Chapter Advisor: Dr. Mark Belfast
Dr. Mark A. Belfast Jr. is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Florida State University, where he also serves as Assistant Director of the FSU Summer Music Camps. Previously, he served as chair of the School of Music and coordinator of music education at Southeastern University. Belfast earned the PhD in Music Education from Florida State University, and he holds MEd in music education and BME degrees from Auburn University.
Belfast’s teaching experience includes undergraduate and graduate music education courses, as well as directing public school instrumental music programs in Alabama and Georgia. His research interests include teacher effectiveness, music teacher education, jazz pedagogy and performance, and music for special populations. Dr. Belfast has presented research and educational clinics in regional, national, and international venues, including the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Special Music Education and Music Therapy Pre-Conference Seminar, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Music Research and Teacher Education National Conference, NAfME Biennial Northwest Division Conference, Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Education, and the Florida Music Education Association Professional Development Conference. The results of his research have appeared in the Proceedings of the 24th International Seminar of the Commission on Special Music Education and Music Therapy, Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education, NBA Journal, The Journal of the Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Education, and Florida Music Director. In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Belfast serves on the board of the ISME Special Music Education and Music Therapy commission, he is the NAfME Collegiate advisor for the state of Florida, and he maintains an active agenda as a speaker, clinician, and adjudicator.
Dr. Mark A. Belfast Jr. is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Florida State University, where he also serves as Assistant Director of the FSU Summer Music Camps. Previously, he served as chair of the School of Music and coordinator of music education at Southeastern University. Belfast earned the PhD in Music Education from Florida State University, and he holds MEd in music education and BME degrees from Auburn University.
Belfast’s teaching experience includes undergraduate and graduate music education courses, as well as directing public school instrumental music programs in Alabama and Georgia. His research interests include teacher effectiveness, music teacher education, jazz pedagogy and performance, and music for special populations. Dr. Belfast has presented research and educational clinics in regional, national, and international venues, including the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Special Music Education and Music Therapy Pre-Conference Seminar, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Music Research and Teacher Education National Conference, NAfME Biennial Northwest Division Conference, Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Education, and the Florida Music Education Association Professional Development Conference. The results of his research have appeared in the Proceedings of the 24th International Seminar of the Commission on Special Music Education and Music Therapy, Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education, NBA Journal, The Journal of the Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Education, and Florida Music Director. In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Belfast serves on the board of the ISME Special Music Education and Music Therapy commission, he is the NAfME Collegiate advisor for the state of Florida, and he maintains an active agenda as a speaker, clinician, and adjudicator.
President: Colin Urbina
Email: co006947@ucf.edu
Colin Urbina is currently in his fifth year at the University of Central Florida, pursuing his Bachelors of Music Education. He currently serves as the President of Florida NAfME Collegiate, and the Immediate Past President of UCF NAfME Collegiate. Colin is primarily a Saxophonist, although he loves to double on flute, clarinet and oboe, plays piano and sings as well. While at UCF, Colin has participated in many on campus ensembles including the UCF Wind Ensemble, UCF Flying Horse Big Band, UCF University Singers, and the UCF Opera Program. Colin is extremely excited about his future as an educator, and can’t wait to be in a classroom of his own.
Email: co006947@ucf.edu
Colin Urbina is currently in his fifth year at the University of Central Florida, pursuing his Bachelors of Music Education. He currently serves as the President of Florida NAfME Collegiate, and the Immediate Past President of UCF NAfME Collegiate. Colin is primarily a Saxophonist, although he loves to double on flute, clarinet and oboe, plays piano and sings as well. While at UCF, Colin has participated in many on campus ensembles including the UCF Wind Ensemble, UCF Flying Horse Big Band, UCF University Singers, and the UCF Opera Program. Colin is extremely excited about his future as an educator, and can’t wait to be in a classroom of his own.
President Elect: Megan Robichaud
Email: n01492523@unf.edu
Megan Robichaud is a junior Music Education Major at the University of North Florida. Her primary instrument is the trumpet, and she performs with the UNF Wind Symphony, Orchestra, and Trumpet Ensemble. Megan is also UNF's NAfME Collegiate President. In addition to her Music Education degree, Megan is pursuing a conducting certificate, and she will begin work in UNF's accelerated master's program for Music Education in Spring 2024. Currently, Megan works with Music Mentors, a non-profit organization where she teaches an after-school music program for elementary students with learning disabilities. She aspires to be a middle or high school band director and hopes to inspire the next generation through music. Megan plans to graduate with her Music Education undergraduate degree in 2025 and a graduate degree in 2026.
Email: n01492523@unf.edu
Megan Robichaud is a junior Music Education Major at the University of North Florida. Her primary instrument is the trumpet, and she performs with the UNF Wind Symphony, Orchestra, and Trumpet Ensemble. Megan is also UNF's NAfME Collegiate President. In addition to her Music Education degree, Megan is pursuing a conducting certificate, and she will begin work in UNF's accelerated master's program for Music Education in Spring 2024. Currently, Megan works with Music Mentors, a non-profit organization where she teaches an after-school music program for elementary students with learning disabilities. She aspires to be a middle or high school band director and hopes to inspire the next generation through music. Megan plans to graduate with her Music Education undergraduate degree in 2025 and a graduate degree in 2026.
Treasurer: Pauly Herrera
Email: pch20@fsu.edu
Pauly Herrera is a Senior Music Education Major at Florida State University. Pauly plays the saxophone in many ensembles including the University Symphonic Band, Seminole Sound, and as a staff member in the Marching Chiefs. Pauly is a sister of Tau Beta Sigma and President-Elect of FSU’s chapter of NAfME. Pauly plans to take an extra year to study under his professors and graduate in 2025.
Email: pch20@fsu.edu
Pauly Herrera is a Senior Music Education Major at Florida State University. Pauly plays the saxophone in many ensembles including the University Symphonic Band, Seminole Sound, and as a staff member in the Marching Chiefs. Pauly is a sister of Tau Beta Sigma and President-Elect of FSU’s chapter of NAfME. Pauly plans to take an extra year to study under his professors and graduate in 2025.
Secretary: Natalia Cervantes
Email: ncervantes@seu.edu
Natalia Cervantes is a senior at Southeastern University studying Music Education. She started playing cello in middle school and is currently studying under Professor Ronald Gardiner. She is currently serving her second term as secretary of the NAfME Collegiate chapter at Southeastern University. Natalia is a member of the School of Honors at SEU and currently serves as a lead tutor at SEU’s Academic Center for Enrichment. In the past, she has served as an academic mentor for students in the Link Program– an inclusive, post-secondary education program for students with mild intellectual disabilities– and as co-founder and vice president of the Students for Life chapter at SEU. In the future, Natalia hopes to work as a middle school or high school orchestra director and pursue a graduate degree in music education or musicology.
Email: ncervantes@seu.edu
Natalia Cervantes is a senior at Southeastern University studying Music Education. She started playing cello in middle school and is currently studying under Professor Ronald Gardiner. She is currently serving her second term as secretary of the NAfME Collegiate chapter at Southeastern University. Natalia is a member of the School of Honors at SEU and currently serves as a lead tutor at SEU’s Academic Center for Enrichment. In the past, she has served as an academic mentor for students in the Link Program– an inclusive, post-secondary education program for students with mild intellectual disabilities– and as co-founder and vice president of the Students for Life chapter at SEU. In the future, Natalia hopes to work as a middle school or high school orchestra director and pursue a graduate degree in music education or musicology.
Parliamentarian: Joshua Robles-Crespo
Email: joshua.robles-crespo@ucf.edu
Joshua Robles-Crespo is in his 4th year pursuing a degree in Music Education at the University of Central Florida. He has been a NAfME Collegiate member since joining the music program in 2020. Joshua has served in his local chapter as the parliamentarian and advocacy chair. He has also joined other music organizations on campus, such as the Mu Eta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and the Eta Sigma chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. Joshua plans on graduating in 2025 in hopes of being able to teach locally in Florida before returning to school to acquire his master’s.
Email: joshua.robles-crespo@ucf.edu
Joshua Robles-Crespo is in his 4th year pursuing a degree in Music Education at the University of Central Florida. He has been a NAfME Collegiate member since joining the music program in 2020. Joshua has served in his local chapter as the parliamentarian and advocacy chair. He has also joined other music organizations on campus, such as the Mu Eta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and the Eta Sigma chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. Joshua plans on graduating in 2025 in hopes of being able to teach locally in Florida before returning to school to acquire his master’s.
Advocacy Chair: Megan Rodriguez
Email: me079644@ucf.edu
Megan Rodriguez is a third-year student at the University of Central Florida, pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education with a specialized focus on elementary general music. Her primary instrument is voice, though she also plays piano and a bit of guitar. At UCF, Megan enjoys being part of the University Singers. Outside the academic realm, she engages in teaching endeavors and music directs for community theatre projects. Previously, she was the historian for UCF's NAfME collegiate chapter. Presently, she serves as the Advocacy Chair for Florida NAfME collegiate, channeling her passion into promoting the value and significance of music education. Megan eagerly anticipates leading an elementary music classroom, where she hopes to use music as a catalyst to nurture the positive qualities within her students, fostering an environment where potential flourishes and creativity thrives.
Email: me079644@ucf.edu
Megan Rodriguez is a third-year student at the University of Central Florida, pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education with a specialized focus on elementary general music. Her primary instrument is voice, though she also plays piano and a bit of guitar. At UCF, Megan enjoys being part of the University Singers. Outside the academic realm, she engages in teaching endeavors and music directs for community theatre projects. Previously, she was the historian for UCF's NAfME collegiate chapter. Presently, she serves as the Advocacy Chair for Florida NAfME collegiate, channeling her passion into promoting the value and significance of music education. Megan eagerly anticipates leading an elementary music classroom, where she hopes to use music as a catalyst to nurture the positive qualities within her students, fostering an environment where potential flourishes and creativity thrives.
