Michael Ances remembers the fateful day when his fifth grade band teacher, Nick Mariconda, placed a trumpet mouthpiece in his hand at Saugatuck Elementary School in Westport.
“I got to try blowing into it,” Ances said of the instrument. “I was probably 10-years-old. Now this is 42, almost 43 years later and I’m still playing.”
Ances went on to live a life filled with music, while sharing his passion with generations of students as a teacher at Monroe’s public schools for 28 years. Now, Masuk High School’s band director is being recognized as the 2025-26 Monroe Public Schools Teacher of the Year.
Superintendent Joseph Kobza made the announcement during the district’s End-of-Year Celebration at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull on June 6.
Ances’ teaching career began with a split role between Chalk Hill Middle and Stepney Elementary schools in 1997. He later went on to serve as band teacher at Jockey Hollow Middle School for nearly two decades, before taking over Masuk’s program in 2017.
“When Mr. Ances assumed leadership of the Masuk band, enrollment had dwindled to fewer than 20 students,” Kobza said in a news release. “Under his direction, the program has since quadrupled in size and earned numerous honors and accolades.”
Ances also serves as musical director and pit band conductor of the annual high school musical and is the school district’s performing arts coordinator, advocating for equitable and enriching musical opportunities for students across all grade levels, according to Kobza.
“I’m so happy that the district is recognizing Mike this year,” he said. “Mike is the biggest advocate for the performing arts in the district. He gives selflessly of his time to support students in all of their music endeavors.”
“Whether it’s the Music Can and Bottle Drive at Masuk every month, the annual Music and Meatballs fundraiser, band concerts, chorus concerts, string concerts, or the theater productions, you will always find Mike there,” Kobza continued. “If he’s not supporting or directing, then he’s performing with his students. He loves his profession and he cares about kids. What better combination can you ask for in the Teacher of the Year?”
Opening doors
The Teacher of the Year committee, composed of past honorees and building principals, received 175 nominations for 85 teachers this year. Nominations came from teachers, administrators, paraeducators, secretaries, parents and students.
Parent nominations applauded Ances for providing many opportunities for his students, including pep band, pit orchestra for musicals, and jazz band.
One parent highlighted a partnership he coordinated with Sacred Heart University, which allows “students to play with the SHU band during sporting events and learn what it’s like to be involved in a spirited musical community.”
In a phone interview, Ances told The Sun he wants his students to have the same opportunities he had growing up.
“I was invested in the music program ever since the fifth grade,” he said. “I played in all of the groups that were available to me, all the way through high school: jazz band, orchestra, concert band, marching band.”
As a Staples High School student, Ances said, “we were a competitive marching band. We played at a festival at Radio City Music Hall. That was exciting.”
The last time Masuk fielded a competitive music program was about 25 years ago, according to Ances.
“Once that goes away, it’s hard to get enough students and parents invested to get to that level,” he said. “It is a huge commitment for time with the students and I don’t think we have enough students who want to put it in at this time to participate in competitions. It’s also expensive with transportation and the instruments you need.”
“I think the kids should have every opportunity possible when they’re in high school,” Ances said. “One opportunity is Sacred Heart, where high school students are invited to join their marching band for the Division 1 football team.”
Beyond football games, SHU invites high school students to play with its pep band at home basketball and hockey games, according to Ances.
Another opportunity he makes possible for his students is a chance to march in the annual Macy’s Parade in New York City. Samantha Davoren and Alison Merriman participated in 2024.
“It’s one of the largest and most prestigious parades out there and our kids had an amazing time,” Ances said.
“It gives you a chance to see what you can do with music after high school,” he said of Masuk students performing outside of their school. “I feel that our job as music teachers in public school is to really open doors for our students and prepare them, so that they can take their own music to whatever level they choose throughout their entire lives.”
Mr. Ances goes to Washington
Though music has been a big part of Ances’ life, he almost chose a different career path.
“I originally was going into political science,” he said. “I thought I would get a government job and work in Washington or something. I was probably a little bit naive. I did an intern program in Washington D.C. It was eye opening. I was a little disillusioned with how things worked inside the Beltway, and when I came back from that I thought, ‘I’m not comfortable with this career.'”
Back at the University of Connecticut, Ances’ counselor asked him what he enjoys most.
“I love working with kids,” Ances replied. “I had been a mentor, had worked at summer camps, was volunteering at preschools. I also said, ‘I love my music.’ He looked at me and said, ‘gosh, if only there was a job where you could do music and work with kids,’ and a lightbulb went off. I hadn’t put it all together. When he laid it all out there, it made sense.”
Ances went on to graduate from UConn with Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in music education. He later earned a Master of Science degree in music education from Western Connecticut State University and his 092 Endorsement for Intermediate Administrators and Supervision certificate from Sacred Heart University.
Throughout his career at Monroe Public Schools, Ances has taught in every single building — including for the STEM Academy — with the exception of Monroe Elementary School.
Through generations
Ances fondly remembers former music teacher, Nick Mariconda’s positive influence on his life. In addition to teaching him in elementary school, Mariconda was later Ances’ jazz band director when he was a student at Staples High School.
Mariconda went on to become the high school’s band director before his retirement.
Ances and two other former students honored Mariconda during his final pops concert at Levitt Pavilion. Ances and fellow trumpet players, Andrew Wilmott and Jon Owens, played “Bugler’s Holiday” together as guest artists of Staples’ concert band.
Like his mentor, Ances has left a positive impression on many of his own students. Parents nominating him for the Teacher of the Year award emphasized Ances’ deep personal connections with students.
One parent wrote, “Mike is the epitome of inclusion and patience, as well as reading students, encouraging them and pushing them to accomplish more than they realize they can.”
Another said Ances created a “safe and happy place for kids to go and practice, socialize and even escape from the pressures of the day.”
A former student who continued in music in college praised Ances for being responsive to student needs.
“He is open to our suggestions by letting us choose what musical pieces we want to play,” the former student said. “Even outside of our band class, students would go to the band room to be with Mr. Ances. He is a very upbeat and positive role model. If we needed advice, Mr. Ances was always ready to listen and assist. If you are having a bad day, Mr. Ances has a way of cheering you up.”
Over the course of his career, some former students have come back into his life in different ways.
For example, this year Ances had the opportunity to teach two students whose mothers were in his very first band at Jockey Hollow in 1997.
And Madeline Winters, a star pupil who Ances believes was the first Masuk student to participate in the Macy’s Parade, will soon be a colleague. She was recently hired as a new teacher for Stepney and Fawn Hollow elementary schools.
“Teaching the children of students and being able to hire a former student to teach the next generations — that’s incredible,” he said.
The diversion
In his 28 years as an educator, Ances has earned the respect of his peers.
Masuk Assistant Principal Ian Lowell describes him as a “kind, professional and enthusiastic teacher leader,” crediting him with revitalizing the band program.
“The students are more skilled, more polished and earning more state recognition than they have in the past decade,” Lowell added.
Mike Crowley, director of instruction and professional development, praised Ances for his outlook.
“I challenge anyone to find a more sincerely positive person than Mike Ances,” Crowley said. “He brings this positivity into every interaction he has, whether teaching first year trumpet students proper technique or leading a group of students and professional musicians through the score of the annual Masuk musical. Mike epitomizes the theory that you should put the energy out into the world that you hope to get back.”
Ances is married to Fawn Hollow Principal Leigh Metcalf-Ances and the couple recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. They have two grown sons, Hunter, 22, and Spencer, 21.
As a principal, Leigh serves on the Teacher of the Year Committee, so she knew about her husband’s nomination before he did.
“She didn’t tell me anything,” Ances said. “She had our boys show up at the ceremony, my parents, her mom, sister and her husband. I had no idea until Joe [Kobza] got up and called my name.”
Ances said his family members were snuck into the back the building so he wouldn’t see them, then stayed in a room, not coming out until the announcement was made.
That wasn’t all of the subterfuge Ances’ family members used to keep him from figuring out the big surprise. As he was leaving his house to attend the ceremony, his son, Hunter, said, “dad, when are you going to be back? Are you going to be able to cook me dinner?”
“He knew he was going to be there and there was food,” Ances recalled. “He said he wanted to throw me off.”
“Someone sitting at my table knew I was selected and was filming me when the announcement was made,” Ances said. “I looked at Leigh, definitely stunned. It took me a while to compose myself. I went up to Joe and received a beautiful gift and a handshake. I looked around and saw everybody. It was really nice, because all of the teachers and staff got up from their seats and gave me a standing ovation, which is really kind of humbling.”
Ances said he never expected to be chosen as a Teacher of the Year.
“I have seen a Teacher of the Year be selected 27 times, amazing teachers I work with — the passion that they bring,” Ances said. “You never think, ‘gosh I should be one of those people,’ and I never would have expected to be given such an honor. I guarantee you, there are a huge number of absolutely outstanding teachers in Monroe, and probably more so than any other district in Connecticut.”
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An incredible person, educator and musician. Well-deserved is an understatement! Congrats Mr. Ances!