Artistic Director
Touring Choir Manager
Colleen Regan, a native of Long Island, N.Y., received a bachelor’s of music degree in music education with a vocal concentration from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam, studying voice under Dr. Carl Johengen and Shannon Unger and conducting under Dr. Daniel Gordon, Dr. Rebecca Reames, and Dr. Adam Adler. While at Crane, Colleen was the recipient of the Catherine A. English Award for Excellence in Student Teaching. She later earned her master’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
An accomplished music educator at the middle school level, Colleen has spent her career teaching at West Hollow Middle School in the Half Hollow Hills Central School District, where she currently conducts the Concert Choir and 6th Grade Chorus. Choirs under her direction have received consecutive performance ratings of Gold and Gold, with Distinction, at NYSSMA Majors Organization Festivals, as well as ratings of Superior at travel festival competitions.
Colleen is an active member of Suffolk County Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and the American Choral Directors Association. In demand as a clinician, she has conducted the Suffolk County All-County Festival Chorus as well as all-county and honor choirs in Nassau, Duchess, and Putnam Counties. She is also a certified NYSSMA vocal adjudicator and has served as a choral adjudicator for Performing Arts Consultants in its NY festival. Additionally, Colleen has guest lectured on the topic of choral literature and practice at Long Island University, C.W. Post, and was honored by her alma mater in the Spring of 2015 as the Joy Anthony Douglass Visiting Master Teacher. Colleen has performed with the Long Island vocal chamber ensemble, SoLI, under the direction of Anne Kollar.
An accomplished music educator at the middle school level, Colleen has spent her career teaching at West Hollow Middle School in the Half Hollow Hills Central School District, where she currently conducts the Concert Choir and 6th Grade Chorus. Choirs under her direction have received consecutive performance ratings of Gold and Gold, with Distinction, at NYSSMA Majors Organization Festivals, as well as ratings of Superior at travel festival competitions.
Colleen is an active member of Suffolk County Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and the American Choral Directors Association. In demand as a clinician, she has conducted the Suffolk County All-County Festival Chorus as well as all-county and honor choirs in Nassau, Duchess, and Putnam Counties. She is also a certified NYSSMA vocal adjudicator and has served as a choral adjudicator for Performing Arts Consultants in its NY festival. Additionally, Colleen has guest lectured on the topic of choral literature and practice at Long Island University, C.W. Post, and was honored by her alma mater in the Spring of 2015 as the Joy Anthony Douglass Visiting Master Teacher. Colleen has performed with the Long Island vocal chamber ensemble, SoLI, under the direction of Anne Kollar.
Conductor - Prelude Ensemble
Artistic Liason
Christa Braunreuther is an alumnus of the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam where she received a bachelor’s of music degree in music education with a vocal concentration from the Crane School of Music. Christa studied voice under the instruction of Dr. Kathleen Allen, conducting under Dr. Rebecca Reames. She later earned her master’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Teaching young children is Christa’s passion. She was fortunate enough to acquire her dream job directly out of undergrad at St. James Elementary School of the Smithtown Central School District. As an elementary music specialist, she teaches general music and conducts the 5th grade choir. In addition, Christa coordinates and directs the St. James Singer’s Club, the Broadway Bonanza Musical Revue, as well as additional rotating seasonal performances. Christa has also acted as conductor for the Smithtown All-District Music Festival Chorus, conductor for Usdan’s Junior Chorus, and was a conductor for the Orange County MEA All-County Festival Division One Chorus. Christa is the Vice President of Classroom Music for the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA). She has also presented at the NYSSMA Summer Conference and small clinics on the Island.
Christa is affiliated with many professional organizations such as NYSSMA, Suffolk County Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Long Island Association of the Orff-Schulwerk Association, and the American Choral Directors Association. Christa maintains a small vocal studio out of her home in Smithtown
Teaching young children is Christa’s passion. She was fortunate enough to acquire her dream job directly out of undergrad at St. James Elementary School of the Smithtown Central School District. As an elementary music specialist, she teaches general music and conducts the 5th grade choir. In addition, Christa coordinates and directs the St. James Singer’s Club, the Broadway Bonanza Musical Revue, as well as additional rotating seasonal performances. Christa has also acted as conductor for the Smithtown All-District Music Festival Chorus, conductor for Usdan’s Junior Chorus, and was a conductor for the Orange County MEA All-County Festival Division One Chorus. Christa is the Vice President of Classroom Music for the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA). She has also presented at the NYSSMA Summer Conference and small clinics on the Island.
Christa is affiliated with many professional organizations such as NYSSMA, Suffolk County Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Long Island Association of the Orff-Schulwerk Association, and the American Choral Directors Association. Christa maintains a small vocal studio out of her home in Smithtown
Head of Operations
Interim Executive Director
Jennifer Phelan is honored to be the Interim Executive Director for the Long Island Children's Choir. During her five years with the organization, she has acted as Artistic Administrator, Conductor of A Cappella, and Accompanist for the Prelude and Cantate Ensembles.
She teaches K-12 chorus and general music in the Herricks School District. She received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education, minor in Music Business, and concentration in voice and choral studies from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York. While attending SUNY Potsdam, she studied voice from Dr. Lorraine Yaros Sullivan and conducting from Dr. Rebecca Reames and Dr. Jeffrey Francom, and acted as President of the American Choral Director’s Association collegiate chapter. During her time at Crane, she was awarded with the American Choral Director's Association Award and the Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award.
She conducted and sang in many choirs while pursuing her bachelor’s degree, which allowed her to travel and sing at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, and throughout Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. She received her Masters in Arts degree from Stony Brook University and is currently obtaining her Post- Master's Certificate in Educational Leadership through Stony Brook University.
She is a member of the National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, American Orff- Schulwerk Association, and Nassau Music Educators’ Association.
She teaches K-12 chorus and general music in the Herricks School District. She received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education, minor in Music Business, and concentration in voice and choral studies from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York. While attending SUNY Potsdam, she studied voice from Dr. Lorraine Yaros Sullivan and conducting from Dr. Rebecca Reames and Dr. Jeffrey Francom, and acted as President of the American Choral Director’s Association collegiate chapter. During her time at Crane, she was awarded with the American Choral Director's Association Award and the Sigma Alpha Iota Scholastic Award.
She conducted and sang in many choirs while pursuing her bachelor’s degree, which allowed her to travel and sing at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, and throughout Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. She received her Masters in Arts degree from Stony Brook University and is currently obtaining her Post- Master's Certificate in Educational Leadership through Stony Brook University.
She is a member of the National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, American Orff- Schulwerk Association, and Nassau Music Educators’ Association.
Conductor - Harmonia Ensemble
Danielle McRoy is a choral music educator with over 15 years of experience teaching vocal music at every age level from elementary school through college. Dr. McRoy currently serves as the Choral Director at Half Hollow Hills High School East, where she directs the Women’s Choir, Concert Choir, Cross Campus Chamber Choir, and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Dr. McRoy also directs the spring musicals, which have won numerous awards at the regional level over the last five years.
In 2013, Dr. McRoy was chosen from over 30,000 music educators as a Quarterfinalist for the Grammy Foundation Music Educator of the Year Award. Since 1999, she has served as an Adjunct Professor of Voice and Music Education at LIU Post. She has also served as Music Department Chairperson and Director of Choral Activities at The Mary Louis Academy, and as a Teaching Assistant at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Dr. McRoy is an active clinician and guest conductor in regional and national settings, including performances at such renowned locations as Carnegie Hall. She is also an international choral adjudicator for Performing Art Consultants, Heritage Music Festivals, World Projects International, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Dr. McRoy has an earned doctorate (EdD) in the College Teaching of Music from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her major area of research is the training and development of the adolescent singing voice. Publications include work in the Journal of Singing, and her research has been presented at national and international forums, including the International Society for Music Education World Conference in Bologna, Italy.
In 2013, Dr. McRoy was chosen from over 30,000 music educators as a Quarterfinalist for the Grammy Foundation Music Educator of the Year Award. Since 1999, she has served as an Adjunct Professor of Voice and Music Education at LIU Post. She has also served as Music Department Chairperson and Director of Choral Activities at The Mary Louis Academy, and as a Teaching Assistant at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Dr. McRoy is an active clinician and guest conductor in regional and national settings, including performances at such renowned locations as Carnegie Hall. She is also an international choral adjudicator for Performing Art Consultants, Heritage Music Festivals, World Projects International, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Dr. McRoy has an earned doctorate (EdD) in the College Teaching of Music from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her major area of research is the training and development of the adolescent singing voice. Publications include work in the Journal of Singing, and her research has been presented at national and international forums, including the International Society for Music Education World Conference in Bologna, Italy.
Conductor - Cantate Ensemble
Sharon Quinlan is originally from Smithtown, NY. She received a bachelor’s of music degree in music education with a vocal concentration from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam. She studied voice under the instruction of Dr. Kathleen Miller and conducting under Dr. Rebecca Reames and Dr. Heather Eyerly. She later earned her master’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Sharon has taught general music and chorus at the elementary level in the West Islip School District for nine years. She teaches both kindergarten through 5th grade at Bayview and Manetuck Elementary, as well as conducts the 4th and 5th grade chorus. In addition, Sharon helps to prepare her students for the Suffolk County Music Educators Association All-County Chorus, NYSSMA Solo Festival, as well as sending her chorus to the NYSSMA Majors Festival each year. Sharon, over the past few summers, also worked for the West Islip Summer Music Program where she instructed students in grades 6-8 in musical theater.
Sharon is an active member of Suffolk County Music Educators Association, the American Choral Directors Association and Ethics in Education. Sharon recently served as a co-chair to the SCMEA division I Central Chorus and is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk Level 1-3 Training Program at Hofstra University.
Sharon has taught general music and chorus at the elementary level in the West Islip School District for nine years. She teaches both kindergarten through 5th grade at Bayview and Manetuck Elementary, as well as conducts the 4th and 5th grade chorus. In addition, Sharon helps to prepare her students for the Suffolk County Music Educators Association All-County Chorus, NYSSMA Solo Festival, as well as sending her chorus to the NYSSMA Majors Festival each year. Sharon, over the past few summers, also worked for the West Islip Summer Music Program where she instructed students in grades 6-8 in musical theater.
Sharon is an active member of Suffolk County Music Educators Association, the American Choral Directors Association and Ethics in Education. Sharon recently served as a co-chair to the SCMEA division I Central Chorus and is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk Level 1-3 Training Program at Hofstra University.
Conductor - Lyric Ensemble
Nichole Greene is a native of Minnesota and a product of the Lutheran choir tradition in the Midwest.
Ms. Greene received a BA in Music Education from Luther College in Decorah, IA, where she sang in the
renowned Nordic Choir and studied under Weston Noble for three years. She also earned an MS in
Music Education from Queens College (Aaron Copland School of Music) in Flushing, NY.
Ms. Greene is an accomplished educator and has been teaching at Massapequa High School for the past
20 years. Under her direction, the Massapequa High School A Cappella Choir has performed in some of the most prestigious venues in New York City and across Long Island and consistently earns “Gold” and “Gold, with distinction” ratings at NYSSMA Major Ensemble Festival. Additionally, Ms. Greene is an active adjudicator and clinician on Long Island and in New York State, a certified and active adjudicator for NYSSMA solo festivals and Major Organization festivals. Ms. Greene also has the distinction of being Past President of NMEA. In addition to her teaching career in Massapequa, Ms. Greene has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in Flushing, NY, where she taught choral methods.
While Ms. Greene is a passionate educator, she still finds time to sing in ensembles as part of her own personal growth. She still enjoys opportunities to perform as a soloist or an ensemble member, and is a founding member and frequent soloist in the Mixed choral ensemble, eVoco, under the direction of Dr. David Fryling.
Ms. Greene received a BA in Music Education from Luther College in Decorah, IA, where she sang in the
renowned Nordic Choir and studied under Weston Noble for three years. She also earned an MS in
Music Education from Queens College (Aaron Copland School of Music) in Flushing, NY.
Ms. Greene is an accomplished educator and has been teaching at Massapequa High School for the past
20 years. Under her direction, the Massapequa High School A Cappella Choir has performed in some of the most prestigious venues in New York City and across Long Island and consistently earns “Gold” and “Gold, with distinction” ratings at NYSSMA Major Ensemble Festival. Additionally, Ms. Greene is an active adjudicator and clinician on Long Island and in New York State, a certified and active adjudicator for NYSSMA solo festivals and Major Organization festivals. Ms. Greene also has the distinction of being Past President of NMEA. In addition to her teaching career in Massapequa, Ms. Greene has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in Flushing, NY, where she taught choral methods.
While Ms. Greene is a passionate educator, she still finds time to sing in ensembles as part of her own personal growth. She still enjoys opportunities to perform as a soloist or an ensemble member, and is a founding member and frequent soloist in the Mixed choral ensemble, eVoco, under the direction of Dr. David Fryling.
Principal Accompanist
Elinor Abrams Zayas is a favorite of Long Islanders as a piano soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative artist. A native of Brightwaters, her early teachers were Ruth Koch, Claude Gonvierre, and, at The Juilliard Pre-College, Howard Aibel and Leonard Eisner.
Undergraduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music were with Constance Keene, and chamber music with Artur Balsam. She studied jazz and improvisation with Valerie Capers, arranging with John Carisi, and performed in Jazz ensembles led by Dave Samuels and David Freidman. Her graduate studies, also at Manhattan, were with Robert Helps, who introduced her to contemporary music, and also to the techniques of Abby Whiteside. Sophia Rosoff - a Whiteside disciple, whose pupils included Gary Graffman and jazz pianist Barry Harris, was a major influence, as was the the jazz pianist Joanne Brackeen.
Ms. Zayas formed the chamber ensemble Nepenthe in 1984. Nepenthe presented a successful concert series at the Boulton Center for the Arts in Bay Shore, and performed widely on Long Island. Elinor has also been the pianist for the Long Island Masterworks Chorus, and the Long Island Philharmonic Chorus, a musical director at the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY, and a soloist in the metropolitan area, at such venues as Trinity Church in NYC, and the Friends of the Arts Beethoven Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum. She has also performed with Cross Road, a string jazz group led by composer/bassist Reynard Burns. In 2007, she co-founded the group Cross Island with cellist Suzanne Mueller, and they actively perform in the New York area.
Ms. Zayas is a native of Brightwaters, where she lives and maintains a private piano studio. She is a member of NYSSMA and SCMEA, and has served on the music faculties of Five Towns College, Hofstra University, and is recently retired from the Music Department faculty of the Sachem Public Schools.
Undergraduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music were with Constance Keene, and chamber music with Artur Balsam. She studied jazz and improvisation with Valerie Capers, arranging with John Carisi, and performed in Jazz ensembles led by Dave Samuels and David Freidman. Her graduate studies, also at Manhattan, were with Robert Helps, who introduced her to contemporary music, and also to the techniques of Abby Whiteside. Sophia Rosoff - a Whiteside disciple, whose pupils included Gary Graffman and jazz pianist Barry Harris, was a major influence, as was the the jazz pianist Joanne Brackeen.
Ms. Zayas formed the chamber ensemble Nepenthe in 1984. Nepenthe presented a successful concert series at the Boulton Center for the Arts in Bay Shore, and performed widely on Long Island. Elinor has also been the pianist for the Long Island Masterworks Chorus, and the Long Island Philharmonic Chorus, a musical director at the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY, and a soloist in the metropolitan area, at such venues as Trinity Church in NYC, and the Friends of the Arts Beethoven Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum. She has also performed with Cross Road, a string jazz group led by composer/bassist Reynard Burns. In 2007, she co-founded the group Cross Island with cellist Suzanne Mueller, and they actively perform in the New York area.
Ms. Zayas is a native of Brightwaters, where she lives and maintains a private piano studio. She is a member of NYSSMA and SCMEA, and has served on the music faculties of Five Towns College, Hofstra University, and is recently retired from the Music Department faculty of the Sachem Public Schools.
Accompanist
Christina Cinnamo is a vocal music teacher at Northside Elementary School in the Farmingdale School District. Christina recently graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education, summa cum laude. While at Hofstra, Christina was honored with the Herbert A. Deutsch Award for Excellence in Student Teaching, as well as the 2016 William Rosencrans Endowed Award Recital, and 2015 Dorothy B. Hoag Honors Recital. During her undergraduate work, Christina studied classical piano and voice, frequently performing with the Hofstra Chamber Choir, Opera Theater Guild, and and Vocal Jazz Quartet.
Christina is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Music from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she continues to refine her craft as a performing musician. Christina also maintains a private piano/voice studio, and is an active liturgical cantor at several churches across Long Island.
Christina is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Music from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she continues to refine her craft as a performing musician. Christina also maintains a private piano/voice studio, and is an active liturgical cantor at several churches across Long Island.
Accompanist
Samantha Schick is a recent graduate of The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a concentration in voice and choral studies. While at Crane, Samantha studied voice with Dr. Jonathan Stinson, and conducted under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Francom and Dr. Rebecca Reames. Throughout her undergraduate study, Samantha was given the opportunity to conduct Crane’s Phoenix Club, perform at Carnegie Hall with Crane Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, and teach music abroad by participating in the Jamaica Abroad Field Service Program. Samantha has accompanied middle school choirs, NYSSMA soloists, and collegiate student recitals.
Samantha is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association, National Association for Music Education, NMEA, and SCMEA. She will be co-chairing NMEA Division IV All-County Mixed Choir for the 2017-18 festival, and will begin her Master’s degree in Music Therapy at Molloy College this fall.
Samantha is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association, National Association for Music Education, NMEA, and SCMEA. She will be co-chairing NMEA Division IV All-County Mixed Choir for the 2017-18 festival, and will begin her Master’s degree in Music Therapy at Molloy College this fall.
Accompanist
Joseph Franzino holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance and an Advanced Certificate in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. During his time in Queens, Joseph studied piano under the instruction of Morey Ritt and voice with Sidney Outlaw.
Throughout his college career Joseph Franzino has performed in various recitals, chamber music ensembles, and has played many times as a collaborative artist. He is a winner of the Aaron Copland School of Music Concerto Competition, in which he was selected to perform the Edvard Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor. In addition to actively performing throughout college, Joseph was also a member of NYSSMA-NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and MEANYC (Music Educators’ Association of New York City). During Joseph’s final year at Queens College he served as the NYSSMA-NAfME Collegiate President for New York State.
Joseph currently teaches Music Theory, General Music, and Chorus for the Farmingdale School District. In addition to working for Farmingdale, Joseph maintains a private piano studio, accompanies the East End Women’s Choir, and is a member of NYSSMA.
Throughout his college career Joseph Franzino has performed in various recitals, chamber music ensembles, and has played many times as a collaborative artist. He is a winner of the Aaron Copland School of Music Concerto Competition, in which he was selected to perform the Edvard Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor. In addition to actively performing throughout college, Joseph was also a member of NYSSMA-NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and MEANYC (Music Educators’ Association of New York City). During Joseph’s final year at Queens College he served as the NYSSMA-NAfME Collegiate President for New York State.
Joseph currently teaches Music Theory, General Music, and Chorus for the Farmingdale School District. In addition to working for Farmingdale, Joseph maintains a private piano studio, accompanies the East End Women’s Choir, and is a member of NYSSMA.
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