Mr. Manuel A. Camacho hails from the University of Miami, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. He studied the Euphonium with John Olah and trombone with Tim Connor and performed in all of the major ensembles at UM. After graduating, he was offered a Graduate Assistantship in Instrumental Conducting at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, under the tutelage of Eric Rombach-Kendall and continued his Euphonium studies with Karl Hinterbichler. Once he earned his Master of Music Degree, he moved back to Miami.
Mr. Camacho started his career as a band director at Kenwood K-8 Center in Kendall, FL. His program flourished and earned Superior ratings. He earned the “Rookie Teacher of the Year” Award at Kenwood as well as a Conducting Fellowship Grant from the College Band Directors National Association to study conducting at the Hartt Conservatory Summer Program. After four years of teaching middle school band, his career continued at Miami Coral Park High School.
The “Band of Gold” at Miami Coral Park SHS grew in ability and size over the course of the four years that Mr. Camacho lead the program. The Wind Ensemble earned the very prestigious Otto Kraushaar Award for earning straight Superior ratings at the Marching Band Assessments, District and State Concert Band Assessments in 2011. His program was also awarded a Grammy-in-the-Schools Designation along with Grant monies. The Marching Band and Jazz Band flourished and earned Superior ratings in their district evaluations as well. He then moved to Palm Beach County where he taught at Santaluces HS.
Mr. Camacho taught at Santaluces HS for three years, where the Marching Chiefs and the Concert Jazz Band earned Superior Ratings at district evaluations. His jazz band earned a Superior rating at the State evaluations by his third year in 2014. After Santaluces HS he worked as an Educational Representative with Music Man, Inc. and oversaw the Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River county schools. He started teaching again at Independence Middle School in 2016. He has served as a Principal Euphonium and Baritone player with the Orchid City Brass Band and serves as a Board Member for the organization. He also performs with various local jazz bands and orchestras as a bass trombone performer.
He has a wonderful family with his wife Josephine. Their children are named Giacomo, Annabella and Marina and they live happily in west Lake Worth.