Staff and Contacts
The MHS band is led by a dedicated staff who focuses on meeting our students where they are at. They strive to provide a quality well-rounded music education to all students who have a drive to learn about music.
Daniel Kilbury
DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Daniel Kilbury is the director of bands at Melbourne High School. He joined the program in 2019 as the Associate Director, and was appointed Director of Bands in 2023. He is excited and honored to lead this prestigious program and work with students from the Brevard community. Previously, Mr. Kilbury was an active member of the band director community in South Florida, having worked with accomplished band programs at Hialeah Gardens High School, Cypress Bay High School, and Charles W. Flanagan High School, which have all received consistent superior ratings and other accolades. Daniel Kilbury is a proud graduate of Florida International University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in music education and also served as a student conductor with the university’s symphonic band. Mr. Kilbury also holds professional memberships with FMEA (Florida Music Educators Association), FBA (Florida Bandmasters Association), and NAfME (National Association for Music Education).
Andrew Canella
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Andrew Canella is a dedicated band director originally from Port Saint Lucie, Florida. He has three years of teaching experience leading and inspiring young musicians. A proud graduate of Florida State University, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 2022 and has since committed himself to cultivating strong, skillful ensembles through a blend of discipline, creativity, and passion for music. Andrew started his career at Liberty High School in Osceola County, and taught here for two years. In his time with Liberty High School, he helped the band program achieve Excellent and Superior ratings in Marching, Jazz, and Concert Band MPAs. Next, Andrew taught at Sebastian River Middle School for one year, where he led the bands to receive Superior Ratings with the Concert and Jazz Bands. Andrew believes in the transformative power of music education and works to create an inclusive, motivating environment for all his students.
In the Spring of 2022, Andrew completed his Music Education Internship with Melbourne High School Band. Andrew is excited to return to Melbourne High School and cannot wait to lead his students to success. His approach blends a deep respect for musical tradition with a forward-thinking mindset that embraces new methods and repertoire. When he's not in the band room, Andrew enjoys hanging out with friends, trying new activities, and the occasional video game. Andrew is looking forward to growing as both an educator and lifelong musician.
Theresa Vasquez
COLOR GUARD DIRECTOR
Theresa Vasquez has been the Colorguard Director since 2003, running both the Colorguard’s fall guard and winter guard programs. She is also a School Psychologist with Brevard County Schools, working in the district since 1999. Theresa started her colorguard career at Miami Palmetto HS in Miami, Florida, marching for 3 years and serving 2 years as captain. In college, Theresa was a member of the FSU Marching Chiefs Colorguard for 5 years (1991-1995), serving as Captain for her last 2 years. She also served as Visual Coordinator for the FSU Marching Chiefs in 1996 & 1997 while she was enrolled in graduate school at FSU. In 1996, Theresa was a member of the Florida Visual Ensemble Winter Guard, an Independent Open guard in Gainesville, Florida.
Under her direction at Melbourne HS, the Colorguard program has earned many awards and has maintained a history of Superior ratings at FBA events. Several alumni of the program have continued their colorguard careers as performers with a college marching band or independent winter guard, including FSU Marching Chiefs, UCF Marching Knights, USF Herd of Thunder, Troy University Sound of the South, Pegasus Winter Guard, USF Winter Guard, FSU Winter Guard, and Emanon Winter Guard. In 2007, the Melbourne Winter Guard became members of the Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit (FFCC) and participated in their first Winter Guard International event in 2014. Please visit the Guard page under “Ensembles” for information about the team and their history of success.
Pride of Mel Hi Band Parents Association 2023-24 Board
President: Arehzo Poirier, melhibpa.president@gmail.com
Vice President: Bonnie Brock, melhibpa.vp@gmail.com
Treasurer: Lara Waller, melhibpa.treasurer@gmail.com
Asst. Treasurer: Jennifer Ringleb, melhibpa.at@gmail.com
Secretary: Mary DeVerter, melhibpa.secretary@gmail.com
Mel-Hi Band Parents Association Mailing Address
PO Box 1821
Melbourne, FL 32902
