MR. MICHAEL GASKO '06, MM, DIRECTOR OF PERFORMING ARTS; DIRECTOR OF VOCAL MUSIC 

Mr. Gasko ’06 is proud to be a longtime faculty member at Immaculata, currently serving as both the Department Director and Director of Vocal Music. Mr. Gasko directs the Spartan Choir, A Capella Choir, Chamber Choir, Music Ministry, and also serves as the vocal director and production manager for the Spring Musical.

Mr. Gasko earned his Bachelors of Music degree in Music Education from The College of New Jersey and his Masters of Music degree in Music Education from Rutgers University. As a performer, he currently sings professionally at Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville as a soloist and small ensemble chorister.

Throughout his career as a music teacher at IHS, Mr. Gasko has led the choirs to many prestigious performances including singing yearly for the Bishop, performing at Disney World, and competing in the ACDA Choral Festival (in which his Chamber choir has received ratings of Superior and Outstanding). Mr. Gasko has a passion for vocal music. He is blessed to be able to share his love of singing with his students while also using vocal music to teach the Gospel values that he learned when he was a student at IHS. Mr. Gasko attributes his success at IHS to his wife and family, as well as Sister Dolores Margaret and Mr. Ed Webber who taught him how to continue the Tradition of Excellence that they built over their many years as his teacher and colleague.

MR. PETER DE SIENA, MM, BAND DIRECTOR

Mr. De Siena holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas and also holds a Masters degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California.

While attending the UNT, he was the lead trumpet in the world-renowned One O’Clock Lab Band during the years 1999–2001. Upon graduating from USC, Mr. D. became an in-demand trumpet player in the Los Angeles music scene for both recording and live performances. His trumpet playing can be heard on many albums, some of which include Michael Buble's “Christmas,” Muse “Supremacy,” Natalie Cole's “Still Unforgettable.” He has recorded music for Disney theme parks, Universal Theme parks, Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines, and Crystal Cruise lines.

Mr. D. has also recorded music for television and motion pictures. He worked extensively on the Sci-Fi network show Eureka. He performed regularly on the live musical reality television shows The Voice, American Idol, and The X-Factor. Also, he has worked on many motion picture soundtracks, some of these include Horton Hears a Who, Ice Age 4, and Rush Hour 3.

Outside of studios, Mr. D. played the split lead trumpet chair for legendary composers Bill Holman, Johnny Mandel, and the late Bob Florence. He also played lead trumpet for many of Los Angeles’ prestigious big bands such as Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the Mike Barone Big Band, Bill Watrous’ Refugee West and others.

He has toured the world for artists Engelbert Humperdinck, Paul Anka, and John Tesh. Mr. D. has performed live with artists such as Frankie Valli, Brian Setzer, Luis Miguel, Frank Sinatra Jr., Keely Smith, Lou Rawls, Barry Manilow, Wayne Newton, and many others.

In 2014, Mr. D., his wife, and 3 children relocated back to New Jersey. He quickly made his name known on the Broadway circuit becoming a regular substitute on musicals such as Aladdin, Miss Saigon, War Paint, and others.

It is with great privilege that Mr. D. has the opportunity to share and bring his passion for music and his experiences to Immaculata. He looks forward to inspiring and training our future musicians.

MR. ZACHARY WROBLEWSKI, MM, BAND DIRECTOR

Mr. Wroblewski is thrilled to be joining Immaculata High School in his first year as Band Director, where he assists in leading the Marching, Concert, and Jazz Bands as well as the Music Theory and Production electives. He has previously taught in several school districts across the state of New Jersey including Verona, Roxbury, Westfield, and Hightstown.

Prior to his time at Immaculata, Mr. Wroblewski received both his Master of Music in Wind Conducting and Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education. Through his Masters, Mr. Wroblewski worked with all of the Concert, Marching, and Pep Bands. He also conducted the Rutgers Saxophone Ensemble. While at Rutgers, he studied saxophone with Dr. Paul Cohen and continues to pursue his passion for the saxophone by teaching private lessons to elementary, middle, and high school students.

MS. AVELYN SIMONS, DRAMA TEACHER

Avelyn Simons is excited to join the Immaculata community and the Performing Arts Department! In her newly established position as the school’s drama teacher, she teaches Introduction to Drama, Drama Intensive, Public Speaking, Music and Film, and Intro to Film and, as part of this, will be directing a showcase in fall 2023. Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, she will be directing a fall play and the spring musical.

She has performed at world-renowned venues including: the Empire State Building, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and State Theatre New Jersey with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, MetLife Stadium, Paper Mill Playhouse for ABC’s Robin Roberts Special on Disney’s “The Lion King” and other events, McCarter Theater, the South Orange Performing Arts Center, Asbury Park Convention Hall alongside Kelly Ripa for the New Jersey Hall of Fame Awards, and Montclair State University alongside Broadway’s Sierra Boggess, Marin Mazzie, and Rebecca Luker.

In her time on stage, she was also a member of the Paper Mill Playhouse Broadway Show Choir and the Voices of Paper Mill a cappella group for three years as a soloist, featured dancer, and as a swing. Some of Avelyn’s favorite credits include The Baker's Wife and The Witch in “Into the Woods'' and Nancy in “Oliver!” Her directing and teaching experiences include serving as Drew University’s teaching assistant for their “Acting the Song” course and as the President of their a cappella group “On A Different Note.” For Unity Charter School, she served as the director of “High School Musical” and for OnStage Theatre Camp, she served as the director of “Seussical.”

Avelyn began her college career at Indiana University in their B.F.A. Musical Theatre program and ended it as a 2023 graduate of Drew University with a B.A. in Theatre Arts and minors in both Media and Communications, and Music. She has already been enjoying her time with the warm and welcoming Immaculata community and is looking forward to continuing to share her passion for the arts through her teaching here!