Before that, the popular teacher spent more than 20 years in the military, first in the Marines and later in the Navy.
Now, Vlangas, 41, of Sherman, Conn., is behind bars waiting for extradition to New York for allegedly raping a student.
The charges against the teacher are the talk of the school and the town. On Monday, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department charged Vlangas with several felony charges, including statutory rape, for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student.
Before becoming a teacher and landing at Brewster High School, Vlangas was a longtime musician for the U.S. Navy, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Before retiring as a chief petty officer, Vlangas led and played in numerous Naval bands, including the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, the Naval Band New Orleans, and the Navy Band Northeast.
He received a degree in conducting and arranging from the Naval School of Music in 2009 and later received a bachelor's of music from Thomas Edison State College and a master's of science in music education from the University of Bridgeport.
A Wikimedia article shows Vlangas singing and dancing with children in Africa while in the Navy and serving as a chief musician.
Sheriff's Investigators say it was earlier this month when a staff member at the high school received information about the alleged relationship, who then immediately informed the police. An investigation followed which led to his arrest in Connecticut on Monday.
School officials said counselors have been meeting with students at the school.
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