Join/Renew FEMEA
In order to audition students for Modern band you must be a current member of the FEMEA Component as well as FMEA and NAfME
Verify that Parent/Guardian agrees to register their child if selected and attend as their chaperone.
Submit Audition
Follow the Audition Process for Honor Modern Band. Confirm that the parents are willing to send their child if they are selected and attend as their chaperone.
Registration for Modern Band is only through FEMEA, you will not find the option at the All-State Audition Portal.
Check Acceptance List
Teachers will view the selection list and inform parents. Parents of teachers will need to register quickly because there is only an 8 day window between posted results and the Regional Registration deadline. Teachers are required to attend to serve their students while at the festival.
Register and Attend Festival
Registration will open when Audition Results are posted.
Registration Fee is $89
Registration Deadline is 10/17
Jonathan Casañas
Juan Tellado
South Regional Conductors
Jonathan Casañas and Juan Tellado are music educators at Kenneth E. Adum K–8
School in Hillsborough County Public Schools, where they collaboratively direct the
schools elementary and middle school Modern Band programs. Together, they are
passionate about creating engaging, student-centered music experiences that provide
young musicians with authentic opportunities to perform, collaborate, and develop
lifelong musicianship.
Their students regularly perform throughout the Tampa Bay community, including
appearances at Tampa Riverfest, FMEA Crossover Festival, Modern Band Spirit Night
fundraising events, and other district and community performances. Through these
experiences, they strive to make contemporary music education accessible, meaningful,
and inspiring for every student.
Jonathan Casañas earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the
University of South Florida in 2013 and a Master of Education in Educational
Leadership in 2023. He serves as a Hillsborough County Elementary Music Curriculum
Writer and Trainer, is Past President of the Hillsborough County Elementary Music
Educators Council, and serves on the Florida Music Education Association State
Advocacy Committee. He was named Hillsborough County Music Educator of the Year
in 2022.
Juan Tellado earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of
South Florida in 2018. In addition to teaching at Adum, he is a marching band instructor,
performs with the Tampa Brass Band and Tampa Bay Symphonic Winds, and maintains
an active private trumpet studio.
Together, Casañas and Tellado are committed to expanding access to high-quality
modern music education and empowering students to find their voice through music.
Dr. Christopher Burns
Dr. Christopher Burns serves as the Fine and Performing Arts Resource Specialist for the School District of Osceola County, supporting music, visual art, theatre, and dance programs across the district. A music educator, clinician, and advocate, he is especially passionate about expanding access to modern band, popular music education, music technology, and creative music-making experiences for students.
Dr. Burns earned his Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of South Florida and has more than two decades of experience as an educator, musician, and arts leader. He currently serves as Treasurer of the Association for Popular Music Education, Vice President of the Florida Alliance for Arts Education, and President-Elect of the Florida Contemporary Music and Media Association. Dr. Burns currently facilitates Osceola Rocks!, a student modern band from ages 7-18 who have been invited to perform across the country from Memphis to LA to Miami. As a guitarist and drummer, he remains an active musician and brings a performance-centered approach to helping students make music together.
Regional Schedule (subject to change)
Check back soon for Schedule.