Meet the Staff - Gaither High School Conservatory of Music and Leadership

We have an incredible staff of music educators. Hover over photos to view names and information.

Luis Alvarez Director of Bands

Mr. Alvarez founded the Gaither High School Conservatory of Music and Leadership, has been an educator for 17 years, and is currently the Director of Bands at Gaither High School. His responsibilities include: directing the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, co-directing the Concert Band and Marching Band, and teaching Music Technology and Introduction to Music (dual enrollment).

Mr. Alvarez holds a Master of Music Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of South Florida.

Read his full bio here.

Kristy Dell Associate Director of Bands

Kristy Dell has been in education for 22 years and is currently the Associate Director of Bands at Gaither High School.

Her responsibilities include directing the Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble, co-directing the Concert Band and Marching Band, and teaching Leadership Strategies, Music Theory, and First Year Experience Orientation (dual enrollment) classes.

She holds a Master of Music Education degree from The Hartt School-University of Hartford and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Florida State University.

View her full bio here.

Kyle Goyens

Mr. Kyle Goyens serves as the Director of Choirs.

Mr. Goyens has been teaching choral music in Tampa since 2011. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of South Florida and his Master of Music Education degree from the Florida State University. He is an active choral clinician, adjudicator, and has served as guest conductor for honor choirs at the elementary and middle school level throughout the state of Florida. Mr. G also performs with the Festival Singers of Florida.

Prior to Gaither, he has served as the choral director at Orange Grove Middle Magnet School of the Arts and most recently, Ben Hill Middle School. Mr. G received Teacher of the Year recognition in 2021 and Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator recognition in 2017. Memberships include Florida Vocal Association, National Association for Music Education, Florida Music Educators Association and American Choral Directors Association.

Jacob Heglund Dir. of Orchestras

Mr. Jacob Heglund is the Director of Orchestras