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Our Directors
Raul Maldonado
Alisha Lopez
Charlotte Walsh
Anthony Diaz
Raul Maldonado
Raul Maldonado is a certified music teacher who was born and raised in the Springfield, Massachusetts area. Coming from a Puerto Rican family, Mr. Maldonado started his music career at the High School of Science and Technology where he devoted his time and effort to mentoring and performing with the SciTech Band. He was introduced to his current main instrument at SciTech and with the musical influence of the band, he decided to pursue music education after high school. He graduated from the High School of Science and Technology in 2019 where he received the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy among other accolades from the band program for being an exceptional student leader.
After high school, Mr. Maldonado attended the music program at Holyoke Community College where he learned from notable professors including Bob Ferrier, Pete Grimaldi, Geoffrey Cunningham, Elissa Brill-Pashkin, and many more. Mr. Maldonado then went on to attend Westfield State University where he further elevated his music career. Notable professors of his from WSU included Karen LaVoie, Edward Orgill, Dan Gabel, and many more. Mr. Maldonado then completed his Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in music education.
Mr. Maldonado is determined to make an impact in his community through music education. He believes that music can elevate culture, community, and talent. There is so much of all of that in this city, and it's up to us to showcase it to the people.
Alisha Lopez
Alisha Lopez-Marrero, better known as Ms. Lopez to students, is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she got a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a Minor in Economics. Her musical life is one of many different styles, avenues, and interests.
Ms. Lopez grew up in Springfield and started playing the trumpet when she was twelve. Within a year of starting her instrument, she auditioned and was accepted into the MMEA Western Junior Districts Festival. Throughout high school, she played in her school’s jazz band, concert band, marching band, and indoor drumline ensembles. She auditioned and was accepted each of her four years into the MMEA Western Senior Districts Festival, playing twice in the orchestra and twice in the concert band. She performed in pit orchestras for several musical theater productions including “Hairspray,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Chicago.” In her junior and senior years, Ms. Lopez was selected to play in the All American Marching Band, to perform in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
In her time studying music at UMass, she played in the Symphony Band, Chapel Jazz Ensemble, and the UMass Minuteman Marching Band, as well as various chamber ensembles. She also immersed herself in cross-disciplinary studies. She took several Arts Management courses through which she worked directly with non-profit organizations to support them in their daily operations. With an interest in music business, she took enough classes to graduate with a Minor in Economics.
At SciTech, Ms. Lopez co-directs the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Pep Band, and the Mentoring Thru Music Program. She also teaches AP Music Theory. As a music educator, Ms. Lopez is passionate about supporting students in feeling successful as instrumentalists, as well as encouraging them to have a well-rounded musical experience. She continually seeks new and exciting ways to nurture and strengthen her relationship with music.
When Ms. Lopez is not teaching music, she can be found hanging out with her pet bird Meelo, reading books, painting, watching Anime, or listening to Bad Bunny or K-Pop. Ask her about her hobbies! She has too many. :)
Charlotte Walsh
Mrs. Walsh – formerly Ms. Ouellette – joined the SciTech Band Family after graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Clarinet Performance. In 2024, Mrs. Walsh earned her Master of Arts degree in Music and Music Education through Teachers College at Columbia University. At the Springfield High School of Science and Technology, Mrs. Walsh co-directs the Concert Band, the Jazz Band, the Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Band, and the Mentoring Through Music Program (MTM).
Mrs. Walsh’s musical life is one of diverse interests, styles, and instrumental pursuits. As a clarinet student at UMass Amherst, Mrs. Walsh played with the UMass Wind Ensemble, the UMass Symphony Band, the UMass Symphony Orchestra, as well as the UMass Marching Band and local musical organizations such as the Windham Chamber Orchestra and the western MA ensemble the Valley Winds. Mrs. Walsh completed her senior thesis through the UMass Commonwealth Honors College titled “The Role of Classical Music in the Face of Social and Political Injustice,” a research project inspired by her experience serving with a humanitarian-aid organization in Southeast Asia. The culminating event of her project was her senior clarinet recital which included a program of musical works relating to issues of social justice as well as a fundraiser for the S.E. Asia organization that inspired the effort.
While Mrs. Walsh’s clarinet journey played a key role in her professional training and career trajectory, she attributes the redemption of her passion for music-making to the inspiring joy and commitment displayed by members of the SciTech Band. The SciTech Band students’ unwavering dedication to making music, especially throughout COVID-19 pandemic, led Mrs. Walsh to rekindle her passion project of playing guitar, singing, and songwriting, a pursuit from her high school years that she had long-since neglected. She started writing and performing again at local coffee shops, restaurants, and other public venues and events. In the spring of 2023 she recorded and released her first solo EP “Can I Have You Back?” on all major streaming platforms, followed by her single "Black Eye" which she released in May 2024. She has opened for nationally renowned artists the Clements Brothers, Erisy Watt, and Anna Tivel. Mrs. Walsh also collaborates frequently with SciTech Band students and alumni.
Mrs. Walsh's teaching philosophy is grounded in supporting students in their personal creative journeys, as well as equipping them with the resources and materials that will contribute to their success. When she is not teaching or making music, Mrs. Walsh can be found taking care of her plants, spending time outside, taking pictures, writing, and drinking lots of coffee.
Anthony Diaz
Born and raised in Springfield, Anthony Diaz graduated from the High School of Science and Technology in 2017. He was a member of the SciTech Band for all four years of his high school career and a member of the SciTech Band Leadership team during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He held the leadership roles of Percussion Section Leader, the Percussion Section Captain, and the SciTech Band President. Anthony was a two-time recipient of the SciTech Band Outstanding Musicianship Award and was also a recipient of the Outstanding Leadership and the Outstanding Service Awards. He participated in the UMass Honor Band Festival for three years. It was during his time as Band President that the SciTech Band received the Massachusetts Commonwealth Award, the state’s highest honor for achievement in the arts.
After graduating from SciTech, Anthony started volunteering with the band to pass on the legacy of excellence and enthusiasm to the next generation of SciTech Band Leaders. He continued to volunteer and mentor students over Zoom throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and worked closely with the directors to develop an online SciTech Band curriculum with virtual lesson videos and regular check-ins among teachers and students. During this time he also co-founded the IGNITE! Mentoring Thru Music program through which band alumni return to Springfield Visual and Performing Arts programs as mentors to current students. In 2022, Anthony was offered an official position as the Director of Mentoring for the SciTech Band.
Anthony resides in Springfield with his wife Briana and their five cats.
SPS Director of Visual and Performing Arts
Gary Bernice
Gary Bernice
Gary Bernice is the Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the Springfield Public Schools District, though he has spent a significant portion of his career as the director of the SciTech Band.
At SciTech, Mr. Bernice directed the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Stomp Percussion Ensemble. As co-founder and co-director of Springfield’s Mentoring Through Music Program (MTM) and IGNITE Mentoring Program, he also coached chamber ensembles (small music ensembles) and taught group and individual music lessons after school.
Mr. Bernice graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and holds a Master of Music degree in Music Education, also from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In 2006, Mr. Bernice completed an honors thesis through the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts titled Students’ Beliefs About Relevant Curriculum in the Secondary Urban Music Classroom.
In 2008, Mr. Bernice received the Pioneer Valley Distinguished Teaching Award. In 2011, he was selected to receive the Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award and in 2012 he was the recipient of the New England Public Radio Arts and Humanities Award. In 2013, he was the subject of a University of Massachusetts research study on transformative teaching. He was also chosen as a quarterfinalist for the first annual Grammy Music Educator Award in 2013 and again in 2019, 2020, and 2021. In 2015, he was honored with the University of Massachusetts Distinguished Young Alumni Award and the William Pynchon Award for distinguished service to the Springfield community. In 2018, Mr. Bernice was honored with a distinguished membership to the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity as a "Friend of the Arts." In 2019, he was honored with the Business West Award for Civic Leadership in Western Massachusetts. In 2022, Mr. Bernice was inducted as an Honorary Member of the of the Epsilon Nu Chapter of the Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In 2023, Mr. Bernice was nominated for National Life Group's Life Changer of the Year Award.
He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association, and served on the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Arts Education Advisory Council. He resides in Springfield with his wife Elise and their three children—Lily, Hannah, and Isaac. He remains an active musician and an active advocate for the Springfield community.
Mentoring Through Music
Igniting the joy of music from within, Alumni instructors and student leaders rise up to mentor the next generation of musicians and leaders...
