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: Megan Robichaud
Email: [email protected]
Megan Robichaud is a senior Music Education Major at the University of North Florida. Her primary instrument is the trumpet, and she has performed with the UNF Wind Symphony, Orchestra, and Trumpet Ensemble. Megan is a past president of UNF's NAfME Collegiate. In addition to her Music Education degree, Megan is pursuing a conducting certificate, and has been accepted into UNF's accelerated master's program for Music Education. 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: [email protected]
Megan Robichaud is a senior Music Education Major at the University of North Florida. Her primary instrument is the trumpet, and she has performed with the UNF Wind Symphony, Orchestra, and Trumpet Ensemble. Megan is a past president of UNF's NAfME Collegiate. In addition to her Music Education degree, Megan is pursuing a conducting certificate, and has been accepted into UNF's accelerated master's program for Music Education. 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.
President Elect: Jason Lane
Email: [email protected]
Jason Lane is a third-year Music Education Scholar from Atlanta, Ga. He currently attends Florida A&M University and plays saxophone in the Incomparable Marching 100, FAMU Jazz Ensemble, and the Wind Symphony. He serves as the Treasurer for both the Jazz Ensemble and FAMU Chapter of NAfME and plays in various saxophone ensembles and is a student-arranger working with composers/arrangers Lindsey Sarjeant and Marie A. Douglas (notable FAMU Alumni). He plans on becoming a high school/ collegiate band director and inspiring his future students to reach their fullest potential by using music as a means to fuel it. He also plans on continuing his education by obtaining both a Master's and Doctorate degree.
Email: [email protected]
Jason Lane is a third-year Music Education Scholar from Atlanta, Ga. He currently attends Florida A&M University and plays saxophone in the Incomparable Marching 100, FAMU Jazz Ensemble, and the Wind Symphony. He serves as the Treasurer for both the Jazz Ensemble and FAMU Chapter of NAfME and plays in various saxophone ensembles and is a student-arranger working with composers/arrangers Lindsey Sarjeant and Marie A. Douglas (notable FAMU Alumni). He plans on becoming a high school/ collegiate band director and inspiring his future students to reach their fullest potential by using music as a means to fuel it. He also plans on continuing his education by obtaining both a Master's and Doctorate degree.
Treasurer: Leslie Flasterstein
Email: [email protected]
Leslie Flasterstein is a senior Choral Music Education and voice performance major at the University of Central Florida. Her primary instrument of study is voice and has performed with the UCF opera, University Singers, Soprano/Alto Choir, and currently serves as a student conductor for both the Children's choir and Community choir. Her secondary instrument of study is the trumpet and has performed with the UCF Concert Band, Pegasus Brass Quintet, Knights Trumpet Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and University Band with coursework in instrumental conducting and methods. Leslie currently serves as the President for UCF's chapter of NAfME Colligate. She enjoys teaching private lessons and aspires to be involved with any and all branches of music education!
Email: [email protected]
Leslie Flasterstein is a senior Choral Music Education and voice performance major at the University of Central Florida. Her primary instrument of study is voice and has performed with the UCF opera, University Singers, Soprano/Alto Choir, and currently serves as a student conductor for both the Children's choir and Community choir. Her secondary instrument of study is the trumpet and has performed with the UCF Concert Band, Pegasus Brass Quintet, Knights Trumpet Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and University Band with coursework in instrumental conducting and methods. Leslie currently serves as the President for UCF's chapter of NAfME Colligate. She enjoys teaching private lessons and aspires to be involved with any and all branches of music education!
Secretary: Ryan Lumm
Email: [email protected]
Ryan is a senior studying Music Education Major at the University of Central Florida. His primary instrument is voice, and he has performed with the UCF University Singers and Chamber Choir. Currently, Ryan serves as the Community Engagement Manager for Knight-Thon, UCF's largest student run philanthropy where he helps coordinate fundraising and awareness efforts of UCF students, high school students, and Alumni for his local children's hospital. Ryan served as a student teacher for UCF's Children's Choir for 2 years and loves working with students of all ages. He aspires to be a middle or high school choir director and hopes to help the next generation find a sense of belonging through music. Ryan plans to graduate with her Music Education undergraduate degree in 2025.
Email: [email protected]
Ryan is a senior studying Music Education Major at the University of Central Florida. His primary instrument is voice, and he has performed with the UCF University Singers and Chamber Choir. Currently, Ryan serves as the Community Engagement Manager for Knight-Thon, UCF's largest student run philanthropy where he helps coordinate fundraising and awareness efforts of UCF students, high school students, and Alumni for his local children's hospital. Ryan served as a student teacher for UCF's Children's Choir for 2 years and loves working with students of all ages. He aspires to be a middle or high school choir director and hopes to help the next generation find a sense of belonging through music. Ryan plans to graduate with her Music Education undergraduate degree in 2025.
Parliamentarian: Joshua Robles-Crespo
Email: [email protected]
Joshua Robles-Crespo is in his 5th 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: [email protected]
Joshua Robles-Crespo is in his 5th 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: [email protected]
Megan Rodriguez is a fourth-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, but she currently serves as the Advocacy Chair for the chapter. Presently, she also 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: [email protected]
Megan Rodriguez is a fourth-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, but she currently serves as the Advocacy Chair for the chapter. Presently, she also 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.
