BAND DIRECTORS
Michael Clemente | Director of Bands
MICHAEL CLEMENTE is in his tenth year of teaching and his fourth as the Director of Bands at Winter Park High School in Winter Park, FL. Previously, he served as the Associate Director of Bands at Winter Park High School from 2013 - 2019. Mr. Clemente directs the Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble I, and Concert Band, co-directs the "Sound of the Wildcats" Marching Band, and assists with the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble II, and Freshman Jazz Band. Ensembles under Mr. Clemente’s direction have consistently received Superior ratings at Florida Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessments. The Winter Park Wind Symphony has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, NY, the Walt Disney Music Hall in Los Angeles, CA, the Southern Region CBDNA/NBA Conference in Tampa, FL, the Music For All Southern Regional Festival in Atlanta, GA, and Disneyland in Anaheim, CA.
Prior to coming to Winter Park, Mr. Clemente earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Michigan State University. A trumpet player, Mr. Clemente performed with various ensembles both at MSU and in the Lansing (Michigan) area including the MSU Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Trumpet Ensemble, and the Capitol City Brass Band. He also performed for five years in the Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band, where he served as trumpet section leader and band Vice President.
From 2008-2010, Mr. Clemente served on the Instructional Staff at Smith Walbridge Clinics in Charleston, IL, one of the oldest and most recognized drum major clinics in the country. Mr. Clemente is also an alumnus of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He toured as a lead trumpet player with the Regiment during the summers of 2011 and 2012, performing in multiple stadiums and cities across the country.
Mr. Clemente is an active member of the Florida Bandmasters Association and Florida Music Education Association. He looks forward to assuming the role of District Secretary in FBA District 8 and having the opportunity to serve his colleagues in Orange County for the coming school year. In his spare time, Mr. Clemente enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah and their beloved dog Sheila.
Prior to coming to Winter Park, Mr. Clemente earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Michigan State University. A trumpet player, Mr. Clemente performed with various ensembles both at MSU and in the Lansing (Michigan) area including the MSU Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Trumpet Ensemble, and the Capitol City Brass Band. He also performed for five years in the Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band, where he served as trumpet section leader and band Vice President.
From 2008-2010, Mr. Clemente served on the Instructional Staff at Smith Walbridge Clinics in Charleston, IL, one of the oldest and most recognized drum major clinics in the country. Mr. Clemente is also an alumnus of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. He toured as a lead trumpet player with the Regiment during the summers of 2011 and 2012, performing in multiple stadiums and cities across the country.
Mr. Clemente is an active member of the Florida Bandmasters Association and Florida Music Education Association. He looks forward to assuming the role of District Secretary in FBA District 8 and having the opportunity to serve his colleagues in Orange County for the coming school year. In his spare time, Mr. Clemente enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah and their beloved dog Sheila.
Daniel Smith | Associate Director of Bands
DANIEL SMITH is in his fourth year teaching, and fourth year as Associate Director of Bands at Winter Park High School. Mr. Smith directs the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble II, and Freshman Jazz ensemble, co-directs the "Sound of the Wildcats" Marching Band, and assists with Wind Symphony, Concert Band, and Jazz Ensemble I. Ensembles under Mr. Smith’s direction have consistently received Superior ratings at Florida Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessments
Before his position at Winter Park High School, Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Stetson University in DeLand, FL. While at Stetson Mr. Smith performed with the University Jazz Ensemble, University Symphonic Band, University Symphony Orchestra, University Concert Choir, University Saxophone Ensemble/Quartet, University Clarinet Choir, Southern Winds Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and Stetson Hatter Pep Bands. In the fall of 2017, Mr. Smith had the privilege of performing as a soloist with the University Symphony Orchestra, as one of the winners of the Annual Concerto Competition. Additionally, he was a part of many professional organizations including Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the Collegiate National Association for Music Education.
Since 2015, Mr. Smith has been very active in the central Florida community working with many different middle and high school band programs as a woodwind technician. Most recently he has helped with organizing and rehearsing the Central Florida Youth Saxophone and Clarinet choirs in Seminole County.
Mr. Smith is an active member of the Florida Bandmasters Association and Florida Music Education Association.
Before his position at Winter Park High School, Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Stetson University in DeLand, FL. While at Stetson Mr. Smith performed with the University Jazz Ensemble, University Symphonic Band, University Symphony Orchestra, University Concert Choir, University Saxophone Ensemble/Quartet, University Clarinet Choir, Southern Winds Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and Stetson Hatter Pep Bands. In the fall of 2017, Mr. Smith had the privilege of performing as a soloist with the University Symphony Orchestra, as one of the winners of the Annual Concerto Competition. Additionally, he was a part of many professional organizations including Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the Collegiate National Association for Music Education.
Since 2015, Mr. Smith has been very active in the central Florida community working with many different middle and high school band programs as a woodwind technician. Most recently he has helped with organizing and rehearsing the Central Florida Youth Saxophone and Clarinet choirs in Seminole County.
Mr. Smith is an active member of the Florida Bandmasters Association and Florida Music Education Association.