Banded Story:

As an undergraduate music major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, I was surrounded by extremely talented musicians (Jeff Mulvihill, Chad Heiny, Chris Hestin).  Watching and listening these musicians perform was incredibly influential on me, and convinced me that being a musician was the correct carreer path.

Artist Bio:

Anthony Cananzi, Jr.​ is the Director of Bands at Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Prior to his appointment at Nease High School, he spent five years as the assistant band director at McEachern High School in Cobb County, Georgia. Before being named as an assistant director, Cananzi was the director of percussion at McEachern for six years. He was the former assistant band director at Tapp Middle School, and Barber Middle School. He earned the Master of Music in Percussion Performance degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. He holds his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Anthony has studied with Dr. John Parks, Dr. Michael Kingan, Dr. Gary Olmstead, Dr. Ron Horner, and Dr. Jack Stamp.
While studying at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Anthony finished first, second, and third in as many years competing in the Delta Omicron Solo Competition. In the summer of 2002, he was a member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps front ensemble where he was awarded the "Rookie of the Year" award. Cananzi has performed with ensembles such as the Florida State Wind Orchestra on their 2007 tour to Ann Arbor, Michigan where they were the showcase concert for the CBDNA National Conference. He also performed in Carnegie Hall with the FSU Percussion Group in May of 2007. While at FSU, Cananzi performed with the University Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Chamber Winds, and the University Percussion Ensemble. His professional experience includes the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Tallahassee Ballet Company, and the Albany Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Cobb Wind Symphony under the direction of Alfred Watkins.
During his tenure at McEachern, the marching band was a consistent Bands of America regional finalist. The McEachern Percussion Ensemble has performed at the Lassiter Percussion Symposium, the McEachern Day of Percussion, and at the 2016 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Athens, Ga. Anthony has taught several successful high school percussion programs including the Kiski Area Marching Band. He was the Front Ensemble instructor from 2002-2004 where the ensemble won two BOA Regional Championships and finished 7th at BOA Grand Nationals. Cananzi also spent two seasons as a member of the instructional staff at the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps serving as Front Ensemble technician. Cananzi also spent time instructing the Front Ensemble at Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps in the summer of 2011, and Atlanta CV in 2014.
In Cananzi’s inaugural year at Allen D. Nease High School, the Nease marching band received a superior rating at the 2017 Florida Bandmasters District 21 Music Performance Assessment. The Nease Wind Ensemble also received superior ratings at both the district and state level of the Florida Band Masters Association Music Performance Assessment. The Indoor Percussion Ensemble was named the 2018 FFCC Open Class State Champions. Both the indoor percussion ensemble and the open class winter guard made semi-finals at the Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.
Cananzi resides in St. Augustine, Florida with his wife Jill, children Luca and Sofia, and pups Bela and Cessa. Cananzi is a proud member of the Vic Firth Education Team, and is also a Mapex / Majestic Performing Artist.