Artistas docentes
Centro Count Basie Academia de las Artes Turner
Ariana Centamore
is proud to be a part of the Student Production Team for the 4th year! She graduated Stockton University with a degree in Theatre Management/Arts Administration. She has previously worked at the Surflight Theatre in their Educational Touring Program and The Algonquin Arts Theatre as a Youth Ensemble instructor. She has also choreographed at multiple regional high schools in Monmouth and Ocean County as well as community theaters. Along with being a theater educator she has performed in countless productions for the last 20 years. She loves being able to share her joy and knowledge of theater with the upcoming generations.
Christine deSimas
has been directing and performing in theater for over 30 years. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor of Science degree in Musical Theater, she is thrilled about the opportunity to teach at the renowned Count Basie Center for the Arts. Her passion for performing, directing and teaching has been a deep part of her from a very early age performing as a kid in Brooklyn, NY. Christine’s decades of theater experience include NYC cabaret shows, acting, singing, showcases, improv, character study, directing, and teaching. She is a mom of three teenage kids, two of which share her passion for the arts. Her mission is to use theater to help students own their voice, doubting less and trusting their own instincts more, giving them greater confidence on-stage and off!
Marjorie Enerson
is a teaching artist with her BFA in Technical Theatre from Montclair State University. She has been teaching for the past 37 years. Her teaching career started at The Mason Gross school of Arts (Rutgers) as the Props Supervisor for Student productions. She spent 8 years as the Performing Arts teacher at Lakewood Prep and 10 Summers at the Ranney School in Tinton Falls NJ teaching Drama to ages 5-13, as well as, 12 years with the Middlesex County Arts and Education program. This past July marks her 12th year at The Basie where she teaches Broadway kids, Theatre kids, and The Show Must Go On classes.
Robert Gengerke
is a producer and director with over 35 years of experience creating programs for broadcast, live events and corporations. He has produced segments for PBS’ Nova, Inside Edition and CNN, and his scripts have been featured in global presentations. On stage, he has performed with award-winning improvisational groups, including ForPlay Improvised Theater and Some Assembly Required. He taught radio and television techniques at Central Michigan University. His Bachelor’s degree is from the State University of New York at Binghamton, and he earned his Master’s degree in Communications at Temple University.
Christopher Harrison
is a Canadian Actor, Director, and Educator. He founded Over the Edge Theatre Productions in Toronto, after studying in the UK and New York. In Los Angeles, he joined the Ensemble Studio Theatre and worked with many notable playwrights. He co-directed at the Blank Theatre Company, and directed several plays while working in Film and Television. In New Jersey, Christopher started the Creative Youth Project which provided educational programming, and theatrical productions in schools. Now, at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, he is a Teaching Artist, Education Associate, and the organizer of the Breakthrough Film Fest.
Alyssa Kiselev
is a graduate of Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Studies. Alyssa is currently earning her Masters Degree for Arts Administration at Rowan University. Alyssa has been teaching at the Count Basie for two years and interned previously for three years. Alyssa is a Teaching Artist for the Student Production Program, Musical Theatre Dance class, as well as several outreach programs. Her mission is to help every child feel important and confident in their experience in the arts.
Natalie Hayes-Scott
is a choreographer, performer, and educator from Long Branch NJ. She studied Musical Theater at Rider University. She has facilitated classes for musical theater and dance for 10 years at many local theaters in Monmouth County. She joined the Basie in September of 2021. Including her teaching artist title here at the Basie, she is also a choreographer for Phoenix Productions, Count Basie’s in-house community theater company. Her credits include Once on This Island, In the Heights, Addams Family Musical, Ragtime, and more recently, director/choreographer for Rent.
Anthony Greco
is a graduate of Monmouth University earning degrees in English + Theatre Arts. Anthony is the Arts + Education Outreach Manager at the Count Basie Center where he has been a Teaching Artist for a decade. “Coach Anthony” (as the students call him) is the proud founder of our Student Production program. Since its inception in the fall of 2015 the program has done over 60 shows and has reached thousands of students and their families. He is also the resident director at Marlboro High School and since 2012 has worked with the administration, colleagues, and students to build a program recognized with several awards and honors at the county and state level. Anthony has proudly served on several Board of Directors including Phoenix Productions, the Axelrod Performing Arts Center, and Center Players. No matter where and in what role, he believes it is vital to make the arts accessible to, and for, all!
Edward Itte
has a degree in Liberal Arts and is currently earning his Bachelors in Elementary Education (K-6) from Kean University. He is the choreographer at Lacey Township High School, Stafford Intermediate, and Lacey Township Middle School. Edward has studied dance for 20+ years and has been a Teaching Artist at The Count Basie Center Turner Academy of the Arts for the past 3 years. It is his top priority to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students, and he hopes to equip all young performers with a passion for the arts.
Angela Lomangino
has been training actors for over 35 years. She has appeared in numerous commercials, serials, feature films, voiceovers, industrials, print and theater in New York, California and throughout New England.
A Board Certified teacher of Speech Arts and Dramatics, she instructs performers of all ages through TV Talent 3 and TV Tots™. Her students have obtained work in television commercials, voiceovers, major motion pictures, network/cable and streaming shows, print promotions and theatrical productions.
Ms. Lomangino is a member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA, as well as a member of the SAG-AFTRA Performers with Disabilities Committee.
Mark Megill
is an actor, singer, musical director and educator, having taught high school choir and theatre for 35 years. His acting resume includes a national tour of A Christmas Story, The Bridges of Madison County at both the Axelrod Theatre in Deal and the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope Pennsylvania, as well as numerous productions at The Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan. He serves as the musical director at The Algonquin Arts Theatre, The Spring Lake Community Theatre, and the Count Basie Center Academy of the Arts.
Jessica O'Brien
is the Director of Education at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. This is her eighth year as a producer/choreographer for the Student Production program! Jessica has an M.S. in Theatre Education from Rowan University, an M.A. in Theatre from Villanova University, and a B.A. in Musical Theatre/Theatre Performance from Marymount Manhattan College. She also has a New Jersey CEAS certification to teach theatre to students K-12. She was named the New Jersey Educator of the Year Award in 2023 by the New Jersey Thespian Chapter of the Educational Theatre Association. She works professionally as a Director/ Choreographer and has staged more than 200 productions. She is a four-time IMEA Award nominee for Outstanding Direction of a Musical and Outstanding Production of a Musical (Gypsy, The Last Five Years). She is a nine-time NJACT Perry Award nominee, and two-time winner for Outstanding Choreography (Me and My Girl, Crazy for You). She is a two-time Count Basie Award nominee for Outstanding Choreography (Crazy for You, The Little Mermaid). In 2017, Jessica was the youngest Choreographer to be inducted into the NJACT Hall of Fame.
Robin Oddo
started her creative journey attending Monmouth University as a Speech, Communications, and Theatre Major where she received her BA. She went on to have success in numerous stage productions in the New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York area. She forged her way adding TV and Print work to her resume.
She happily settled in Red Bank with her musician husband and they raised their daughter, an illustrator.
This path led Robin to Count Basie Theatre where she discovered her love of teaching. Robin works to instill that same love, respect, experience, hard work and training which so enriched her life.
Robin strives to instill in each actor the tools to find their own individual creative voice. “Live each day with Imagination”
Jorge Platis
is proud to be on the team of teaching artists at CBC. George studied music education and elementary education at Monmouth University. He is a kindergarten teacher at Red Bank Primary (Governor’s Educator of the Year Award recipient. YouTube Channel: “Mr. Platis Story Time”). As an actor, he has performed professionally and in NJ community theater. Credits: National Tour (Titanic), Two River Theater (A Year with Frog and Toad), Surflight Theatre (The Man Who Came to Dinner), Count Basie Theater (Beauty and the Beast, Grease), Plays in the Park (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Algonquin Arts Theatre (Cats).
Jarrod Scott
is world touring Entertainer, NJ based arts educator Vocal Coach and Director. Most recent Directorial projects include: Runaways, Once On This Island, The Addams Family, Ragtime, The Mountaintop, The Color Purple, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.
Teaching arts all over NJ, as well as performing globally, allows for a broader understanding of the importance of, as well as the impact Theatre has on POC. Empowering the next generation of creators is each of our duties with each project we undertake.
Cantante Zara
graduated from Ithaca College with a B.A. in Theatre Studies with minors in Counseling and Education Studies. She’s been teaching dance and theatre to kids for many years and is so happy to continue to do so with The Basie. She also loves her golden doodle, good music, and silly dad jokes!
Christopher Tomaino
is an actor, director, coach and teaching artist in the Monmouth County, New Jersey area. For the past 10 years, Mr Tomaino has been working in conjunction with the Count Basie Center for the Arts and the Arc of Monmouth, creating specialized programs for participants in their TAZ program. Mr Tomaino is also the director of Arc’s Broadcast Club, a performance-based club, creating performance opportunities for its members. He has a BA in Speech/Communications/Theater from Monmouth University ‘89 and an MFA in Acting from Indiana University ‘96.
Artistas docentes
Count Basie Center Conservatory of Music
PATRICK APPELLO
(CLASSICAL + FLAMENCO GUITAR) Mr. Appello has taught classical and flamenco guitar at Monmouth Conservatory since 1990. He served on the music faculty of Georgian Court University for ten years, and has studied guitar with Manuel Barrueco, Frederic Hand, Juan de la Mata, and Ana Maria Rosado, plus lute and theorbo with Pat O’Brien. Mr. Appello earned a B.M. in Guitar Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a Masters in Performance from New Jersey City University. Amongst his accomplishments, he was co-winner of the Oscar Ghilia Guitar Competition and solo artist in the Master Class at the Aspen Music Festival, and served as the original solo classical guitarist for the famed “Cellar in the Sky” restaurant on the 107th floor of the World Trade Tower. His CD Reflections, a collection of Renaissance and early-Romantic music performed on historic instruments, was released in 2007. A second CD, The Last Rose of Summer was released in 2012, hailed as “delightful by its array of guitar techniques, idiomatically conceived for the instrument” by Early Music America.
Paul Buresh
has been serving as the Organist/Pianist and Choir Director at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Keyport for over 24 years. The past 12 years he has been the Drama Advisor for Keansburg High School directing their recent production including technical direction. He and his team received an Evaluator’s Special Basie Award for innovation and creation of the puppets for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS in 2023. He continues to be the Drama Club Advisor for Bolger Middle School in Keansburg directing their CABARETS and musicals over the last 13 years. Hailing from Nebraska, he graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln with a Theatre Degree and moved to New Jersey in 1988. Paul has choreographed and performed onstage for numerous plays and musical productions as well as touring nationally with a children’s theatre company. His interests include all forms of new age /alternative visual and performing arts while still admiring the classics. He encourages all students to be exposed and engaged in the training and creative process of performing in the arts including backstage and the specialty arts.
MARK EDELSTEIN
Mark Edelstein has been performing and singing since he was about 7 years old.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the Department of music at Adelphi University on Long Island, NY. Currently, Mark is a Music Educator who teaches Band, Chorus, and General Music in Charles H. Stillman Elementary School in Plainfield, NJ. He is also a bilingual educator who can teach in both English and in Spanish. Mark plays a variety of instruments and is a trained professional singer in a variety of genres. In Middle and High School, Mark started singing in honors choirs like All State Chorus and the NAfME All-Eastern Chorus.
In college, he continued his journey of singing and took it all over the world. He has sung in NJPAC, Carnegie Hall, and in the Sydney Opera House in Sydney Australia with the Honors Performance Series Honors Chorus. Additionally, Mark performs in theaters in New Jersey and New York City where he has performed in Off-Broadway productions such as Footloose and the Final Days of Vincent Van Gogh.
NICHOLAS FILOMENO
(PIANO) Nicholas Filomeno began violin and piano lessons at the age of 5. Originally studying violin, Nicholas studied under Irina Kovalsky until age 10. That’s when he decided that piano was his true passion. He studied Classical Piano under Vladislav Kovalsky and Felix Molzer. At age 11, he began studying Piano under Dusty Micale of Music University who introduced him to jazz. Nicholas went on to attend Rutgers Jazz Program at Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Jazz Performance. At Mason Gross he studied personally with Jazz Legends; including Stanley Cowell, Eddie Parlmieri, Bill O’Connell, and Fred Hersch. Nicholas has also received 2 Golden Key Festival Awards for 2nd and 3rd place in classical piano. Nicholas now performs locally and teaches private beginner – advanced piano lessons at Victory Music School Staten Island NY. Nicholas also teaches at Rock’n Music Academy in Red Bank, Monmouth music lessons drive in and online teaching, and Lindsay’s Little Rockers in person and online where he teaches beginner-advanced level keyboard and also instructs the Jazz and classical portion as well in all schools he currently teaches.
CHRISTOPHER KLAUS
(VIOLIN / VIOLA / CELLO / PIANO) Christopher Klaus is a graduate of Rutgers University with a B.A in Music. He studied under world renowned violinist Lenuta Ciulei. As a violinist he has performed in various ensembles including the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra, Rutgers Philharmonia, New Sussex Symphony, Pocono Youth Orchestra and the Brook Symphony Orchestra. His musical interests included classical, rock, celtic, and bluegrass which are incorporated into his lessons. As a dedicated music educator he has over 16 years experience teaching violin, viola, cello and piano. His approach to teaching integrates elements of various string methods which include Essential Elements for Strings, Strictly Strings and the Suzuki Method. Each lesson is tailored to fit the students musical interests while fostering a creative and compassionate environment that supports basic fundamentals and reliable technique.
ANGELA KOCH
(VIOLIN / VIOLA) Mrs. Koch began her classical music training at the age of six. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College and completed her Master of Music degree in Viola Performance at Penn State, where she was also a teaching assistant. In that role, she worked with beginners taking strings methods, to more advanced players who studied privately with her. Mrs. Koch continues to perform classical music and is currently the principal violist of the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra. She also teaches the after school String Program at Manasquan Elementary School.
MIKHAIL KUCHUK
(VIOLA / VIOLIN) Mikhail Kuchuk graduated from the Academy of Music in Odessa, Ukraine and completed his Master of Music and Doctorate of Music Degrees in Freiburg, Germany. His teachers have included Alexander Stanko, Wolfgang Marschner, and Felix Gottlieb. He has received numerous awards for his work; in 1990, Mr. Kuchuk was a winner of the Ukrainian National Violin Competition, the Carl Flesch Violin Competition (Hungary) in 1993, and the Baden Wurtemberg Violin Competition (Germany) in 1996. Other awards include receiving the David Oistrakh Scholarship in Odessa, Ukraine and the Rosenberg Foundation’s Scholarship in Freiburg, Germany. Mr. Kuchuk was a concertmaster of Odessa Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, where he toured as a soloist in Germany, Italy, and France. He also held a full-time position at the Odessa Opera House.
Since 1997, Mr. Kuchuk has been living in the United States. He was the solo violinist on Broadway in New York City, in the production of Forever Tango. He has appeared as a soloist with the Manhattan Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, the Westchester Chamber Orchestra, St Peter’s by the Sea Symphony Orchestra, and the Bachanalia Chamber Orchestra.
From 1999-2009, Mr. Kuchuk was the leader of the Forte String Quartet, quartet-in-residence at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. During this period they participated in festivals throughout the United States including Maine, Washington DC, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Since 2009, Mr. Kuchuk has been a member of the Art-Strings Ensembles, which actively performs at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, David Geffen at Lincoln Center (formerly known as Avery Fisher Hall) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since 2004, Mr. Kuchuk has been a member of Tito Castro Tango Quartet and has participated at various locations in New York, including the Blue Note, as well as in Hawaii, Korea, and Japan.
Mr. Kuchuk is the Concertmaster of St. Peters by the Sea Symphony Orchestra in New Jersey and Principal Second at the Bachanalia Chamber Orchestra in New York City. As an educator, Mr. Kuchuk teaches violin at Wharton Music Center in New Jersey, and he is a faculty member at the Prep Division at Rutgers University.
MIRIAM LERNER
(PIANO) Ms. Lerner is a graduate of The Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut. She holds an A.B. in Music from Barnard College, NYC and M.Ed. from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City. A member of Music Teachers National Association and New Jersey Music Teachers Association, Ms. Lerner has also served as an adjudicator for the Crescendo Music Festivals International for piano, voice and violin students. Her specialty is teaching young students to love music.
JOHN LUCKENBILL
(BRASS / WOODWINDS) Mr. Luckenbill started his musical career on piano at age 5. In high school, he was selected to the McDonald’s All-American Band, All- Eastern and first chair in the NJ All-State Bands. He received a music scholarship to Michigan State University, where he was section leader in the wind-ensemble and symphonic band and received his BA in Music Education and graduated with High Honors. He is presently the conductor of the Asbury Concert Band and John Luckenbill Pops Band, professional bands which perform on the boardwalks in Asbury Park and Belmar and various towns around the shore area. Mr. Luckenbill has performed with and is the personnel manager for the Orchestra of St. Peter, which has done concerts at Carnegie Hall, Claridge Casino, Philadelphia Academy of Music, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tillis Center in Long Island, and as a back-up orchestra for both Marvin Hamlisch and Ray Charles. He has performed as the official bugler at Monmouth Park , Philadelphia Park, and the Meadowlands, and has played on “Good Morning America”, ABC-TV and “Good Day New York” on FOX. He has performed with the Lansing Symphony, Trenton Symphony, Staten Island Symphony and Delaware Valley Symphony.
Mr. Luckenbill has been the Talented Theme Magnet Program Team Leader in the Long Branch Public Schools, where he is also an instrumental music teacher. This is his 40th year of teaching in Long Branch, where he was Teacher of the Year in 2012 as well as receiving a Master Music Teacher award from the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. He was also named Arts Educator of the Year in Monmouth County from the Algonquin Theater in 2015. Many of his students have won positions in high school and junior-high All-Shore, All-State Region and All State bands and orchestra.
DEB LYONS
(VOCALS) Deb Lyons has starred on Broadway and London’s West End in Smokey Joe’s Cafe (including the DVD). She portrayed “Lucy” in the 1st National tour of Jekyll & Hyde. She has worked with Tony Award-winning directors, Jerry Mitchell, Jerry Zaks and Richard Maltby Jr. Her theatrical credits include Next to Normal, Hairspray, Ring of Fire, Side by Side by Sondheim, Swing, and The Last Goodbye (Romeo and Juliet). Off-Broadway she worked alongside Grammy-winning songwriters Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil.
In addition to her theater work, she toured the world for 5 years as a member of the legendary pop group The Mamas & The Papas with original Papas, John Phillips and Denny Doherty. She’s sung in concert with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and shared the stage singing duets with Rick Springfield, Ben E. King and Mary Wilson. She’s also sung backup for Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack, Roseanne Cash, The Chieftains, Martha Reeves, Frankie Avalon, Lesley Gore and Donna Summer.
She has over 20 years of experience in the recording studio singing with major artists, singing jingles & recording voiceovers. Trained by Tony Award-winning renowned voice teacher, Joan Lader, NYU vocal coach, Andrea Green, and HB Studios, Deb has been teaching vocal technique and performance for 15 years. One of her students was a Top 10 finalist on the X Factor!
Svetlana Mari
(Piano / Voice) Svetlana Mari began private piano training at six in Latvia. She earned her Master’s Degree in Piano and Choral studies at Daugavpils University Latvia and began her teaching career at Riga Teacher Training and EM Academy for Undergraduates. Before leaving Europe, Svetlana was privileged to be part of the faculty at Tambov, Russia, and Oranienburg, Germany Schools of Music.
After immigrating to the United States Svetlana taught privately as a member of the American College of Musicians / National Guild of Piano Teachers. Her students participated in the yearly auditions program with great success. Ms. Mari also enjoyed a season as a choral accompanist at Middlesex County College.
In 2001 Svetlana began teaching in public schools as a music teacher and choral director. During her tenure in public education, she has had the opportunity to teach students of all ages and all ability levels. Her choral ensembles have participated in and received many accolades including the Choral Competition Gold Medal at “The Disney Heritage Festival” and a superior rating at “Music in the Park Festival” Williamsburg, VA. In 2009, Svetlana’s love of Musical theater led her to become the music director and vocal coach for several successful productions at Middletown South High School, SpotLight Players in Matawan, and the Middletown Arts Center. Although retired from public school, Svetlana’s appetite and appreciation for music is unwavering and her commitment to her students equals that of her passion for music.
JULIA MUENCH
(PIANO, Voice) Born and raised in the United States, Julia Muench is a music educator and professional pianist, teaching piano, and voice. Julia has been on the faculty of the Monmouth Conservatory since 1997. With a master’s degree in music, Julia is a highly experienced teaching professional, working with students of all levels, ages and backgrounds. Julia’s vocal training, performances and experience include: choir director for several Monmouth County choirs, accompanist/performer to professional broadway and classical vocalists, vocal training workshops, and more recently: producing, arranging and performing the vocals for: The Wolverton’s (song duo) show, Songs of an Inspired Era in NYC, Red Bank, New Jersey and Seattle, Washington. Julia is excited about adding vocal students to her teaching class.
Julia’s goals in teaching music students are: encouraging the continued love of music, building confidence, and helping students of all ages and levels, to reach their own musical goals.
Additional: In 2013, Mrs. Muench won first place Audience Award for her composition Nautilus Dances at the Sub Tropics Music Festival in Miami, Florida. Nautilus Dances and many of her original compositions and piano artistry may be followed on her Youtube channel. Her actual sheet music scores and arrangements may be downloaded at arrange.com.
Invited in 2018 to perform her original works in New Orleans, LA, Julia continues to compose and give live music performances. Classically trained, Muench holds a B.A. and M.A. in Music and Applied Piano from the University of Miami, under Teresa Escandon, Robert Floyd and Maxwell Lepper.
GERD NOWACZYK
(PIANO) Born and raised in Germany, Mr. Nowaczyk studied privately with Rhandi Haiberg-Druckenbrodt and Erika Haase at the Conservatory of Hanover, Germany, later receiving his degree in piano performance from the University of Ashland, Ohio, where he was a student of Elizabeth Pastor, Regius Professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Mr. Nowaczyk has appeared in solo and chamber music recitals throughout the United States and Germany, including a memorable performance of Schumann’s Piano concerto with the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. His work as a vocal coach with emphasis on the French and German repertoire and his extensive experience as a choral conductor has made him highly sought after by musicians and vocalists alike. Mr. Nowaczyk has been a member of the piano faculty of the Monmouth Conservatory since 1995. He also holds a degree in Romance Languages and Literature and German Philology from the University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Joseph M. Peterson
has been an active professional musician for almost three decades. After receiving his MA from Rutgers University in 2000, Joseph has continued to work professionally as a leader and accompanist with various ensembles throughout the tri-state area. He has been asked to perform and record with a number of independent musicians across several genres. These experiences have helped him become a performing artist and publisher with BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc).
In addition to his performance background, Joseph was the producer and host of over 25 episodes of “Jazz from the Archives” an NPR radio program that was aired locally on WBGO JAZZ 88.3 FM. He was also the reference assistant at the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University under the direction of renown writer and historian Dan Morgenstern. Joseph’s contributions during his time there have been acknowledged by several music authors, historians and film makers for his skill in gathering reputable sources.
Joseph has continued to pursue his love of teaching music while performing professionally. He has taught students ranging in age from kindergarten to university. These experiences have allowed him to focus teaching methodology to the individual student. This has helped to gain a better understanding of music principals and nurture an enduring music appreciation. Furthermore, Joseph’s teaching approach caters to the specific aims of each student. This excels a greater understanding of music and music theory in connection to their particular instrument and desired musical genre. He is excited to continue this journey of learning with students and colleagues.
Donald Swinchoski
is in his second year as the Conductor of the Basie Center’s Monmouth Conservatory Youth Orchestra. As a public school music educator for over 40 years, Mr Swinchoski has taught instrumental and choral music in three states, currently teaching instrumental music at the Red Bank Middle School. He has participated in the West Virginia Conducting Institute and was accepted as a conducting fellow for the Aspen Music School. Mr Swinchoski received a masters degree in conducting from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, studying with Frank Battisti, and holds a BA degree from Johnson State College (now VSU-Johnson) with a degree in music education. He has received an award for Outstanding Musical Direction at the annual Basie Awards and was nominated for Orchestra Direction at the Paper Mill Playhouse awards. He was twice nominated for Teacher of the Year at Rumson Fair Haven, where musical ensembles received many awards and performed in Toronto, Williamsburg, Baltimore, and at Yankee Stadium.
In “retirement” he remains active as a free-lance performer in the area and as conductor of The Band of the Two Rivers and co-conductor of the Colts Neck Community Band. Throughout his professional career, Mr Swinchoski has always strived to help music students attain an active level of musical involvement appropriate to their experiences and talents.
Cristina Wuenn
is a singer and vocal coach who has been coaching for the past 4 years. She is very passionate about teaching voice and loves to teach a variety of styles including pop, rock, and musical theatre. Along with voice, Christina teaches beginner piano. She received her Bachelor’s degree in music at Rutgers University and has an associate’s degree in theatre from Brookdale Community College. She also has a background in musical theatre and regularly performs in musical productions. She specializes in audition prepping and working on stage presence! Christina always strives to make the teaching space a safe, fun, and productive environment.
Jo Wymer
is a Vocologist and Vocal Technician, a distinction that sets her apart from the average vocal coach—a title recently introduced by the field (www.pava-vocology.org). As a Vocologist, Jo possesses specialized education, training, and qualifications that enable her to work with a wide range of vocalists on an extensive variety of vocal issues directly related to singing. These range from simple overuse problems, such as those experienced by teachers, to working with singers who have recovered from surgery or other medical procedures and are transitioning from post-therapy to optimal vocal performance.
Jo has undergone advanced training in Vocology at the National Center for Voice and Speech and completed short-term residencies at leading Ear, Nose, and Throat Centers across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Recognized by the National Association of Female Professionals as one of the leading Vocologists in the area, Jo was honored with the prestigious WOMEN OF THE YEAR award. Additionally, the New York Singing Teachers’ Association acknowledged her as a leading Vocologist outside of the New York City area. These accolades are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and pursued advanced training in voice science.
Jo’s ongoing education, training, and research in the field have led her to work extensively with four commonly misinterpreted vocal disorders: Muscle Tension Dysphonia, Unilateral/Bilateral Paralysis, and Vocal Fold Paresis (also known as partial paralysis). In all cases, she affirms that these disorders can be rehabilitated through positive and healthy vocal techniques.
As a Vocal Technician, Jo is highly qualified to develop and teach vocal skills that promote healthy vocal practices for all types of vocalists, regardless of age.