Alumni Newsletter: Naz Notes
2009 Alumni Luncheon Reception at the
NYSSMA 8th Annual Winter Conference
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Lilac Room, Radission Hotel, 120 East Main Street
11:00-1:00 pm
Please Attend!
Spotlight on Alumni
Tony Bisbano, BM '06 just got done recording 3 new holiday orchestrations that I put together. He had a wonderful orchestra made up of freelance musicians as well as musicians from Nazareth, MCC, Eastman, and the RPO. And the vocalists are all currently in Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
All 3 videos can be viewed on youtube by visiting www.youtube.com/biz663
"All I Want For Christmas Is You", "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", and "Christmas Eve In My Home Town" which was written back in 1951 by Stan Zabka. Mr. Zabka has heard a recording of this arrangement and said that he loved the new take on it.
I have rented out a few of my holiday orchestrations to 4 different symphonies for December 2009.
The Buffalo Philharmonic will be performing "Chanukah Lights" which was written by Marvin Hamlisch .
The Syracuse Symphony will be performing "Believe" from the movie Polar Express
The Greeneville Symphony, a long with Jodi Benson (of Disney's Little Mermaid), will be be performing "All I Want For Christmas Is You", and "Christmas Eve In My Home Town".
And the University of Michigan Orchestra will be performing "All I Want For Christmas Is You".
Jack Allocco, BS '72 is an award-winning composer, conductor, music producer and director whose career includes television, film and theater. Currently composer and music director for The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, he recently earned his second Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition For A Drama Series and his eighth American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) award. Allocco is a native of Rochester and attended Bishop Kearney High School, St. John Fisher College and Nazareth. His bachelor's degree in music theory from Nazareth College was awarded cum laude. He lives in Hollywood CA with his wife Stacie and daughter Catherine.
In 2009 Jack Allocco Received 3 Emmy Nominations for Outstanding Original Song for a drama series
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - CBS
SONG TITLE: ALL MY DAYS FILLED WITH YOU
JACK ALLOCCO, COMPOSER & LYRICIST
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - CBS
SONG TITLE: FOR ALL TIME
DAVID KURTZ, COMPOSER & LYRICIST
JACK ALLOCCO, COMPOSER & LYRICIST
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION FOR A DRAMA SERIE
The Young and the Restless, CBS
In 2007, Jack delivered an inspirational message to the 2007 class of Nazareth graduates. To read the Commencement Address, please click on the link.
Alumni Updates
2000
Clare Arezina, MT-BC,CCLS, BM '06 (music therapy), is pursuing a Master's Degree in Music Therapy at the University of Kansas, where she has accepted a position as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.
Brendan Ayers, BM '08 (music education) is teaching General Music at the Wilson High School Foundationin Rochester, New York. He is also teaching a Music for Special Learners class with Genesee Community College.
Jessica Best, BM '06 (vocal performance) is has just finished a 10 day stint in NYC with her coach Sherrill Milnes from Northwestern University. He has taken her under his wing and is exposing her to some of the top Opera coaches in the world. She will be off to Tampa in April with him again, doing his program, Voice Experience. It will be another 10 day period of time where she will be coaching and performing with various opera singers. The most exciting news is that Jessica has been contracted to Santa Fe Opera beginning in May. She will be participating in the young artist apprentice program and is cast as Marchelina, from the Marriage of Figaro, in this upcoming summer opera season. In June, she will be graduating from Northwestern in June with her Masters.
Last year Jessica was given a full scholarship from the Bel Canto Foundation of Chicago to attend V.O.I.C.E. Experience: Sherrill Milnes and Friends - this August in Disney World. This past February, she appeared as Hata in the opera, The Bartered Bride in Cahn Auditorium. This summer she has been accepted to the Santa Fe Opera program t to cover Marcellina.
Nikki Bell, BM '07 (music education) is teaching General Music and Strings Grades4-6 full time at William Street School (Lancaster Central Schools) and she is working on a master degree in international studies at St. John Fisher College, Rochester.
Tony Bisbano, BA '06 has created an orchestral arrangement of Believe from the movie Polar Express which was performed in November by the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winning composer Marvin Hamlisch has hired him to orchestrate a medley of songs from the Barbra Streisand movie "Yentl", for him to conduct with the Nashville Symphony later in April, 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu1_3JL4wS0&feature=channel
Julia Broman, BA '09 completed a semester of study abroad in Japan last year and will attend the Eastman School of Music to pursue a Masters Degree in Ethnomusicology in the Fall, 2009.
Nicole Brooker, BM '06 (music education), is accepted into the master's degree program in music education at Nazareth College. She is teaching 5th grade band and lessons in the Honeoye Falls Central School District.
Adrian Catucci, BM '06 (music education), is teaching Elementary Vocal General in St. Monica Catholic School.
Sarah Chasey,BM '09 (music performance) will attend the Manhattan School of Music to pursue a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance
Nick Cicero,BA '09 (music) will attend the Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, to pursue a graduate degree in advertising.
Melissa Cook, BM '05 (music therapy),has completed her Master of Science in Music Therapy at SUNY New Paltz. She is a Board Certified Music Therapist working full time in the pediatric unit at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey.
Kattie Cordeiro, BM '05 (music therapy), has successfully completed her Board Certification for Music Therapists. Currently she is enrolled at the University of Rochester in their Master's in Mental Health Counseling Program.
Danielle Conner, BM (music education), is teaching fourth grade to eighth grade band at the Keshequa Central School District in Nunda.
Sarah Decker, BM '06 (music education), is accepted into the master's degree program in music education at Nazareth College. She is teaching at the DeSales High School in Geneva New, York.
Bethany Donovan, BM (music education) is teaching 7-12th grade general/vocal music at Dolgeville Central School.
Chris Edelman, BM '04 (music education), is teaching English in Japan.
Jessica Edic, BM '08 (music education), is teaching K-5 Vocal Music at Deerfield Elementary in Whitesboro. She is also enrolled in the Masters in Music Education degree from Boston University.
Marissa Emple, BM ' 07 (music therapy) will be working for the Hebrew Home, a long-term care facility at Riverdale, Bronx.
Lindsey Everitt, BM '09 (music therapy) will provides in-home care and services for adults and children with developmental disabilities through Heritage Christian Services
Jennifer Forster, BM '05 (music therapy), MT-BC, is a music therapist in Louisville, Kentucky.
Christa Fortin, BM '09 (music education), is the new band director at Canaseraga Central School, she will be responsible for 4-12 instrumental, 7-8 general, and marching band.
Nathan Frink, BA ' 09 received a full four-year fellowship from University of Pittsburgh to pursue a PhD in Ethnomusicology with a concentration in Jazz studies.
Elliot Kirby, BA '06 has been hired as an audio and print production artist at EM2 Advertising in Rochester, New York. He is responsible for generating music and jingles for clients, recording and producing audio for TV, radio sports and designing print advertisements.
Leah Kirby, BM '08 (music therapy) is attending the Creative Arts Therapy graduate program at Nazareth College. She is also working as a part-time as a graduate assistant in the Music Therapy Program at the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong Memorial Hospital. Leah passed her Board Certification examination in 2009 and has a MT-BC.
Mary Holzhauer, BM '06 (piano performance), has completed a master's degree in piano performance and organ at Ithaca College. She is currently freelancing in the Ithaca area.
Jeff Hoffman, BM '05 (music education), is teaching at Eastridge High School.
Leticia Kalweit, BM '06 (piano performance), is a piano instructor at Mary Anne Bruce Studio and the organist of First Baptist Church in Newark, New York.
Cassandra Kennedy, BM '06 (music therapy), is accepted into the master's program at Kardon Institute of Creative Arts Therapy in Pennsylvania. She is also working as a part-time music therapist.
Kathryn Lent, BM '06 is attending Bowling Green State University to pursue a masters degree in music history.
Stephanie McKay, BM '08 (music education) is a long term substitute teacher in the Rochester City School District teaching 4-6th grade band and instrumental lessons at school 1 and school 35. She is also working on the Masters of Music Education at Roberts Wesleyan College.
Michael McNeill, BM '04 (music theory), earned a Master of Music Degree in Modern American Music at the Longy School of Music on Boston.
Bethany Miller, BM '06 (music therapy), received internship opportunity at Bethany Children's Home in Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania.
Melissa Miller is working as a long term substitute teacher at the Brighton Middle School.
Jason Mincer, BM '06 (music education), is teaching at Gates Chili High School and Gates Chili Middle School.
Aubri Ordway, BM '06 (music education), is teaching General Music and Choir K-12 in Belfast, New York.
Scott Paeplow, BM '08 (music education) has found employment for the 2008-2009 academic year at the Cardinal o'Hara High School in Tonawanda, New York. It is a part time choral music position aimed at starting a new program.
Rebecca Perlman, BM '08 (music education) will beteaching music in Lyndonville, fall 2008.
Amanda Payne-Shamrock, BM '05 (music education), is teaching vocal/general music k-3 in the Lancaster School District. She is also the choral director for Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Lockport, NY. She is working on her master's in music education at the University at Buffalo.
Kim Potter Winden, BM '06 (music education), is teaching Instrumental and Vocal General Grades 7-12 at the Wilson Foundation Academy, Rochester City School District.
Kyle Potter, BA will attend Towson University to pursue a Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology & Certificate in School Psychology
Ashley Poulin, BM '06 is accepted into the master's program of library sciences at SUNY Albany.
Anne Rimbach, BA '09 spent the summer at Interlochen School of Music where she received an internship in the study of music librarianship and has joined the Department of Music staff as the new Community Music Program Registrar.
Lindsay Rock, BM '06 is a 6th grade band director at Goff Middle School in East Greenbush Central School district . She is also starting her M.S. in Music Education at St. Rose in Albany.
Michael Roddy , BM '07 teaches elementary general music anddirects two choirs at the Remington Elmenatry School in the Ilion Central School District in Utica.
Shelby Rosenblum, BM '06 (music therapy), is offered position as music therapy intern at River Oaks Psychiatric Hospital in New Orleans.
Lisa Salvaggio, BA '08 (music), is accepted into the M.Ed. program at Suffolk University in school counseling.
Michael Shamrock, BM '05 (music education), is teaching vocal/general music k-3 in the Lancaster School District. He is also the music director for The Church at Shawnee Landing, in Wheatfield, NY. He is working on his master's in music education at the University at Buffalo.
Michael Sapienza, BM '06 (music education), is teaching East Irondequoit Middle School Band.
Dave Savine, BM '05 (music education), is working for Em2 Advertising/Warehouse Studios.
Nicole Siniscarco, BM '06 (music education) has been accepted into the master's program in music education at SUNY Fredonia. She is now teaching at Holland Patent Middle School. She teaches Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, 4th and 5th grade band lessons and 5th grade band.
Megan Smith, BM '09 (music therapy), was awarded a prestigious music therapy internship at Beth Israel Medical Center and plans to travel to Kenya to implement Arts in Medicine programs at hospitals specializing in the treatment of children with AIDS.
Steven Smith, BA ' 08 has joined ITS of Nazareth College as a Web Developer for the Web & Academic/Digital Technologies team. Steven is no stranger to ITS. He worked in the User Support Center while he was a student and recently has been helping Marketing & Communications with projects related to the Web site.
Jennifer Stocki Johnson, BA '06, is currently the Music Director at St. Maria Goretti Church in Laflin, PA.
Kayoko Takahashi, BM 04' (music therapy), earned the Masters of Music Degree in Music Therapy at Florida State University, December 2007.
Heather Taylor, BM '08 (music education) received the 2008 Outstanding Instrumental Student Teaching Award. She is going to be a long term substitue teacher at Calkins Road Middle School in Pittsford New York for the month of May to June.
Eric Traugott, MM '07 BM '05 (music education) received the 2007-2008 Rochester Teacher of the Year. He is teacing in the Rochester City School District.
Deanna Spiotta, BA ' 09 has ccepted in the inaugural class at Liverpool Hope University in the UK to pursue the new Masters of Arts in The Beatles and Popular Music and Society.
Ryan Thomas, BM '06 (music education), is teaching in LeRoy High School.
Jaclyn Urban, will be undertaking the role of Francisca in a performance featuring songs from West Side Story,
with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestraon October 20, 2007.
Kathy Wakeman, BM '0 (music education), has a one year appointment at Oliver Middle School in Brockport.
Joy Walcek, BM '06 (music therapy), is a music therapist at Upstate Music Therapy Center in Penfield, New York.
Kevin Weber, BM '07 (music eudcation), is accepted into masters degree program in music education at Nazareth College. He is currently teaching in the Hilton Central School District as the middle school brass instructor, and high school brass ensemble director. Next fall he will be the 4-8 instrumental band director in the Hornell City School District. He will also returning for his 3rd season with the Hochstein Music Educators Wind Ensemble.
Jesse Whitney have been awarded a Teaching Assistantship at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and will be attending there in the fall for work on my Masters of Music in Music Theory.
Kyle Yacobucci, BM '09 (music performance) will attend Bowling Green State University to pursue a Masters of Music in Oboe Performance.
1990
Elizabeth McAnally, BS '90 (music education) will be sharing her experiences teaching middle school general music at the MENC / Rowman meeting. Littlefield will be publishing her book, "Middle School General Music: The Best Part of Your Day." and it will be available in December, 2009. Ms. McAnally is teaching at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Philadelphia.
Maria Russo, dramatic soprano of international renown, sang all the Brunnhildes in the history-making, four-year project culminating this spri
ng in the very first "Ring of the Nibelungen" ever produced in Brazil. It took place in the famous theater in Manaus, Teatro Amazonas which garnered a large international audience and world-wide press in the exotic location.
The conductor, Luis Mahhiero, was the driving force behind producing the "Ring, beginning with "Die Walkure" in 2002, "Siegfried" in 2003, "Gotterdammerung" in 2004 and all four of the operas this year. The direction was done by British team of director, Aidan Lang, and and set/costume designer, Ashley Martin-Davis.
Most of the singers were Brazilian but some exceptions, aside from Brunnhilde of Maria Russo, were the Canadian "Siegfried," Alan Woodrow, and the American bass, Stephen Bronk as "Fasolt," "Hunding," and "Hagen." Maria Russo will continue to sing Brunnhilde as the production moves to Sao P
aulo over the next four years.
Congratulations to Michelle Murphy, BME 96 who was recently named to a position as visiting professor at Columbus State University in Georgia where she will teach studio voice, diction, and vocal pedagogy.
Entertainer Christopher Johnson, BM' 94 recently accepted a contract with Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA for the upcoming world premier musical "Psalms of David" running June 16 through December 30, 2006. He also has launched a new website www.christopherjohnsonentertainment.com where you can view his credentials, see picture
s, and view some clips of his performances. Recently he spent a year literally singing all over the world as the lead male vocalist aboard both the Oceania Regatta and Radisson Seven Seas Voyager.
A lover of Opera, Christopher has performed extensively with Rochester Opera and New Jersey Opera in productions of "Pagliacci", "Cavaleria Rusticana", "Rigoletto", "Tosca", and "Il Trovatore". He has performed leading roles in "The Marriage of Figaro", "The Telephone", "The Mikado", "Pygmalion", "Gypsy", "Kiss Me Kate", "The Stonewater Rapture", "The Spoonriver Anthology", and "Little Red Riding Hood". For many summers, he was the baritone soloist at the "Camp-of-the-Woods" summer resort in upstate NY.
Christopher is also grateful for the opportunity he had to sing at Carnegie Hall in a performance of Mozart's "Requiem". Before deciding to give his full attention to performing, he was the Upper School Choral Director and Dean of Students for the prestigious Warldaw-Hartridge School in New Jersey where he developed an award winning choir and was musical director for "The Fantastics", "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown", and "Annie".
Submit Your News & Updates
If you have news you would like to share with your fellow Nazareth
Department of Music Alumni, please email the information to our web coordinator Bonnie Choi at bchoi6@naz.edu.
We look forward to hearing your news and sharing our news with you!
Sincerely,
Dr. James Douthit, Chair
Department of Music