Dr. Xavier I Rodriguez

Dr. Xavier Rodriguez has always believed that the Arts open everyone's senses to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything. He is known best as a conductor, pianist, and cellist. Dr. Rodriguez has been a public school music teacher since 2002 and became the District Music Coordinator in 2012. He led Music in Our Schools Month performances in Albany, New York, and Gold Rating ensembles at NYSSMA Majors Music Festivals. Most recently, he has been the Director of Fine Arts, Music, and Library Media at Hempstead Public Schools, where, in 2023, the district was nationally recognized as one of the best communities for music education.

Dr. Rodriguez received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Bachelor of Political Science from Hofstra University. He has also received a Master of Music Education at Long Island University, an Educational Leadership Graduate Certificate from Stony Brook University, and, in 2021, a Doctorate in Instructional Leadership from St. John's University.

Dr. Rodriguez holds numerous professional memberships, including the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), Nassau Music Educators Association (NMEA), Long Island String Festival Association (LISFA), American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education (NYSCAME). He is active as an NYSSMA All-State String adjudicator. He has chaired numerous NMEA All-County Orchestras and Bands and guest-conducted SCMEA All-County orchestras.

His favorite quote is inspired by his mission to embrace learning and the arts to all: "The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." – B.B. King.