About our band director

 Mr. Anthony D. Barfield II

(Music Teacher Certified K-12)

  As the director of bands, Mr. Anthony D. Barfield II is directly responsible for all aspects of instrumental and digital music performances at Bear Lakes Middle School. 

Mr. Barfield is a product of the Dade County Public School Systems. He attended Parkway Elementary, Miami Norland Middle and Senior High School. Mr. Barfield began his musical matriculation in the 7th grade with a strong desire in music. In middle school, Mr. Barfield started taking private piano lessons, singing in chorus, and learning how to play the trumpet which later became his principal instrument. He continued his growing love for music in high school, under the influential direction of the late Kenneth Tolbert. Mr. Barfield pursued his music education degree at the great Bethune-Cookman College (now B-CU). During his college matriculation, Mr. Barfield became a part of the World renowned Marching Wildcats (The Pride), Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Steel Orchestra, and Brass and Percussion Ensembles. After marching in the band for 2 years on his trumpet, he became drum major and later head drum major for Mr. Donovan Wells, director of University bands at B-CU. As Mr. Wells 1st head drum major, Mr. Barfield was an essential part of the distinct and undeniable look and sound of the Pride, the Marching Wildcats. Under close direction, Mr. Barfield assisted Mr. Wells in many leadership roles that helped develop and maintain excellence, superior musicianship, and discipline. Mr. Barfield, certified K-12, graduated with a music education degree with extensive studies in Music Technology. 

Since 2005, as a Palm Beach County Music Educator, Mr. Barfield has embarked on a wonderful and spiritually fulfilled life for both his love to teach students combined with an intense love of music. His disciplined style of fundamental music education has produced numbers of students that go on to middle, high and now collegiate level of musicianship and leadership. Mr. Barfield has helped develop young musicians on the Elementary, Middle, and High school level. These students go on to become band leaders with superior and excellent ratings in music. Throughout the years, Mr. Barfield has given band / drum major support and assistance to several different middle and high school band programs throughout Palm Beach County School district. 

Mr. Barfield is happily married to Dr. Latisha C. Barfield. She is a professor at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Florida International University. They currently reside in West Palm Beach, Fl. 

Mr. Barfield’s professional, service and social affiliations includes Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia International Music Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Ancient Free & Accepted Masonry and Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. 

Mr. Barfield stresses the beginning foundation of music as an important factor in becoming a musician. Mr. Barfields' simple philosophy is “If I can learn music, then I can teach music and then together we can play music.” He would like to continue to influence young musicians in the same manner as his professors and band directors have influenced him throughout the years. He believes when the important music fundamentals are gained, then we can all play together as one symphony.

 Previous Bear Lakes Middle School Band Directors 

Ms. Lisa Gilly (2019 - 2022)

Ms. Marie Tallerie (2016 - 2019) 🥇🥇🥇

Ms. Siobhan Fergiels ( 2008 - 2016) 🥇🥇🥇

Mr. Kermit Virgil (2002 - 2008)

Mr. Randy Sonntag (1998 - 2002)

Bill Faucett (1995 - 1999)