Meet the Team
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Richard Winkler
PRESIDENT
Richard Winkler is the current Director of Instrumental Music at Fred C. Beyer High School where he directs their Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, and String Orchestra. He is also one of the co-directors of the Modesto City Marching Brigade. Richard Winkler got his Bachelors in Music Education and Music Performance from California State University Stanislaus and has been teaching in Stanislaus County since 2012. As a performer Richard has played with groups such as the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Sacramento Philharmonic, Townsend Opera, YES Company, and Modesto Performing Arts. Richard is an active member in several music advocacy groups such as Stanislaus County Music Educators Association, California Band Directors Association, Central Valley Guard and Percussion Alliance, California Music Educators Association, and the Northern California Band Association.
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Gracie Carrillo
Vice President
Gracie Carrillo is a music educator, conductor, and arts advocate dedicated to empowering students and communities through music. She holds a Master of Arts in Music Business from Berklee College of Music, a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from California State University of Stanislaus, and over a decade of teaching and conducting experience. Gracie has built award-winning programs, led ensembles of diverse range, traveling across from coast-to-coast, including securing a $200K grant sponsoring 60+ students to experience music and theatre in New York (2024), and championed innovative approaches to music education, including having her music program recognized by the NAMM foundation with the Support Music Merit Award in 2025.
Gracie is Department Chair of Visual and Performing Arts at Ceres High School. She has spearheaded a number of artistic projects, secured grants and funding, community and collaborative partnerships, and expanded student opportunities through marching band, choir, mariachi, and collaborative programs. Gracie is also an active member of the International Conductors Guild, Northern California Band Association, and National Association for Music Education.
Gracie’s work extends globally through podcasting, having interviewed Two Set Violin, 2016 NPR Tiny Desk Winner Gaelynn Lea, Babatundee “Hiphopera,” local and world business entrepreneurs, artists, and more. She engages with conducting competitions and fellowships in the United States and abroad, including invitations to programs in London, Paris, and Bulgaria. Her latest conducting feature was as a conducting competitor, and one of the 56 females internationally competing at the 59th edition of the Besançon International Competition for Young Conductors at Paris, France. Her latest instrumental feature is as trumpeter for the Saluting America’s Band Directors Marching Band 2026 Rose Parade. Gracie is currently engaging with multiple music education, advocacy, and policy research. To learn more about Gracie: www.gracie-carrillo.com.
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Stephanie Rawls
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Ulices Chaves
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Adam Serpa
VOCAL FESTIVAL COORDINATOR
Adam Serpa is the Choir Director at Modesto High School. In addition to his choir and guitar classes, he is also part of the faculty of Modesto High’s Performing Arts Academy. Mr. Serpa is an active member of the California Choral Directors Association, where he frequently manages Central Region Honor Choirs and All-State Honor Choirs. Mr. Serpa received his Bachelors of Music degree from CSU Stanislaus in 2011, with a double emphasis in Choral Education and Vocal Performance. He also earned his Masters in Music Education from San Jose State University in 2019.Choir Teacher, Modesto HS
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William Melendez
Webmaster
William Melendez serves as Director of Instrumental Music at Norman Glick Middle School in Empire, CA. As a 2013 alumnus of CSU Fresno, he obtained his B.A. in Music Education while performing in a variety of musical ensembles on stages such as; The Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall and The Walt Disney Concert Hall. As a performer, he has shared the stage with numerous prominent musicians including; Doc Serverinsen, Joseph Alessi, and Mariachi Sol de México de Jóse Hernàndez. William currently serves multiple organizations in different capacities, including Vice President of The Fresno State Band Alumni Chapter, and Logistics Coordinator of the California Music Educators Association for The California All-State Music Education Conference. As a freelance musician, he is also a recipient of several Modesto Area Music Awards. As a Modesto native, Music and Music Education continue to be a lifelong passions as he works to give back to the community where it all began.