A Collection of Interviews from Music Department Teachers 

Mr. Dell, Ms. Zellen and Mr. Bossert 

Plant High School is known for its academic curriculum, sports teams and school spirit. Most Panthers leave Plant with accomplishments in multiple programs, especially in the music departments. 

Students in the music departments make lifelong friendships, learn valuable lessons and have access to opportunities. Now full speed ahead into the new year, more music and memories lie ahead.  

The Plant’s music departments are led by teachers with varying stories. Teachers from Plant Band, Chorus and Orchestra shared what they believed being a ‘Music Motivator’ to the Plant students means to them. 

Mr. Dell, Director of The Plant Band and Plant Music Department 

Brian Dell is the Plant Music Department Head, and director of The Plant Band. 

Whether you are a band student or not, Dell has earned respect from most if not all musical Panthers.  

Dell spoke about his journey to becoming a highly recognized educator in leading the musical department.  

“I have been involved with music my entire life from a little kid,” Dell said. “I didn’t want to teach until my final year at Florida State University (FSU) when I started working with Leon High School in Tallahassee as a percussion instructor. That got me excited and eventually I was the assistant band director at Leon HS.” 

Taking valuable musical skills and life lessons from one of the best music schools in the country, FSU School of Music, according to FSU News, and becoming an assistant band director was just the beginning. 

Dell then became the Plant High School Band Director. 

The Plant Band has thrived for many years, earning a plethora of awards, ratings and state titles – earning Plant High recognition. 

In 2022, The Plant Band won first place at the prestigious band competition, “Lions Pride,” competing against the best high school bands in the county. This year, 2025, The Plant Band reclaimed their first-place title. 

Many hours of after-school rehearsals in the band room and on the football field resulted in something bigger than winning. 

Music has become a foundational aspect of students’ lives in and out of the classroom. 

“Music is an outlet for students,” Dell said. “It gives them a chance to be creative and to use a different side of their brain than they do for their academic classes. Through this creativity, students can share their passion at football games, concerts and other events at Plant or throughout the community. Students may not think about it, but performing gives them dopamine, which I believe helps students to be happy and able to feel great about something that they have worked hard towards. It may even help distract students from anything negative going on at home, school or anywhere else.” 

As a result of all of this practice, new friendships have blossomed as a result.  

Although Dell may be seen as a hard promoter of ‘tough love’, he cracks when sharing the connection between him and his students.  

“The Plant Band doesn’t exist without these amazing students,” Dell said. “They give me lots of grey hairs and cause a lot of stress, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love my students, and I love watching them grow and achieve things that they don’t think are possible. I look at my success through my students because they are the center of any accolades I have.” 

Ms. Zellen, Director of Plant High Chorus 

Performances by Plant High such as “Madrigals,” and “Rick’s Cafe” have served as community favorites for many years.  

In 2023, the longtime Plant choir director retired, opening a new light to shine on the next generation.  

Shelby Zellen was ready to take on high school. 

Zellen is currently a graduate student at FSU, earning her bachelor’s degree in music education.  

“While I always made great friends and thoroughly enjoyed my time in activities like lacrosse and student council, I found that my favorite memories from school were in the chorus room,” Zellen said. “In the chorus room, students from all walks of life could come together to make something beautiful.” 

Zellen did not do this without struggle; however, she came in and was the youngest music teacher Plant has had thus far. 

“I want students to have a safe space to make friends, express themselves, try something new, and have a fun break in their regular high school stress,” Zellen said. “I try to incorporate music that students enjoy or can relate to. I want students to feel empowered.” 

During Zellen’s first year of teaching at Plant, Plant Chorus performed at the esteemed Carnegie Hall in New York City. Since then, Plant Chorus has been featured in the past two years on Universal Studios, Disney Springs and University of South Florida stage. 

Students have been given the opportunity to perform alongside college students at FSU School of Music and win superior ratings in the county wide performance adjudicated event Music Performance Assessment (MPA). 

“Music is a great way for students to relate to one another!” Zellen said. “It is such a big part of our society, so I would love for it to become a way for students to be reflected in school. Any song can be a choir song, so any student could be a choir student.”  

Plant Chorus recently finished their annual ‘Madrigals,’ this year’s show inspired by the musical ‘Princess and the Mattress.’  

Plant Chorus students are branching out from the chorus room to volunteer with Tampa Bay organizations such as The Humane Society of Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries. 

The idea inspires students to use their voices not only through song, but to help better our community. 

Zellen continues to implement the 2025-2026 Plant Chorus motto, “Many voices, one choir.” 

Mr. Bossert, The Plant Orchestra Director 

The symphony sounds of classic composers such as Mendelssohn and Bach echo in Plant’s music hall in the morning. Some may mistake the sounds coming from a professional recording playing on the projector. 

However, this would be The Plant Orchestra working hard to perfect their pieces before their debut at the famous Boston Conservatory in February 2026. 

The Plant Orchestra has been led by Steven Bossert for decades. Bossert is not only a phenomenal teacher, but a talented performer himself. 

Bossert attended the University of South Florida to get his bachelor’s degree in music and even won a prestigious music award from Yale University. Bossert is now a violinist in the Tampa Bay Symphony, as well as sitting on the Hillsborough County Secondary Music Council. 

Bossert is known for his intimidating – yet humorous personality. By reinforcing the motto, ‘practice, practice, practice,’ Bossert always builds firm relationships with his classes and motivates his students.  

Onstage at no other than Carnegie Hall, Bossert gleams when looking upon his students and how far they have come. 

Last year, The Plant Orchestra played at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC on no other date than President’s Day. Not only did the Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestra perform beautifully, but they also debuted a piece written by young, up and coming composer Austin Ali. Ali attended the performance and praised the Plant Orchestra on social media for performing his piece with such composure and grace. 

As Bossert begins to stroll down the road to his well-earned retirement, he will not only be leaving a legacy of successful students, incredible accomplishments, and beautiful performances, but a room forever filled with passion for music and love.