Geronimo Gando from Westglades Middle School makes All-State Band. {courtesy}
Seventh grader Geronimo Gando of Westglades Middle School has been selected for the 2026 Florida All-State Band, an achievement his band director says reflects both exceptional talent and unwavering dedication.
Geronimo, a Cypress Cay resident who moved to Parkland from Pittsburgh in 2022, is known on campus as a versatile and committed young musician, said Westglades director of bands Kiethlyn Gilbert.
“Geronimo is a talented, well-rounded musician and always looks for opportunities to serve his middle school band program,” Gilbert said. “He is very proficient in reading and performing on the trumpet and piano, and has been playing the lead trumpet part in his school band since 6th grade.”
Geronimo keeps a detailed practice log, showing consistent growth in performance fundamentals and technical skills. He has more than seven years of classical piano experience—training he began at age five in Pittsburgh—and currently studies piano at Dee Simon Music in Coral Springs with instructor Dee Simon. He also takes private trumpet lessons with South Florida educator Ral Estevens. He began trumpet in summer 2024.
His accomplishments stretch beyond the school campus. Geronimo earned spots in both the Broward All-County Concert Band and as lead trumpet in the Broward All-County Jazz Band, auditioning against advanced 7th- and 8th-grade musicians. He will perform with top student musicians from across the county in January and February at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts.
Geronimo said earning a place in the All-State Band fulfills a goal he has pursued since last year.
“I am really happy that I was accepted,” he said. “Since last year, when my teachers encouraged me and said that they believed I could make All State, it became one of my goals.”
Geronimo is the son of Andrea and Geronimo Gando.
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