Artistic Director
Conductor - Lyric Ensemble
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 - 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 - Prelude Ensemble
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. Most recently, Christa acted as conductor for the 2nd annual Smithtown All-District Music Festival Chorus, where she worked with choral students from across the Smithtown school district. Christa is the Chair of the Discovery program at the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, where she coordinates musical and artistic programming for students in Kindergarten and 1st grade. She was recently appointed VP of Classroom music for the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA).
Christa maintains a strong vocal studio out of her home in Smithtown, from which students under her direction consistently achieve ratings of “Outstanding” at NYSSMA solo festivals. Organizations like 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 keep Christa active in the music community and her teaching pedagogies fresh.
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. Most recently, Christa acted as conductor for the 2nd annual Smithtown All-District Music Festival Chorus, where she worked with choral students from across the Smithtown school district. Christa is the Chair of the Discovery program at the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, where she coordinates musical and artistic programming for students in Kindergarten and 1st grade. She was recently appointed VP of Classroom music for the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA).
Christa maintains a strong vocal studio out of her home in Smithtown, from which students under her direction consistently achieve ratings of “Outstanding” at NYSSMA solo festivals. Organizations like 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 keep Christa active in the music community and her teaching pedagogies fresh.
Conductor - A Cappella and
Artistic Administrator
Jennifer Phelan 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.
Jennifer teaches at Kreamer Street Elementary School and Bellport Middle School in the South Country School District. During the summer, she works for the Herricks School District teaching chorus, world music, and musical theater during the summer music camp. In addition to maintaining a private piano and vocal studio, Jennifer is a vocal NYSSMA adjudicator. She is a member of the National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, American Orff- Schulwerk Association, and Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association. She is currently obtaining her Post- Master's Certificate in Educational Leadership through Stony Brook University.
Jennifer teaches at Kreamer Street Elementary School and Bellport Middle School in the South Country School District. During the summer, she works for the Herricks School District teaching chorus, world music, and musical theater during the summer music camp. In addition to maintaining a private piano and vocal studio, Jennifer is a vocal NYSSMA adjudicator. She is a member of the National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, American Orff- Schulwerk Association, and Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association. She is currently obtaining her Post- Master's Certificate in Educational Leadership through Stony Brook University.
Principal Accompanist
James Nagle is a vocal music educator who has taught in the Connetquot Central School District for the past eight years at both the elementary and secondary levels. He currently directs the Connetquot High School Mixed Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Long Island Voices Show Choir. He has also served as vocal director and choreographer for the school’s musical productions. In addition to teaching, James is an accomplished pianist having accompanied numerous NYSSMA festivals and performances in school districts throughout Long Island. He has accompanied several SCMEA All-County choirs and most recently was the pianist for the NYSCAME All-County Women’s Choir.
In 2007, James received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where he was honored with the Susan Smykla Udell Award for Outstanding Piano Accompaniment. He served as the President and Music Director of the Potsdam Pointercounts, an award-winning a cappella group. During that time, he developed his arranging style and love of performing contemporary a cappella music as the group successfully competed and toured throughout the East Coast. James attained a Master of Science degree in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens in 2010, receiving the Lawrence Eisman Award in Music Education.
In 2007, James received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where he was honored with the Susan Smykla Udell Award for Outstanding Piano Accompaniment. He served as the President and Music Director of the Potsdam Pointercounts, an award-winning a cappella group. During that time, he developed his arranging style and love of performing contemporary a cappella music as the group successfully competed and toured throughout the East Coast. James attained a Master of Science degree in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens in 2010, receiving the Lawrence Eisman Award in Music Education.
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.
Operations Manager
Christine Califano
Photo:
Lifetime Photography
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