January 2026
Jesse Bush, Music Teacher, Serra Catholic High School
Jesse Bush is the high school music teacher at Serra Catholic High School. There, he directs the band, marching band, and the spring musical.
Ronnie Ziccardi, Band Director, Avonworth School District
Ronnie’s teaching responsibilities at Avonworth include:
- 3rd Grade General Music
- 4th Grade Band
- 5th Grade Band
- 6th Grade Band
- 7th/8th Grade Band
- Marching Band Assistant Director and Percussion Instructor
- Middle School Jazz Band Director
- Director of the Musical Pit Orchestra
During his current 9-year tenure, the Avonworth elementary band program has expanded by about 6 times the number of involved students.
The 6th-grade band participated in the PMEA Music Performance Assessment in 2023, 2024, and 2025 and has been awarded Superior Ratings (the highest rating possible) in all 3 performances.
February 2026
Robert Carr, Band Director, Woodland Hills High School
“In addition to serving as the daytime Band Director at Woodland Hills, I also direct our Marching Band, our Junior Musical, Assistant Direct our Spring Musical, and serve as a Performing Arts Workshop Instructor. I am extremely proud to teach at my alma mater and am thrilled to be able to help my wonderful students gain meaningful music experiences! They amaze me every day!”
Marylou Monich Bushyager, Music Specialist, Pittsburgh Allegheny PreK-5, Pittsburgh King PreK-8, Pittsburgh Langley PreK-8, Pittsburgh Westwood PreK-5, Pittsburgh Public Schools
Marylou has been working as a music educator in the Pittsburgh Public Schools since January of 2004. She is a graduate of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education (Saxophone) and a Master of Education in Special Education from Carlow University. She has taught high school choir, jazz ensemble, marching band, Middle School and Elementary instrumental music, modern band, and special music education. Her students have collaborated with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Manchester Craftsman's Guild, Pittsburgh Opera, Carnegie Mellon University, Urban Impact Foundation, PMEA, and performed at many community events throughout Pittsburgh. Her instrument group received a Superior rating at the High Note Music Festival at Duquesne University and recorded a music video with the Urban Music Education Project. Her philosophy is that music helps us grow in kindness, compassion, love, education, and helps us learn to thrive together in peace and harmony.
March 2026
Brian Lee, Music Director, Allderdice High School, Pittsburgh Public Schools
Sarah Giliberto, Music Educator, Pittsburgh Brookline PreK-8, Pittsburgh Public Schools
Sarah Giliberto has been teaching in the Pittsburgh Public Schools since February 2005. After spending 16 years teaching instrumental and vocal music at Carrick High School, she made a big career shift and moved to Brookline PreK-8 to instill a love of music in younger students. One of her favorite things to do is take her students to the Schooltime concerts at the PSO, especially when it’s their first trip to Heinz Hall. “I love how their little faces light up when they see the elegance of the hall and hear the beauty of the music. It makes everything worthwhile.” She is also only one of two music educators in her district with a National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification.