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Faculty & Therapists
Our faculty and therapists are trained not only in their artistic discipline, but in classroom instruction techniques as well, meaning that they are able to individualize their approach to you or your child’s specific learning style and educational needs. Settlement gives students and families access to one of the best and most diverse networks of trained faculty in the country.
Abby Nixon is a recent transplant from Florida, where she taught and performed for 12 years, teaching students of all ages and performing music of all genres. Abby enjoys playing in a professional orchestra just as much as she enjoys playing in jazz ensemble or rock band, and she tries to instill her love of improvisation and a sense of creative possibility into her students, alongside a high standard of excellence in traditional violin technique. She graduated from Jacksonville University with a degree in violin performance and studied with Ivan Galamian pupil Aaron Krosnick. In addition to playing violin, Abby enjoys sewing, singing and sci-fi.
Staff
Specialties: Violin, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Adam is a pianist, composer and recording artist based in Philadelphia. Beyond his activities as a performer/composer, his interests run to journalism. He was formerly the Philadelphia correspondent for the internationally published Pulse! Magazine and was a contributor to the Philadelphia Weekly newspaper. Adam completed a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he worked with pianist Paul Bley, bassist Cecil McBee, and composers Lee Hyla, Robert Ceely, and John Heiss among others. Earlier studies included a scholarship for classical piano at Syracuse University as well as a BFA in film production from the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.
Regular
Specialties: Jazz Piano
Divisions: Music
Aileen Bunch received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Temple University. She has a long history with the Kardon Center program; providing individual music therapy sessions at the Germantown and Mary Louise Curtis branches. She also teaches piano privately.
Regular
Specialties: Music Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
Ala Emet was born in Potsdam, Germany and moved to Moldova at the age of seven. The following year, she began her piano studies at the Eugen Coca’s Music School for gifted children. She received her Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the G. Musichescku Kishinev State Conservatory, where she studied under E. Zak. After graduation, she remained at the conservatory, working as an accompanist for the Brass and Jazz Conductors Department, until relocating to Romania. There, she continued to work as a teacher and an accompanist at the Ploiesti College of Art. Ala was subsequently offered a position at the G. Enescku Bucharest National Music College, where she took part in various festivals, accompanying strings, brass, and percussion ensembles. At the same time, she worked at Bucharest Music Academy as an accompanist in a vocal class of E. Eneshescku. After moving to the United States, Ms. Emet worked as a private teacher and accompanist in New York and Arizona, and taught students of all ages and levels at the Tucson Music and Dance Academy.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Alan Ens graduated from the University of the Arts in 2009 with a BM in Jazz guitar performance. His teachers were Mike Kennedy, Matt Davis, and Mike Quaile. He has also had lessons with Jimmy Bruno, Pat Martino, and Tony Miceli while there. Outside of college Alan has studied classical guitar with John Penn. He taught guitar, bass and ran ensembles at the Philadelphia and Cherry Hill schools of rock from 2009-2015. Alan has played rock, jazz, free jazz, folk, funk, and original music in venues and restaurants from NYC to Nashville and has been a pit musician at Society Hill Playhouse. Since 2013 he has also been the live sound mixer for the dueling piano band at the Philadelphia Howl at The Moon, and a production sound mixer for video with SQ Productions out of Cherry Hill, NJ. His most recent musical project is a classical guitar quartet that includes Brendan Evans.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Jazz Guitar, Suzuki, Ukulele, Music Technology, Jazz Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Albena Stoykova received her teaching and performance degree from the Sofia Music School and the Sofia Music Academy (Bulgaria) in 1987. She spent time teaching in the Youth Palace in Bulgaria and South Africa’s Music School “Mmabana.” She has played with international orchestras, the Radio Sofia Orchestra and Mmabatho Chamber Orchestra, and locally with the Musica 2000 Orchestra, as well as with the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Stoykova has played with string quartets in Paris, Athens and Colmar and won first place in the International Competition in Middlesborough, England. She enjoys working with student ensembles, especially with the all violin ensembles. She has been with Settlement Music School for 12 years and the Doylestown Community Conservatory for 9 years.
Staff
Specialties: Violin
Divisions: Music
Alex has been playing the piano for over 17 years. He has performed in the greater Philadelphia area as well as France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. A graduate of Cheltenham High, Alex went on to study music and computer science at Gettysburg College. Alex studied classical piano with Dr. Jocelyn Swigger and jazz piano and improvisation with Wayne Fox and Stephen Fieldhouse. He also studied jazz composition, orchestration, and arranging with Dr. Buzz Jones. Alex has performed internationally three times with the Gettysburg College Jazz Ensemble. He has performed at the Montreaux, Jazz a Juan, Istanbul, and Umbria jazz festivals in Europe. In July of 2016, Alex chased his passion and left his tech job to pursue music full time. He has successfully grown a private piano studio and established himself as a serious player on the Philadelphia jazz scene. Alex has performed at many notable venues including Sullivan’s Steakhouse, The National Arts Club (NYC), South Jazz Parlor, The Union League, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, World Cafe Live, The Clef Club, The Prime Rib, Citizens Bank Park, among many others. Alex has performed with many great jazz artists including Duane Eubanks, Chris Brubeck, John Swana, Larry McKenna, Justin Faulkner, Dave Posmontier, Bob Howell, Chico Huff, Tony Williams (Sax), Mike Boone, Tommi Mischell and many more. Alex maintains a large private piano studio and also coaches the small jazz ensemble at Settlement Music School’s Willow Grove branch. Currently, Alex is performing and teaching around the Philadelphia area. He has just released two original debut albums “Coast to Coast” and “Bridges.”
Regular
Specialties: Jazz Piano, Jazz Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Alexandra Ovrutsky is a graduate of the prestigious Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, with a master’s degree in music theory, choral conducting, and piano performance, and received her bachelor’s degree from the Ippolitov-Ivanov Music College. She began her musical journey at the age of five with piano study. Mrs. Ovrutsky has been teaching children of all ages for over 25 years, including her own children, who are now graduates of Curtis and Juilliard, acclaimed musicians, and winners of many international competitions. Mrs. Ovrutsky was also a successful children’s choral instructor and served as a musical director and editor on the international programs of the Russian State Television and Radio. Mrs. Ovrutsky arrived in the United States in 1992 with her family, and has been teaching at Settlement since 2001. She has appeared as a chamber musician in the concert halls of Boston, Philadelphia, and the Florida Keys. Mrs. Ovrutsky believes that each student is unique and benefits from a unique approach.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Philadelphia native Alexis Stevenson began her career in Early Childhood Education when her daughter was three years old. She started as a parent volunteer in her daughter’s classroom. She would help with breakfast and read stories to the children. Volunteering lead to an offer of employment. Through her position, Alexis was able to gain a wealth of knowledge on child development in the early stages. In 2012, Alexis enrolled at Eastern University in the Accelerated Degree program for adult learners. In 2015, Alexis graduated from Eastern University with her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. After graduating, Alexis worked in a Pre-K counts program. In 2018, Alexis decided it was time to further her education and enrolled at Eastern University once again to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood education.
ECE Assistant Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K PS 5
Divisions: Early Childhood
Alicia Roselli, MA, MT-BC, NMT, currently resides in Southern New Jersey, where she recently completed her graduate studies in music therapy at Berklee College of Music, and her undergraduate program at Immaculata University. Within her studies, Alicia has conducted research regarding sensory integration in music therapy as a form of self-regulation for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through her cumulative experience, Alicia adamantly believes that music therapy begins with meeting the client where he or she is at, and utilizes a holistic approach to promote health and wellness for the clients she has the honor to work with.
Regular
Specialties: Music Therapy
Divisions: Arts Therapy
Amanda Hill started dancing at the age of four. Amanda then began intensive private coaching with Natasha Bar (of the Odessa Ballet, The Rock School) at the age of 11. Along with the excellent training she received from Ms. Bar, Amanda attended various summer programs including The Rock School, NYSSSA, Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Kaatsbaan and the School of American Ballet. Amanda has also competed in ballet competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix, where she was awarded 1st place in the senior division semifinals. Amanda received her BFA in Ballet Performance from the University of the Arts on presidential scholarship, and graduated with honors. While working towards her BFA Amanda danced in multiple productions with the Pennsylvania Ballet and BalletFleming, including Pennsylvania’ Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” She is now a principal dancer with the Brandywine Ballet in West Chester, PA. Amanda loves teaching ballet and sharing her passion for the art form. She has been teaching throughout the Philadelphia area for over 5 years. She draws on her performance experience, and her own training from many world-renowned teachers.
Regular
Specialties:
Divisions: Dance
Andrea Carlson received a BM in Classical Guitar from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, studying with Steve Klein. Teaching is her passion, and with it she focuses on technique, theory, and a repertoire that inspires and promotes skill and musical expression. Her back ground in music also involves performance in classical guitar, jazz, singing, and composing. In 2009, she was a winner with the Philadelphia Songwriters Project song writing contest. Actively, she performs with her classical guitar playing and singing her original music and jazz standards in a variety of venues throughout the Philadelphia area, as well as New Jersey, New York, and Chicago. In 2012 she released her debut CD, Drivin’ Myself Wild for You. Along with her music, Andrea studied art at Columbia College in Chicago and also enjoys painting and other forms of art in her free time.
Staff
Specialties: Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Guitar-Plectrum
Divisions: Music
Andrea Green is a music therapist, educator, playwright, composer, and director whose musical work is published by Samuel French, Inc. and Andrea Green Music. Her inclusive approach gives youngsters of all abilities an opportunity to participate in the musical experience while fostering empathy, communication, and acceptance. Andrea was honored with a Proclamation in 2012 by the City of Philadelphia, recognizing her 30 years of teaching tolerance. Andrea’s work is also the subject of the 2015 Emmy-award winning documentary on the Other Side of the Fence, which received a special humanitarian award from the United Nations Department of Public Information and numerous other awards. Andrea is a consultant at the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy, The Philadelphia School, the St. John School of the Arts and The Stephen Sondheim Center for the Arts. Her Musicals have been performed in hundreds of theaters nationally and internationally She has a Bachelor of Music degree and a Masters in Creative Arts in Therapy.
Regular
Specialties: Music Therapy
Divisions: Arts Therapy
Andreia received her Bachelor of Music from Ithaca College, where she was taught by both Philip Clark and Debra Moree, and Master of Music in String Pedagogy from Temple University, where she was a student of Helen Kwalwasser. She is a regular freelancer and has performed with numerous groups in Philadelphia and the surrounding communities over the years, including playing with the Philadelphia Classical Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Delaware Valley Philharmonic, Newtown Chamber Orchestra, Riverside Symphonia, and the Fairmount Chamber Ensemble. She is also an active chamber musician, with piano trios being her main love. Andreia has been a member of violin faculty at Settlement Music School since 1994, where she teaches private violin lessons in both Traditional and Suzuki methods, Suzuki group classes, and coaches chamber music; her passion being helping kids explore and develop their creative expression. She also serves as Suzuki Coordinator for all 6 of SMS’s branches.
Read Andreia’s #facultyfriday profile
Staff
Specialties: Violin, Viola, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Andy Thierauf is a Philadelphia-based percussionist and composer who specializes in the creation and performance of contemporary music. He is particularly interested in combining percussion with theater, dance, and technology. He has appeared in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Argentina, and across the Midwest at music festivals, conferences, and symposiums. Andy has performed at SEAMUS and PASIC on several occasions and is a member of the PAS Music Technology Committee. Andy is half of stb x at, a dance/percussion duo with dancer and choreographer Sean Thomas Boyt. The ensemble has performed at various universities, art galleries, and non-traditional venues across the Midwest and East coast. A native of Cincinnati, OH, Andy received his B.M. from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, his M.M. from The Ohio State University, and his D.M.A. degree in percussion performance and pedagogy at The University of Iowa under the direction of Dan Moore. He has studied percussion with Rusty Burge, Jim Culley, Allen Otte, Susan Powell and Joe Krygier, and composition with Tom Wells, Marc Ainger, Larry Fritts, and David Gompper.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Percussion, Music Technology
Divisions: Music
AnnaLisa Mariani has been serving on the faculty of Settlement Music School since 2008. She holds a Bachelor degree in Music Education from Westminster Choir College of Rider University (1996) as well as Orff-Shulwerk Certification from Villanova and University of the Arts (2010). Previously, she served on the staff of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, PA and Malmark, Inc. in Plumsteadville, PA. She is a member of the Abington Symphony Orchestra. Her interests include musical theater and costume design, and in her spare time, she is a competitive figure skater.
Staff
Specialties: Violin, Children's Music Workshop, Kaleidoscope Pre-K (Music), Suzuki
Divisions: Music, Early Childhood
Ardian Cani graduated from Academy of The Arts of Tirana, Albania, in 1975 with a University Diploma in violin performance. His teachers were Pieter Gaci and Eno Koco. Ardian played for Symphony Orchestra of National Theatre of Opera of Albania for four years. Then he taught violin and viola at “Onufri” magnet music school (K-12) and performed as a violin soloist and concertmaster of the Elbasan city symphony orchestra. He was the founder of the chamber orchestra “Albanian Inspiration” and acted as a conductor and soloist of this orchestra in Albania and other European countries. In 2001 Ardian and his family moved to Philadelphia. He pursued his music studies and graduated from Eastern University at St. David’s, Pensylvania in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s equivalency degree. His mentor was Dr. Bryan Edgett. In 2007 Ardian was certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Education and holds a license to teach music K-12 in PA. Since 2002 Ardian has worked as a full-time string teacher for the School District of Philadelphia, and since 2001 he has taught violin at Settlement Music School.
Regular
Specialties: Violin, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Becky Ruiz is a former Settlement Music School alum who studied with Claire Belkovsky. She earned a Bachelor in Music in Piano Pedagogy from Temple University. Major teachers include Charles Abramovic, Alexander Fiorillo, and Maria Taylor. Since graduation, Becky has worked as a church organist/pianist for Asbury United Methodist Church in New Jersey. She has also started and runs a private piano studio, and works as a preschool music teacher in South Philadelphia.
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Beiling Foss grew up in a musical family in Shanghai, China. Focusing on piano, she graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music then immigrated to the United States where she graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music as a student of Vitya Vronsky Babin. While a student, she accompanied the choral groups at the Cleveland School of the Arts, and accompanied several fellow students for their senior recitals. After graduation, Mrs. Foss started a private piano teaching practice in the Cleveland area that quickly grew to more than 30 students. She became a member of American College of Musicians/National Guild of Piano Teachers and the Cleveland Piano Teacher Association where her students constantly won prizes in the annual competitions. In 2008, she joined the faculty of the Solon Center for the Arts shortly after it opened. She relocated to Philadelphia in 2015 and joined the faculty of Settlement Music School. Mrs. Foss has extensive experience teaching piano and music theory that spans more than 25 years.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Benjamin Hoffmann received his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at Houghton College, Houghton, NY in 2008. He received his Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at Syracuse University in 2010. His principal studies have been with John Spradling, Dr. William John Newbrough and Dr. Fred Karpoff; he has also received lessons and master classes from Vladimir Feltsman, Jon-Kimura Parker and Ann Schein. He maintains an active schedule as an accompanist and collaborative performer in the Philadelphia area and is the staff accompanist at the Wynnefield branch of Settlement.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Beth Benson has been a member of Settlement Music School’s faculty since 1999. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance from Florida State University. Major teachers include Elizabeth Camus, Eric Ohlsson and Daniel Stolper. She performs with Newtown Chamber Orchestra and Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra and is an active freelancer on oboe, oboe d’amore and English horn. Beth also teaches for the Continuing Education program at Bucks County Community College and at the George School.
Staff
Specialties: Chamber Music, Oboe, Musicianship
Divisions: Music
Blythe has trained with The Rock School for Dance Education, Columbia City Ballet, Ballet Magnificat, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Atlantic City Ballet. Blythe was offered scholarships to attend Joffrey Ballet, Boston Conservatory, and SUNY Purchase. She attended The University of the Arts on scholarship and graduated with a BFA in Ballet Performance in 2004. She was offered a trainee position with Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, MS in 2005. Her performance credits include Regional and National Dance America Festivals and soloist roles in The Nutcracker, Paquita, Swan Lake, Les Sylphides, and The Sleeping Beauty, all performed at The Merriam Theater in Philadelphia, PA. Blythe was a member of Alchemy Dance Company for seven years and danced several performances of new work throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. She danced extensively in a touring Tina Turner Review show entitled Simply the Best for four years. Blythe was a member of Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble for five years in which she also choreographed for the company and taught on faculty for the Danse4Nia Conservatory. As a part of D4N she danced in performances such as Thelma Hill Dance Festival and Pentacle Dance Works. Blythe is a dancer with DanceSpora, under the direction of Heidi Cruz-Austin and Klassical Contemporary Ballet Company. She is also a guest performer with Meredith Stapleton Dance and Dr. Laura Katz. In the Summer of 2012, Blythe completed the Lester Horton Pedagogy Workshop at Alvin Ailey. Blythe graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Temple University in 2016. Her pas de deux, Pales in Comparison was chosen to be performed at the Koresh Come Together Festival. In January of 2015, Blythe had the opportunity to set a piece entitled, Watermark on Pennsylvania Ballet 2. It was commissioned specifically for the program One Book, One Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Public Library. She has also presented work in the Outlet Dance Project, ReasonsLegacy 2NY, KODeFe NYC, ETC Performance Series, and Act 1/Act 2. She is a dance instructor, choreographer, and coach for several studios throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania and has worked in the Philadelphia school system under the organization PAEP, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership. She has trained dancers to compete in YAGP that have gone on to perform in the finals in NYC. In the fall of 2017 Blythe joined the staff of The Settlement Music School Kaleidoscope program. In addition to teaching, Blythe has worked counseling young dancers for Ballet organizations including CPYB, Ballet Magnificat, and American Ballet Theater. Blythe is the Associate Artistic Director and founder of Magnolia Hill Studios: Art and Dance, a studio dedicated to sharing a love of the visual and performing arts with children. She has choreographed 10 full length Ballets for the studio. Blythe was a recipient of the Temple University Project Completion Grant to complete her MFA thesis concert and the Rose Veronica Choreography Award. On April 1, 2017 Blythe presented, UnShifting Shadows on her company, Blythe Contemporary Ballet. Blythe is an adjunct professor at Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University.
Artist Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (Dance)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Bonnie Hoffmann has been teaching at Settlement Music School since 2008, but her relationship with Settlement started many years prior. She studied piano at Settlement as a junior high and high school student with Arthur Judson Distinguished Faculty Chair Sandra Carlock. From there she went on to attend Houghton College (Houghton, NY) as the sole recipient of their Presidential scholarship. At Houghton she studied with Dr. William Newbrough, and she was selected to participate in Master Classes with both Leon Fleischer and Ann Schein. Bonnie graduated from Houghton in 2008, but an unfortunate diagnosis of Mid-carpal laxity prevented her from pursuing her Masters’ degree. She began teaching at Settlement in 2008 where she studied again with Sandra Carlock, both to continue her own piano studies but also to train in piano pedagogy. Because of her own struggle with injury, Bonnie is passionate about training her students in building an efficient technique which not only produces a rich, beautiful tone, but also prevents unnecessary strain in the hands and wrists.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Brendan Evans left his hometown of Rockport, Massachusetts at the age of 13, and has been playing and studying guitar with increasing intensity since then. Four years at Phillips Exeter Academy, where he studied with Bob Squires and Apostolos Paraskevas, led to to four years at the Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with Steve Aron, which led to two years at the San Francisco Conservatory, where he studied with David Tanenbaum. After graduating in 2008 from the SF Conservatory with a Master’s degree, Brendan went on to win prizes in eight consecutive competitions in the US and Canada, including 1st prizes in the Louisville and Rosario festivals. He plays on a guitar made by David Pace and has taught at Settlement Music School since 2009.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Guitar-Plectrum, Jazz Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Brian Bateman is a multidisciplinary vocalist and entertainer. Brian graduated from the Boston Conservatory in 2012, Cum Laude, with a BFA in Musical Theater and an emphasis in Directing. Brian’s theater credits include performances in Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Brian also works as a recording artist and background vocalist, he has performed his own show aboard Holland America Line. As an educator, Brian has directed theater for the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, the Boston Conservatory, Nazareth Academy Grade School and Settlement Music School’s Kaleidoscope + Arts After-School Program.
Administrative Assistant of Early Childhood Programming
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Plus
Divisions: Early Childhood
Brian Brown earned his Bachelor and Master degrees from the Juilliard School. His major teachers include Paul Krzywicki, Don Harry, Donald Harwood and Vincent Penzarella. He is currently principal tuba of the Philly Pops, Delaware Symphony Orchestra and The Stamford (Conn.) Symphony Orchestra. As an active freelance musician, Mr. Brown has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia, among others. He is the tuba player for NFL Films. He is a member of the Westminster Brass and the Rowan University Faculty Brass Quintet. Mr Brown is Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the College of New Jersey, Rowan University, and University of Delaware and instructor of tuba at Princeton University. Mr Brown has been a faculty member of the Settlement Music School since 1984.
Regular
Specialties: Trombone, Tuba, Baritone, Horn, Euphonium
Divisions: Music
Brian Osborne is a percussionist, sound artist, and educator who moved to Philadelphia in 2015 after more than a decade of active participation in New York City’s creative music scene, where he performed regularly at centers for new music such as: The Stone, Tonic, and Knitting Factory. Brian received his BM in Percussion Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, studying under James Massie Johnson, former principal timpanist of the St. Louis Symphony. Brian then moved to NYC, where he continued his studies for several years with master percussionist, free jazz legend, and polymath, Milford Graves. During this time, he also studied Javanese Gamelan Music through the Indonesian Consulate. Brian’s focus remains on performing and recording experimental and improvised music. He performs regularly across the US and Europe and has over twenty released recordings to date.
Regular
Specialties: Percussion
Divisions: Music
Carissa Sandy is a Head Teacher for the Kaleidoscope Pre-school Arts Enrichment Program. She has worked for Settlement Music School for 10 years. Carissa started her career in Early Childhood Education as an Assistant Teacher working in a head start program in Philadelphia. That opportunity led her to finish her Early Childhood degree. Carissa has a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern University and is currently working on her Master’s Degree certification in Pre-K-Early Elementary Education. Carissa loves working with children and her goal is to always provide a safe and fun environment for her students, which allows them to experience learning through play that will leave them confident and excited to come to school.
Head Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 2)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Carla (Chana) Crawford holds a Bachelor of Music from The Boston Conservatory with an emphasis in voice, a Master of Music degree with an emphasis in opera performance, and she is currently completing her Master of Music Therapy degree from Temple University. Ms. Crawford has had clinical training at Shriners Hospital for Children, HMS School for Cerebral Palsy, Wissahickon Hospice and the Kirkbride Center, all located in the Philadelphia area. During her internship at the Kirkbride Center, Chana conducted both group and individual music therapy sessions with clients who have co-occurring disorders. Upon completion of her internship from the Kirkbride Center, Chana began working professionally at the Settlement Music School and is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the team. Chana is committed to providing each client with individual attention and looks forward to empowering her clients to achieve their goals!
Regular
Specialties: Music Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
In retirement from full-time teaching, Caroline Davidson has enjoyed the collegiality of working as an accompanist for Settlement Music School’s Gleeksman-Kohn Children’s Choir for many years, alongside its dedicated director, a team of accompanists, and an endless number of talented and enthusiastic students. She is also an ardent amateur chamber musician on the viola. Her love of children, people, and music are fulfilled by her current position at Settlement, which reflects her ideals of community, love of music-making, and the satisfaction of bringing this aesthetic to generations of students. Caroline served as an elementary music teacher at Germantown Friends School from 1977 – 2008 and also served as a recorder instructor at Settlement Music School. She received her BM from University of London, was a graduate from the Royal Academy of Music in piano performance and violin pedagogy, and earned her MM in Musicology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Regular
Specialties: Children's Choir
Divisions: Music
Carolyn Ellman, cellist, has a great variety of musical experience including symphony, opera, chamber music, television and theater. She has provided solo cello incidental music for local productions of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and Arthur Miller’s “Broken Glass” and has presented many recitals with pianist (and fellow Settlement Music School faculty member) David Shunskis. During the four years she was cellist with the Serafin String Quartet, the quartet made its debut with a concert in Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, playing there the following season as well and featuring works by local composers on both programs. While living in France and Switzerland, she performed in master classes offered by Gregor Piatagorsky and Maurice Gendron. While performing in Geneva, Neuchâtel and Lausanne she had the opportunity to play Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s opera “Le Devin du Village”.
Here in the Philadelphia area, she is a long-time member of the Delaware Symphony and has played in many other local groups.
At Boston University she earned her Bachelor of Music degree studying with Leslie Parnas. Chamber music coaches included Eugene Lehner at B.U. and also Raphael Bronstein and Michael Tree at Kneisel Hall. Other special programs in which she participated included the Congress of Strings, the Music Academy of the West and the Institute for Advanced Musical Studies.
Of all her many pursuits, Carolyn is particularly proud of her more than twenty-five year association with the Settlement Music School!
Regular
Specialties: Cello
Divisions: Music
Caryn began working as a music therapist at Settlement Music School in 2014 after 12 years at Kardon Institute for Arts Therapy, including 9 years as a full-time clinician. She has experience working with a range of clients including people with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, Alzheimer’s, dementia, mental illnesses and autism spectrum disorders. Caryn developed and continues to manage the therapeutic rock band to better meet the social, emotional and musical needs of several clients. Part of Caryn’s weekly schedule is spent at the off-site partnership with Widener Memorial School. She also supervises Master’s level students from Drexel University’s Creative Arts in Therapy Program. Prior to her work as a music therapist, Caryn was employed as a private school music educator and freelance horn player. Caryn’s education includes a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from James Madison University, a Master of Music in Horn Performance from Florida State University, a Master of Arts from the Hahnemann Creative Arts in Therapy Program at Drexel University and certification as a Neurological Music Therapist. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in PA.
Staff
Specialties: Music Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
Christian Gabriel Noguera is a percussionist and teaching artist, focused on folklore and popular music from Latin America. He was born in Misiones, Argentina. At the age of 13, he started playing percussion in Posadas, a city heavily influenced by music from the tri-border region of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. At that time, he also started studying percussion with his first mentor, Daniel ”Ichu” Castillo. In 2003, he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he studied at the Music School of Buenos Aires (EMBA). In 2009, after receiving his degree from EMBA, Christian moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since 2010, Christian has taught percussion at AMLA (Artístas y Músicos Latino Americanos), working with middle and high school students, as well as adults in the Latin community. He also currently teaches at the University of Pennsylvania’s African Rhythms program, as well as at Settlement Music School. He and Venezuelan artist Andrés Cisneros co-founded TIMBALONA in 2010, a percussion collective whose mission is to spread the message of unity through the drums. Christian performs throughout the city and the surrounding area presenting work at venues such as the Kimmel Center, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, the Painted Bride Art Center, the Temple Performing Arts Center, Longwood Gardens, and more.
Regular
Specialties: Percussion
Divisions: Music
Christine Danoff’s principal teachers were Charles Wendt (University of Iowa), William Stokking (Philadelphia Orchestra), and Orlando Cole (New School of Music). She also studied violin and chamber music with Edgar Ortenberg (Budapest Quartet), and chamber music with Roman Totenberg, William Kroll, and members of the Stradivari and Colorado Quartets. Christine was runner-up in the National Federation of Music Clubs national competition, cello division, and Associate Fellow at the Berkshire Music Center, Tanglewood. She was also Principal cellist with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. She is currently a member of the Danoff String Quartet and a freelance performer in the Philadelphia area. A child of music educators, she began teaching at age 18 as an adjunct instructor for the Des Moines Public Schools. She has taught class cello in four Philadelphia Archdiocese high schools. She is proud to have the opportunity to share the gift of music with students of all ages, abilities and playing levels in a community music school setting.
Staff
Specialties: Cello, Chamber Music
Divisions: Music
B.M., M.M, violin performance, Peabody Institute. Christof furthered his studies at the Konservatorium der Stadt Wien and has participated in the Taos Chamber Music Festival, New England Bach Festival, Baroque Performance Institute at Oberlin, and the Institut fur Musik und Kirche, Bressanone, Italy. A frequent performer in the Baltimore-Washington area, Mr. Richter also regularly returns to his native Colombia as Artistic Director of the Festival Internacional de Música Barroca de Barichara, for recitals, concerto appearances and master classes. He has performed with the Washington Bach Consort, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, The Delaware Symphony, Folger Consort, Brandywine Baroque, Philomel, Opera Lafayette, Public Musick of Rochester, Pro Musica Rara of Baltimore and the Four Nations Ensemble of New York. Currently Mr. Richter is a regular substitute player with the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, concertmaster of the Handel Choir of Baltimore Period Instrument Orchestra, a member of Tempesta di Mare in Philadelphia and of Melomanie in Wilmington as well as artistic director of La Rocinante Baroque Ensemble.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Chamber Music, Violin
Divisions: Music
Chrysyn Harp is an international chamber and orchestral violist performing in Switzerland, Germany, France, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden. After studying with Charles Forbes at Settlement Music School, she received her Bachelor’s Degree from the Mannes College of Music, where she studied with Lillian Fuchs and Karen Ritscher, and her Master’s of Fine Arts Degree from the State University of New York at Purchase, where she was a graduate fellow and student of Ira Weller. While studying at Yale University, Ms. Harp received her Master’s of Music Degree where she was the teaching and faculty assistant to Jesse Levine. Ms. Harp began her teaching career under the tutelage of Roberta Gaspari of the East Harlem Violin Program, and later taught in the School District of Philadelphia and founded the music department for the Academy at Palumbo High School where she was the choir, orchestra conductor and head of the music department. As an avid orchestral player, she has performed with any orchestras including the Norwalk Symphony, New Haven Symphony, Waterbury Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Classical Symphony and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra.
Regular
Specialties: Viola, Violin, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Colleen is a Philadelphia based artist and art educator at Kaleidoscope’s pre-k program in Germantown. She has led Family Arts Academy & taught various aged summer camps at The Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art. Throughout the years, she has worked to organize student art shows in collaboration with a local businesses such as Fishtown’s “Pizza Brain” and has had her own fiber arts and ceramic pieces featured in shows at Tyler School of Art. Her teaching style focuses on drawing inspiration from contemporary and diverse artist and tends to be centered around choice based activities and collaborative artworks. Colleen received a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Tyler School of Art.
Artist Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (Art)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Craig Renoe joined Settlement Music School’s faculty in 2018. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Theory/Composition from Westminster Choir College and his Masters in Piano Performance from CUNY Brooklyn College, graduating with highest honors. He has studied piano privately with Romanian pianist Georgiana Rosca since 2007 and is the recipient of many scholarships and awards. Craig enjoys performing, teaching, and studying the great works of the piano repertoire, especially those of Chopin, Bach, and Beethoven. He currently serves as the accompanist of Hope Presbyterian Church.
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Dana K. Fiero has been teaching for The Music Education Pathways Program since 2016. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Vocal Music from Westminster Choir College and a Masters Degree in Music Education from Temple University where she focused on Vocal Development and Culturally Responsive Teaching. She teaches K-8 music full time for the school district of Philadelphia. She regularly performs with Singing City, PhilHarmonia and the Amici Opera Company as well as playing folk guitar and ukulele and performing original music.
Specialties: Music Education Pathways, Choir
Divisions: Music
Philadelphia native Dana D. Jackson began her career in early childhood education in 1994 through volunteering at the Parent Infant Center. This experience led her to take classes at the Community College of Philadelphia, where she obtained an Associates degree in Elementary Education. After graduating from CCP, she attended Saint Joseph’s University, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2000. She taught for five years at Educare Learning Center, then taught Kindergarten in the Philadelphia School District starting in 2004. Her love for the Early Childhood field led her to Settlement Music School, where her goal as a lead pre-school teacher is to provide a safe, healthy, fun, and inviting environment in which every child is able to experience new things through play, building healthy relationships, and feeling proud of who they are.
Head Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 5)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Violinist/violist Daniel Elyar has been performing and teaching throughout the Delaware Valley region for ten years. After completing his Master’s in Baroque Performance Practice at the Royal Conservatory in the Hague, he relocated to Philadelphia and began teaching in the area and, following that, at Settlement Music School. He specializes in the Suzuki Method training and early aged instruction, but has really enjoyed the variety of other ages and backgrounds of students that Settlement naturally offers. Daniel Elyar has been at Settlement since 2003 and enjoys the challenge of teaching a full schedule there as well as actively performing and recording in Baroque music ensembles in NYC and up and down the East Coast.
Staff
Specialties: Violin, Viola, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Daniella Brown started her dance career at age 4 when she began taking classes under Kimberly Norrington in Springfield, Massachusetts. Daniella is trained in Frank Hatchett’s VOP Jazz dance style along with Ballet, Tap, Modern, African and Hip-Hop. Daniella founded Uzuri Dance Company at Temple University in 2013 and has traveled to India and Nicaragua studying dance as a spiritual/therapeutic healing art. Daniella became Settlement Music School’s Kaleidoscope Preschool Creative Movement Instructor at the Germantown Branch in 2015 and also teaches Jazz dance classes with Settlement Music School programs. While working towards her M.S in Dance/Movement Therapy from Pratt Institute, Daniella has experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, youth in treatment foster care and autism spectrum disorder. Daniella continues to dance and perform professionally throughout Pennsylvania and the tri-state area.
Regular
Specialties: Dance/Movement Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
David Shunskis is a pianist who is very active as a soloist, chamber musician, accompanist, and teacher. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Temple University in piano performance and music theory. His principal teacher was the late Vladimir Sokoloff of the Curtis Institute with whom he studied for over 10 years. He has also studied with Donn-Alexandre Feder, Orlando Cole, Edgar Ortenberg and Tana Bawden. Mr. Shunskis has taught at Settlement Music School for 40 years, where he also regularly presents recitals and children’s concerts. He is also Music Director and Organist of Trinity Memorial Church in Center City Philadelphia where he has conducted Fauré’s Requiem, Gounod’s St. Cecilia Mass and Stabat Mater. In 2011, as part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts Mr. Shunskis played at the Kimmel Center as well as several times on the Jacob’s Music Noonday Recital Series at the Kimmel.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
David Giles graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy (where he spent his last two years of high school) and then went on to Indiana University, where he studied viola with David Dawson and Abraham Skernick, and chamber music with Fritz Magg and Georgy Sebok. From 1979-1982 he was a member of The Florida Orchestra, playing co-principal viola for the 1980-1981 season. While there, he became a founding member of Tampa Musica Viva Chamber Players, whose NPR and PBS performances, as well as those at the University of Tampa and in St. Petersburg, received critical and audience acclaim. A Philadelphian for more than 25 years, David’s work has included performances with Pennsylvania Pro Musica, Orchestra 2001, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, and Choral Arts Philadelphia, among many others. He has performed in premieres of works by Rands, Fekete, Schnittke and others. He maintains an active studio, teaching privately and at Philadelphia’s venerable Settlement Music School.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Violin, Viola
Divisions: Music
David Socha has been working with students teaching theater for over 15 years and is thrilled to be going on his second year of the Settlement team. He earned his Bachelors of Arts from University of California, Santa Cruz and his Masters of Arts in Drama Therapy from New York University. During the week, David is the 9th grade school counselor at Olney Charter High School. Most importantly, in his spare time he can be found reading up on his favorite superheroes and hanging out with his wife, his daughter Mirabelle and his dog Winnie.
Regular
Specialties: Theater
Divisions: Creative Arts Therapy
Diane Goldsmith is a pianist who is much in demand as a solo recitalist, chamber musician and vocal accompanist. Winner of the Mason & Hamlin Competition, she regularly performs on regional arts series at cultural centers and colleges. Diane holds a master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music and pursued her studies in chamber music, art song and opera at the Music Academy of the West. She did additional piano study with Gary Graffman. Diane has been a music critic and arts editor at major newspapers and also served as staff accompanist working with singers at Westminster Choir College. Her vocal trio, Follow the Drinking Gourd – named for the song used to guide slaves to freedom – and her chamber ensemble perform programs Diane develops, using music, narrative and images. With 20 years’ experience teaching, Diane takes special pride in bringing out the best in students by tailoring her approach to each student’s individual learning style, ability and musical interests.
Staff
Specialties: Piano, Musicianship
Divisions: Music
Ann Stookey and Joseph W. Waz, Jr. Distinguished Faculty Chair
Dolly Krasnopolsky was born in the USSR and graduated from Moldova State Conservatory in Kishinev with a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Performing, Accompaniment, Education. Dolly has also had further training at the Moscow State Pedagogical University and at the Lithuanian State Conservatory, now known as The Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. She was awarded the gold medal for Best Teacher in USSR for her outstanding work for preparing students. Many of Dolly’s students have gone on to win numerous competitions and awards. She earned her PhD in the study of Bach from the State University of Vilnius. Dolly arrived in Philadelphia in 1989 and began work as a faculty member at Settlement Music School. In 2012, Settlement awarded her with the Schoenberg Award for Teaching Excellence. Since then, many of her students have graduated from prestigious universities and have pursued music careers. Such notable students of hers is Quiara Alegría Hudes, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Douglas J Tester, a native of Philadelphia holds a Bachelor of music from The Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts and a Master of Music from the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford. A frequent recitalist throughout the east coast, he has also concertized in Wisconsin and California. For fifty-one years he has served as organist and choir director for various main line Christian religions. Currently Mr. Tester is organist and choir director at St. Paul’s UMC in Warrington, PA and organist, pianist and accompanist at St. James School in Philadelphia. Some of his teachers include Dr. James E Hoy, organ, Audrey Tester, piano, Jodi Kidwell, voice.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Drew Gaunce is a professional upright and electric bass player from Philadelphia, as well as a passionate educator. He started playing electric bass at the age of 10 playing in different rock/r&b bands around Philadelphia, and upright bass at the age of 14. For high school He attended the Arts Academy At Benjamin rush where he was trained in classical and jazz music. Drew knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of his life so he went onto receive a degree in jazz performance from Temple University, under the direction of David Wong, and Madison Rast. At temple Drew has been able to play gigs with some of the top musicians of our time such as Terell Stafford, Tim Warfield, Bruce Barth, Larry Mckenna and many more. Drew He has also been the bass player for Americas Got Talent Winner Bianca Ryan for the last three years. After his time at Temple Drew has went on to play Broadway shows such as “Home For The Holidays” at the prestigious August Wilson Theatre featuring Bianca Ryan, American Idol winner Candice Glover, Winner of The Voice Josh Kaufman, YouTube Sensation Peter Hollens, and Oscar Nominated actor Danny Aiello. Drew currently plays many different gigs in and around Philadelphia, as well as teaches. He is currently working on his first educational music book, and other projects. He is excited for what the future holds.
Regular
Specialties: Double Bass, Electric Bass
Divisions: Music
Ed Contaldi received a Bachelor of Science in Special, Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy from Temple University. He is a certified Music Therapist and a Special Education Teacher. He is a special education teacher at Holy Merciful Savior School for Children with Cerebral Palsy and provides individual music therapy at the Kardon Northeast branch. Ed specializes in the use of computer technology to enhance our clients’ self-expression through music.
Regular
Specialties: Music Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
Edward is a pianist/composer from the Dominican Republic. He received his early music education at The Fine Arts School in his hometown, San Francisco de Macorís, and continued at the National Conservatory of Music in Santo Domingo. Edwards was trained in classical and Afro-Caribbean piano as well as Dominican folkloric percussion, Harmony, and Latin American Orchestration. Upon moving to Philadelphia he attended the University of The Arts where he studied with AJ Luca, Tom Lawton, Norman David, Ron Kerber, Tony Micheli, Rick Hall, Arturo Stable, and Randy Kapralick among others. Edward graduated with a B.M. in Jazz Studies and a minor concentration in Music Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology. While at UArts, Edward performed with various ensembles including The Sound of Philadelphia, Salsa, and Standard Times. Adding to that, he had the honor to write original music for the Rick Kerber Tribute ensemble, and has also performed as a choral singer with the Philly Pops and the UArts choir, directed by Jeff Kern. Edward is currently the keyboard player for two Latin American bands based in Philadelphia. One of his goals is to use music as a bridge to unite cultures.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Clarinet study: A. Dell’osa, R. Schmidt, C. Turner, G. Rowe, A. Gigliotti, B. Portnoy, G. Mecoli. Sax study: V. Trombetta, H. Karabell. Flute study: J. Walker, F. Versaci, J. Kvell. Oboe study: S. Simon. Graduate of University of the Arts with Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education. Military Service with USMA Band. Glenn Miller Orchestra, Phil Giordano Jazz Orchestra, City Rhythm Orchestra, Philly Pops, many musical shows at various theaters. Opera Company of Philadelphia, extra saxophonist with Philadelphia Orchestra, Reading Symphony, Delaware Symphony Orchestra.
Regular
Specialties: Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone
Divisions: Music
A McBride Scholar and Bryn Mawr College Alum, Eileen Liebowitz has taught both piano and mixed ensemble at Settlement Music School for over four decades. A protégée of pianists Charles Engel and the legendary Natalie Hinderas, she also studied violin with Lillian Cinberg and counterpoint with Walter Burle Marx. As a frequent travelling companion of Natalie Hinderas, she often served as an additional set of eyes and ears for Hinderas, whether in rehearsal or at performance, in a role that afforded her unparalleled opportunities for the close observation of countless musicians: a notable array of prominent conductors, a diversity of solo and chamber artists, some of the most exuberant and accomplished black classical composers extant after the Harlem Renaissance, and at the colleges, an endlessly interesting assortment of academics.
One of the very first Settlement mainstream teachers to contribute to the school’s groundbreaking Manual for the teaching of children with disabilities and to thereby participate, as it were, in its concurrent founding of the Kardon Institute, Eileen Liebowitz quickly found herself inspired by and inspiring to a whole new set of students.
Undoubtedly, music is central to her existence, but an entire panoply of the arts is indispensable to Eileen Liebowitz as well. She has won prizes for poetry in several national competitions, collects museum-quality art, haunts film and film courses at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute; and while she would never wish her Steinway to lie too far beyond her ken, a well-stocked library, warm in winter and cool in summer, seems to represent the very essence of joy.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Elizabeth Nardone teaches music for Settlement and for the Community Partnership School in Philadelphia. At Settlement, Elizabeth conducts the Beginning and Junior orchestras for the MEP programs at Pastorius and Thomas Holme Elementary Schools. She also conducts the Junior and Intermediate Orchestras at the Germantown Branch and the Intermediate Orchestra at the MLC Branch. Elizabeth most recently earned her Masters of Music Education from Temple University in May 2018. She also has a Masters in Suzuki Cello Pedagogy from the University of Denver and received her undergraduate degree in cello performance from the University of South Carolina. When she is not teaching, Elizabeth enjoys running, reading, and gardening. She also loves to climb mountains in Colorado every summer.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Cello, Music Education Pathways, Suzuki, String Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Elizabeth Robbins is currently a PhD student in music education at Temple University. Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education at Ithaca College in 2010. After completing her undergraduate degree, Elizabeth moved to southern Maryland, where she taught pre-k through fifth grade band, strings, chorus, and general music for four years at St. Mary’s County Public Schools. While in Maryland, she earned her Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University. In 2010 she played Griffes’s Poem for Flute and Orchestra with the Chamber Orchestra of Southern Maryland In Concert as the winner of the COSMIC Young Artist Competition. She also taught private lessons in flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, viola, and cello at MEA Music Service. She now teaches group viola classes at Settlement, and is a Teaching Assistant in the music education department at Temple.
Specialties: Music Education Pathways
Divisions: Music
Ellen Alpern previously was a member of the Settlement Music School faculty for nine years and is thrilled to rejoin the Settlement community after moving into the Queen Village neighborhood. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from West Chester University and her Master of Music in Piano Performance from The Catholic University of America. Her teachers included Benjamin Whitten, Donna McHugh, Alexander Fiorillo, and William Masselos. Ellen has taught and performed extensively in the region, including many solo recitals at the Camp Hill Communities as well as playing for their theater and opera productions. A more recent passion has been the hosting of music salons in her home, providing an opportunity to hear a wide range of musicians and musical styles.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Emiko Edwards earned her Bachelors of Music in Performance from The Juilliard School and her Masters of Performance and Artist Diploma from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Ms. Edwards is currently based in Philadelphia where she is a Graduate Teaching Assistant and doctoral candidate at Temple University. Major teachers include Julian Martin, Ronan O’ Hora, Dr. Sara Davis Buechner, and Dr. Charles Abramovic. In addition to her principle study in London, she worked closely with Nelly Ben-Or (the first pianist to ever qualify as an Alexander teacher), studying the in-depth relationship between piano playing and the Alexander Technique. Ms. Edwards has been featured in performances at Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall), Merkin Concert Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Milton Court Concert Hall, and the Yamaha Salon. Her performances of Gorecki’s Piano Sonata and Four Preludes as well as Richard Rodney Bennett’s Noctuary: Variations on a Theme by Scott Joplin have all been recorded live for BBC and broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Emily Larkin is a Board Certified Art Therapist and graduate of Drexel University’s Creative Arts Therapy Master’s program. She currently provides therapeutic art groups to families residing at Philadelphia’s Ronald McDonald House, while also working full time as the Assistant Director of Adjunctive Therapies at a local Psychiatric Hospital. She encourages patients to use art making as a form of self-expression as well as a non-verbal means of creating deeper connection with the self ; all of which serves to build the larger community. Emily studied Hatha Yoga in Dharamsala, India and incorporates mindfulness, meditation, and grounding in her art therapy practice. Increasing the mind-body connection through art making invites participants to tune in to the physical cues related to emotions such as anxiety and depression. Emily is passionate about approaching creating art as an exploratory process in which each person holds the ability to create their own unique and meaningful path.
Regular
Specialties: Art Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
Erica Zimmer’s choral journey started in her hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana. For 10 years, Erica was a member of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir where she traveled to Italy, England, Germany and all over the United States performing under the direction of Henry Leck. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Music degree from Miami University in Choral Education and Vocal Performance and a Master of Music degree from Florida State University in Vocal Performance. She has also studied at the Luxembourg Conservatory of Music. She completed young artists training programs with Opera Memphis, Kentucky Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera and Aspen Opera Theater. Erica continues to be an active opera and musical theater performer across the country, having received accolades for roles such as Marie in La Fille du Régiment, Eurydice in Orpheus in the Underworld, Despina in Così fan tutte. Erica also teaches private voice and piano lesson at the Malvern School of Music in Malvern, Pennsylvania. She is thrilled to be working as part of the Music Education Pathways program and sharing her love of choral singing with the students of Philadelphia.
Specialties: Music Education Pathways
Divisions: Music
Erika Gingery earned her Masters of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy from Texas Christian University under the instruction of Dr. Ann Gipson. Erika has taught beginner through advanced levels of piano to children and adults in private and group lesson settings since 2011, but she has also maintained an active performance schedule. During graduate school, she accompanied student recitals and performed as pianist with the TCU Wind Symphony. In 2014 Erika graduated with her Bachelors of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Bob Jones University, where she also performed with the Bob Jones University Symphonic Wind Band as a percussionist. Erika is actively teaching and is involved in accompanying and performing. She is a current MTNA member and desires to share her love for music with her students at Settlement Music School.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
As a Philadelphia native, Erin Ruggiero began her dance career at the age of 4 when she began taking ballet classes at Settlement Music School under the direction of Olga Blumenkrants. She went on to study dance education at DeSales University where she had the opportunity to study with various guest artists from around the world. Since receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Dance in 2001 she has been a featured dancer for Vada Dance Collective, a Philadelphia-based modern dance company. She has been teaching ballet and modern technique for 13 years in the Philadelphia and Bucks County area. Her choreography has been showcased at local and regional dance competitions. She excited to be teaching at Settlement Music School where it all began for her.
Regular
Specialties:
Divisions: Dance
Eugene has taught Piano and Music Theory Instructor at Settlement Music School since 2000. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education with Piano Concentration from Temple University, Esther Boyer College of Music. In addition to teaching Piano, Music Theory, and Choral Accompaniment, he has also played with a premier entertainment company – EBE, Events Beyond Expectations – for the past ten years.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Piano, Musicianship
Divisions: Music
Eujin Bodek received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Piano Pedagogy at Temple University where she studied with Marian Filar and Charles Abramovic. She received a Master’s Degree in Science in Instructional Media at West Chester University. She also earned Suzuki Piano and Orff-Schulwerk Workshop Certificates. For over 20 years, Mrs. Bodek has been teaching piano and music classes at several local preschools and also at her family’s music school. She taught Traditional and Suzuki methods for piano and the Children’s Music Workshop at Settlement Music School and served as music teacher in the Kaleidoscope Pre-K Arts Enrichment Program from 1990 to 1996; she returned to Settlement’s faculty in 2013. She uses different pedagogical strategies to emphasize reading skills, basic theory, hand positions, and finger techniques with her students. Mrs. Bodek loves hiking with her husband and two children.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Piano, Children's Music Workshop, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Evan Kilgore is a graduate of the University of the Arts where he received his B.A in saxophone performance. He has had the privilege of studying with Anthony Salicandro, Chris Farr, Mark Allen, Joel Frahm and Larry McKenna. Evan previously taught jazz and classical saxophone as well as clarinet at the Conservatory of the Arts. Evan is an active freelance musician in the Philadelphia area where he performs various styles including jazz, funk, R&B, and fusion. Evan’s versatility and natural pedagogical understanding of teaching help give his students the tools needed to excel in both music and life.
Regular
Specialties: Clarinet, Saxophone, Jazz Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Felecia Williamson is an Assistant Teacher at Settlement Music School’s Kaleidoscope Pre-K program. She has a Child Development Associate accreditation. After having three children of her own, she fell into the field of early childhood education by a fluke opportunity in 2003. She realized from day one that she wanted to do nothing else and began to take classes and trainings to obtain the knowledge and skills to become a better teacher and co-worker and to continue to improve as a person both in and out of the classroom. She loves working at Settlement Music School and the Kaleidoscope program because it has allowed her to come in contact with so many families from all walks of life. She has never worked alongside people who were so compassionate and focused on their work.
Assistant Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 3)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Fran Berge performs widely on both historical and modern instruments. She is a member of Tempesta di Mare and the Phoenix Ensemble and she performs frequently with the Fairmount Chamber Ensemble, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Opera Company of Philadelphia, Orchestra 2001, Melomanie, the Washington Bach Consort and the Carmel Bach Festival. Fran studied at the U. of Michigan, Northwestern U., and Temple U; also with violist, Karen Tuttle, and with Baroque violinists, Marilyn McDonald, Stanley Ritchie and Elizabeth Wallfisch. Through the EEFC and on the Greek island of Naxos, she has also learned a considerable repertoire of Romanian and Greek folk music by ear. She loves to teach and to coach chamber music at all levels, which she does at Haverford College and Germantown Friends School as well as SMS. When not playing music, Fran likes to be out kayaking in the Pine Barrens or camping in the mountains.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Chamber Music, Violin, Viola
Divisions: Music
Gail has many years of experience working in an early childhood setting. She has decided to make early learning part of her life’s work because she believes a child’s education is the most valuable thing in the world. Knowledge is power and she recognizes that the earlier it begins, the better for the child. Gail has been employed with Settlement Music School since 2008 and she truly feels that this is her second home. She believes that some of the most important skills to have when working with little children is patience, flexibility and love. She is also thrilled to have obtained her teacher aid diploma, CDA and my associates degree in Early Childhood Education.
Assistant Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 4)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Gavin McCauley is an in demand drummer and percussionist based out of Philadelphia, PA. He maintains a busy schedule performing all over Philadelphia and surrounding east coast cities. Gavin has performed with many notable musicians including Larry McKenna, Grant Stewart, John Swana, Steve Giordano, Denis Diblasio, George Rabbai, and Behn Gillece. In addition to performing, McCauley also has a strong passion for teaching. He is on the faculty at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia and Rowan Prep at Rowan University where he teaches private students and ensembles. Gavin holds undergraduate degrees in Jazz Performance and Music Education from Rowan University.
Regular
Specialties: Percussion, Jazz Ensemble, Music Education Pathways
Divisions: Music
Glenn I. Stanford is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music with a B.A. in music education and an M.A. in elementary education from the then-Glassboro State College. A faculty member of the Settlement Music School saxophone staff for over 35 years, Mr. Stanford also has 37 years of public school instrument music teaching experience in the Camden City Public Schools. He has had many rich and varied performance experiences in classical, jazz, gospel and musical theater settings on the saxophone, clarinet and flute throughout his career. His primary approach to teaching is to foster and develop those skills that lead to a level of command of the instrument. With that command and appropriate stylistic knowledge, the student will be able to indulge in any kind of music that he or she desires.
Regular
Specialties: Clarinet, Saxophone
Divisions: Music
Gregory Tsafos attended High school from 2001-2005 at Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). He attended undergrad at Temple University where he received a degree in Music Performance with a Tuba Concentration in 2011. He attended University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) where he received his Masters in Music Performance in 2014.
He began his teaching career as a Teaching Assistant with the UCLA Wind Ensemble as well as the UCLA Bruin Marching Band. When returning to Philadelphia, He was offered a position at Settlement Music School where he teaches Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone and Tuba. He is also a teacher for weekend music programs geared toward teaching 3-8 year olds music and rhythm at Settlement Music School.
Some past teaching experiences have been teaching at Father Judge High school for 1 year as the Band Director as well as music outreach at Carnell Elementary, Hardy Williams Elementary and Lee Elementary as the brass teacher for after school programs. He also has worked offsite for Settlement at Hardy Williams High School as the Band Director as well as off-site with after school programs where he teaches Brass. He has also worked at several camps during summer break as a general music teacher. Such camps include the band camp at Ridley Park High School teaching the Low Brass, the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) where he taught young students the basics of music and rhythm in Camden New Jersey, as well as a summer program at Carnell Elementary.
Currently, Gregory is a Performer with the Philadelphia Wind Symphony as a member of the Tuba Section.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Music Education Pathways, Baritone/Horn/Euphonium, French Horn, Children's Music Playshop, Children's Music Workshop
Divisions: Music
Guy West has been performing classical and flamenco guitar for over twenty-five years and has been teaching for over twenty years. His instruction primarily focuses on classical and flamenco styles and he enjoys teaching beginning to advanced students anything from Bach to bulerias.
After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Guitar Performance from Xavier University of Louisiana, Guy went on to obtain his Masters under Celin Romero from San Diego State University. It was during this time that he had the incredible opportunity to receive a private lesson with the legendary Maestro, Celedonio Romero. Masterclasses he has participated in include Pepe Romero, Jorge Morel and Adam Holzman. Guy has also studied flamenco guitar with Paco Sevilla and has researched the topic extensively.
Guy has been teaching at Settlement Music School since 2003 and currently performs as a soloist and flamenco accompanist.
Regular
Specialties: Classic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar-Plectrum, Acoustic Guitar
Divisions: Music
A graduate from Tokyo University in Japan with BA in Economics, Sato completed her Master of Music in piano performance at the University of the Arts under Susan Starr and Marina Grin. She performed with various instruments and singers at the Academy of Community Music, Temple Music Prep, Wilmington Music school, as well as events of National Federation of Music Clubs. In pedagogy, Sato received the certificates from Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) for the completion of pedagogical seminars from Book 1 through 5 under Joan Krzywicki and Dr. Ray Landers. Sato has had the rare opportunity to observe legendary pedagogue Dorothy DeLay at Aspen Music Festival and School for 7 years. Aside from music, Sato holds Diplomas in Color Therapy and Aroma Therapy through the School of Natural Sciences in London.
Staff
Specialties: Piano, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Ian Sadock is an award-winning pianist and jazz composer from Philadelphia with unique research interests in the mechanics of improvised music, maintaining an active and expanding studio of piano and music theory students. With headline performances at world-class venues, such as the Kimmel Center, TIME, Chris’s Jazz Cafe, Sadock’s musical perspective is refreshing and innovative. His education included private study under John Swana, Dr. Theresa Klinefelter and Peter Paulsen at West Chester University, Don Glanden at The University of the Arts, Dr. Igor Resniaski and David Dzubinski at the Nelly Berman School of Music, and Arturo O’Farrill, amongst others. He holds a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from The University of the Arts, as well as a bachelor’s of music in Piano Performance with a concentration in Jazz from West Chester University. Honors and awards include two Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Residencies, the Michael Falcone Jazz Scholarship and the Alta M. Ketner Outstanding Incoming Freshman Scholarship, Graduate Assistantship under The University of the Arts, and First Place in Nelly Berman 25th Anniversary Golden Key Competition.
Regular
Specialties: Piano, Jazz Piano
Divisions: Music
Ilya Ovrutsky is a graduate of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow with a master’s degree in flute/piccolo performance and received his bachelor’s degree from the R. Glier Kyiv Institute of Music. Mr. Ovrutsky has performed extensively around the world as a member of Symphony Orchestra of The Moscow Bolshoi Theater, and of the former USSR State Symphony Orchestra under direction of E. Svetlanov. He has performed in the major concert halls of Russia, USA, Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia, and South America under the baton of world renowned conductors including V. Gergiev, M. Jansons, P. Kogan, A. Lazarev, A. Litton, K. Mazur, G. Rozhdestvenski, Y. Simonov, Y. Temirkanov, A. Zhuraitis, and others. In the United States, Mr. Ovrutsky has appeared in Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall in New York, The Academy of Music in Philadelphia, and other top halls of the major cities.
A dedicated flute teacher since arriving in the United States in 1992, Mr. Ovrutsky has been teaching at Settlement Music School since 1993 and at the Main Line Music Academy since 2004.
Mr. Ovrutsky has created his own unique method of teaching kids ages 5 and younger, and has been using it successfully for many years. Among his graduate and his current students are winners of local and regional competitions, and worldwide concert performers. Mr. Ovrutsky’s students have been named top prize winners at the American Fine Art Festival (AFAF), and have repeatedly been First Prize winners at the Tri-County Competition as well as competitions of the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Flute
Divisions: Music
Inna Nedorezov, violin, was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. She received her Master’s Degree from the St. Petersburg State Conservatory and was a member of the St. Petersburg Opera and Symphony Orchestra, and performed with St. Petersburg Philharmonic. After her emigration to the United States, she became the Concertmaster of the Windsor Symphony in Ontario, Canada; the first violinist of the Cambini Quartet and a solo recitalist. Currently, she is a highly regarded freelance musician in the Delaware Valley. Her affiliations include performing with The Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra and Philly Pops Orchestra. She holds a principal 2nd violin position with Ocean City Pops and Allentown Symphony. She also serves as a Concertmaster in Bucks County Symphony. Inna is an active chamber musician in the area, a well as a respected violin instructor in her private studio and on the faculty of Settlement Music School.
Regular
Specialties: Violin, Viola, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Pianist Irene Pokrovsky was born in Baku, Azerbaijan. She started taking piano lessons at the age of 4 and continued her education at the Special School for Gifted Children with Sarra Axelrod. Upon her graduation, she was accepted to the Uzeir Gadjibekov Conservatory (Baku), where she received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Performance, Teaching and Accompaniment. Irene participated in music festivals and competitions throughout the former Soviet Union, receiving several major awards. In 1994, she immigrated to the United States and started teaching piano at the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia in 1996. Since 2008, she has served as Sacred Music Director at McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst military base.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Isabelle Sufler is a Settlement alumna and recent graduate of the world-renowned institution, Berklee College of Music, where she earned a degree in K-12 Music Education as a woodwind principal, specializing in musical theatre orchestra work. Isabelle is proficient in piccolo, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophones and has credits on productions of West Side Story, In the Heights, and Into the Woods, among many others. She currently is involved with the Broadway Theatre of Pitman as a pit musician.
Regular
Specialties: Flute
Divisions: Music
Jacqueline Westerduin is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music with a degree in
Classical guitar performance and has recently received her Masters degree in
Musicology from King’s College London. In addition to her academic pursuits,
Jacqueline is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk approach to music education and is working
towards her certification in the Suzuki method. Jacqueline has been teaching both
group music making and individual guitar lessons for over ten years, within which she
enthusiastically employs her Orff and Suzuki training. Jacqueline seeks to engage her
students in participation, play, and exciting challenges in an effort to instill a love of
music and desire learn.
In addition to teaching, Jacqueline has been a concert guitarist for nearly a decade in
her native New York City area, including performances at NYC’s Steinway Hall, the
Baruch Performing Arts Center, The Juilliard School, and Manhattan School of Music.
Jacqueline was also invited to Ward’s Pond Estate in Dolgeville, New York as a guest
performer and lecturer for the Dolgeville Philharmonia concert series.
Ms. Westerduin has participated in master classes with guitarists Jason Vieaux, Carlos
Barbosa-Lima, Pepe Romero, and David Russell.
Regular
Specialties: Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Ukulele
Divisions: Music
Jay (James) Klales is unique among Settlement’s faculty in that he did not attend a degreed program. He studied independently with Classical Guitarists Peter Segal, Peter Colonna and Joseph Mayes. He also studied Baroque and Renaissance Lute with Joseph Mayes. He studied improvisations with Jazz bassist Al Stauffer and Music Theory with Settlement’s own Donald Rappaport. Jay has also attended master classes in guitar with Oscar Ghiglia and Michael Lorimer and a master class in Ukulele with Jake Shimabukoro. “I tend to follow my curiosity and am fairly obsessive about my interests!” “Harnessing that obsessiveness to follow healthy choices has been my challenge!”
Jay began performing acoustic blues guitar and then became interested in Classical Guitar and the lute. He has performed with vocalist Molly Pyle, flutist Janet Schreiner and recorderist Orum Stringer. With Orum Stringer he has a recording on the Griffin Renaissance Label entitled “The Portable Weiss Festival”; Works for Baroque Lute and Recorder by Sylivius Leopold Weiss and Ernst Gottlieb Baron. The Portable Weiss Festival true to it’s name did a national tour sponsored in part by Borders Books and Music. The recording includes a premier of Weiss’ Sonata in F with a reconstructed flute part by Dr. Eileen Hadidian!
As a teacher at the Chestnut Hill College’s Arts camp , Jay developed a course called “The Art of Jamming”. The course made it possible for classically trained students and rock oriented students to collaborate. Jay also ran The Rock Shack at Burn Brae Camp for the Creative Arts for over a decade. Helping young students form bands and develop their performance and improvisational skills. Again with a preference for mixing instrumentation so that a clarinet or violin student can perform with an electric band or a rock oriented student can play with a string ensemble. The resulting “cross talk” between unlikely instrumentalists he finds fascinating. At the Willow Grove Branch this idea is also seen in the new ensemble “The XperiMentals”, a group using guitar, cello, violin and piano and some electronic technology!
Jay currently is interested in the Ukulele and it’s ability to create community and has taught both adult and children’s classes on that instrument. He has also attended two Ukulele Festivals as well as workshops on the technic and culture of the Ukulele.
Regular
Specialties: Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Guitar-Plectrum
Divisions: Music
Jay Tinkleman studied with Chuck Holdeman and Shirley Curtiss while attending public school in Philadelphia; Harold Robison at Ohio University; and briefly with Bernard Garfield at Temple University. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance at Ohio University, and a Masters in Creative Arts Therapy (MCAT) from Hahnemann University. He loves working for the School District of Philadelphia as a Classroom Instrumental Music Teacher, Woodwind Specialist. He performs regularly with the Old York Road Symphony and with Independence Sinfonia.
Regular
Specialties: Bassoon
Divisions: Music
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Kardon Distinguished Faculty Chair
Jean Louise Shook received her Bachelor of Music degree from Temple University where she studied violin and chamber music with Edgar Ortenberg (formerly of the Budapest String Quartet) and piano with George Sementovsky and Natalie Hinderas. She has been a faculty member of the Settlement Music School since 1975, teaching violin, coaching chamber music and performing as a staff accompanist. Since 1999 Ms. Shook has held the ‘Mr. and Mrs. Donald Kardon Distinguished Faculty’ chair at Settlement. In 2005 she was awarded the Sol Schoenbach Award for outstanding service to the school. As pianist, Ms. Shook has frequently accompanied master classes of Pamela Frank, Ida Kavafian, Jaime Laredo, David Kim, Kim Kashkashian and Michael Tree, sponsored by Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Ms. Shook performs as violinist and pianist with the Elysian Camerata and is a member of and music arranger for the Danoff String Quartet. She has shared her passion for music and teaching with students of all skill levels and has had students presented on “From the Top” at Carnegie Hall, quarterfinalists in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and winners of the Tri-County Competition.
Staff
Specialties: Chamber Music, Violin
Divisions: Music
Jean Rauch is a Head Teacher for the Kaleidoscope Pre-school Arts Enrichment Program. She has worked for Settlement Music School for 17 years. Jean has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Chestnut Hill College and is currently working on her Master’s Degree with a dual certification in Pre-K-Early Elementary and Pre-K-8 Special Education. Jean loves working with children and enjoys the feeling one gets when the children enter the classroom with a big smile on their faces. She also enjoys spending time with her own children and going to the beach.
Head Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 1)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Jeffrey attended Philadelphia Musical Academy; studied with F.D. Levengood and Adele Marcus. He has performed as soloist and chamber musician in the US and Europe and has worked with Martha Graham, José Limon, and the American Ballet Theater Dance Companies as well as in many other performance styles and venues.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Lillian Kraus Felber Distinguished Faculty Chair
Jeffrey Uhlig has appeared as collaborative pianist in many concerts in America and in Russia. He is in demand as a chamber music player and accompanist and has performed with many outstanding singers and instrumentalists including members of The Philadelphia Orchestra, The New York Philharmonic and The Metropolitan Opera. Some of his most notable collaborations have been with Metropolitan Opera mezzo soprano Barbara Dever, Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Trombonist Nitzan Haroz and Philadelphia Orchestra Concertmaster David Kim. For over 30 years he has taught at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia where he holds The Lillian Kraus Felber Distinguished Faculty Chair in Piano. In New Jersey, Mr. Uhlig is Principal Keyboard and Vocal Coach with The Ocean City Pops Orchestra. For many years he served as Principal Keyboard with Princeton Symphony Orchestra. He studied piano with William Masselos and Gaby Casadesus and studied art song literature with Dalton Baldwin. He received a Master of Music Degree from West Chester University.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Jenny is from a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. She studied classical voice growing up, and earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of the Arts. She has been a teaching artist for Dancing Classrooms Philly and has her own private home voice studio. She performs in professional plays and musicals in the tri-state area and is an Actor’s Equity Membership Candidate. Favorite credits include Sheila in “Hair” at Sketch Club Players and Aleida/Morello in “Orange is the New Musical” at Bootless Stageworks.
Regular
Specialties:
Divisions: Dance
Jody Kidwell is a graduate of Ohio State University with a B.M. in Vocal Performance; a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts; and twice attended The American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. Ms. Kidwell was a winner in the Third Luciano Pavarotti/Opera Company of Philadelphia (OCP) International Voice Competition, and was chosen by Mr. Pavarotti to sing in a production of Luisa Miller filmed by PBS. She sang the role of Desideria in Giancarlo Menotti’s The Saint of Bleecker Street to critical acclaim at the Academy of Music, originated the roles of Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden with Pennsylvania Opera Theater and Ester Zikorn in Center City Opera Theater’s premiere of Slaying the Dragon, and has performed with Opera Company of Philadelphia, Opera Columbus, Opera Delaware, and other opera companies. She has performed with orchestras throughout North and South America, is a frequent guest soloist with choral groups, and can be heard on the Lyrichord label in recordings of Mozart’s Requiem and Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with Vox AmaDeus Ensemble.
Staff
Specialties: Voice
Divisions: Music
John M Frazier, a native of Philadelphia, holds a Master of Music degree in clarinet performance from Temple University where he went on a full scholarship. Teachers include the late Anthony Gigiliotti (Philadelphia Orchestra), George Silfies (St. Louis Symphony) and Ronald Reuben (Philadelphia Orchestra). He has been on the faculties of Luzerne Music camp where he performed chamber music with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has played with Delaware Symphony, Opera Delaware, Harrisburg Symphony and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Mr. Frazier held positions at Ursinus College as well as Temple University and currently is an affiliate artist with Cairn University. He has played with The Lettermen, Van Cliburn and many others, and recorded with members of The Philadelphia Orchestra and worked with such conductors as Alan Gilbert, Lawrence Leighton Smith and Stephen Gunzenhauser. Mr. Frazier resides in Abington, PA with his wife Phyllis, their children Madeleine and John.
Regular
Specialties: Clarinet, Saxophone
Divisions: Music
John Udinsky Jr. is a guitarist, arranger and composer from Horsham, PA. From a humble beginning as a PMEA All-State Musician and an alumni of the Hatboro-Horsham School District, John went on to earn a B.M. in Jazz Guitar Performance from The University of the Arts where he studied with Philly guitar legends Mike Kennedy, Mike Quaile, Matt Davis and Kevin Hanson. During his time there, he was also a member of the school’s prestigious ‘Z Big Band’ ensemble under the direction of Matt Gallagher. After graduating in the spring of 2014, Udinsky began to widen his network by freelancing in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York tri-state area professionally, lending his talents to various singer-songwriters and jazz groups on stage and in the studio. Most notably, he served as the music director & lead guitarist for South Jersey country star Liv Devine from 2013-2016 and held the guitar chair in Jake Kaplan’s Yellow 11 Big Band from 2014-2018. After several years of successful freelancing, John made the transition from sideman to band member when he was recruited into the Philadelphia based funk band ‘Hambone Relay’ in the fall of 2015. During his tenure as a band member, John was featured as both a guitarist and a composer on their 2016 LP entitled ‘Free Hugs’ and performed frequently with them as they toured up and down the east coast. At the end of 2017, John decided to leave the group and transition yet again, this time from band member to solo artist and pursue his long time passion for solo acoustic fingerstyle guitar exclusively. After spending the majority of 2018 honing his artistry, John has selected 8 original songs to be featured on his upcoming debut album entitled ‘April Showers’ due out sometime in mid 2019.
Regular
Specialties: Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Jazz Guitar, Electric Bass, Jazz Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Jordan Graef graduated from Temple University in May 2013 with a B.M. in Music Education (Saxophone Concentration). While at Temple he studied saxophone with Marshall Taylor, Dick Oatts, and Tim Warfield and was part of the Diamond Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, and University Chorale. In addition to teaching with Settlement, he teaches for The School District of Philadelphia as a Classroom Instrumental Music Teacher; he serves six schools throughout the week, teaching woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings to students in grades 4 – 12. Mr. Graef has also worked on the marching band staff of Strath Haven High School as a woodwind technician and marching instructor. He is active as a performer in many genre and is also an active member of the National Association for Music Education and a brother of the national music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Specialties: Band, Woodwinds, Clarinet, Saxophone, Music Education Pathways
Divisions: Music
Jorge Ramos graduated from the Adventist School of Music and EAFIT School of Music in Colombia. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2008 and a Masters Degree in Music Performance in 2017 with the Doctor in Music Samuel Brian Farley. In his career as a musician he has ben part of a variety of ensembles performing different music styles from classical music, Jazz, Bossa Nova, and Latin Music in Colombia, Venezuela, and Bolivia. As a professor Jorge was a member of the Colombia Adventist Music School Faculty from 2013 to 2017 as a piano and functional piano teacher.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Joseph Mancuso is a graduate of The Eastman School of Music where he received his Bachelor of Music in Applied Music. His principle teachers include Ramon Ricker, James Kalyn, Frank Mazzeo and Anthony Ciccarelli. Throughout his career, Joe has had extensive performance/teaching experience in classical, jazz, ethnic, pop/rock and musical theater settings, as well as teaching music theory and improvisation. Joe has been on the faculty of Settlement since 1996.
Regular
Specialties: Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute
Divisions: Music
Joshua Kwon is a pianist and educator with undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from Appalachian State University in North Carolina and masters degrees in Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance from Temple University in Pennsylvania. His teachers include Bair Shagdaron and Rodney Reynerson in North Carolina and Maria Pico del Taylor and Charles Abramovic in Philadelphia. He enjoys both teaching and performing and has been a performer for both small and large venues including a performance with the Asheville Symphony and small charity concerts for local organizations such as the LuLu Shriners organization. Currently he is a teaching and performing in both New Jersey and the city of Philadelphia.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Joshua Zolten graduated from Belmont University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music in commercial guitar performance. His Instructors were Stan Lassiter, John Pell, Mario Dasilva, and Robert Thompson. He is also an alumnus of Settlement Music School having studied with William Peters and Luke Honer and in the fall of 2016 he began teaching at Settlement’s Kardon Northeast branch. He has also taught guitar students and instructed ensembles at Philadelphia’s Clef Club for Jazz and Performing Arts. While living in Nashville Joshua accompanied theatre productions with Circle Players. While there he also performed extensively as a work for hire musician with R&B vocalists. Joshua was a member of the B.B. Kings Blues Club All-Star Band and entertained audiences throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas aboard Holland America Cruise Lines. Since moving back to Philadelphia he has performed with Philadelphia hip-hop artist Freeway. Joshua is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Music Education at Temple University. He performs and teaches Classical, Jazz, R&B, Pop, and Rock guitar styles. He also studies Afro-Cuban Percussion, the Cuban Tres, and Cuban music in general and has visited Cuba to pursue his educational interests.
Regular
Specialties: Classic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Rock Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Judith Turano has many credits to her name including: University of New Mexico, Mannes Conservatory of Music, Tanglewood Opera with Boris Goldovsky; Leading soprano in the New York premieres of The Barber of Baghdad (Cornelius) and L’infedelta Delusa (Haydn); 40 leading roles, performed with prominent opera houses in the US and Germany, including the European premiere of Bomarzo (Ginastera); founder and General Director of Four Corners Opera, a professional opera festival in the Southwest. Judith has been a faculty member of Settlement since 1992.
Staff
Specialties: Voice
Divisions: Music
Justin Sekelewski is a graduate of the Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University. Mr. Sekelewski has performed with Terell Stafford, Branford Marsalis, Benny Golson, Joanna Pascale, Jerry Weldon, and many other notable jazz musicians from the Philadelphia area. He has toured nationally and internationally, including appearances at the Hague Jazz Festival and the Detroit Jazz Festival, and performed in such venues as the Kimmel Center, Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Chris’ Jazz Cafe and Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Double Bass, Electric Bass, Jazz Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Karen has been a member of the Settlement faculty since 2006. She received her B.S. in music education from Immaculata University, where she studied voice with Eunice Alberts, Dolores Ferraro, and Mara Sindoni. She received an early childhood music certificate from the Kodaly Center of America and has completed level 1 of Orff certification at Villanova University. In addition to teaching Children’s Music Playshop and Children’s Music Workshop classes, she serves as assistant choir director for the Gleeksman-Kohn Children’s Choir, rehearsing the choirs at the Camden and Kardon-Northeast Branches, and leads offsite programming for Settlement at Urban Promise in Camden. She also directs the Angelic Choir at Guardian Angels Regional School in Paulsboro, New Jersey, serves as director of music at First Presbyterian Church in Haddon Heights, NJ, and maintains a private studio in Sewell, NJ.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Children's Music Playshop, Children's Music Workshop, Children's Choir
Divisions: Early Childhood, Music
A native of north central Pennsylvania, Katherine Mallon-Day is an active performer in the Philadelphia area. She performs with the Opera Company of Philadelphia chorus and the Philadelphia Singers Chorale, and is the alto soloist at St. Peter’s Church in the Great Valley. A singing actor as well, Katherine has performed with the Arden Theatre Company, the Media Theatre for the Performing Arts, the People’s Light and Theatre Company, Gretna Theatre, and the Lost Colony in North Carolina. She has been featured locally in cabaret and solo recitals. She is a graduate of University or Pennsylvania and Temple University, where she received Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance and Musicology. Katherine has been a member of the Voice Faculty of Settlement Music School since 1987. Kate shares her life with husband Rich, and her favorite pastime (other than making music!) is hiking with family, friends and her dogs, Willow and Merlin.
Staff
Specialties: Voice
Divisions: Music
Organist and early keyboard specialist Kathleen Scheide earned degrees at New England Conservatory and the University of Southern California. Dr. Scheide has concertized as a throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Far East and the Caribbean. She is a published composer with a large imprint discography. She also teaches at several local colleges. Scheide lives in a 17th-century stone house, Wiggan, and plays organ in the 1740 stone barn at Church of the Loving Shepherd, Bournelyf, West Chester. Dr. Scheide is a Past Dean of the American Guild of Organists, San Diego Chapter, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Chapter. She was a Founding Member and of the San Diego Harpsichord Society and the Western Early Keyboard Society.
Staff
Specialties: Organ, Piano, Harpsichord
Divisions: Music
Kaye has been teaching Ballet since 1995 at Settlement Music School. She received a Bachelor of Classical Dance from the National School of Ballet in Peru. She danced for five years in Ballet de Camara and seven years at Ballet Municipal in Lima. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and majored in Social Work Universidad Mayor de San Marcos. She moved to the United States in 1987 to attend the University of the Arts and the Pennsylvania Ballet. In 1988 she won first place at the Spotlight National Dance Competition and also danced for five years with the Mercury Dance Company in Philadelphia. In 1996, Kaye continued her education at Cabrini College and started teaching Creative Movement in the Kaleidoscope program. She offers teacher training and professional development workshops and collaborates with the Hispanic community. Kaye is the 2012 recipient of the Sol Schoenbach Award for Outstanding Service at Settlement Music School.
Staff
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (Dance)
Divisions: Dance, Early Childhood
Kayla Sadowy holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Capital University and a Masters of Music Therapy from Temple University. She has worked extensively in hospice care and bereavement, as well as in Hear Our Voices, an evidenced based song-writing program for children through Temple’s Arts and quality of Life Research Center. Kayla believes music therapy is a driving force of growth, discovery, and dignity and places these aspects at the forefront of her practice.
Regular
Specialties: Music Therapy
Divisions: Arts Therapy
Kevin Robinson brings an intelligent, warm and sensitive presence to his performances. A native of the Philadelphia area, he grew up in a family of professional musicians who planted the seed for his musical explorations. He began playing electric guitar at the age of fourteen and shifted to classical guitar during his undergraduate studies. He revels in the performance of new works and the expansion of concert repertoire.
Kevin played the U.S. premiere of Nikita Koshkin’s Megaron Concerto with string orchestra and has performed for a number of audiences, including the Reading Symphony Orchestra League, and the Settlement Music School – the home of the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society. In addition to classical performance, Kevin has played jazz guitar on stage with the eminent composer Maria Schneider, and saxophonist Dave Liebman.
Kevin completed a Master of Music degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in the studio of Marc Teicholz. He has been selected to play in masterclasses taught by Manuel Barrueco, Denis Azabagic, and Dominic Frasca.
Mr. Robinson completed his bachelor’s degree at The George Washington University in 2011 while studying with Berta Rojas. He presented a lecture-recital on Manuel Maria Ponce’s Sonatina Meridional as his graduation thesis, with the composer Douglas Boyce as his adviser. He previously studied classical guitar with Orlando Roman, and jazz guitar with John Albertson and Chris Covatta.
Regular
Specialties: Classic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Divisions: Music
Krysta A. Fogel has been a cello and children’s music instructor at Settlement Music School since 2016 and has been loving every second of it! A classically trained cellist, Krysta has received a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Violoncello Performance from Shenandoah University and a Master’s of Music Degree in String Pedagogy from Temple University. Throughout life’s journey, she found a passion for children’s music education and has additional training in the Suzuki method (cello levels 1-3) and Orff Schulwerk (level 1). Krysta loves seeing a diverse age range of students each week and believes that music is a living, breathing entity that can grow and bring enjoyment all throughout life.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Cello, Children's Music Playshop, Children's Music Workshop, Suzuki
Divisions: Music, Early Childhood
Russian pianist Larisa Kifyak was born in Moscow to the family of a military engineer. After living in Germany for a couple years, she moved to Moldova with her parents, bringing a wonderful, ancient piano. Probably, that fact had an influence on her future musical career. She loved her piano dearly and began taking lessons at the young age of five. In a few months, her first piano teacher recommended for her to become a professional pianist. After graduating from a professional music school, where she gave her first piano recital, Larisa then continued her studies and graduated from the Gnesin Music Academy, with honors (Master’s degree) in Moscow. Following that, she pursued her education at the postgraduate course of St. Petersburg Conservatory (Ph.D). During her studies, she gave many solo and accompanying performances. After graduation, she worked as a teacher and accompanist at the Moldavian Conservatory and continued to perform in Moldova, Russia, and abroad.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Larisa Yanovitsky, born in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), studied at the prestigious Leningrad Conservatory under the tutelage of Professor Vera Razumovskaya, one of the exemplary teachers in Russia. Upon graduation, Larisa began teaching children at several district music schools, as well as adults at the Institute of Culture, now the St. Petersburg University of Culture. Teaching is her passion, which she has passed to many of her students, who now teach in Russia, as well as Germany, Israel, and the United States. The most accomplished of her many students is her son, Mikhail Yanovitsky, a Steinway artist, a winner of numerous competitions, a concertizing pianist, who is also on the piano faculty of Temple University. Upon arrival in the United States, Larisa continued her teaching career. For the past twenty years, she has been a part of the Settlement Music School piano faculty, and has an extensive private studio. Her most motivated students continued professional musical training at universities and conservatories, such as Manhattan School of Music, the University of Pennsylvania, and many others.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Latrisha is currently an Assistant Teacher at Settlement Music School. She has worked as an Early Childhood Educator for the last 10 years. Her specialty is with children ages three to five years old. She started her career in Early Childhood Education after graduating from Kingsborough Community College where she earned an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Previously, she worked for the military where she continued to gain knowledge and experience in Early Childhood Education. Latrisha also owned and facilitated a daycare for five years. She currently attends the Community College of Philadelphia where she continues to pursue a meaningful education. Latrisha lives in Philadelphia with her young family.
Assistant Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 1)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Laura Anderson is a Master’s graduate of Drexel University, and maintains a dual Master’s of Art Therapy and Counseling. Laura’s professional career includes over five years of varied experiences providing art therapy and counseling, including treatment populations of substance use, the children’s system of care, and medical based care. Laura utilizes both an art as therapy and art psychotherapy approach in her practice, allowing her to work in a person-centered fashion, and being adaptable to meet the needs of the people she works with.
Specialties: Arts Therapy
Divisions: Arts Therapy
Laura Kate Marshall, a voice teacher at Settlement Music School since 2016, is an internationally, classically trained soprano. A versatile singer, Laura has performed Opera, Zarzuela, Art Song and Musical Theatre across the United States and in Europe. Laura has worked with The Little Orchestra Society and the Oratorio Society of New York, opened the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and was a guest on The Late Show as a member of the Broadway production of A Christmas Carol. Her most recent project was serving as the Music Director and Vocal Instructor for the 2018 Summer Youth Musical Theatre program of Philadelphia’s production of “Beauty and the Beast”. Laura’s bachelors degree began at NYU in Musical Theatre and was completed in Vocal Performance at the Longy School of Music of Bard College. Laura also holds a Masters of Vocal Performance with a focus on Early Music from the Longy School of Music of Bard College.
Regular
Specialties: Voice
Divisions: Music
Lauren Ryals joined Settlement Music School’s faculty in January of 2019 and is originally from Denver Colorado. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music at the University of Colorado and a masters Degree in Music Education at the VanderCook College of Music. Most of her licensed teaching career has been at a secondary instrumental teacher in Colorado. In the Fall of 2018 she began her PhD in Music Education at Temple University and also works for the University as a Teaching assistant.
Regular
Specialties: Band
Divisions: Music
Lauren Ryals joined Settlement Music School’s faculty in January of 2019 and is originally from Denver Colorado. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music at the University of Colorado and a masters Degree in Music Education at the VanderCook College of Music. Most of her licensed teaching career has been at a secondary instrumental teacher in Colorado. In the Fall of 2018 she began her PhD in Music Education at Temple University and also works for the University as a Teaching assistant.
Regular
Specialties: Band
Divisions: Music
Arthur Judson Distinguished Faculty Chair
Lee Snyder received his Bachelor’s Degree from the Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with Stuart Canin (Paganini Competition winner). He earned two Master’s Degrees, one from Juilliard School while studying with Ivan Galamian and Dorothy Delay and the other from State University of New York at Stony Brook. He was a member of the American Symphony under Leopold Stokowski and the Chamber Symphony of Philadelphia under Anshel Brusilow. He has concertized in the U.S., Germany, and Central America. He has also performed concerti with several of the local orchestras. For many years, Mr. Snyder was a member of the Alverthorp Trio. As a teacher, Snyder has had nine students perform as soloists with the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as having many students win the local community orchestra solo competitions. Two of his former students are presently members of the Philadelphia Orchestra while others have graduated from the Curtis Institute, the Juilliard School of Music, Eastman, Cleveland Institute of Music, Peabody, and others. His students have positions in other major orchestra and there are a number of former students on the Settlement Music School faculty.
Special Arrangement Staff Faculty
Specialties: Violin
Divisions: Music
Lena Wendt graduated from Temple University in 2013 with a Bachelors of Music in Music Therapy. She has enjoyed providing music therapy through the Settlement Music School for 2 years. Her primary instrument is voice. She also plays classical and acoustic guitar, piano, and ukulele. During her internship, she worked with adults with HIV/AIDS and mental health diagnoses in a community integrated recovery center in Philadelphia. She also has experience providing music therapy for older adults, and children with social deficits. In addition to providing music therapy, she also has worked as a personal care assistant for children with developmental delays in the preschool setting. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking, knitting, and being with her family.
Regular
Specialties: Music Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
Dr. Linda Reichert has enjoyed teaching piano at the Settlement Music School for more than 30 years; in addition, for the past seven years, she has coached the Benjamin and Carol Auger Contemporary Piano Quartet, a scholarship ensemble at SMS. While completing her doctoral degree in piano performance at Temple University during the 1980s, she co-founded the Network for New Music, an organization devoted to performing and commissioning new music by living composers. As Artistic Director, she has helped lead NNM into prominence as one of the finest new music ensembles and commissioning organizations in the country. She regularly performs with the Network Ensemble, and is in demand as a speaker, music panelist, board member and judge for numerous organizations and competitions. In addition to her passion for music, Linda enjoys gardening, dancing, hiking, traveling and being with her family.
Regular
Specialties: Chamber Music, Piano
Divisions: Music
Lisa Chae enjoys teaching, as it is a big part of her life. It is her passion to teach others and help them appreciate music in a special way. Lisa is a graduate of The Mannes College of Music with an artist diploma and studied with Ms. Powers and Ms. Hyman. She also received a Bachelors of Music from The Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. While there, she studied with Mr. Whitten and Dr. Feder. Lisa received Certificates from the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She taught piano at the Academy of Children’s Music in Fort Washington from 1983-91. She was the music director and accompanist at the Calvary Presbyterian Church of Elkins Park from 1984-87. Lisa has been teaching at Settlement Music School since 1992 using the Suzuki and Traditional methods. She has taught students of all ages and levels. Lisa enjoys painting, baking, running, traveling, and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Regular
Specialties: Piano, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Lois Ann DiDomenico received her Bachelor of Music degree from The Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Alison R. Drake, and her Master of Music degree from the Philadelphia Musical Academy as a student of Genia Robinor and Jani Szanto. Additional studies were at the Peabody Conservatory of Music (Esteban), the International Summer School of the Arts in Nice, France, Suzuki Piano Certification with Patricia Freeman, and Children’s Music Workshop training with Martha Glaze Zook. She teaches both traditional and Suzuki methods. In 2007, she received the Sol Schoenbach Award for distinguished service to Settlement. She also taught piano for ten years at Friends Central School. Lois is a member of The Leschetizky Association of NYC and also serves on the board of her local community development corporation which supports start-up business/artist ventures. She and her husband have three sons who all studied at Settlement, and her other passions include gardening and raising Great Danes.
Staff
Specialties: Piano, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Louis began working at Settlement Music in 2016 as a saxophone/clarinet instructor and band director for the Music Education Pathways program. Prior to working at Settlement, Louis was an award winning music teacher in the Hazleton Area School District. While teaching full time, Louis became the Music Director of Ferrwood Summer Music Camp, where he continues to serve the community he once called home. Louis left Hazleton for Philadelphia to pursue a Ph.D. in Music Education at Temple University. He teaches undergraduate coursework for Temple and works as an adjunct at a couple other universities. As a former band director, Louis loves performing on all wind instruments and repairs them in his spare time.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Clarinet, Saxophone, Music Education Pathways
Divisions: Music
Lourdes Cossich holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Voice Performance and Music Education, respectively, from the Eastman School of Music. Furthering her studies, she completed Orff Levels I and II and Gordon Institute for Music Learning Theory Elementary General Level I. In 2016, she established the Music of Hope Program in North Philadelphia. She has presented at national and international conferences on topics including the pre-conceived notions of students of color and instrument selection, Latin American movement in the classroom, and identifying and fostering musical behaviors in bilingual children; in addition, she has won several local and national grants to further her research and expand musical opportunities for her students. She is the Lower School music teacher at the Westtown School, where she oversees curriculum development and its innovation. As a performer, she has worked with Rita Shane, Kathryn Cowdrick, Teresa Berganza, and Joyce DiDonato. She has performed in the United States, Guatemala, Spain, and France.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Children's Music Playshop, Children's Music Workshop, Ukulele
Divisions: Early Childhood
Settlement alumnus Luke Honer began his guitar studies with William Peters in 1992. He went on to study the classical guitar at The Hartt School of Music where he received full tuition scholarships for his bachelors and masters degrees and was the first undergraduate guitarist to be admitted into the “Performance 20/20” honors chamber music program. At Hartt, Luke studied with Richard Provost and competed in numerous guitar competitions, he was 2nd place national finalist of the 2003 MTNA Classical Guitar Competition held in Salt Lake City. Luke has been teaching guitar at Settlement since 2004, in addition to his many private students he also teaches guitar classes and coaches ensembles.
Staff
Specialties: Bass Guitar, Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Electric Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar-Plectrum
Divisions: Music
Lynne Budnick-Lennon received a BA in Violin Performance from the New School of Music where she studied with Yumi Ninomiya Scott, violinist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. She received Suzuki Violin certification after studying with Linda Fiore and is active as a chamber musician around the Philadelphia area. Ms. Budnick Lennon has received additional specialized training in the teaching of young children from Temple University.
Staff
Specialties: Violin, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Madison Frank received her Bachelor’s of Music in Music Therapy at Temple University and is back pursuing her Master’s in Music Therapy and Licensed Professional Counseling. Madison began playing viola in 2007 and through her various orchestral experiences she saw firsthand the power that music has in the lives of all. This encouraged Madison to pursue Music Therapy as a career. She completed her music therapy internship at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit and Camp Pegasus working with students 5-21 with developmental disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders, psychiatric diagnosis, severe medical conditions, multiple disabilities, both undiagnosed and diagnosed ADHD, learning differences, and high functioning Autism. She worked within behavioral health facilities, pediatric specialty care facilities, therapeutic social skills camp, and within a juvenile detention center. Madison is excited and proud to be a part of the staff at Settlement Music School.
Regular
Specialties: Music Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
Maria Mirenzi is a dedicated music educator and musician in Philadelphia. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music with a concentration in saxophone and jazz studies, and has a Level 1 Orff-Schulwerk certification. In addition to teaching pre-school music classes at Settlement’s Kaleidoscope, Maria also teaches music at Play Arts. In the past, she has taught elementary general music in the School District of Philadelphia and has been a private instrumental instructor at The Shipley School and at her own home studio. She dedicates the rest of her time to the local Philly music scene, playing shows with her own indie band and saxophone quartet, and also curates a dynamic concert series featuring local musicians at Elixr. Maria believes that music should be a holistic experience for her students, encompassing foundational musicianship skills, creativity, movement and cooperative teamwork.
Regular
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (Music)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Marissa DeVita is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Art Therapist with 10 years of experience. She earned her Masters in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Art Therapy from Caldwell College. Marissa has provided art therapy through Settlement’s Kardon Center for the Arts Therapies (and formerly Kardon Institute) for the past 9 years. At the Widener Memorial School, she facilitates school-wide community based art projects including murals and art installations. Marissa also has experience working with populations including autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, child behavioral disorders, depression, anxiety, divorce, grief and loss and eating disorders. She has worked in varied settings including hospitals, outpatient facilities, schools and community health centers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and has supervised several art therapy students. Marissa is also currently employed part-time as an art therapist at IBC Counseling outpatient facility in Trevose.
Regular
Specialties: Art Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
Staff
Specialties: Dance/Movement Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
Arthur Judson Distinguished Faculty Chair
Martha has been teaching Early Childhood Music and Movement at Settlement Music School since 1988. She received a Bachelor of Music from Ithaca College and a Diploma from The Curtis Institute of Music. After a career playing French horn, including 10 years with the Philadelphia Orchestra, she returned to music education and received Orff-Shulwerk graduate teaching certification. She has taken master classes in arts integration, Orff-Schulwerk composition and curriculum development. Ms. Glaze Zook developed the music curriculum for the Kaleidoscope Preschool Arts Enrichment program and led curriculum writing for Children’s Music Workshop at SMS. She advocates for early childhood music education and presents at national conferences for early childhood and music educators. She offers teacher training and professional development for local chapters of music educators. She contributes articles to music education journals and has collaborated on teaching projects in Peru. In 2008 she was named to the Settlement 100 list of distinguished faculty and alumni Honorees.
Staff
Specialties: Children's Music Workshop, Children's Music Playshop
Divisions: Early Childhood
In the last 50 years, Martin Knoblauch has conducted over 500 works of orchestra, opera and choral repertoire throughout the Philadelphia area. His musical interests extend from Gregorian Chant to Wagner. He has Bachelors and Masters degrees in Orchestral and Opera Conducting from the University of the Arts. From 1968 to 1978 he served as an Assistant Conductor with the Philadelphia Lyric Opera, the Philadelphia Grand Opera and the Opera Company of Philadelphia while also conducting the Symphony Club of Philadelphia, the Olney Symphony Gilbert and Sullivan Players and serving as Music Director for the Appel Farm Spring Opera Festival and Summer Program. For over 25 years he was the Music Director of the Chestnut Hill Orchestra and was Music Director of the Northeast Oratorio Society. He has also served in various teaching positions including posts at Girard College and West Catholic High School for Girls. Knoblauch has worked for many years as a Church Musician and recently retired from his post as Music Director and Principal Organist for the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Philadelphia.
He is Music Director of the Pennsylvania Lyric Opera Theater in Scranton, a regular guest conductor for the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia and the Amici Opera. He also directs Bach Cantatas from his harpsichord with members of the opera companies and churches with which he is associated. This coming April he returns to the Kokomo Campus of Indiana University to conduct West Side Story.
He has a Juris Doctor degree from Temple University School of Law and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and the Federal Bar for the the Third Circuit.
When not involved in the practice of music or law, he pursues a myriad of interests including Amateur Radio, Astronomy, Medicine and Ancient Languages. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife Dianne of 46 years who is a violinist and singer.
Regular
Specialties: Adult Chamber Orchestra
Divisions: Music
Mary C. Willihnganz has been teaching flute and coaching both piano-based and woodwind ensembles for many years at Settlement. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance with a minor in Music Education from Marywood College, an A.M. in Musicology from Brown University and a Certificate from the Conservatoire Americain in Fontainebleau, France, where she studied flute with Rene LeRoy and Pierre Paubon. After Fontainebleau, she moved to Paris where she studied flute with Christian Larde and spent three years as a private student of Nadia Boulanger. Her American flute teachers have been John Krell and Murray Panitz in Philadelphia and James Pappoutsakis in Boston. She has taught on the faculty of College Misericordia in Dallas, PA, and has operated a private studio in Ann Arbor, MI, where she taught piano and flute. She is active as a freelance player in the greater Philadelphia area. She and her husband, Walter D. Willihnganz, M.D., live in Central Bucks County, where they are active members of the County Theatre and from which they make regular trips to the Metropolitan Opera in NYC.
Regular
Specialties: Flute
Divisions: Music
Matt Kallend has been a part of the Settlement team since 2008. Along with his Settlement responsibilities, he is assistant band director and percussion instructor at Germantown Academy, in Fort Washington, and maintains an active performing schedule. Matt has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Delaware Symphony, the Lancaster Symphony, and many more. When not teaching and performing, Matt enjoys life at home in Mt. Airy with his wife and three cats, sailing on the high seas on his sailboat Attacca, and watching Chicago Cubs baseball.
Regular
Specialties: Percussion
Divisions: Music
Settlement organ and piano faculty member, McEwan Walters began his early keyboard studies with Ruth Thompson and Stella Knobel in Winnipeg before moving on to his baccalaureate studies at the University of Washington. During his undergrad, McEwan studied organ with Lockreem Johnson, piano with Donald King, and music theory and counterpoint with Paul Creston. After receiving a bachelor’s in music and in music education, McEwan returned to Winnipeg as an elementary school music teacher while continuing his piano studies with Leonard Isaacs of the University of Manitoba. McEwan went on to earn his master’s of music at the University of Minnesota studying piano with Bernard Wieser and organ with Duncan McNabb, followed by post-graduate studies at Temple University where he studied organ with Robert Smart and John Binsfeld, music history with Eve Meyer, and Harpsichord with Temple Painter. Currently, McEwan performs in a piano duo with fellow Settlement faculty member, Michael Caruso, and serves as the Organist and Choir Director at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Staff
Specialties: Organ, Piano
Divisions: Music
Megan Prescott-Ezickson has been playing piano since the age of 4, and teaching private lessons since the age of 16. She attended Eastern University in St. David’s, PA where she received her B.A. in Music Education. Shortly after she attended West Chester University where she received an M.A. in Music History and Literature. Since college she has worked in churches, teaching lessons, and music directing shows in the area. In addition to her teaching at Settlement Music School, Megan is also a full time music teacher in the school district of Philadelphia. Megan loves teaching music because you get to make a lot of noise, be creative, and have a lot of fun.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Melissa Walton is the Head Teacher in PS7. She is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania in which she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Family Relations. She also obtained her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Arcadia University.
Melissa has been teaching for 11 years and has taught children from age 1 up to the first grade. Being a teacher is her passion. She believes that children learn best in a safe, positive learning environment with hands on experience.
When she’s not in the classroom, she’s spending time at home with her mom and dog. She loves to read, shop, cook, clean and hangout with her friends.
Head Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 7)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Meng Hao is a creative, enthusiastic music teacher with many years of experience in both one-on-one teaching and classroom teaching. She has directed musical groups both large and small, with extensive experience in composing music and arranging music. She has taught piano and accordion, and also has expertise in voice. Her piano and accordion study began from five years old, and she now has a master’s degree in music composition and a bachelor degree of music in piano, accordion and voice. During college teaching, she published many thesis and music works, and also won several National competition prizes.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Michael Caruso has been a member of Settlement Music School’s piano faculty since 1986. He earned his bachelor of music degree from the Philadelphia Musical Academy in 1971 and his master of music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of Johns Hopkins University in 1973. His teachers have included Clement Petrillo and Julio Esteban, and he attended masterclasses with Leon Fleisher. From 1976 until 1986 he was the entertainment editor of the Main Line Times and the News of Delaware County; he has been the classical music critic for the Chestnut Hill Local since 1986. He reviews performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Academy of Vocal Arts, Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and local performances in Chestnut Hill.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Michael Liszka earned a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance with a minor in music education from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Since then, he has spent his time playing music all over the world. From playing anything from a small restaurant to a venue that holds thousands, Michael has gained experience playing various styles of music including, Jazz, Rock, Hip-hop, Classical and many more. Michael has seen success in his career thus far playing with bands that are signed to major labels and having his music played on many of the most well-known radio stations in the greater Philadelphia area. While his main focus is the drumset and percussion, he has experience playing many other musical instruments including the violin, viola, guitar, bass and piano. Michael has gained a lot of experience in the studio, recording with projects from Philadelphia, New York, and Delaware on both the drumset and violin.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Percussion, Jazz Ensemble, Rock Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Michael Stambaugh is a pianist and composer based in Philadelphia. He holds a B.M. in Music Theory from the Boyer School of Music at Temple University, where he studied piano with Clipper Erickson, Cathy Liu, and Alexander Fiorillo, and an M.M. in Composition from the University of Delaware, where he studied with Jennifer Margaret Barker and Tyler Capp. As a composer, Michael has collaborated with numerous local music groups, including multiple seasons with Melomanie and a film score for Relâche’s residency at the Penn Museum. Students who study with Michael can look forward to creating and performing their own music, relevant and thorough applications of music theory, and, of course, having a lot of fun.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Piano, Musicianship
Divisions: Music
After teaching in Philadelphia for 5 years, Michelle she was chosen to jumpstart the music major at Franklin Learning Center to new levels of excellence as their new vocal music teacher. At FLC and elsewhere, Mrs. Frank has led concert choirs, jazz ensembles, and directed school musicals. A classical singer and former arts administrator, Mrs. Frank has performed leading roles with Opera Philadelphia, Center City Opera Theater, Garden State Opera, Florida State Opera, and ConcertOpera Philadelphia. She also served as Director of Foundation and Government Support and the Director of Development Services at The Curtis Institute of Music, specializing in grant writing, reporting, and relations for Curtis’ foundation and government prospects. Mrs. Frank holds degrees in Accounting, Music, and Theater from Lehigh University, a Master of Music from Florida State University, and a Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Music Education from Eastern University. Mrs. Frank loves teaching because it gives her the opportunity to share her love of music with the young people of Philadelphia.
Regular
Specialties: Music Education Pathways
Divisions: Music
Molly Germer is a violinist versed in multiple styles of performance. She is a violinist in Quartet121 and a member of Earspace, a Raleigh-based ensemble dedicated to contemporary music and interdisciplinary performances. Molly is a former member of the Erie Philharmonic, has recently performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, Wordless Music Orchestra, Ensemble LPR, Contemporaneous, and Ensemble Signal. She can also be on Signal’s recordings of music by David Felder, Tristan Perich, and David Lang. She is a teaching artist at Play On Philly and collaborates with numerous groups in New York City, performing at venues such as The Stone, Miller Theater, Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, The Kaplan Penthouse, National Sawdust and (le) poisson rouge. Molly is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music (BM) with additional studies at University of Rochester and the Contemporary Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music (MM) with additional studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam.
Regular
Specialties: Violin
Divisions: Music
Monique R. Johnson received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Temple University in Music Education. She studied violin with Larry Grika, Yumi Scott, and Lisa-Beth and conducting with Luis Biava, former Conductor in Residence of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She served as a member of the Educational Advisory Council of the Philadelphia Orchestra and interned at the Philadelphia Orchestra Library under former Principal Librarian Clinton Nieweg. Ms. Johnson has performed as a substitute violinist with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the Settlement Music School Music Education Outreach String Quintet. She was a member of the TSOP Orchestra during the filming and performance of the PBS Special “The Love Train, The Sound of Philadelphia,” which featured the O’Jays, the late Teddy Pendegrass, The Stylistics, The Delphonics, and the Three Degrees. Ms. Johnson served as a member of the string orchestra that accompanied Dionne Warwick at the Rehoboth Jazz Festival.
Staff
Specialties: String Ensemble, Violin, Viola, Suzuki, Adult Chamber Players
Divisions: Music
Natalie Conover received her Bachelor’s in Music Performance at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Former and current teachers include Sylvia Ahramjian, professional violinist and former West Chester faculty, Rebecca Ansel from the Pennsylvania Ballet and West Chester faculty, and Rachel Ki from the Philadelphia Orchestra with whom Natalie is currently continuing studies. Natalie performs with Berks Sinfonietta, a chamber orchestra based in Reading, PA, along with freelancing for various events, concerts with other groups, and giving solo recitals in various locations of Pennsylvania. Natalie is also a Teaching Artist at Trenton Music Makers, an El Sistema-inspired program in New Jersey.
Regular
Specialties: Violin, Viola
Divisions: Music
Nataly Snipelishsky received a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the Moldova Institute of the Arts where she won regional performance competitions. Beginning in 1998, Nataly joined the piano faculty as a teacher and accompanist at multiple branches of Settlement Music School. As more of her students auditioned successfully for scholarships and won piano competitions, she was promoted to Staff status and continues to teach at Willow Grove and Wynnefield Branches. Fluent in Russian and English, Nataly is also an active chamber musician and performs with violinists, singers and in piano four-hand ensembles professionally.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Natasha Colkett is a freelance violinist and violin teacher in the Philadelphia area. She has been teaching Suzuki and traditional violin lessons at Settlement since 2015, and also teaches group violin classes for Settlement’s Music Education Pathways program. After studying with Lee Snyder at Settlement in high school, Natasha got her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Violin Performance at Ithaca College in 2007 and her Master’s in Violin Performance at the University of Denver in 2010. She completed her Suzuki certification through Book Six while in Denver and has been teaching lessons to students of all ages ever since. Natasha currently performs with the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, the Allentown Symphony, and the Bay-Atlantic Symphony regularly during the year, and during the summer, she plays with the Central City Opera and is a founding member of the Boxwood Ensemble based in Colorado.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Violin, Suzuki, Music Education Pathways
Divisions: Music
Nathalie Burns: received her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Dance from Eastern University and a Masters in Dance/Movement Therapy from Drexel University. Nathalie provides individual and group sessions at the Kardon Northeast and Germantown branches and also provides group session with agencies in the community.
Staff
Specialties: Dance/Movement Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
Nero Catalano studied classical guitar with Julian Gray at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and later went on to earn a BM from the University of the Arts, where he studied jazz guitar with Jimmy Bruno, Steve Giordano, and Tom Giacabetti. He taught guitar, bass, and coached ensembles at the Paul Green School of Rock Music during its formative years and went on to be the Music Director of the Downingtown and then the Philadelphia branches. Nero has recorded and toured playing original music as far as Shanghai and has played everywhere from CBGB to the Fillmore. He is also much in demand for pit orchestras and bands, performing most recently at the Arden and Walnut Street Theatres.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele, Jazz Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Nia has been a part of the educational field for over 10 years. She attended Chestnut Hill College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology and she took courses geared toward children’s psychology, development, assessment (educational and psychological) and education. She also acquired master level college credits in Early Childhood Education. During her years of employment, she had the opportunity to teach children of varying abilities spanning from atypical development to the autism spectrum. She taught ages three months to school-age, primarily working with the preschool/pre-K children. She worked closely with therapeutic staff of special needs children to implement and expand the goals they had set through her observations. She used the therapeutic staff’s goals to enhance her lesson plans. Working with children is truly her passion and vocation in life.
Head Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 6)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Nick Salcido is an electric and upright bassist based in Philadelphia. Well-versed in a variety of genres, he has performed at The Kimmel Center, Brooklyn’s BRIC JazzFest, Center City Jazz Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, and has appeared on FOX 29 News, WRTI 90.1, and WXPN 88.5. He also regularly appears at jazz venues such as Time, Heritage, Chris’ Jazz Café, and SOUTH. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Composition from Bates College, and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. In addition to Settlement Music School, Nick also serves on the faculty of Friends Select School.
Specialties: Electric Bass, Upright Bass
Divisions: Music
Norman Carter received the B. Mus degree in applied piano from Houghton College in 1975 and the M.M. degree in Piano Performance from the Yale School of Music in 1977. His private teachers were C. Nolan Huizenga, Jane MacMahon Allen, Donald Currier, and Ward Davenny and he performed in master classes taught by Murray Perahia, Arthur Balsam, and Claude Frank. He has been on the piano faculty both of Houghton College in Houghton, NY, and of Cairn University in Langhorne, PA. He has taught piano privately in his home for many years and has been involved in local church music ministries as accompanist, soloist, and choir director. Currently he accompanies choirs and soloists at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He has performed as soloist with local orchestras including the Haddonfield Symphony, Bucks County Symphony, Delaware Valley Philharmonic, and Rose Tree Pops. He regularly accompanies soloists for master classes and competitions in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Olga Blumenkrants studied at the Bolshoi Ballet School in Moscow, Russia. After completing her studies, she danced professionally with several dance companies touring around the world. In 1975, she immigrated to the U.S. and began teaching dance at Settlement in 1977. Olga is a legacy staff member, and in 2008 was named to the Settlement 100 list of distinguished Philadelphians whose experiences at Settlement shaped their lives. She is also an Arthur Judson Distinguished Faculty Chair.
Associate Staff
Specialties:
Divisions: Dance
Violinist Olivia Choi earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance from KyungPook National University in South Korea. She moved to the states to study for her Master of Music in Violin Performance and String Pedagogy at Temple University. Also, she studied professional studies in Violin Performance at Temple University. She also studied Professional Studies in Violin Performance at Temple with Davyd Booth and Vladimir Dyo. Olivia has performed in many solo and chamber performances in Philadelphia and has also taught violin in the Salvation Army Arts Institute.
Regular
Specialties: Violin
Divisions: Music
Pamela Johnson attended Saint Maria Goretti High School where she graduated with a diploma in business. Later, she attended the Thompson Institute and received a certificate in medical office management. Pamela has worked in the banking field, in hospitals, and later, as a substitute teacher for Settlement. She found it rewarding to work with children and decided to pursue a certificate/diploma as a Child Development Associate. Pamela is now an Assistant Teacher at Settlement Music School.
Assistant Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 2)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Pat studied with Orlando Cole at the New School of Music, Curtis Institute and Temple University. She has completed up through Level 4 Suzuki Teacher Training. She has been teaching for 25 years, including 15 years at Settlement. She performs with the Philly Pops and Reading Symphony, has performed with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Walnut Street Theatre, and Suzanne Roberts Theatre, and has done recordings with Sigma Sound.
Staff
Specialties: Cello, Chamber Music
Divisions: Music
Patrick Hein has been teaching with Settlement Music School since 2016. He has been teaching viola classes in the Music Education Pathways Program for the last three years. Patrick moved to Philadelphia from Scranton, PA after completing his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education at Marywood University. He has completed a master’s degree in music education from Marywood as well, and is currently working on a Master of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from American College of Education. Patrick has taught 5-8 music in the School District of Philadelphia, and is currently in his second year of teaching 7-12 orchestra at First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School.
Regular
Specialties: Viola, Violin, Music Education Pathways
Divisions: Music
Rachel Icenogle studied cello at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee under Stefan Kartman and performed with several orchestras in the area, including as principal cellist of the Sheboygan Symphony from 2011-2012. Presently, she composes music for puppet shows with Compagnia Aiello and is a member of Philadelphia bands Upholstery and Cast Shadows. Rachel has performed improvisational pieces with Roscoe Mitchell, Sonic Liberation Front, and Birds on a Wire Dance Theater. Past Philadelphia theater and dance collaborations also include First Person Arts, Good Good Comedy, Ombelico Mask Ensemble, BRAT Productions, Transmissions Theater, and SWARM.
Specialties: Music Education Pathways
Divisions: Music
Rachel Massey studied violin and viola performance at the University of Denver and Longy School of Music of Bard College. Her major teachers include Yumi Hwang-Williams, Sally O’Reilly, Joey Corpus, and Mark Lakirovich. Rachel has attended Aspen Music Festival and School and has performed with the Boston Philharmonic, as a founding member of Driftwood Strings, and most recently with the Bay Atlantic Symphony and as a member of Prometheus Chamber Orchestra. Rachel is an avid freelancer and teacher in the Philadelphia area and is Suzuki certified through Book 3.
Regular
Specialties: Violin
Divisions: Music
Rae Ann Anderson started her tenure with Settlement Music School in 1989 as an organ teacher. In the winter of 2006 she became the Director of Children’s Choir for Settlement. This comprehensive program brings children from all six branches together to sing as the Gleeksman-Kohn Children’s Choir. Ms. Anderson, a native of Ohio, received the Bachelor of Music degree from Wittenberg University and the Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, in addition to a year’s study at the Berliner Kirchenmusikschule in Berlin, Germany. As a church musician, she has served as Director of Music for churches in Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and to date for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Glenside, PA. Ms. Anderson has served on the Executive Boards of the Philadelphia and Southwest Jersey chapters of the American Guild of Organists and as the Dean of the Philadelphia chapter.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Children's Choir
Divisions: Music
Rahel Inniger received her “Lehrdiplom” in 1979 from the Conservatorium Bern (Switzerland) where she was a student of Rosemarie Stucki. As a 1980 recipient of a Kiefer/ Hablitzel Stiftung scholarship, she continued her education in the United States at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. where she studied with Barry Snyder. She left Rochester with a Master of Music in Performance and Literature degree in 1982 to accept a teaching position at the Musikschule Kandertal in Frutigen, Switzerland where she remained until 1986. During this time, Ms. Inniger served as accompanist at the Konservatorium Bern in the master classes of clarinetists Jost Michaels and Kurt Weber, violinist Igor Ozim and cellist Siegfried Palm. In Philadelphia Ms. Inniger is on the faculty at Settlement Music School where she teaches both piano and chamber music. Rahel Inniger performs as a recitalist, collaborating with instrumentalists and vocalists, and is a member of the Elysian Camerata.
Staff
Specialties: Chamber Music, Piano
Divisions: Music
Becky Dadi is a board certified music therapist with a music therapy degree from Berklee College of Music. Becky’s primary instrument is voice and also plays guitar and piano. Becky did her music therapy internship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where she further developed her clinical music therapy skills. At the completion of her internship, she went on to join the wonderful team of arts therapists and teachers at Settlement Music School. Becky has been a music therapist at Settlement Music School since September 2017. Her work encompasses providing music therapy for individual clients at the KNE branch, supporting the Kardon Chorale which consists of adults of varying disabilities and parents and providing therapeutic music groups at an off-site location in lower Bucks County.
Regular
Specialties: Music Therapy, Children's Music Workshop, Children's Music Playshop
Divisions: Art Therapy
Clarinetist Rié Suzuki is currently a member of The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Princeton Festival Opera Orchestra, and the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra. She is a frequent guest clarinetist with The Pennsylvania Ballet, Opera Philadelphia, The Philly Pops, among others. As an active chamber musician, Ms. Suzuki is a founding member of the Eastwinds Quintet, the New Horizons Chamber Ensemble, and Tripod Trio. Her recent solo appearances and collaborations include concerto performances with the Rowan University Wind Ensemble, co-premiering the wind ensemble edition of Leshonoff’s clarinet concerto “Nekudim”, and with the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, performing Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, a recital series with the Poulenc Trio in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and a concert tour of Central America sponsored by U.S. Embassy with the Liberty Winds. Ms. Suzuki has recorded on the Capstone, New World, Centaur, Naxos, and Warner Brothers labels, and her live performances on broadcast include WQXR in NYC, WRTI in Philadelphia, and podcasts from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Rié Suzuki holds a doctorate degree from The Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University where she was awarded the Orchestral Fellowship and a Peabody Career Grant. Ms. Suzuki is a clarinet professor at Rowan University.
Special Arrangement Staff
Specialties:
Divisions: Music
Bob Gold grew up in an art-filled musical family, taking piano lessons at the Germantown branch of Settlement Music School with Irene Beck and violin lessons in his public school. As a science major at the University of Delaware, Bob re-connected with his passion for music, taking piano literature classes with pianist Michael Steinberg and discovering the beauty of jazz and improvised music. Upon graduation Bob concentrated on self teaching and forming a trio that performed, among other places, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia for many years. More recently, Bob has concentrated on solo piano, and in expanding his skills as both a private and classroom teacher. He has a Masters degree in Music Education from the University of the Arts and an Orff Schulwerk Certification from U. of Arts/Villanova University.
Regular
Specialties: Children's Music Workshop, Piano
Divisions: Early Childhood
Robert Webb earned his Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He has been fortunate enough to study with Bernard Purdie, Gerry Brown, and Joe Gergamini. Over the past 8 years he has toured with multiple artists all over the country, affording him the opportunity to play at Firefly Music Festival, BB&T Pavilion, and The World Famous Whisky A Go Go. In addition to playing drums he is also an experienced sound engineer working with many acts in the Philadelphia area recording and producing records.
Regular
Specialties: Music Technology, Percussion, Rock Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Robert Capanna Musicianship Distinguished Faculty Chair
Roberto Pace is a composer, music director, pianist and educator. He is recognised in concert music, as well as in music for theater and dance. Mr. Pace studied at the New England Conservatory of Music with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Donald Martino, and the late great theorist Ernst Oster. He holds an M.F.A. in composition from SUNY Purchase, where he was the first to be awarded the Anthony Newman Prize for artistic and academic excellence. Mr. Pace’s recent commissions include the American Opera Projects, The Greenwich Village Orchestra, the canonization of Padre Pio, the Viola Society of Philadelphia, the baroque/contemporary ensemble Mélomanie, Chamber Music Now!, the Elysian Camerata and the American Composer’s Forum of Philadelphia. His work has received public as well as critical success: “…a fantasm of shifting moods, featuring eloquent writing for strings” (NY Times); and “a kaleidoscope of colors wrapped in rhythms that leap with energy” (Philadelphia Inquirer). He has served as music director and conductor at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s “Next Wave Festival, directed the music program of Fordham at Lincoln Center and lectured for the New York Philharmonic.
Staff
Specialties: Piano, Musicianship, Music Appreciation, Composition
Divisions: Music
Romain Diaz is a licensed professional counselor who holds a Master’s Degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from The Pennsylvania State University in Kinesiology. She specializes in Dance and Movement Psychotherapy. With over a decade of experience in the field, Romain has worked diligently with individuals, groups and families as the Primary Psychotherapist in the all-female trauma unit in a psychiatric hospital. Romain also works with children on the spectrum in a elementary school where she facilitates dance movement therapy sessions with kids ages 7-9 Her passion for working with children and adolescents, as well as her deep understanding of mind, body, and spirit interconnectedness, drive her success in helping others experience the healing power of movement. Romain has spearheaded the development of family therapy psycho-education and specialized therapy groups to help patients transition to their home and communities after hospitalization. Romain currently serves as Vice President of Overbrook Preschool and Kindergarten. She is also a student relations officer for Black American and African Descendants (BAAD) Affinity Group. The goal of which is to unit, organize and support black dance/movement therapy students and professionals in an effort to develop an approach consistent with the experience of Black people.
Regular
Specialties: Dance/Movement Therapy
Divisions: Arts Therapy
For over 20 years, Russell Klein has been teaching piano at Settlement Music School. It’s not a job, but a passion. Russell comes with a background of BA in Music Ed. from Temple University and M.Ed. from Chestnut Hill College. Russell continues to enhance his teaching skills by attending Suzuki teacher training and other piano pedagogy workshops. He enjoys introducing children, from age four, to play delightful children’s songs on the piano, which they can hear on CDs at home and to reading music. As Russell uses both the Suzuki and Traditional Piano Curriculums, it is exciting for him to see each individual student grow from beginning pieces to intermediate and more advanced pieces of a wide variety of styles including Classical, Ragtime and Jazz. When he’s not teaching, Russell enjoys spending time with his wife, Fern, and two children Staci and Bobby.
Staff
Specialties: Piano, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Sandra Baldwin is currently the lead teacher in PS4. She graduated from with an Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Murrell Dobbins in 2008 and is currently studying to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies. Sandra believes that receiving a good education is important. She has a unique teaching style and adapts to each child’s individual method of learning for overall success.
Head Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 4)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Arthur Judson Distinguished Faculty Chair
Sandra Carlock holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music degree from the State University of New York, and further graduate study at The Juilliard School. Her teachers have included Rosina Lhevinne, Arthur Dann, and Martin Canin. She is well known throughout the United States as a recitalist, master teacher, lecturer, and recording artist. Sandra has also performed frequently in Great Britain and in Europe, both in recital and as soloist with orchestra. She has presented numerous recitals on the British early and historic piano collections at Finchcocks and at Hatchlands Park, near Guildford (The Cobbe Collection). She was the first artist ever to perform the music of American composer Edward MacDowell at Troldhaugen in Bergen, Norway, the former home of MacDowell’s friend and mentor, Edvard Grieg. Sandra was also honored by being asked to perform on the 1892 Steinway, which belonged to Grieg and which remains in the villa at Troldhaugen.
Sandra’s CD “Sandra Carlock In Recital,” music of Liszt, Bach and Chopin, was recorded in live performance at St. John’s, Smith Square, London. Her most recent CD “Piano Music by Edward MacDowell,” was released, to great critical acclaim, by SOMM Recordings of London. She has been heard frequently as featured artist, and has been interviewed, on WRTI in Philadelphia, and also on Classic FM in London and WQXR in New York City.
Throughout her career Sandra has been active as pianist in various chamber music ensembles….notably and for the past five years as a member of The Carlock-Combet Duo with French violinist Guillaume Combet. The Duo’s debut CD, a disc of French Sonatas for violin and piano recorded for SOMM Recordings of London, England, was chosen as CD of the Month upon its release, also being accorded the honor of selection in the final list of CDs of the Year by Music Web International. Learn more about the Carlock-Combet Duo on their website.
Sandra is known as an authority on the piano music of composers Clara Schumann and Edward MacDowell. She has presented lecture recitals on these composers at The Juilliard School, Oxford University in England, and the North Carolina School of the Arts – to name but a few. She holds the Arthur Judson Distinguished Faculty Chair in Piano at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, PA, where she teaches piano and chamber music by Special Arrangement. She has recently received Steinway and Sons’ Annual Top Teacher Award in both 2016 and 2018 for outstanding instruction and leadership in piano education.
Special Arrangement Staff
Specialties: Chamber Music, Piano
Divisions: Music
Sara Hiner is currently Director of the Settlement Music School’s Germantown Branch, where she is also on faculty as a bassoon instructor. Prior to Settlement Music School, Ms. Hiner held a number of positions at a variety of arts organizations, including at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl, and most recently as Assistant Dean at the Colburn School’s Community School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, where she was also taught bassoon. Her high school seniors have been accepted to bassoon programs at schools such as USC’s Thornton School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music. Her students have also regularly participated in honors ensembles like the Colburn Youth Orchestra, ensembles of the Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association, California Band Directors Association, California Music Educators Association, and in ensembles within the Colburn School’s Ed and Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute, including the Honors Woodwind Quintet.
Sara’s primary instructors in bassoon were Judith Farmer and Rose Corrigan, and she performed frequently in master classes led by bassoonists such as Alan Goodman, Richard Beene and Michael O’Donovan, with additional studies with Matthew Ruggiero at Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute. Her performances have also aired on KUSC, KMozart, and Sundays Live at LACMA in Los Angeles. In 2000 her woodwind quintet won first prize at the International Young Artists Peninsula Music Festival Competition and she was a National YoungArts winner in 2001 (formerly the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts).
Sara earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Bassoon Performance from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where she was a recipient of USC’s Dean Scholarship, Trojan Scholarship, and Music Merit Scholarship. She served on the Thornton Alumni Association Board of Directors for the 2013–2014 academic year, subsequently receiving a Certificate of Appreciation at USC’s Honors Convocation for her service to the school, and now serves on the Advisory Council for USC Thornton’s Alumni Association.
Branch Director
Specialties:
Divisions:
Scott Coulter has been teaching with Settlement Music School since 2009. He has been actively involved in the Philadelphia music scene in a number of projects, ranging from straight-ahead jazz to progressive rock. He has played in a number of major local and regional music festivals, and performed in some of the area’s best known venues, including the Trocadero Theater, the TLA and World Cafe Live. Mr. Coulter holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA, where he studied with several notable jazz pianists including Fred Hersch, Paul Bley and Danilo Perez.
Staff
Specialties: Jazz Piano, Piano, Jazz Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Scott Slezak graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education. After starting his art career in Pittsburgh, he moved to Philadelphia, where he began to apprentice as a furniture finisher and began writing and performing original music. When Scott’s daughter was born, he left work to be a full-time, stay-at-home dad. Scott began babysitting for other families and was a play-group supervisor for the South Eastern Pennsylvania Mental Health Association. Scott’s daughter was enrolled in the Kaleidoscope program at Settlement Music School, and he was so impressed with the program he began to volunteer in the classrooms two days a week, and wanted more. He went back to school to study Early Childhood Education and became a substitute art and classroom teacher, and was then brought on as a full-time Kaleidoscope teacher after several years. Scott is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Chestnut Hill College.
Lead Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 3), Kaleidoscope Plus
Divisions: Early Childhood
Sean Markey is a new member to the Settlement Music School’s faculty. In 2016 he graduated from Temple University’s Boyer School of Music in the top 5% of his class with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance. Sean’s teachers include Tom Giacabetti, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Bruce Barth, Greg Kettinger and Ben Schachter. Sean performs under his own name and is included on two records, one being the Temple University Jazz Orchestra Sinatra record. Sean was a Jazz Theory Tutor at Temple University where he worked primarily with a special needs student. Sean also currently teaches at The Philadelphia School and will be pursuing his Master’s Degree within the next year.
Regular
Specialties: Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar
Divisions: Music
Sharon Neff holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Houghton College and a Master of Music Degree from Eastman School of Music. Previous teaching jobs include Gloucester County Christian School (2005-2016) and The Conservatory of Music and Dance (2013-2014). As a teacher, she places a strong emphasis on healthy vocal technique, and incorporates voice science into her teaching curriculum. She strongly believes that all singers should understand exactly how their instrument works, and use that knowledge to sing healthily throughout their entire lives. Equally active as a performer, Sharon has performed opera roles with Delaware Valley Opera, Opera New Jersey, Main Line Opera, and the New York Lyric Opera Theatre. She has also been featured as a church soloist throughout the South Jersey and Philadelphia areas.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Voice
Divisions: Music
A versatile singer comfortable in the concert, oratorio and operatic repertoire, mezzo-soprano Sharon Rhinesmith has appeared as soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Philadelphia Singers, The Princeton Pro Musica, The Lake George (NY) Opera Festival, The Tachkonic Chorale, New York, The Music Group of Philadelphia and the ConcertOpera Philadelphia among many others. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music degrees in Voice Performance from Temple University andhas been teaching voice for over 30 years. In addition to her position at Settlement, she also is on the voice faculty at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA. and at Temple University Music Preparatory division in Philadelphia.
Regular
Specialties: Voice
Divisions: Music
Shontaya Greer is the Assistant Teacher for Pre-School classroom seven at the Kaleidoscope Pre School Arts Enrichment Program at Settlement Music School. She holds an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from the Community College of Philadelphia. She has been working at Settlement since September 2005. Greer has worked with children for over twelve years. She enjoys arts and crafts, shopping, and spending time with her son.
Assistant Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 7)
Divisions: Early Childhood
A member of the Philadelphia Orchestra for 42 years, including 13 as Assistant Principal Viola, Sid Curtiss now serves as a chamber music coach at Settlement Music School, where he coaches the Gabriel Braverman, Ann Newman and the Gail W. Snitzer Advanced Study String Quartets. Curtiss graduated from New York’s High School of Music and Art, then attended the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music where he studied with the famed Leonard Mogill. A former member of the New Orleans Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra, Curtiss was also a member of the Philarte Quartet and the New Philadelphia Quartet.
Special Arrangement Faculty
Specialties: Chamber Music, Viola
Divisions: Music
Violinist So Jung Choi was born in Seoul, Korea, where she began formal violin study at the age of 4. She graduated from Sang Myung University, Seoul Korea. She has served a violin teacher and instructor in Yongsan Junior Orchestra and many other youth orchestra in South Korea. She is currently studying in the masters program in Violin Performance and String Pedagogy with Dr. Timothy Schwarz at Rowan University. She enjoys working with children and sharing her love of the violin with them.
Regular
Specialties: Violin
Divisions: Music
A native Philadelphian, Stephanie Ben-Salem began her lessons at the age of four studying with her mother. She continued lessons at the Granoff Music School before coming to Settlement Music School at age 8, where she received numerous awards and scholarships and. at age 14, attained the senior graduate level. She continued her studies with renowned Philadelphia teacher and Curtis Institute graduate Bella Braverman Bookbinder and won the National Federation of Music Clubs’ first prize in music at age 17, resulting in numerous performances throughout the US as a soloist and with several orchestras. She received a full academic scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University studying under Eugene List and Natasha Snitkovsky, and later graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, having studied with Karl Ulrich Schnabel. In 2008, Ms. Ben-Salem had the opportunity to study privately with Maestro Aldo Ciccolini in Europe until his death in 2015. Over the years she has given numerous solo and orchestral performances throughout the United States, Netherlands, England, Greece, France and Italy. Presently, Ms. Ben-Salem has taught piano privately since 1979, and has been a member of the Settlement Music School faculty since 1998. She has had many of her students continue in the field of music as educators and performers, attending first-rate conservatories such as Juilliard, the Manhattan School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, and the Curtis Institute of Music. She currently teaches Adult Theory as well as piano, and performs in various chamber music performances and regularly in a piano duo ensemble.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Stephen Duffy is an alumnus of Settlement, having studied with Sandra Carlock and Yolanda Kulik. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Oberlin College and Conservatory, where he studied with Prof. Joseph Schwartz. Stephen has studied organ extensively as well and serves as organist at both Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and Our Lady of Calvary Catholic Church, both in Philadelphia. He also performs as a piano soloist throughout the region and as part of the Cosgrove-Duffy Duo.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Sue Liedke received a double BA in Studio Art and Communications from Houghton College, and her MEd in Art Education from Tyler School of Art at Temple University. As an art educator Sue’s experience includes Family Arts Academy and Summer Art Camp at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, Children’s Art Classes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Visual Art Teacher at Settlement Music School’s Kaleidoscope and Kaleidoscope Plus programs. She is the recipient of a grant to incorporate technology into the classroom, allowing early learners to experiment with digital film-making and photography. Her classes at Settlement regularly collaborate with Philadelphia street artists, muralists, and local businesses, and she strives to incorporate contemporary artists and techniques into her lessons.
Artist Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (Art), Kailedoscope Plus
Divisions: Early Childhood
Suhae Lee was born in South Korea, and started to play the violin at the age of six. During her study in Busan High School of Arts, she moved to Russia and studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory where she received her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees under professor Bladimir Yu. Ovcharek. Upon graduation, she moved to Europe and studied further under Ilya Grubert. After winning the Grand Prix Award in the 2002 IBLA Grand Prize in Italy, she was invited to Carnegie Hall. As a soloist, she performed with the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra (Walt Disney Concert Hall), Moscow Symphony Orchestra, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Petersburg Capella Symphony Orchestra, TPK Symphony Orchestra, St. Petersburg State Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, Hermitage State Orchestra, KBS Orchestra, Korea Philharmonic Orchestra, Busan Symphony Orchestra and Romania Ploiesti Orchestra.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Violin, Viola
Divisions: Music
After completing a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance at Chapman University, mezzo-soprano Susan Rheingans earned a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from California State University, Los Angeles. Susan performed extensively as a classical singer across the United States and in Europe and Asia, before settling in Pennsylvania and pursuing a teaching career. Susan continues to perform on the east coast in opera, concert and musical theater. Her post-graduate education includes seminars in Contemporary Commercial Music pedagogy at Shenandoah University and Musical Theater pedagogy at Penn State University.
Susan emphasizes strong vocal technique and the development of musical and interpretive skills in her studio, and her students perform in a number of different styles, including classical and musical theater. Her high school-age students are frequently awarded vocal scholarships, win in competition, participate in high school apprentice programs, are chosen for City, District, Regional and State honor choirs and perform leading roles in school musicals. Pre-professional students have been accepted into major conservatory and university vocal programs and have been awarded vocal merit scholarships, and adult students successfully participate in a number of community musical activities. For more information about Susan and her students, please visit her website.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Voice
Divisions: Music
Suzanne Sweeney started her musical career actively playing piano in her community and taking classical lessons and jazz classes at the HARTT School of Music. Following her undergraduate degree in music education and graduate degree in music performance, Suzanne Sweeney played locally and taught for several years in the West Philadelphia area, with experience leading professional development in the Philadelphia School District and the University of Pennsylvania. She was nominated twice and awarded the Lindback Teaching Award in 2014. She supports teaching her students perseverance, creativity, and expression through music.
Associate Staff
Specialties: SATB High School Choir, Children's Music Playshop, Children's Music Workshop
Divisions: Music, Early Childhood
Born in Russia, Svetlana received her dance education at the College of Culture and Arts in Perm, Russia. She has performed with three professional dance companies, became a principal in Stavropol Cossack’s Dance Company, and toured Europe and the United States. In 2005, she received a diploma with Honors from Stavropol State Pedagogic University as a professional dance teacher. After immigrating to the United States, she taught ballet at the School of Dance Arts in Germantown and in Wissahickon Dance Academy’s summer programs.
Regular
Specialties:
Divisions: Dance
Tamara has been teaching piano at Settlement Music School since 1997. She earned her Master’s Degree in Piano Pedagogy from Moldavian State Conservatory and was fortunate to become a piano student of a well known, talented teacher Yevsey Zak . She participated in many trainings to deepen her teaching experience. Her desire to learn and teach music never ends. It gives her tremendous pleasure and a great feeling of satisfaction to see her students making consistent progress. For her, teaching piano is not a job- it’s a lifelong passion. She is proud to say that one of my piano students has been with her for 18 years and now drives from Maryland every Saturday. Music glued us together!
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Teresa Cappello began her association with Settlement at the Germantown Branch as a 16 year old piano student of the late Irene Beck. Her teachers have included Jacques Voois, Jeanne Behrend and Lambert Orkis. After graduating from West Chester University with a B.S. in Music Education, Teresa obtained both Montessori and Dalcroze certificates and taught and developed music programs utilizing the Montessori philosophy. After completing graduate music therapy studies at Hahneman University, Teresa worked as a board certified music therapist with various populations, including persons with autism, developmental disabilities and adults living with mental health issues. She has also enjoyed being an accompanist and rehearsal pianist for regional musical theater and dance studios in the Philadelphia area. As a former accompanist for both the SMS Children’s Choir and Kardon Chorale, she collaborated in a music therapy study involving the first intergenerational choir between the school and the Germantown Home for Older Adults. Teresa presented the results of this study at a National Music Therapy Association conference in the early 2000s. Teaching piano to children, particularly those with special needs, has always been at the heart of her profession. Her other interests include antique shopping and flea marketing. She shares a home with her jazz bassist partner, Dennis, and their senior cat, Olivia.
Staff
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Tessa Ellis has called Philadelphia home since 2011, when she joined David Bilger’s studio at Temple University and subsequently the Curtis Institute of Music. There, she completed a B.M. in 2017 and a Community Artist Fellowship Diploma in 2018. She has won the National Trumpet Competition as a soloist and with an ensemble and she placed as a finalist in the Ellsworth-Smith International Trumpet Competition. Tessa has taught trumpet, music theory, and general music to students aged 6 months- 80 years. As a teaching artist, Tessa strives to provide individualized instruction in a supportive learner-led environment. She is a founding member of the Arcana New Music Ensemble, whose mission is to play “beautiful, interesting and unconventional music in beautiful, interesting, and unconventional spaces.” She brings her preference for an unconventional aesthetic to her brass quintet, Opus 5, which will feature two works by living composers on its debut album.
Regular
Specialties: Trumpet, Children's Music Playshop, Children's Music Workshop
Divisions: Music
Cellist Thomas Kraines has forged a multifaceted career, equally comfortable with avant-garde improvisation, new music, and traditional chamber music and solo repertoire. Mr. Kraines is the cellist of the Daedalus Quartet, and has also been heard with ensembles such as Music from Copland House, The Transformational Music Ensemble, the East Coast Chamber Orchestra (ECCO), and the Network for New Music. An accomplished composer of chamber music, his works have been performed around the world. Mr. Kraines has taught at the Peabody Conservatory, the Longy School of Music, the Killington Music Festival, Yellow Barn, and Princeton University, and is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School.
Regular Special Arrangement Staff
Specialties: Chamber Music, Cello
Divisions: Music
Thomas Meany is a graduate of the University of the Arts, where he studied with Adeline Tomasone and Loren Lind, later studying with Harold Bennett in New York City. Tom recently completed his Master of Music at Rowan University. He has performed at the Aspen Music Festival, Summertrio Chamber Music Festival and the Puccini Opera Orchestra in Italy. Thomas has played master classes with leading flautist such as the late Murray Panitz, Chicago Symphony’s Donald Peck, Samuel Baron at New York University and Toshio Takahashi at the East Tennessee Suzuki Flute Institute. In addition to performing regularly with guitarist Michael Simmons and the Philadelphia Flute Quartet, Mr. Meany has performed in recital for the Matinee Music Club, the Philadelphia Cultural Council, the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia, the Department of Recreation, Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour (PennPAT) and the Concerts on the Square at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square. He has played flute for the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Orchestra Society, the Haddonfield Symphony, and the Lansdowne Symphony. Mr. Meany is a Certified Suzuki Instructor and has recently received three consecutive scholarships from the Suzuki Association of the Americas. In addition to the Settlement Music School Tom also teaches at Saint Basil Academy and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. He is a founding member of the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia and has recently been named a Teaching Artist for Project 440. Tom plays a Brannen-Cooper Flute.
Staff
Specialties: Chamber Music, Flute, Suzuki
Divisions: Music
Timothy Brown is a native of Columbus, OH, where he graduated from Capital University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance. He also received a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. He is currently the music director and organist for historic Christ Episcopal Church in Riverton, NJ. He also performs frequently throughout the NJ/PA are as a soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician. He has served as an accompanist for VOICES Chorale, The Capital Singers of Trenton, RVSS Chorale, The New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus, The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, The Princeton Ballet School, Westminster Choir College, and Princeton University. As a chorister, he has sung with Cantus Novus (formerly The Bucks County Motet Singers), The Capital Signers of Trenton, Caritas Chamber Chorale and the Madrigal Singers (Cranford/Westfield, NJ). Active in musical theatre, Tim has worked with many schools, universities and theater companies throughout the area as a pianist and musical director. He also appears frequently as a cabaret artist at venues throughout the area including Salon 33, Stockton Inn, The Bucks County Cabaret and the 1867 Sanctuary.
Regular
Specialties: Piano
Divisions: Music
Internationally renowned vibraphonist Tony Miceli has been performing steadily on the jazz scene since 1980. In All About Jazz, Vic Schermer describes him as … “a vibraphonist of astonishing virtuosity, musical resilience, and inventiveness. His vibes playing is nothing short of phenomenal.” Tony Miceli is the consummate versatile musician who is involved in a number of musical projects and recordings. An artist who performs throughout the world, Tony has played in countless jazz festivals, percussion festivals, jazz clubs, colleges, and even prisons. Traveling around the world, he has performed in Spain, Ireland, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Belgium, and Patagonia. Based in Philadelphia, he performs and leads vibraphone workshops throughout the USA including Colorado, North Dakota, Delaware, Idaho, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Regular Special Arrangement Staff
Specialties: Jazz Ensembles, Percussion
Divisions: Music
Tricia was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, and has been performing since she was 7 years old competing in various vocal competitions around the city. While in high school Tricia loved theater and dreamed of performing on Broadway. However, she decided that having a college education was more important. Tricia graduated from Temple University Ester Boyer School of Music and Dance, pursuing a Music Education degree with a vocal concentration. She has given private music instruction in voice, guitar and piano to students ranging in age from 5 to 30. She also performs as a singer in two cover bands and writes and performs her own original music as well. Tricia has always wanted to be a teacher, and she feels that music should present in everyone’s life from the beginning.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Children's Music Playshop, Children's Music Workshop
Divisions: Early Childhood
Vasiliy Kifyak holds a Master’s Degree in Conducting, Piano Accompaniment and Music Theory from the Professional Music School in Kishinev, Moldova, and studied at Music Academy of Moldova. As Conductor of the Philharmonic Society Doina Chorus, he traveled and presented concerts at halls throughout cities in Spain and Italy and has taught at independent schools and in other community venues throughout Philadelphia.
Staff
Specialties: Piano, Musicianship
Divisions: Music
Viktor Repik graduated from the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of the Ukraine, under the tutelage of Leonid Perenesienko and Yuri Mazurkevich. After graduation, Viktor performed in the Symphony and Pop Orchestras of the Ukrainian Radio and Television Corporation, and taught violin and chamber music in local schools. Viktor then went on to join as faculty member at the Music Conservatory in Oulu, Finland. Once in the USA, Viktor performed in various orchestras such as the Reading Orchestra, Bucks County Orchestra, and the Delaware Valley Philharmonic. Viktor is also an accomplished accompanist and has served as the accompanist for the Princeton Ballet School.
Staff
Specialties: String Ensemble, Viola, Violin
Divisions: Music
Bill Bonnell performs locally with orchestra and chamber groups. He is the K-12 Music Coordinator in the Phoenixville School District, where he directs the three concert bands, pit orchestra, and jazz ensemble at Phoenixville Middle School. Bill brings research-based practice and assessment strategies for musicians of any age to reach for peak performances. His teaching reflects the joy he has in sharing music with each student. Bill studied with Danny Carter of the National Symphony Orchestra, Ralph Lockwood at Arizona State University, and Randy Gardner of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Bill also performed for two summers at the Pierre Monteux School. He holds the B.M., M.M. degrees, and PA teaching certification from Temple University.
Associate Staff
Specialties: French Horn, Trombone, Trumpet, Baritone/Euphonium
Divisions: Music
Bill joined the Settlement faculty in 2012 after 30+ years of private teaching on the Main Line and in South Jersey. Bill’s areas of focus as both a teacher and performer include drum set, percussion, jazz and world music. He also has extensive experience helping students prepare for auditions for ensembles, college and graduate school. In addition to giving individual lessons, Bill has created the curriculum for and taught a wide range of group classes and workshops. Bill received a BA in Music from Rowan University and a Master’s in Music in Percussion Performance from Miami University. He has studied drum set with Jeff Hamilton, Greg Bissonette, and Armand Santarelli and percussion/world music with Tony Vacca, Randy Crafton, and Ustad Mohammed Lutfi. Bill also has extensive classical experience; he has played with The Haddonfield Symphony, Bridgeton Symphony, The Whitewater Opera Company and was the Principal Percussionist & Timpanist with The Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey. Bill currently plays drum set in several jazz groups in and around Philadelphia including Jazz Volcano.
Staff
Specialties: Percussion, Jazz Ensemble
Divisions: Music
Julian A. and Lois G. Brodsky Distinguished Faculty Chair
William Kerrigan received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Temple University. His principal teachers include Alan Abel, Jack Moore, and Charles Owen. He has been principal percussion/assistant timpani of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, principal percussion with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, principal percussion of Orchestra2001, and leader of the Phil-A-Rhythm Percussion Quartet. He also performed at the Aspen Music Festival, backed up such musicians as Shirley Bassey, Art Garfunkel, Al Green, Michael Feinstein, the Moody Blues, Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, and performed in the orchestras of the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. In addition to being Distinguished Faculty Chair at Settlement, he also has taught or continues to teach at the Community College of Philadelphia, Eastern University, Swarthmore College and the Wilmington Music School.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Percussion
Divisions: Music
Regular
Specialties: Musicianship
Divisions: Music
William S. Cahn, born in Cleveland, Ohio, studied percussion with Cloyd Duff and Robert Pangborn, of the Cleveland Orchestra. During high school, he began teaching private lessons to beginners. While studying at the Eastman School of Music with William Street, he taught for the Rochester, NY School System. After graduating from Eastman with a Bachelor’s Combination Degree in Performance/Music Education, he became timpanist of the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. While there, he continued studying for a Master of Music Degree in Performance from Catholic University of America. He also studied percussion with Alan Abel of the Philadelphia Orchestra, who was head of the Percussion Department at Settlement Music School. Freelance performing has included Ambler Choral Society, Bach and Handel Chorale, Greater Trenton Symphony, Musica 2000 Symphony and the H.B. Smith Cornet Band. William has taught at Settlement Music School since January 1969 and taught at Cardinal Dougherty High School from 1971 to 1997.
Associate Staff
Specialties: Percussion
Divisions: Music
Yael Tsoran is a New York City born and raised artist who moved to Philadelphia in 2018 to pursue her vision as an art therapist. Yael is known for her stylistic, expressive characters filling up her sketchbook, or 12-foot exterior walls. Her explorative and curious nature makes it easy for her to identify as a mixed media artist ranging from painting and drawing to mural work and photocopy art. Through her open studio art-making process, Yael encourages playful experimentation, inquiry, and the “third hand” approach in her sessions. Before moving to Philadelphia, Yael was employed in Brooklyn, working as an art therapist with adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
Regular
Specialties: Art Therapy
Divisions: Art Therapy
Yolanda Abreu, MA, ATR graduated from Drexel University in 2015 with her Master’s in Art Therapy and counseling. Yolanda is a Registered Art Therapist and is currently completing qualifications to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has enjoyed making all types of art throughout her life including dabbling in woodworking and metal sculpture though is more comfortable in two dimensions. Yolanda is currently focusing on watercolor painting for her own self-expression but utilizes a variety of materials and techniques in art therapy work. As an art therapist, Yolanda has worked with a variety of age groups and populations including older adults, children and teens with autism, and trauma survivors of all ages. Yolanda is excited to be a part of the Arts Therapy program at Settlement Music School and is looking forward to developing relationships with the students and staff.
Regular
Specialties: Arts Therapy
Divisions: Arts Therapy
Yvette Dorsey is an assistant pre-kindergarten classroom teacher at Settlement Music School. She holds an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from the Community College of Philadelphia and has worked with children for over eight years. She is a firm believer that each child can learn at his/her own pace. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Additionally, she has gone through extensive training to become a certified treatment foster parent. She has cared for several families over the years and in the last two and a half years, has been caring for four siblings. Mollett has one biological son, Joseph, and a husband, Maurice.
Assistant Teacher
Specialties: Kaleidoscope Pre-K (PS 6)
Divisions: Early Childhood
Zachary Poyatt graduated from the University of the Arts in 2009 with a BM in Jazz Guitar Performance. There he studied with Scott McGill, Tom Giacobetti, and Matt Davis, and participated in masterclasses with Jimmy Bruno, Vic Juris, and Pat Martino. While in high school, he was a student of Gerry Kunkel, guitar chair at the University of Maryland College Park, and took piano and theory lessons from Dr. Mark Cook, director of music theory and composition at Shepherd University. Zachary has played with a wide variety of Philadelphia bands and enjoys teaching a range of styles including jazz standards, funk, pop-rock, folk, and traditional music. Most recently, he performed a top 40 pop repertoire for four years at Howl At The Moon, totaling over 1,000 shows. Zachary loves Philadelphia and enjoys spending time with the friends he has met through the vibrant music community in the city.
Regular
Specialties: Classical Guitar, Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Jazz Guitar
Divisions: Music
What We Do
We designed our flexible, best-in-class programming in music, dance, and creative arts therapy with our students in mind.
History
Settlement has served as a community hub and trusted resource for music and the creative arts since 1908.
Our Branches
Our six branches serve the Greater Philadelphia region, ensuring that excellence in arts education is available to all, regardless of location.