Andrew Monticello Joins AHA’s Performing Arts Staff

Andrew Monticello recently became the newest member of the Academy of the Holy Angels Performing Arts Department. The Academy’s new music teacher and orchestra conductor stepped in for Mariann Annecchino, who retired in October.

“Andrew is a breath of fresh air,” said AHA Performing Arts Director Dan Mahoney. “He is competent, knowledgeable, easy to work with, and enthusiastic.”

Monticello’s responsibilities include teaching general music at AHA Middle School, an introduction to music at the high school, and humanities. He teaches and conducts the AHA Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Select Strings. He is also music director at the Church of Saint Mary in Closter.

Monticello holds a bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University. Before he joined the staff at AHA, he was an orchestra and choir teacher at The Village School in Waldwick. Most recently, he taught music at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne. His work at DePaul included directing the choir, plays, and musicals. He also taught general music and Advanced Placement Music Theory.

His professional development includes participation in a master class in conducting with Gerard Schwarz. He was also accepted as a fellow to a conducting workshop with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. Monticello has attended the conventions sponsored by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and the New Jersey Music Educators Association. 

Annecchino opted to retire from her post as instrumental music director after 21 years at AHA. Her last day at the Academy included a final “pop up” concert in the Student Commons.

This multi-talented educator’s responsibilities included directing the AHA Orchestra and Handbell Choir. She also led Select Strings and the Jazz Ensemble, both of which she established She taught humanities, music appreciation, and instrumental music lessons, and served as adviser to Tri-M, a national music honor society.
 
Every fall, Annecchino brought selected AHA musicians to Wilton, Connecticut, to perform at the School Sisters of Notre Dame Donor Recognition Luncheon. Each March, she helped bring Music in Our Schools Month® programs to every corner of Holy Angels. When the pandemic halted live programs, Annecchino presented prerecorded performances via computer.
 
Annecchino is a graduate of Holy Family Academy, and received her bachelor’s degree in music education, summa cum laude, from Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University). She studied music at Columbia University, Hart College of Music, and Westminster Choir College of Rider University. She is a member of the Music Educators of Bergen County, Inc., the North Jersey School Music Association, and the National Association for Music Education.

Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girls’ school in Bergen County. While AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestigious school serves young women from a broad spectrum of cultural and religious backgrounds. Over time, thousands of women have passed through AHA’s portals. Many go on to study at some of the nation’s best universities, earning high-ranking positions in medicine, government, law, education, public service, business, arts, and athletics. The Academy’s current leaders continue to further the SSND mission to provide each student with the tools she needs to reach the fullness of her potential—spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically, by offering a first-rate education in a nurturing environment where equal importance is placed on academic excellence, character development, moral integrity, and service to others