Director of Bands, Annabelle Robinson

Mrs. Robinson is in her seventeenth year of teaching and her seventh year as the Director of Bands at Palmetto Ridge High School. Mrs. Robinson directs the 250 member Marching Pride, Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Percussion, and Jazz Band 1. She also advises the Palmetto Ridge High School Auxiliary Team. 

Mrs. Robinson is from Orland Park, Illinois. She completed her Master’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis in conducting from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where she assisted in the direction of the Northwestern Wildcat Basketball Band. Mrs. Robinson earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she served as one of the Drum Majors of the Marching Illini and Student Director of the Orange and Blues Band.

Prior to her appointment at Palmetto Ridge High School, Mrs. Robinson served as the Associate Band Director at her alma mater Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois. Previous to that, Mrs. Robinson taught at Morton High School in Morton, Illinois, where she was the Assistant Director for the Band and Orchestra. Mrs. Robinson currently resides in Naples, Florida with her husband Brett Robinson, who is the Director of Bands at Barron Collier High School. 

Assistant Band Director, Joseph Bigler

​Mr. Bigler is in his third year as the Assistant Band Director at Palmetto Ridge High School. Mr. Bigler assists in directing the Marching Pride, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Band 2. In addition to his band responsibilities at Palmetto Ridge High School, Mr. Bigler also teaches AICE Music, two orchestras, and choir. 

Mr. Bigler earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Stetson University where he performed in the University’s Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, The Hatter Band, Pep Band, and Men’s Vocal Ensemble. 

Prior to his appointment at Palmetto Ridge High School, Mr. Bigler served as Director of Bands and General Music Teacher at Northport K-8 School in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Additionally, Mr. Bigler has spent the past four years working as a Marching Band Technician with multiple bands such as the St. Lucie West Centennial Eagle Regiment and the Barron Collier High School Marching Band. Mr. Bigler is a native of Naples, Florida and graduated from Golden Gate High School in 2013.

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Marching Band Instructor, Mario Mistretta

Mr. Mistretta is entering his tenth year on staff with the Marching Pride. 

He has over 13 years experience working and performing in the pagentry arts. His marching experience includes 5 years as a member of the UCF Marching Knights and 2 years as a member of Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps all on mellophone. After aging out in 2010 he stayed with the Boston Crusaders as a member of their administrative and tour operations staff. He served as Tour Director for the corps in 2013 and 2014 and as Membership Coordinator from 2015-2017.
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Mr. Mistretta currently works as a mathematics teacher at Corkscrew Middle School in Naples, FL. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, watching sports, volunteering at church, and acting as the Voice of the Bears and Marching Pride of Palmetto Ridge.

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Head Auxiliary Instructor, Annamarie Magdaleno

Mrs. Magdaleno is in her eighth year as the Head Auxiliary Instructor for the Palmetto Ridge Marching Pride Auxiliary. Mrs. Magdaleno choreographs and directs the Palmetto Ridge Auxiliary during both outdoor band season and indoor dance season. During indoor season, Mrs. Magdaleno travels to several dance competitions with her competitive and non-competitive teams.

Mrs. Magdaleno has been dancing for over 21 years and is trained in several dance backgrounds including Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Contemporary. Prior to her role as the Dance Instructor at Palmetto Ridge High School, Mrs. Magdaleno taught at the Ave Maria Dance Academy as a Hip Hop Instructor as well as The Village School of Performing Arts as a Lyrical and Hip Hop Instructor. She has previously taught many different dance levels and ages ranging from beginner, pre-kindergarten students to advance, and high school students.
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Mrs. Magdaleno is an alum of Palmetto Ridge High School and a former member of the Marching Pride Dance Team. She graduated from Palmetto Ridge in 2009 and earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Florida Gulf Coast University in May of 2014. Aside from her coaching position with the Marching Pride, Mrs. Magdaleno teaches Fourth Grade at Palmetto Elementary School.

Brass & Visual Tech, Anthony Claro

Mr. Claro is in his fourth year on staff with the Marching  Pride.

Mr. Claro was a member of the Marching Pride for four years and graduated in 2015. Mr. Claro attended the University of South Florida for two years and marched in the Herd of Thunder. He was Trumpet Section Leader for both schools and enjoyed leading as well as learning from his peers. 

​Mr. Claro is currently attending Florida Gulf Coast University and studying music to receive a Bachelor's in Music Education. He wishes to become a band director and spread his passion for music.  He is also part of the music fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi which involves serving the college bands. He became a Kappa Kappa Psi brother at USF and is currently active at FGCU. Because he is a music major, Mr. Claro does not have many hobbies other than those pertaining to music and friends. 

Visual Tech, Mariela Font

Ms. Font is in her second year on staff with the Marching Pride. 

Ms. Font is originally from Boston, Massachusetts and is an alumni of Palmetto Ridge High School. She was a member of the Marching Pride for four years and served as the Saxophone Section Leader for two years. She graduated from Palmetto Ridge in 2013. 

Ms. Font graduated from Full Sail University with a Bachelor in Music and Show Production in 2017. She is currently working towards her second degree in Psychology and Masters Degree in Music Therapy. She wishes to work in schools as a Music Therapist/Behavior Specialist. During the week Ms. Font works as a guest teacher at Cypress Palm Middle School. On her days off, she loves to try different foods, travel, and go to the Disney Parks. 

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