Ricardo Valentin has served as the Director of Bands and Theatre since 2020. An active music educator, clinician, and trombone performer throughout Connecticut, Ricardo previously taught as the Band Director at East Hartford Middle School.

His foundational roots in the marching arts include being named a U.S. Army High School All-American marching band member and performing with the world-renowned Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. His diverse background in theater also includes working as a choreographer and pit director for multiple high schools before taking on his current role directing the Platt Theatre program. Beyond the classroom, Ricardo has worked with multiple Drum Corps groups including Jersey Surf and 7th Regiment, and he previously served as the brass caption head for the Connecticut Hurricanes. Ricardo also frequently serves as a guest clinician for high school programs across Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Florida and Colorado.

Ricardo is a proud alumnus of Cheshire High School (Class of 2015) and the University of Connecticut, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. He maintains active memberships in several professional organizations, including CMEA, NBA, JEN, and ASBDA.