7950 Gunn Highway, Tampa, Florida 33626
ROBERT BOSMA - DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Robert Bosma comes to Sickles High School with more than 21 years of teaching experience to serve as the Director of Bands. He comes from Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory in Tarpon Springs, FL where he was the director of Jazz Band and music. In his past schools he directed the jazz bands, taught IB music, and co-taught the concert bands and marching band.
While at SCHS, Mr. Bosma’s bands consistently earned top ratings at FBA events. Under his direction, the SCHS 12 o’clock jazz band was selected to perform at the swing central jazz competition in savannah, ga in 2016, 2019, and 2020. In 2021, the 12 o’clock jazz band won first place in the l1 live division at the national jazz festival and was selected as the eastman winds perform with mintzer band. The 12 o’clock jazz band also performed at the FMEA conference in 2019.
Prior to SCHS, Mr. Bosma taught at Land O’ Lakes HS and directed programs in Michigan where his groups experienced success in marching, concert, and jazz bands. He is an active arranger and composer, clinician, and serves as an adjudicator for FBA and FMBC events.
Mr. Bosma earned a bachelor of music education degree from central Michigan university and a master of music degree from western Michigan university. Mr. Bosma is an alumnus of the bluecoats drum and bugle corps. He and his fiancé Adelia are excited to live in the Tampa bay area. Together they enjoy traveling, attending arts performances, watching sports, and spending time with their cat Olivia.
RACHEL ROSEN - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Rachel Rosen is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Certificate in Music Performance. While at UF, she completed the University Honors Program and graduated with highest honors in her major. She played flute and piccolo in the Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Gator Marching Band, where she served as the Piccolo Section Leader for two years.
Ms. Rosen was the Associate Director of Bands and the Director of Orchestras at Plant City High School from 2022 through 2025. She regularly teaches at multiple band camps throughout the state, including as a head counselor at UF’s Gatorland Band Camps since 2022. Her professional affiliations include the Florida Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, and Tau Beta Sigma.
Ms. Rosen enjoys cheering on the Gators, spending time with her friends and family, and playing with her cat, Connie.
E.J. DELEON - COLORGUARD DIRECTOR
A proud alum of Robinson High School in South Tampa, E.J. discovered a passion for Color Guard that has fueled over 15 years of dedication to the activity. Since first picking up a flag, E.J. has been immersed in the world of performance, design, and choreography, working with a variety of programs across the region. With a deep appreciation for the pageantry of arts, creativity, and student growth, E.J. is excited to bring experience and energy to this new role and looks forward to an incredible season ahead!
By day, E.J. serves as an SPD Lead Technician at Moffitt Cancer Center, delivering compassionate and specialized patient care. Outside of work and Color Guard, E.J. enjoys spending quality time with E.J.'s partner, two dogs—Zuko and Prince—and cat, Azula.
JAYDA PEACOCK - COLORGUARD INSTRUCTOR
Jayda Peacock is a colorguard instructor and proud alumni of Sickles High School. She continued her performance journey at the University of South Florida, where she was an active member of both the USF Colorguard and Winterguard teams.
She has a deep passion for movement, performance, and creative expression, and is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment where students are encouraged to grow both as performers and as individuals.
Outside of teaching, Jayda enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with her Pomeranian.
.jpg)
AALIYAH JOSEPH - COLORGUARD INSTRUCTOR
Aaliyah Jones joins the Wall of Sound staff with 4 years of experience at USF's HOT Band Color Guard and 3 years of Winterguard at USF. She loves animals and music. She is currently a barista when she is not teaching colorguard.
PAUL E. GAVIN - PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR
Paul Gavin is the Artistic Director and Arranger of both the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective in Fort Myers, FL and the Lake Wales Jazz Connection in Lake Wales, FL. Paul leads both ensembles in concerts to exuberant crowds of jazz lovers.
In 2024 Paul had the pleasure of leading his band Mosaic at the Sarasota Jazz Festival, opening for Chucho Valdes, and in 2025 performed at the festival again with organist Tony Monaco, saxophonist Eric Alexander, and trumpet player James Suggs.
After several years of supporting others’ musical projects Paul is now focusing on building his own. In addition to the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective and Lake Wales Jazz Connection, Paul leads two other bands. The Vanguard plays his original music, and Mosaic plays the music of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.
Paul has received honors for his musicianship as well. In 2013 he was one of the winners of the VSA International Young Soloist Competition and flying out to Washington DC to play with members of the Airmen of Note at the Kennedy Center on the Millennium Stage. In the same year he also won the Downbeat Student award for a collaboration with flutist and composer Jose Valentino.
Paul has taught private lessons since 2009 and keeps a busy roster of students year-round. Since 2010 Paul has been the Percussion Instructor at Sickles High School, leading the marching band’s drumline and front ensemble to numerous superior ratings and a steady maturing in the mastery of percussion. He regularly visits area middle and high schools as a guest clinician to work with the percussion sections and jazz bands.
As a composer & arranger Paul has written and arranged music for his own bands since his college days. He is currently writing and arranging for four of his own bands. Paul has a passion for encouraging other musicians in their careers and his YouTube channel focuses on giving practical career advice and a realistic view of the life of a professional musician.
ALEC ANDERSON - PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR
Alec Anderson is a percussionist, educator, and performer currently pursuing his Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the University of South Florida, where he also serves as a Graduate Assistant for the percussion studio. Originally from Jacksonville, Alec earned his bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Performance from Jacksonville University, graduating with honors. During his time there, he served as principal percussionist in the university’s top ensembles and was featured as a marimba soloist in major works by Matthias Schmitt and Ney Rosauro. He has also performed with the Florida Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and participated in masterclasses with industry professionals from the Jacksonville Symphony and beyond.
Alec is passionate about music education and currently leads the front ensemble program at Sickles High School. His teaching focuses on building strong fundamentals, fostering musical expression, and creating a positive and engaging learning environment. He brings a wide range of experience in orchestral, solo, jazz, and contemporary percussion to his students and is committed to helping young musicians grow both technically and artistically.
TREVOR VALDEZ - MARCHING STAFF
Trevor Valdes is entering his third season as a Marching and Maneuvering Instructor with the Wall of Sound. He is a Sickles Alumni, Class of 2014. Trevor was a member of the Wall of Sound for all four years, including Mr. Griffis’ first year as a Band Director. Trevor's Instrument of choice is the Trombone.
Trevor then attended The University of South Florida where he marched with the Herd of Thunder for three years. During this time, he had the opportunity to march in the New Years Day Parade in Rome. He also was a member of the Rumble Pep Band, before eventually becoming USF’s Mascot. He would finish out his career at USF serving as Rocky D Bull, while earning a Bachelor degree in Secondary Education for Social Sciences.
Trevor has now come full circle and is currently a member of the Sickles High School Social Studies Department. Teaching Ap Psychology, and World History.
TONY NEGRON - CLARINET INSTRUCTOR
Tony Negron, a native to Tampa Bay, has enjoyed a richly varied career as a professional clarinetist, chamber musician, concerto soloist, and as an educator. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s in Music Education and from Duquesne University with a Masters in Clarinet Performance, where he studied with Ron Samuels of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
As a performer, Tony serves as principal clarinet with the Florida Wind Band and second clarinet with the Punta Gorda Symphony. He has performed with The Florida Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic, and Disney Candlelight Orchestra. Tony has won several competitions, including first place in the Robert Shankovich Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition with Scott McAllister's Black Dog. He has been a featured soloist with Alia Musica Pittsburgh, both the Duquesne Symphony Orchestra & Wind Ensemble, the Florida Wind Band, served as a resident artist with the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, and has been a featured artist on Pittsburgh’s Classical Music Radio Station WQED 89.3. Tony has also performed alongside notable musical acts including Celtic Thunder, the Italian pop opera trio Il Volo, Il Divo, and with Sarah Brightman during her Hymn World Tour.
Outside of his performance duties, Tony is highly sought after for lessons, masterclasses, lectures, and presentations. Most recently, Tony has served as Clarinet Professor on the woodwind faculty at the 2018 & 2019 Clazz International Music Festival held in Arcidosso, Italy. He has presented at the Florida Music Educator's National Conference, at the University of South Florida, and has presented masterclasses throughout the Tampa Bay area. He maintains a strong and active private studio, teaching between 30-40 students weekly. Tony has received the 2017 Rising Star in Music Education award from the Hillsborough County Elementary Music Educators Council and was selected as the director for Hillsborough County Public School's Honors Handbell Choir during the 2018 Fine Arts Festival.
In 2019, Tony was awarded a Professional Development Artist Grant from the Arts Council of Hillsborough County for the purchase of a Buffet 1193 Bass Clarinet. In 2022, Tony was awarded a Professional Development Artist Grant from the Arts Council of Hillsborough County for the purchase of a Di Zhao 700 Series Professional Flute.
Tony performs exclusively on Buffet Prestige R-13 clarinets and Vandoren mouthpieces and reeds.
JEFFREY TRASTER, DMA - LOW BRASS INSTRUCTOR
Jeffrey L. Traster, DMA is Music Professor Emeritus at The University of Tampa where he served as Director of Bands and Head of Music Education for nineteen years, including Music Department Chair for six years. Traster has taught in Texas, Ohio, and Florida. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, composer, tuba player and low-brass instructor.
Traster earned degrees from Baylor University (BME), The University of Colorado at Boulder (MM), and The University of Texas at Austin (DMA). Primary amongst his conducting instructors and mentors are Richard Floyd, Allan McMurray, and Tom Lee. He is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and ASCAP.
Traster began composing and founded Allegrezza Music Publications in 2015. Much of his music is composed for his students, Honor Bands, and special occasions. His oeuvre includes music for concert band, low brass choir, jazz band, voice, a VBS curriculum with original songs (created and produced in collaboration with colleagues from Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL), and solos for trumpet, trombone, euphonium, or tuba with piano. Twenty-two pieces by Traster have been added to the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) Solo & Ensemble List.
Commissioned by the FBA for the Nine Star Honor Band, WAY DOWN for Concert Band, premiered in Florida at the 2022 FBA Summer Conference.
TOM ZIEGELHOFFER- JAZZ SPECIALIST
Mr. Z served as a music educator in Hillsborough County for 36 years. The last 10 years as the Assistant Principal of Curriculum of Fine Arts at Howard W. Blake Performing Arts High School until his retirement in 2008. His other credits include serving as a clinician for the All-County Middle School Jazz Bands for Hillsborough and Pasco Co.
He was also instrumental in the revival of the All-Star High School Jazz Band with featured soloist, Jeff Rupert in 2018. Mr. Z is a Veteran serving in the Navy Band, during the Vietnam Crisis. As a professional musician he performs locally with many groups, Dick Rumore's Jazz Cellar Orchestra, Encore IV Big Band, Tomcats Jazz Orchestra. J. R. Farley Orchestra, Anclote Symphonic Winds, to name a few. Currently Mr. Z is doing adjunct teaching at many high schools in Hillsborough and Pasco Co.