Evan Biela joined Waltham's instrumental staff as a band teacher in 2007. He earned his B.A in Music Education from Hartford University's Hartt School of Music in 2006, his M.A. in Music Education from Boston University in 2013, and recently his Diploma in Kodály Music Pedagogy from The Liszt Academy's Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary in 2021. Evan's principal instrument is the trumpet, and he also performs as a tenor in the greater Boston area. He enjoys spending time with his family, going to the movies, playing ping pong, and running.
This is David Dyson's fifth year teaching string instruments at our elementary schools. He received his bachelor's degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2016. In addition, he received his masters degree at Gordon college studying music education in 2021. Before coming to Waltham, David was the orchestra director at Westwood High School where he also taught piano and music production. In addition to playing piano and violin, David enjoys being outdoors biking, swimming, and hiking.
Yank'l Garcia is a music educator, violist, and music therapist originally from Miami, FL. She holds a BM in Music Therapy from the University of Miami and a MM in Music Education from Boston University. Prior to completing her master's, Yank'l taught for five years in El Sistema-inspired programs in both Miami and Boston. She is currently a member of the Brookline Symphony Orchestra. This is Yank'ls six year at Waltham Public Schools. Yank'l is fluent in Spanish! She teaches orchestra at McDevitt Middle School, Kennedy Middle School and Waltham High School.
Julie Souza holds a BM in Clarinet Performance and Music Education and MM in Music Education from UMass Lowell. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Educational Leadership and Management from Fitchburg State University. Julie has taught orchestral instrumental music in the Waltham Public Schools since 2003 and has directed the honors orchestra since 2009 when she wrote the initial grant to create it through the Waltham Education and Beyond Foundation. In 2024, Mrs. Souza started working as co-coordinator for the Waltham Private Lesson Program. Julie currently lives in North Chelmsford with her husband and two children. She has performed with the Metropolitan Wind Symphony since 2002.
Alexandra Zablotsky (also known as Ms. Z) teaches both strings and general music in Waltham public schools. Prior to Waltham, she taught k-8 strings, general music and modern band in Oakland Public schools and k-4 strings and general music in Lowell Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Berklee College of Music and a Master's Degree in Educational Policy with a focus in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. When she is not teaching, you might find her fiddling around the campfire with her daughter, hiking and camping with her family and dog, Cleo, or reading a great mystery in her home in Needham.
See her website here! bit.ly/dlstrings
Erica Kelley began teaching band instrumental music in Waltham in 2024. She holds a BA in Music Education from UMass Dartmouth and will receive her Master's degree in Music Education from Gordon College is 2027. Erica primarily plays flute and also plays clarinet in a community band. Outside of teaching, Erica enjoys playing board games, working on puzzles, and hiking with her dog.
Nathanael "Nat "Blankenship teaches band grades 6-12 in Waltham. He received two degress from Boston Conservatory: a Bachelors in saxophone performance and a Masters degree in music education. Nat is entering his 9th year of public education. He has worked in Lunenburg, Lynn, andd Fitchburg before joining the Waltham comunity. He loves to perform, conduct, dance, bowl, and anything that involves the outdoors.
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