SUMMARY

Noted conductor, new music advocate, and program builder with record of producing outstanding artistic and organizational results in academic, not-for-profit and ecclesiastical environments. Founder and Artistic Director of successful independent choral, educational and advocacy 501(c)(3) organization. Sought-after clinician, guest conductor, and presenter. Published writer and performer. Track record of reinvigorating and growing departments of choral and vocal study. Known for creative programming, advocacy efforts and organizational program building.

Acquisition of the necessary qualifications for a professional life on the campus has proven just as valuable in the non-profit world, and in an ever-broadening professional base as a conductor, artistic innovator, advocate and educator. Consistent mission within the broad professional activity spectrum is that of seeking to be instrumental to the deepening and enlivening of the human spirit through music.

Ember Choral Arts (formerly Schola Cantorum on Hudson): Artistic Director and Founder

PROJECT : ENCORE™: Director & Founder

Ember: Artistic Director & Founder

·      New York Choral Consortium: Chair

·      Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park, NJ:  Director of Music and Arts

·      Guest Conductor and Teacher of Voice and Conducting

·      Monthly columnist with ACDA’s  The Choral Journal: “PROJECT : ENCORE News”

·      Rotational host of the nationally syndicated radio show “Sounds Choral” 

Ember Choral Arts (formerly Schola Cantorum on Hudson)(1995–ongoing)

Semi-professional vocal ensemble programming full-season explorations of life/social issues through the music of living composers, leveraging an eclectic stylistic mix designed to tangibly impact the lives of both performers and audience members.

Trinity Episcopal Church (2021–ongoing)

Semi-professional adult choral program.

Guest Conducting (examples)

•       Conductor with Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart

§  Johnathan Dove’s “In Search of Spring,” (scheduled for summer of 2020, COVID delayed until May of 2023)

§  John Luther Adams’s “In the Name of the Earth,” summer of 2018

§  David Lang’s “the public domain,” summer of 2016

•       Conductor of professional recording ensemble for composer Bill Heigen premiere recording project; January  2019

•       Tlaxcala Canta Choral Festival, Tlaxcala, Mexico, November 2018

•       High School choral festivals; interim/sabbatical positions

•       Conducting clinician examples: North Jersey Chapter of the AGO; Orange School District choral and instrumental conductors

New York Choral Consortium, Chair (from 2012)

Initially co-chair with Kent Tritle; Chair since 2014. Primary hub for choral activity and awareness in New York City. Serves more than 75 member organizations. Has worked with the NY Philharmonic and with Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival in producing large choral events.

Sounds Choral, Nationally Syndicated Radio Host (from 2018)

Rotational writer and host of a one-hour program focusing on various elements of the choral art.  See the archive of shows HERE

PROJECT : ENCORE, Artistic Director & Founder (from 2009)

International, online catalog of post-premiere contemporary choral music that has been blind-reviewed and endorsed by a select panel of renowned conductors. Has been heralded as establishing a new and necessary paradigm for score evaluation and promotion for the 21st century. Recognized by American Composers’ Forum and by ASCAP.

Monthly “PROJECT : ENCORE News” column, published in American Choral Directors’ Association’s Choral Journal, with distribution of over 22,000, in 44 countries (since 2015).

Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township- Director of Music (2019-2021)

Crescent Concerts- Artistic Director (2017-2019)

Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church- Director Of Music Ministries (2017-2019)

William Paterson University- Interim Director Of Choral Activities (2015-2016)

Trinity & St. Philips Episcopal Cathedral, Diocese of Newark Director Of Arts Ministries (August 2014 – 2017)

Brookside Community Church, Brookside, NJ- Director Of Music (2012-2014)

Setauket Presbyterian Church, Setauket, NY- Interim Minister Of Music (March-June 2014)

First Presbyterian Church Of Ramsey, NJ- Director Of Music (2007-2011)

Caldwell College- Interim Director Of Choral Studies (2006-2007)

Kutztown University- Interim Director Of Choral Studies (1996-97)

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Montclair, NJ- Choirmaster And Organist (1994-2006) 

Jersey City State College                                                              

• Coordinator Of Choral And Vocal Studies (1991–1995)

• Coordinator Of Graduate Studies In Music (1993–1995)

•     Phd, Musicology: University of North Texas,  (secondary: choral conducting)

•     MMus, Music Education/Choral Conducting: North Texas State University

•     BMus, Vocal Performance: Texas Christian University,  (secondary: choral conducting)

•    Formative mentor in vocal and choral study, Caro Carapetyan

•  New York Choral Consortium (Chair)

•  American Choral Directors’ Association (writer & Coordinator of NJ HS Choral Festival)

•  Chorus America

•  College Music Society

•  Conductors’ Guild

•  New Jersey Choral Consortium

•  American Guild of Organists

References Available Upon Request