Staff

The Celia Cruz High School of Music’s counseling department was designed as a result of inquiries from students, parents, and staff about the school counseling program. In this website, you will find the following information: services that are available through the counseling office, graduation requirements, calendar of activities, mission of the school counseling program, counseling related forms, and helpful counseling related links.

There was never a doubt that music would be a big part in Jackie’s life. She comes from a large family of gifted musicians. Many of whom have performed professionally their entire lives. Starting voice and piano lessons at the age of 4, Jackie would later attend New York’s acclaimed Music and Art High School now known as (LaGuardia). After graduation she attended St. Johns University and accepted a scholarship from the school choir and received a BS in Health Care Administration with a minor in Business. Jackie has performed professionally in recitals and as a soloist in venues throughout the United States, Europe and many countries throughout the Caribbean. She has performed at the world famous Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, and the Reichold Center for the Arts as well as The Lehman Performing Arts Center. As a member The Repertory Theater Company in St. Thomas USVI Jackie performed in Camelot and Phantom of the Opera. She also performed in a production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ with the Pistarkle Theater Company also in St. Thomas. Jackie has been a soloist and member of the St. Johns University Concert Choir, SDA Deo Gloria Chorale in St Maarten, The UVI Concert Choir in

Mr. Blanco was born and raised in the Washington Heights neighborhood in uptown Manhattan. It was his experience in the New York City public school system that led him to becoming an educator. He attended Lehman college where he majored in History and is receiving his masters degree in Bilingual Special Education from City College. In his first year at Celia Cruz, Mr Blanco has become fond of working with his students in global history and educational resources. Aside from teaching, Mr. Blanco is a huge fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and the t.v show The Office.

Brain Boggan has been a Physical Education teacher in the Bronx for the past 17 years. He enjoys playing and teaching flag football and ice hockey.

Mrs. Collins is a Special Education teacher at Celia Cruz High School of Music. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Collins worked in Advertising and discovered her love of teaching through developing the skills of fellow colleagues new to the industry/company. At that point Mrs. Collins made a decision to go back to school to get a Masters degree in Bilingual Special Education from City College. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Collins enjoys cooking, traveling and learning about different cultures.

Xiomara Delos Santos has been a vibrant and vital part of the Celia Cruz family for 16 years!! When she is not teaching, you can find this friendly Dominican native dancing, singing or in her local gym taking zumba classes. Voted "Ms. Congeniality" by her peers, her students are greeted at the classroom doorway with a smile and her one-of-a-kind "He-llo!"

Mr. Eduardo was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. He is a product of the schools in the vicinity and is very passionate about working with kids from his neighborhood at Celia Cruz. He attended Bronx Community College where he received his associates in Liberal Arts Studies, followed by Hunter College where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Lastly, he attended Lehman College where he completed two Masters degrees in English education and Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL). In personal circles, Eduardo is very passionate about reading, writing, and music. He also enjoys playing basketball very with friends, and learning to play new musical instruments.

Mr. Funk is the Earth Science and Agricultural Science teacher at Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music.   He moved from Buffalo to New York, earning his BA in Fine Arts from CUNY Hunter while competing on the college wrestling team.  While studying abroad, he became interested in the dynamics of our planet and began studying geology at the University of Hawaii before returning to CUNY York.  He then graduated with a BS in geology from the University of Buffalo before completing his masters at the American Museum of Natural History. In addition to pedagogy, Mr. Funk is an avid outdoorsman and musician.

Mr. Kho attended Stony Brook University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in both Business Management and Sociology. After graduation, he worked in the corporate sector while also running his own business. With experience of working and leading kids through various opportunities, Mr. Kho pursued a career in education and earned a master’s degree in Special Education from City College. Mr. Kho has been at Celia Cruz since 2019 and has taught English, AP Seminar, and Computer Science. Aside from teaching, Mr. Kho is an unfortunate Knicks and Jets fan and enjoys playing a variety of sports such as basketball, golf, and volleyball.

Deborah Lopez had been an integral part of the Celia Cruz community from the planning stages to the opening of the school in 2003. Born and raised in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Sra. Lopez attended Binghamton University for her Undergraduate Studies where she double majored in Spanish Language and Literature, and Latin American and Caribbean Areas Studies (LACAS) and went on to earn her Masters in the Teaching of Spanish at Columbia University. When she is not teaching Spanish, you can find her volunteering in her community, taking long walks, practicing yoga, partaking in a new adventure like indoor skydiving, or planning a trip abroad with either friends and family or an educational one with CC students.   

Ms. McCubbin teaches English literature and composition. She received a bachelor's and masters degree from Lehman College.  Her favorites pastimes are traveling, reading realistic fiction with lots of surprising plots twists, and the challenge of teaching students to decode elusive language.

Lisa Monastero  (ACDA, NMEA, NYSSMA) Lisa earned her degree in Music Education in 2003 from New York University. She went on to earn her Masters of the Arts in teaching from CUNY Lehman College. Lisa began her teaching career in 2003, when she started the choral program at the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music. 8 years later, the program has grown tremendously, with accolades such as NYSSMA level 6 gold and gold with distinction award winning performing ensembles. Lisa has started, and directed the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music Freshman Chorale, School Select Choir, Show Choir, Jazz Choir, Madrigal Choir, Sweet Out-of Lines, and Concert Choir. Her program has grown from 40 singers in 2003 to over 180 today! Her choirs have traveled to various festivals in the US, scoring Superior ratings each time. Mrs. Monastero's choirs have been featured on major broadcast networks and publications such as NY1, Bronxnet, Bronx 12, WB11, The New York Times, and The Daly News. Mrs. Monastero's Show Choir was recently named “New York City’s Best High School Chorus,” by the NY Daily News, WCS, and Hard Rock Cafe. Ms. Monastero was selected to be the Guest Conductor for the

Moira Murphy is a New York native in her sixth year of teaching English as a Second Language.  Ms. Murphy also taught the AP English Language and Composition class, a junior course for college credit. In addition to teaching, Ms. Murphy's talents include dancing, singing and performing spoken word poetry.

Born and raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Gloria recently moved to the Bronx four years ago. After being given the opportunity to be an Assistant of an after-school program, she knew working with kids was the career path she wanted to stay on. Being a part of the Celia Cruz staff as a Paraprofessional, she has grown personally and professionally. This position has allowed her to build relationships with the students and families to help them achieve both personal and academic goals through out their High School career. One of Gloria's favorite past times is making people laugh and singing Karaoke.

Founding Director of Bands and Jazz Bands, woodwind player, Bronx educator since 1999.

Onassis Manuel Tavarez was born in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, grew up in the Bronx, and graduated from the South Bronx High School. At Lehman College, he studied Latin American History and Bilingual, and soon after became a Social Studies teacher. He is happily married with two beautiful children.

Mrs. Williams holds a dual New York State teacher’s certificate in Biology and General Science. For many years, she has taught in several schools in her home country of Guyana before joining the staff at the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music in 2003. Mrs. Williams enjoys nurturing her students in her care.