People
boston college bands
Sebastian Bonaiuto
Director of Bands
Sebastian Bonaiuto is the first full-time Director of Bands at Boston College. Appointed in 1989 to create performing opportunities for both accomplished student musicians and developing players, Mr. Bonaiuto designed and implemented a comprehensive Bands Program. Over 200 student performers currently participate in wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, athletic ensembles, and classes. In addition to serving as the principal administrator of the Boston College Bands Program, Mr. Bonaiuto conducts the University Wind Ensemble and BC bOp!
Under Mr. Bonaiuto's leadership, BC bOp! has developed into an elite, award-winning, nationally recognized ensemble. During his tenure as Marching Band Director, the "Screaming Eagles" Marching Band gained national recognition in the 1995 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and through various nationally televised football games. The success of the Bands Program at Boston College is the result of a program-wide philosophy of setting high musical standards, programming high-quality literature, a focus on individual student growth and improvement, a commitment to nurturing strong student leadership, and maintaining organizational efficiency.
Mr. Bonaiuto received his Bachelor's of Music degree from Boston University, where he studied trumpet performance with Roger Voisin, Andre Come, and Peter Chapman and wind conducting with Robert A. Winslow. He later studied Music Theory at the graduate level at the New England Conservatory of Music. Since then, he has earned a Master's in Business Administration degree from Boston College. Most recently Mr. Bonaiuto has studied wind conducting with Frank Battisti.
Prior to his appointment at Boston College, Mr. Bonaiuto taught music in the Westwood, MA public schools.
David Healey
Assistant Director of Bands
During his undergraduate years at Boston College, David Healey served as president of both BC bOp! and the "Screaming Eagles" Marching Band. He received his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Boston College in 1990. Upon graduation, he worked as an applications chemist for Orion Research before earning a Master's in Music from the New England Conservatory.
David has been active as an adjudicator and clinician in Illinois, New York, and Texas. Prior to returning to BC, David served as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. He has bicycled across the United States and completed the Boston, New York, and Chicago Marathons. David and his wife, Joy (BC '92), reside in Hull, MA with their five children.
JoJo David
Vocal Coach
Since 1995, JoJo David has made his impression on BC bOp! through his direction, writing, and singing. At the 2007 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, the BC bOp! vocalists and rhythm section were awarded first place overall in the College Division competition. In the 2006 festival, the vocal section placed 2nd overall, and during JoJo's tenure his vocal ensembles have achieved similar success at the Reno Jazz Festival.
JoJo's album, "Small Hours," was released in 2004 to critical acclaim and steady exposure. Recorded with pianist and bOp! alumnus Adam Birnbaum ('01), the vocal ballad album was hailed as "exquisite" by Ron Della Chiesa, host of WGBH radio's "Jazz Songbook." A former member of a cappella group Five O'Clock Shadow, JoJo gained national recognition with the award-winning "Tribute," which has become a graduation anthem for college and high schools across the country. Production credits include Cara Campanelli's ('10) jazz album "So Near," as well as five albums for Arrhae Press Music. JoJo is also a composer of liturgical music, recording and publishing through GIA Music, Augsburg Fortress Publications, and Arrhae Press.
JoJo earned his Masters in Music with Honors from the New England Conservatory in Jazz Studies, and is also an alumnus of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Originally from Colorado, JoJo holds a BA in Music from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
In addition to his work with BC bOp!, JoJo is also an Associate Campus Minister for Liturgical Arts at BC, and he serves as Music Director at Sacred Heart Church in Newton Centre. A cancer survivor and Natick resident, JoJo and his wife Anne Marie celebrate their inspired, blessed life together with their daughter, Madeline.