dr. Joaquin Garcia HS. Within the activity his expertise stems from education in technique and foundational skills up to construction and choreography of the production students are asked to perform. With extensive background in adjudicating, orchestrating and choreography, he is excited to be a part of the team at Garcia HS! Go Bulldogs!
Program Consultant
Ron Coleman Pageantry Arts Adjudicator 1980 - present. Since 1980 Ron Coleman has been a registered adjudicator for the South Florida Winter Guard Association. He is also an adjudicator for the Florida Federation of judges (FFJA) and the Indiana Scholastic Sports and Music Association (ISSMA). Ron has judged pageantry arts competitions across the United States from Miami, Florida to San Diego, California.
Marching band/ Drum & Bugle Corps 1980 - PRESENT Since 1980 Mr. Coleman has designed and instructed drum corps, bands and guards. He has designed and taught many state finalist and Drum Corps finalists . Programs include Park Vista HS, Olympic Heights HS, , Plantation HS, Santaluces HS, Palm Beach Gardens HS and several more. Drum Corps include The Colts, The Crossmen, The Pioneer and The Florida Wave.
Color Guard - 1980 - present Color guard instruction, visual design and prop design. From conceptions to production to final product. Ron Coleman can assist your program in development that challenges students at every level of experience. Previous programs include Cooper City HS, Olympic Heights HS, Florida Wave Drum & bugle corps indoor guard.
Percussion Consultant
Ben Freedman has been teaching percussion in South Florida since 2002. He performed with Stryke Percussion and Heat Wave Drum and Bugle Corps. Ben works as a software developer consultant and teaches band for fun.
Percussion Consultant
Gabriella Maselli is entering her first year on staff. Gabriella Maselli has seven years of prior musical experience. Having participated in district and all state ensembles, as well as achieving superior ratings at a state level prior to graduating from Palm Beach Gardens High-school in 2024. Continuing with her musical aspirations, Gabriella is currently obtaining a bachelor’s in music education at Florida Atlantic University. Passionate about teaching, Gabriella is excited to see what is in store for the Bulldog Band this year.
Band & Colorguard Consultant
Jacob Winne started his music career at Palm Beach Gardens High school 2018-2022 performing with in the marching band, the Jazz band wind ensemble the Winter guard and the indoor winds ensemble after high school Jacob continued his marching career by coming back to Palm Beach Gardens high school, to teach the marching band, as well as the Winter Guard, winning a silver medal with the JV Winter Guard as well as performing with the Fiu Winter guard organization and winning a gold medal in 2022-2023 as well as winning a gold medal the following season 2023-2024
During the summer of 2023-2024 Jacob performed with the Troopers Drum And Bugle Corps making it to DCI finals that summer
Afterwards in the fall, Jacob came to Dr., Joaquín García High School to continue to teach the marching band and the Winter Guard. Having an undefeated season with the Winter guard winning a gold medal Jacob continues to help further the education and love for music, at Dr. Joaquín García High School
Band & Visual Consultant
Nick Smodish is originally from Boynton Beach and began his experience as a performer in the activity at Santaluces High School, graduating in 2014. He then went on to march with the FAU Marching Owls, the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, and Stryke Wynds. His experience teaching began in the summer of 2016, returning to Santaluces High School. Currently, he teaches at Stryke Percussion in the winter, Jupiter High School, and is jointing the DJGHS Bulldogs for the 2024 season. He looks forward to being a part of the building process and is excited for the season ahead!
Percussion Consultant
Alain Brodeur brings over a decade of experience in the marching arts, having been immersed in the world of drum corps and indoor percussion from a young age. He marched with Magic of Orlando in 2006 and Teal Sound in 2008 and 2009 as part of Drum Corps International (DCI). In Winter Guard International (WGI), Alain performed with South Florida Percussion (SFPC) in 2004, STRYKE from 2005-2007, Infinity from 2008-2010, and Redline in 2011.
In addition to his performing career, Alain has been a dedicated instructor, serving as the percussion instructor for Coral Glades High School in 2011 and 2012. His passion for the marching arts and deep expertise in percussion makes him a valuable asset to any program he supports. Alain is thrilled to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of musicians.
Colorguard Consultant
Ragina Rodriguez
Visual Consultant
Marcel Hernandez