Xander Mancino, Jazz Los Alamos
Alexander Mancino is a multi-instrumentalist, music educator, songwriter, and recording artist. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2020 with a Bachelors in Music, focusing on jazz piano and ethnomusicology. Currently based in Los Alamos, he teaches three Jazz Project combos, leads Jazz Band II at LAHS, works at the Duane Smith Auditorium, regularly plays jazz and pop gigs in the surrounding community, and writes and records original music in his home studio using multitracking techniques. When he has time to indulge in activities outside of music, Xander enjoys hiking, reading, playing board games, and designing clothes. As one of the first Jazz Project students, Xander is proud to be back as an educator contributing to its legacy.
Zachary Vigus, Running Start Orchestra Conductor
Zachary Vigus earned a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master of Music in Cello Performance from California State University in Sacramento. He began private studies after a hearing life-changing performance of the Rachmaninov Cello Sonata’s slow movement. Zach is currently the orchestra director at Capital High School and Ortiz Middle School for the Santa Fe Public Schools, where he enjoys teaching string students from beginners to All-State. As a private studio teacher, Zach’s students have won music scholarships, seats in All-State Orchestras, spots in university music programs, and pre-college spots with prominent conservatory programs.
Karles McQuade, Intermezzo Conductor
Karles McQuade holds a double B.Mus. in Violin Performance and Violin Pedagogy, magna cum laude, from the University of New Mexico, as well as a BA in physics from Oberlin College. He is a certified Suzuki violin teacher and a certified IB World School teacher. Karles has been involved with Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association (SFYSA) since its founding in 1994, spending seven of his student years in Youth Symphony Orchestra and later as Artistic Director, Director of Elementary Strings, and a Board member. He is the Intermezzo group’s longest-serving conductor, returning after a hiatus for his sixth season with that ensemble. A Santa Fe native, Karles has taught violin all across New Mexico, from Farmington to Hobbs. He’s also in locations scattered across the nation—from the Hawaiian Islands to the Virgin Islands. His violin and viola students have been accepted into prestigious institutions including the New Mexico School for the Arts, New Mexico All-State Orchestras, and the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program, as well as the Sphinx Performance Academy at Oberlin Conservatory. In addition to his work in music, Karles teaches mathematics at El Camino Real Academy.
Tamarah Lucero, Director of Youth Mariachi
Tamarah has been playing music just about as long as she has been able to walk, but her love for mariachi began her freshman year of high school when she attended her school’s first ever mariachi rehearsal. From that first note, she found her true passion and has never looked back! Through the years she has shared the stage with and accompanied local, national and international artists across New Mexico, the country and Mexico and is a member of New Mexico’s premier mariachi, Mariachi Tenampa. She has worked with various public school and charter school mariachi programs and is currently the director of Mariachi San José in the Albuquerque Public Schools.