Meet The Team

Mr. Marco Mellone serves as the head band director for the Veterans Memorial High School Band program, and oversees the vertical alignment for the Veterans Memorial Cluster within CCISD. Mr. Mellone serves as the administrative lead and oversees all operations of the band program. He serves as the primary director for the wind ensemble and the marching band, and assists with the symphonic band.

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Prior to his position at Veterans Memorial, Mr. Mellone was the director of bands for Clovis East High School in Clovis, CA. During his time, the Clovis East Band program nearly doubled in size and earned consistent superior ratings at concert and marching contests. His marching band would consistently place in the top of their division and earned the 2018 and 2023 Regional Champions for the Western Bands Association Central Section.

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Outside the classroom, Mr. Mellone was highly involved in the music education community and served on multiple boards including the Fresno-Madera Counties Music Educators Association and California Music Educators Association- Central Section.  Mr. Mellone also served as Vice President for the Western Bands Association, the premiere marching band circuit for the West Coast from 2021-2023. 

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Mr. Mellone was part of the educational teams for World-Class Drum Corps including positions as brass technician for the Oregon Crusaders and Low Brass Coordinator for the Arizona Academy.

Mr. Mellone is a graduate of California State University, Fresno where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Master of Arts in Music Performance. During his time at CSU Fresno, Mr. Mellone was actively involved in the music department, serving on the student Board of Directors and marching band student leadership council. He was a member of the Wind Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensembles, and 3-year head drum major of the Bulldog Marching Band.

Liana Madrigal-Lopez, originally from Kingsville, Tx, is excited to be in her second year at Veterans Memorial High School. Ms. Lopez holds a Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Texas A & M University-Kingsville. At the University at Kingsville, she performed and recorded with the Wind Ensemble on Bb clarinet and had the opportunity to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention.  She was a member of the Javelina Band for 6 years. Ms. Lopez served as part of the Kingsville ISD Band Staff as a Band Director/Mariachi Director/Colorguard Director for 7 years.  Afterwards, she obtained a Masters of Science in Counseling and Guidance and then proceeded to become part of the Miller High School Staff, Ray High School Staff and Hicks Elementary Staff.  After this Ms. Lopez became the Head Director at Cunningham Middle School for 5 years followed by being the Head Director at Adkins Middle School for 4 years.

When she is not at work, Ms. Lopez enjoys cooking, baking, crafting, and spending time with friends and family.​

Ms. Lopez teaches all woodwind instruments, leads the Symphonic Band, and co-teaches the Wind-Ensemble Band.  She also teaches Colorguard and helps out with the Mariachi Aguilas de Fuego. 

Jake Castillo serves as the percussion director for Veterans Memorial High School and Kaffie Middle School, conducts the VMHS Symphonic Band, CCISD Jazz Collective, and runs a private lesson studio for CCISD percussion students. Prior to moving to Corpus Christi, Mr. Castillo was based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he taught for twelve years.

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He has led music programs across middle school, high school, and college, directing marching and concert percussion groups, marching bands, and concert bands. High School marching bands under his leadership have won multiple Michigan state championships, and percussion sections he’s taught and composed for have performed at Bands of America National Championships.

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At Aquinas College, Mr. Castillo served as percussion instructor, running percussion ensemble, drumline, and percussion methods courses for music majors. Jake is also a composer and arranger, creating tailored music and exercises for various skill levels. Jake continually strives to inspire excellence and creativity in the next generation of musicians.

Visit www.jakecastillomusic.com for more details.

Mr. Mario Ramirez is a 4th year Music teacher with deep ties to the Corpus Christi area. Now, in his second year at Veterans Memorial High School, he brings the rich experiences of a Historically Black College/University education to his teaching.

Mr. Ramirez is dedicated to connecting with students and making connections in music education to their adult lives. Passionate about advancing music in America, he inspires his student to embrace discipline, creativity, and a love for the arts.