Kevin Antreassian Adjunct Faculty Sound Engineering Arts antreassiank@wpunj.edu View bio Kevin Antreassian Before joining The Dillinger Escape Plan and getting the opportunity to tour the world, I spent my time producing thousands of songs out of my studio, Backroom Studios (www.backroom.studio), in New Jersey. I work with all styles of music and artists at every level. Creativity is important to me, and I enjoy working closely with every client, often playing small parts and adding in my own creative styling. Before I opened the studio in 2007, I graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelors Degree in Audio Engineering and this is also where i currently teach in the SEA program. Over the past few years, Ive also had the opportunity to share the stage, both as a tech and a musician, with bands as diverse as Sound Garden, The Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, Mastodon, Aerosmith, Glassjaw, Slipknot, and Todd Rundgren.
Kristen Bacchiocchi-Stewart Adjunct Faculty Classical Flute bacchiocchistewartk@wpunj.edu View bio Kristen Bacchiocchi-Stewart Kristin Bacchiocchi-Stewart, D.M.A. is the director and founder of The Flute Academy, located in Bergen County, NJ. She was recently appointed as Flute Instructor at William Paterson University and is also Flute Instructor at Ramapo College. She has served on the faculties of Union College, Peabody Conservatory, Frostburg State University, Ithaca College and Schenectady County Community College. She is a founding member of Classic V Winds (Woodwind Quintet) and New Jersey Wind Symphony Flutes, principal flute of the New Jersey Wind Symphony (NJWS) and principal flute of Adelphi Chamber Orchestra. She is currently Co-Personnel Manager for the NJWS and has served on the Board of Directors as Co-President and Secretary of the New Jersey Flute Society. She has given concerts, lectures, workshops and master classes throughout the United States and has also performed in several groups throughout Europe and Japan. Her academic achievements include a Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Music Degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor of Music Degree from Ithaca College. www.thefluteacademy.com.
Michael Baker Adjunct Faculty Classical Trumpet bakerm21@wpunj.edu View bio Michael Baker Michael holds both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from The Juilliard School where he studied with Philip Smith, Mark Gould and Edward Treutel. He is a busy freelance musician within the New York and New Jersey area, playing with the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Garden State Philharmonic. Michael is currently the 2nd/Associate principal trumpet of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. He has also played several shows on Broadway, including Nine, Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, and An American in Paris to name a few. Michael has also toured with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Mariinsky Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic. He is also a member of the prestigious Brass Band of Battle Creek. Michael has toured America, Japan, Australia, the UK, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Korea as a trumpet and cornet soloist. In 2014, he was a guest soloist at the International Trumpet Guild Conference. Michael teaches Trumpet at William Paterson University in New Jersey.
Gregg Bendian Adjunct Faculty Popular Music Percussion, Music Business bendiang@wpunj.edu View bio Gregg Bendian The chameleon-like Gregg Bendianwho can just as easily be found performing left-of-center form and function with his Interzone group as propelling his Mahavishnu Project through a remarkable performance. Research may reflect Bendian's ever-searching, ever-evolving approach to music, but it's also a complete, self-contained statement that, though not appearing to be for the faint-of-heart on the surface, yields unexpected rewards for those brave enough to pay attention.
Colleen Bernstein Adjunct Faculty Classical Percussion bernsteinc4@wpunj.edu View bio Colleen Bernstein Colleen Bernstein is an award-winning percussionist and educator recognized for her precise execution of contemporary music and narrative works. Based in New York City, she is a member of the Radio City Music Hall orchestra and held the percussion chair for the Broadway revival of Spamalot. Colleen recently performed as principal percussionist/timpanist for the North American tour of Avatar: the Last Airbender In Concert, and has played on multiple other Broadway productions. She has collaborated with notable artists including Bela Fleck, Tania Leon, Judy Collins, Concertgebouw Orchestra Camerata, American Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, International Contemporary Ensemble, Silkroad Ensemble, Talea Ensemble, Balla Kouyate, and Sandbox Percussion. As a soloist, Colleen has performed a concerto with Albany Symphony, presented sets at MATA Festival, New Music Gathering, Brooklyn Bound, World Vibes Congress, and Oh My Ears Festival, and won prizes internationally including at the Universal Marimba Competition. She is a founding member of American Wild Ensemble and a teaching artist with Creative Leaps International. Colleen is also a professor at William Paterson University, and has previously taught at Hunter College (CUNY). She received music degrees at the Eastman School of Music and University of Michigan, as well as an MBA in Arts Innovation from the Global Leaders Institute. Colleen is an artist endorser for Black Swamp Percussion and Malletech.
Johnathan Blake Adjunct Faculty Jazz Drums blakej1@wpunj.edu View bio Johnathan Blake Mike is on over 100 CD’s as a sideman and starting in 1988 recorded his first of 16 CD’s as a leader. Five on Criss Cross Jazz, three on Double Time Records, seven on Savant and one on Cellar Live. Many of hem award winning and include the greatest musicians around today including Tom Harrell, Gary Smulyan, Dennis Irwin, Kenny Washington, Steve Nelson, Ryan Kisor, Jim Rotondi, Joshua Redman, Lewis Nash, Peter Washington, Peter Bernstein, Eric Alexander, Jeremy Pelt, Joe Farnsworth, John Webber, Bob Cranshaw, Mickey Roker and Ron Carter.
Carl Bolleia Full-time Faculty Classical Piano, New Music, Harpsichord Phone: 973-720-2592 bolleiac@wpunj.edu View bio
Andre Bregegere Adjunct Faculty Music Theory, Ear Training bregegerea@wpunj.edu View bio Andre Bregegere Andre Bregegere is a composer and visual artist whose current practice focuses on live hardware improvisation and electronic media. Based in Queens, his compositions have been performed by leading ensembles including MIVOS and Cygnus at venues like Carnegie Hall and Symphony Space. He is a scholar of post-war music theory and the music of Henri Pousseur, with research published by Oxford University Press. Andre shares his explorations in modular synthesis and experimental electronics on his YouTube channel (@abregegere) and teaches music at William Paterson University and Queensborough Community College.
Cecil Bridgewater Adjunct Faculty Jazz Arranging bridgewaterc@wpunj.edu View bio Cecil Bridgewater Cecil Bridgewater, Jr., is an internationally known jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, record producer and educator. Born in Urbana, IL to a musical family, he received his musical training from his parents and at the University of Illinois. He and brother Ron formed the Bridgewater Brothers Band in 1969. In 1970 he moved to New York City where he performed with such noted jazz artists as Max Roach, Horace Silver and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (1970-1976). His compositions and arrangements have been recorded and performed by Lena Horne, Vanessa Rubin, the Uptown String Quartet, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Mr. Bridgewater’s arrangement for “Undecided Now” on the award-winning CD Dear Ella was nominated for a Grammy. Mr. Bridgewater has an extensive discography. He teaches at the Manhattan School of Music, The New School, William Patterson University, and The Julliard School.
Mitch Butler Jazz Coordinator / Director of the Big Band Full-time Faculty Jazz Trombone Phone: 973-720-2268 butlerd15@wpunj.edu View bio Mitch Butler Jazz Coordinator / Director of the Big Band Dr. Mitch Butler is a jazz trombonist, composer/arranger and educator. He is currently Coordinator of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University; previously he was Director of Jazz Studies at Claflin University, Cal State East Bay, University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory, and Director of Jazz Ensemble and Professor of Low Brass at South Carolina State. He also serves as Director of Education at the ColaJazz Foundation. Dr. Butler is an accomplished trombonist, playing and arranging for the Grammy Award winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, the Tiffany Austin Quintet, and the Jazz Professors, led by Carl Allen. His performing and recording associations include Dee Dee Bridgewater, Robert Glasper, Slide Hampton, Conrad Herwig, Branford Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, Fred Wesley among many others.
Kathleen Butler Hopkins Adjunct Faculty Classical Violin butlerhopkinsk@wpunj.edu View bio Kathleen Butler Hopkins Kathleen Butler-Hopkins is a violinist who has concertized in major forums in the United States and Europe. She is a veteran of both the Tanglewood Festival and the Yale in Norfolk summer music programs. In addition to her activities as soloist and chamber musician, she has served as assistant concertmaster for the Boston Civic Symphony, and as concertmaster for other regional orchestras along the east coast, including the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Butler-Hopkins was awarded the rank of Professor Emerita of Violin, Viola, and Chamber Music from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She holds Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Musical Arts degrees from Yale University School of Music. She received both Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School and attended the Curtis Institute of Music. Dr. Butler-Hopkins received a summer stipend from the National Endowment for the Humanities to study the string quartets of Beethoven at Harvard University. Under the auspices of the Fulbright-Hays Fellowship Program, she completed a year of study at the Vienna State Academy in Austria. At the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dr. Butler-Hopkins served as concertmaster and soloist with the Fairbanks Symphony and the Arctic Chamber Orchestra and as a founding member of the Alaska Trio, the Alaska Chamber Ensemble, and the Alaska Chamber Players. Dr. Butler-Hopkins has also appeared as violin and viola soloist with the Fairbanks Youth Orchestra and as violin soloist with the UAF Jazz Band. She performed as concertmaster for orchestras with the Western Opera Theater, Opera Fairbanks, the Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre, and the Fairbanks Choral Arts Orchestra. Her prize-winning students have distinguished themselves at such summer festivals as Tanglewood, Meadowmount, Bowdoin, Encore, and Indiana Summer String Academy, and have won a variety of awards including the Northwest Division of the MTNA Collegiate Auditions. Dr. Butler-Hopkins is currently a regular faculty member at the Lake Placid (NY) Institute for the Arts and Humanities Chamber Music Seminar and was the founder of String Fling, a chamber music program for Alaskan pre-college students. Dr. Butler-Hopkins has contributed to Strings magazine, was a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University twice, has numerous Whos Who listings, and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi. She received several UAF College of Liberal Arts Excellence in Teaching Awards, was named String Teacher of the Year by the Alaska String Teachers Association, and was a recipient of the prestigious Usibelli Distinguished Service Award at UAF.
Hannah Carr Director of Choirs Full-time Faculty Classical Voice Phone: 973-720-2000 carrh1@wpunj.edu View bio Hannah Carr Director of Choirs Originally from Ireland, Hannah Carr is (Interim) Director of Choral Activities at William Paterson University, NJ, following five years on the faculty at Kutztown University, PA. Hannah holds a BA in Composition from Trinity College Dublin, an Adv. Dip in Music Education from the Kodály Institute in Hungary, an MM in Conducting from Yale University’s Institute of Sacred Music and a DMA in Conducting from Rutgers University. Hannah is director of Cantigas, a Hoboken-based treble choir dedicated to internationally performing diverse music from around the world. Hannah has worked with professional choirs as director of the University Church at Yale, Stratford Street United Church in Boston and with C4 Ensemble in NYC. With C4, Hannah was a featured conductor on C4’s debut album launch: Uncaged, which received rave reviews in the American Record Guide and Fanfare Magazine, and was featured by WQXR as “Album of the Week.” Hannah has won various prizes, including the Irene Alms Memorial Prize at Rutgers University, The Director’s Prize from Yale University, The Highest Bursary Award for Choral Conducting in 2009 & 2010 from the Irish Arts Council & The Gerard Victory Prize for Composition from Trinity College Dublin. Hannah is an artist-in-residence of Ireland’s Tyrone Guthrie Center and an active clinician, festival conductor and adjudicator in Europe and the US.
Kevin Carrillo Adjunct Faculty Sound Engineering Arts carrillok@wpunj.edu View bio Kevin Carrillo Kevin Carrillo is a freelance producer, engineer, and drummer from Bergen County, New Jersey. As a recent WPU graduate, Kevin plans to use his life and professional experience to empower the next generation of musical creatives to purse their own music career. Kevin has over 10 years of experience playing drums professionally for various entertainment companies at the highest caliber. These companies have shared the stage with such artists as Lil John, The Chainsmokers, and The Sugar Hill Gang to name a few.
Nancy Chamberlain Adjunct Faculty Classical Piano chamberlainn@wpunj.edu View bio Nancy Chamberlain Nancy Chamberlain is a collaborative pianist at William Paterson University and Manhattan School of Music. She won the Premier Prix in Piano from the Conservatoire National in Nice, France, where she studied as a Rotary Foundation Scholar. While in Europe, Nancy performed with the Aspremont Quartet, winning First Prize in the International Chamber Music Competition in Tradate, Italy. She has taught K-12 vocal/choral/theatrical music in New York City and New Jersey and has worked as a Broadway audition pianist. Other NYC work has included cabarets at 54 Below, The Duplex, Triad, and Alchemical Theater on 14th Street. She has also played synthesizer for shows at MPAC and Plays in the Park in NJ. Nancy holds an M.M. in Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music.
Bill Charlap Director of Jazz Studies Full-time Faculty Jazz Piano Phone: 973-720-3471 charlapw@wpunj.edu View bio
Phil Clifford Director Sound Engineering Arts Full-time Faculty Sound Engineering Arts Phone: 973-720-3197 cliffordp1@wpunj.edu View bio
Darian Clonts Adjunct Faculty Classical Voice clontsd@wpunj.edu View bio Darian Clonts The chameleon-like Gregg Bendianwho can just as easily be found performing left-of-center form and function with his Interzone group as propelling his Mahavishnu Project through a remarkable performance. Research may reflect Bendian's ever-searching, ever-evolving approach to music, but it's also a complete, self-contained statement that, though not appearing to be for the faint-of-heart on the surface, yields unexpected rewards for those brave enough to pay attention. - John Kelman (AllAboutJazz.com)
Ardith Collins Adjunct Faculty Music Education Orff Schulwerk collinsa21@wpunj.edu View bio Ardith Collins Ardith Collins teaches music at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in Manhattan and is adjunct faculty at Montclair State University. Ardith completed Orff Levels at Villanova/University of the Arts, Kodaly Levels at Westminster Choir College, Beginner Level Dalcroze Eurhythmics at Anderson University, and is finishing her EdD at Rowan University. She is an avid folk dancer, performer, rounds singer and Balkan music enthusiast. Ardith is past president of the Northern New Jersey Orff chapter and serves on the AOSA CORS Curriculum subcommittee.
Hannah Comia Adjunct Faculty Classical Voice, Piano comiah@wpunj.edu View bio Hannah Comia Hannah Comia is a first gen Filipino-American pianist, singer, vocal coach, and music director based in NJ. She has performed across the US and Europe, including at Chicago Summer Opera, Helsinki Musiikitalo, the Kosciuszko Foundation, Piazza San Francesco in Ravenna, Macerata Teatro, the Green Room 42, the Civic Morning Musicals Concert Series, and the Arabia-Kaikuu Festivaali. Her performances and scholarship have been supported by the American Scandinavian Foundation, the Syracuse Graduate School, the Finlandia-Italia Ry, Classic Lyric Arts, and SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Topics of interest to her include music and identity, musics influence on politics, works by marginalized composers, and sustainability. Hannah serves on faculty at William Paterson University and as pianist at St. Marys Church in Pompton Lakes. She studied at William Paterson University, Syracuse University, Metropolia UAS, and the Sibelius Academy.
Kristin Dabaghian Adjunct Faculty Classical Piano, Organ dabaghiank1@wpunj.edu View bio Kristin Dabaghian Kristin Dabaghian is the Associate Organist at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey. While at the Cathedral, she has performed several recitals and had the opportunity to play with the New Jersey Symphony. In 2014, Kristin was organist for the Beatification Mass of Blessed Miriam Teresa broadcast on EWTN. She has served as organist and music director for several parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark and Paterson. Kristin is an accomplished pianist with an extensive background in accompanying and conducting Broadway performers and theater companies. She holds a bachelor of music degree in both piano and organ from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and a master of music degree from Manhattan School of Music, having studied with the late McNeil Robinson. Kristin is published in National Pastoral Magazine and serves as Dean of the Metropolitan New Jersey AGO chapter. Performances include recitals at Holy Trinity Church and St John Nepomucene (East River Concerts) in NYC. the NPM National Convention 2017 at Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati, OH and as accompanist for choir tours throughout Italy and Mexico City.
Sandra Dackow Adjunct Faculty Classical & Music Education Strings dackows@wpunj.edu View bio Sandra Dackow Sandra Dackow earned the Bachelor of Music, Master of Music and the Ph.D. from the Eastman School of Music of The University of Rochester. An Aspen Conducting fellow in 2001, she was also awarded the Silver Medal in the 2001 Vakhtang Jordania/New Millennium International Conducting Competition in Kharkov, Ukraine. She is currently serving as Music Director of the Hershey Symphony Orchestra in Pennsylvania and is a former Music Director of the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra in New Jersey. Recent guest conducting has included appearances with the Helena Symphony, Montana, the All-Queensland Honors Orchestra in Brisbane, Australia, the Kharkov Philharmonic in Ukraine, the Rapides Symphony and the Monroe Symphony, both in Louisiana, the Spartanburg Philharmonic, South Carolina, the Montpelier Chanber Orchestra, Vermont, the Danbury Symphony, Connecticut, Adelphi Chamber Orchestra in NJ, and the Midland Symphony, Michigan, as well as a tour with the Moriah College Orchestra in Australia. A Native of East Paterson, New Jersey, Dr. Dackow has conducted bands and orchestras in the schools of Glen Rock and East Brunswick, New Jersey, and served as Supervisor of Music for the Ridgewood NJ public schools. A former chair of the string department and orchestra director at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, she has been a visiting faculty member during the summer sessions of the Eastman School of Music, Temple University, Montclair State College NJ, Wichita State University, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Colorado State University and Cork School of Music, Ireland. As a member of the faculty of Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, she directed the University Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. An annual ASCAP award winning arranger, Dr. Dackow has published over ninety works for orchestras and is an author of the Orchestra Expressions curriculum. She is active as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician across the nation and Canada, in England, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Ukraine, South Africa and throughout Australia and Ireland. Articles of hers have appeared in major professional journals and she has contributed to music reference books, methods and texts. Dr. Dackow recently served as President of the Conductors Guild, an international organization comprised of members from 32 countries. She has conducted at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, teaches at William Paterson University, NJ, and has directed the Hershey Festival Strings at recent MENC National Conventions, the Midwest Clinic in Chicago and the ASTA National Conference. In 2009 she was voted a Lowell Mason Fellow by MENC: The Association for Music Education and awarded the "Bruno Walter Best Conductor" prize by the Master Players International Competition, Lugano, Switzerland.
Sarah Davol Adjunct Faculty Classical Oboe davols@wpunj.edu View bio Sarah Davol Sarah Davol, oboe, oboe damore, Graceful and colorful solo playing Philadelphia Inquirer, is a founding member of American Classical Orchestra in NYC, and has been featured as concerto soloist with Amor Artis, Bachanalia, Big Apple Baroque, Clarion, Concert Royal, REBEL, RYM Ensemble, Vox Ama Deus Orchestra in Philadelphia, Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, Washington Bach Sinfonia, Connecticut Early Music Festival, and in Texas with La Folllia, TexCam and the Victoria Bach Festival. She has toured to Germany with Apollo Ensemble and Publick Musick, and to South America and Mexico with Bachanalia, Chanticleer, Wiener Akademie with actor John Malkovich. In New York, she performs on the Trinity Bach at One series, and The Metropolitan Museum features her demonstration of historical oboes on their Audioguide. In New England she has performed with Handel & Haydn Society, Tanglewood, Yale Collegium, Sebago Long Lake Festival, Vermont Mozart Festival, Vermont Bach Ensemble, Arcadia, Five College Early Music, and Music at St. Thomas (Hanover, VT). She may be heard on 60+ CDs including Vivaldis Oboe Concertos in C Major and D minor with Vox Ama Deus and on the recent Double Take: American Reed on Albany Records, which includes her composition Gulf Migration that Fanfare Magazine praised as a wonderfully descriptive work. She is Director of Englewinds, the award-winning Eco-music ensemble that performs music for environmental awareness. Ms. Davol is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, is currently on the adjunct faculty of William Paterson University, and teaches period wind instruments at Rutgers University.
Anton Denner Adjunct Faculty Jazz Flute, Saxophone dennera@wpunj.edu View bio Anton Denner Born in New York City in 1961, Anton Denner began playing the saxophone in 1974. After early studies with Lee Konitz and Joe Lovano, he began to freelance in the New York area in the early '80's, performing at The Village Gate, Visiones, The 55 Bar, Birdland , and many other venues.Anton has also worked with or played alongside with many of the great musicians in jazz, such as Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Clifford Jordan, Mel Lewis, Al Foster, Norman Simmons, Brad Meldau, Bill Carrothers, Larry Goldings, Terell Stafford, Dave Stryker, and Bill Stewart, to name only a few. Anton has also been a featured soloist at The Napa Valley Jazz Festival, the Istanbul Jazz Festival (with the NY Jazz Giants) and the LaVillete Festival in France (with the Bill Carrothers Trio).Recorded work includes the critically acclaimed Bill Carrothers Trio CD, Ghost Ships, Happy Apple's, Blown Shockwaves & Crash Flow, and John McKenna's Apparition, to name only a few. As an educator, he has served on the faculty of the Stanford Jazz Workshop, and has been an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University since 1999.Anton is married to Nicki Denner, the Latin Jazz pianist and composer, and resides in Bloomingdale, New Jersey.
Marius Dicpetris Adjunct Faculty Music Theory, Ear Training dicpetrism@wpunj.edu View bio Marius Dicpetris The chameleon-like Gregg Bendianwho can just as easily be found performing left-of-center form and function with his Interzone group as propelling his Mahavishnu Project through a remarkable performance. Research may reflect Bendian's ever-searching, ever-evolving approach to music, but it's also a complete, self-contained statement that, though not appearing to be for the faint-of-heart on the surface, yields unexpected rewards for those brave enough to pay attention. - John Kelman (AllAboutJazz.com)
Jon DiFiore Adjunct Faculty Jazz & Music Education difiorej1@wpunj.edu View bio Jon DiFiore Jon Di Fiore is a drummer/composer performing throughout greater New Jersey/New York City. Major projects include three albums of his own compositions: Two Sided Truth (2017) & Yellow Petals (2014 Third Freedom Music) featuring the Jon Di Fiore Trio, and Patience (2012) for mixed ensemble featuring saxophonist Rich Perry and trumpeter Joe Magnarelli. His music is a fresh yet insightful take on the jazz tradition, influenced by classical, modern, and world music. Jon has had the fortune to perform as a sideman with NYC greats such as The Steve LaSpina Group, Joel Frahm, Rich Perry, Billy Drewes, Randy Brecker, Matthew Fries, Steve Davis, Scott Robinson, and Paul Meyers. Di Fiore earned a B.M. from New Jersey City University and an M.M. from William Paterson University. Di Fiore spent his childhood learning to play the drums through replication. Lacking a formal education on the instrument, Jon imitated the drummers he heard on his parents cd collection. He moved on to study music in college and gained an interest in composition. Aside from his own groups and freelancing as a jazz drummer, Jon freelances as a percussionist making his Lincoln Center debut at Avery Fisher Hall performing with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony in May of 2011. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Music at Essex County College & Union County College, an instructor for the William Paterson University Summer Jazz Workshop, and an instructor of drums and percussion at Serranos Music Academy in Belleville, NJ.
Frank Fagnano Adjunct Faculty Sound Engineering Arts fagnanof@wpunj.edu View bio Frank Fagnano Frank D. Fagnano has been a freelance recording engineer and producer in the New York metro area since 1983, and was Chief Engineer at Marion Recording from 1985 until 2002. He has worked in world class recording studios and large performance venues across the US for several well known Platinum and Grammy winning artists, including Tony Bennett, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Hall & Oates, Naughty By Nature, and more. He has designed several project recording studios, including the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and Kathie Lee Gifford's private studio. Frank taught Electronic Music as an Adjunct Professor at WPU from 1987 until 1998. During that time he designed two incarnations of WPs Electronic Music Labs, and was a consultant to the current Center for Electro-Acoustic Music (CEM) in Hamilton Hall. He returned to WPU in 2004 to teach in the Sound Engineering Arts degree program, and in 2016 he began teaching classes on advanced music synthesis in WPU's CEM once again. Additionally, Frank has taught private students and master classes, and has been a guest lecturer and speaker on a variety of topics related to the music industry, performance, music theory, and technology. He is a musician and composer, has performed in several musical genera, and has composed music for documentaries and commercials. Frank holds degrees in both Music Management and Philosophy from William Paterson University.
John Ferrari Adjunct Faculty Classical Percussion, New Music ferrarij@wpunj.edu View bio John Ferrari John Ferrari is an American drummer, percussionist, conductor, and music educator based in the New York metro area. Active in classical, jazz, pop, Broadway, film, television, and dance music, he has performed and given master classes nationally and abroad, and appears on scores of recordings HIs many collaborations include work with New Jersey Symphony, Bang On A Can All Stars, Da Capo Chamber Players, Meridian Arts Ensemble, New Millennium Ensemble, The Group for Contemporary Music, League of Composers Orchestra, ECCE arts, Orpheus Chamber Players, Composers Concordance, Locrian, Cygnus, David Sanford Big Band, Patrick Grant Group, Joseph Burgstaller and many others. Recently he has been heard sitting in on percussion for the New York production of 'Back to the Future and has played in orchestras for countless other shows on and off-Broadway. New record releases include the live The Zappa House Concert, with Meridian Arts Ensemble, and a soon to be released album of David Sanfords music with ECCE Ensemble. Ferrari holds graduate degrees from SUNY Stony Brook, and a BM from William Paterson University where he has served on the performing arts faculty since 2002. Other teaching positions include Princeton University, Manhattan School of Music, and Elisabeth Morrow School in New Jersey.
Carol Frierson-Campbell Full-time Faculty Classical & Music Education French Horn Phone: 973-720-3639 friersoncampbellc@wpunj.edu View bio
Ron Garofalo Adjunct Faculty Music Technology garofalor1@wpunj.edu View bio Ron Garofalo Ron Garofalo is a resident of North Arlington, New Jersey. He has studied trumpet with some of New Yorks finest trumpet teachers. Ron has performed with some of the leaders in the musical world. He performs at Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, musicals, church services, with local wedding bands, and special events in the metropolitan area. Ron has also done work with the Make a Wish Foundation, and Disney. The summer of 2002, he won the Chuck Mangione Award, a scholarship given by the Brass Conference.
Mika Godbole Adjunct Faculty Classical Percussion godbolem@wpunj.edu View bio Mika Godbole Malavika, or Mika, Godbole is known for her enthusiastic support of new music, emerging composers, and her flair as a performer. She has premiered several works as a founding member of the groundbreaking quartet Mobius Percussion. Her freelance activities include performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Curtis Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Bay Atlantic Symphony, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony, and Lancaster Symphony as well as a recent appointment as Principal Timpani of the Bay Atlantic Symphony. Recent accolades include a Grammy nomination for Thomas Lloyd’s Bonhoeffer with The Crossing and winning the 2016 Bessie Award with Dan Trueman, Mobius Percussion, and So Percussion for Outstanding Musical Composition/Sound Design. She has also been involved in summer music programs such as the Aspen Music Festival, So Percussion Summer Institute, the Artosphere Festival, and the China International Summer Music Academy. She has collaborated with conductors and artists such as Sir Simon Rattle, Michael Tilson Thomas, Charles Dutoit, Martha Argerich, Yefim Bronfman, Christoph Eschenbach, James DePriest, David Robertson, and James Conlon. As a pedagogue, she maintains an active studio of thirty students at various levels of ability at the Westminster Conservatory and at Rowan University (as Adjunct Faculty).
Sarah Griffiths Adjunct Faculty Classical Voice griffithss2@wpunj.edu View bio Sarah Griffiths Soprano Sarah Abigail Griffiths has been hailed for her glowing tone, effortless facility and vivid expressivity (Dallas Morning News), and has appeared as soloist and chorister with professional ensembles throughout the United States. She is a founding member of the baroque chamber ensemble, Armonia Celeste, heard on the Centaur label, and is featured singing Alice Parkers song cycle Dickinson: On Recollecting in a 2017 recording for Gothic. She has performed U.S. premieres by Bob Chilcott and Thea Musgrave and world premieres by Katherine Hoover, Edward Smaldone, and Martha Sullivan. She holds degrees from the University of North Texas, Westminster Choir College, and Earlham College.
Christopher Herbert Music Department Chair Full-time Faculty Classical Voice Phone: 973-720-2334 herbertc5@wpunj.edu View bio
Andrea Herr Adjunct Faculty Classical Bassoon herra@wpunj.edu View bio Andrea Herr Andrea Herr enjoys a varied performing career as bassoonist and contrabassoonist. Her orchestral engagements have included performances with the Little Orchestra Society, New York City Opera, the New Jersey Symphony and the American Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Herr held Principal Bassoon positions in Spain with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Galicia and Opera Teatro Galicia. Noted performances include the American Premiere of the opera Prima Donna by Rufus Wainwright, the Lincoln Center Premiere of Disney Fantasia, Live in Concert and Premieres of new works by Lalo Schifrin, Joan Tower and Keith Jarrett. On Broadway Andrea has performed with the New York productions of Beauty and the Beast, Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof, Nine, Into the Woods and West Side Story. Other appearances include performances with the Lincoln Center Festival, Paris Opera Ballet and the Bach Aria Festival.
Vincent Herring Adjunct Faculty Jazz Saxophone herringv@wpunj.edu View bio Vincent Herring Saxophonist Vincent Herring's intense, soulful, multi-noted style and ebullient swing have excited audiences worldwide. On stage, Herring and his band often make an incendiary sound over fine and controlled rhythms of modern times. Vincent started playing saxophone at the age of 11 in school bands and studying privately at Dean Fredericks School of Music in Vallejo, CA. At the age of 16, Herring was studying at California State University at Chico on a music scholarship. A year later he had won a berth in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. Vincent moved to New York City in early 1980's attending Long Island University. He first toured in the United States and Europe as part of the Lionel Hampton Big Band. With his sound strongly influenced by Julian Cannonball Adderley, Vincents virtuosity and promise came to the attention of Nat Adderley. The two forged a nine-year musical relationship, producing nine albums and touring around the world year after year. After Nats death, Louis Hayes collaborated with Vincent to form the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band. Vincent worked and recorded with Cedar Walton for more than 20 years. He has also appeared on stage and or recordings with Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Hayes, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver Quintet, Jack DeJohnettes Special Edition, Larry Coryell, Steve Turre, The Mingus Big Band (Won a Grammy in 2010), Kenny Barron, Nancy Wilson, Dr. Billy Taylor, Carla Bley, Mike LeDonne, Carl Allen, Ron McClure, and John Hicks among others. His extensive guest soloist appearances include performances with Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center and Jon Faddis and The Carnegie Hall Big Band.
Jee Hyun Lim Adjunct Faculty Classical Voice limj14@wpunj.edu View bio Jee Hyun Lim For Music for Life International Andrea traveled to India with members of the Metropolitan Opera to perform with the Bombay Chamber Orchestra.She has recorded for PBS Television, Radio Nacional Espana and for numerous television and radio commercials including Pepsi-Cola, Disney and Visa.Andrea holds degrees from the New England Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School and is an adjunct faculty member at William Paterson University, New Jersey City University and Kean University.With a passion for our historic resources, Andrea completed the Certificate in Historic Preservation from Drew University.
Rebecca Jo Loeb Adjunct Faculty Classical Voice Loebr@wpunj.edu View bio Rebecca Jo Loeb Rebecca Jo Loeb is a lyric mezzo-soprano and stage director whose career spans leading opera houses, festivals, and academic institutions worldwide. Recent performance highlights include the Prototype Festival at National Sawdust, Written on Skin in Stavanger, Norway, Greek at Deutsche Oper Berlin, the world premiere of Omar at the Spoleto Festival, and covering Fyodor in Boris Godunov at the Metropolitan Opera. A former ensemble member of Deutsche Oper Berlin and Hamburg's Staatsoper, her signature roles include Cherubino, Rosina, Hansel, and Orlofsky. She has appeared with the Metropolitan Opera, Oper Koln, Festival dAix-en-Provence, Teatro Municipal Sao Paulo, Glimmerglass Opera, LA Opera, Teatro Regio di Torino, Ravinia Festival, Carnegie Hall, and Tanglewood Music Center, among many others. A champion of contemporary opera, Loeb created leading roles in the Pulitzer Prizewinning works p r i s m and Omar, and appeared in the world premiere of George Benjamins Written on Skin. As a director, she has led productions at Manhattan School of Music, Montclair State University, Berlin Opera Academy, and institutions in Switzerland, with recent and upcoming projects including Rent at William Paterson, La Calisto and Opera Scenes at Montclair State University, and Seven Deadly Sins at Manhattan School of Music. She is a graduate of The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Michigan, and a First Prize winner of the Lotte Lenya Competition.
Ahran Kim Adjunct Faculty Piano kima26@wpunj.edu View bio Ahran Kim Korean American pianist, Ms.Kim, studied at Korea National University of Arts Pre-College with Dae-Jin Kim in Korea. Her first public debut was at YoungSan Art Hall with the Prime Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 11. She won several competitions and performed several solos with orchestras as well. In 2003, she immigrated to the US and studied at The Juilliard Pre-college with Victory Mushkatkol and Matti Raekallio. She received an award at the New York Music Competition and performed at the Weill Recital Hall inside Carnegie Hall. She and her chamber group was selected by the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society twice in a role and performed at Lincoln Center. Ms.Kim studied with various artists and performed in several festivals, including: France Music Festival, Orford Music Festival, Piano Summer in New Paltz, Manhattan in the mountain and Brevard Music Festival. Ms. Kim has completed her Bachelor degree at the New England Conservatory, studying under Alexander Korsantia. While attending NEC, she received the Bertha L. Harris Scholarship. She then received her Masters degree at Manhattan School of Music, studying under Joanne Polk. Currently, she is in the process of getting her DMA at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, studying under Prof. Daniel Epstein Ms. Kim has been the music director of the Holy Name Hospital Benefit Concert and the Five Star Living Care Community Artist. She served as a piano faculty at the Extension Division, Rutgers University from 2016 to 2019 and Lindeblad School of Music from 2016 to 2021. Since 2013 she teaches piano privately in New Jersey and New York City. She is currently an Adjunct professor at William Paterson University and a lecturer at the Mason Gross School of the at Arts Rutgers University. In addition, she has been a steady and dedicated volunteer performer at the Buckingham Norwood Care and Rehabilitation Center since 2006.
Joe Kimura Adjunct Faculty Classical Cello kimuraj@wpunj.edu View bio Joe Kimura Living in New York for the past 30 years has given cellist Joseph Kimura a very diverse musical career. After earning his bachelor and masters degrees from Juilliard, he joined the Laurentian String Quartet, in residence at the Sarah Lawrence College and Ramapo College. He was subsequently appointed principal cellist of the Stamford Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded with EOS for the E.M.I. label and with the Riverside Symphony for the New World label. He has performed on live NPR broadcasts with the Opera Orchestra of New York, at Carnegie Hall. He is a member of Solisti New York and the Westfield Symphony and has performed as soloist with the Orchestra of the State of Mexico, the Stamford Symphony, the Gloria Chamber Orchestra, the Garden State Chamber Orchestra, the Korean Symphony of New York, and the Hoboken Chamber Orchestra. He has played on numerous movie and TV commercial orchestra sound tracks and has performed for many years with Tony Award-winning Broadway shows. For the past seventeen summers, he has taught at the Greenwood Junior Camp in MA. He studied with Paul Katz, Harvey Shapiro and Channing Robbins.
Nadia Kourani Adjunct Faculty Music Theory, Ear Training kouranin@wpunj.edu View bio Nadia Kourani Nadya Kourani is a violinist, educator, and composer. She holds both a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in violin performance from William Paterson University, where she received the Music Department Outstanding Award in recognition of her exceptional talent. As an educator and performer, Nadya has participated in numerous projects supporting music programs in Paterson Public Schools. She has served as an adjudicator for multiple events, including the Teen Arts festivals, supporting music education through professional evaluation and mentorship. Nadya has performed both as a soloist and with various orchestras and ensembles throughout North America and Europe. At the age of 13, Nadya was awarded one of the most prestigious scholarships to study at the Moscow Conservatory. She studied violin with Yevgenij Loginoff, Valerij Verona, Algirdas Potisuss, and Franco Gennarelli. Nadya has been on the faculty at William Paterson University since September 2016, and at Passaic County Community College and Bergen Community College since September 2012. She specializes in Music Theory, Ear Training and Musicianship, Understanding Music, Music Fundamentals, Music History, Music Appreciation, and Applied String instruction (violin, viola, and cello).
Andy Lamy Adjunct Faculty Classical Clarinet lamya@wpunj.edu View bio Andy Lamy Clarinetist Andrew Lamy has consistently won critical acclaim for his smooth, colorful tone, fluid phrasing and energetic style. Mr. Lamy has appeared on international live broadcasts with the Metropolitan Opera, is a member of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the renowned Artis Quartet Vienna, the New York Philharmonic, the American Symphony Orchestra, the American Ballet Theater, the Concordia Orchestra, the Royal Opera House of London and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Lamy is Assistant Professor of Clarinet at William Paterson University and has been invited to teach at the Juilliard School, USC, Occidental College, Rutgers University, the University of Tennessee, UNC Charlotte, the University of Southern Maine, Bard College and the California Institute of the Arts. Mr. Lamy's Irish clarinet album is the first of its kind in the world, and is regularly played, along with his original folk compositions, on the BBC, RTE and NPR. Mr. Lamy has performed many times as soloist with the six-time Grammy Award-winning Chieftains. As a naturalist, Mr. Lamy is an experienced "ear birder", and conducts the annual census of the Morristown breeding forest bird population for the National Park Service. Andy makes unique, museum-quality bird song whistles for birders and musicians. These instruments have been featured on PBS, BBC 3 and at the Newark Museum Makers Festival.
Michael LeDonne Adjunct Faculty Jazz Organ ledonnem@wpunj.edu View bio Michael LeDonne Pianist Mike LeDonne started playing piano at the age of 5 and was raised in his parent’s music store. By the age of 10 his father, a jazz guitarist, began booking him on gigs. He is now an internationally renowned pianist and organist with the unique experience of having played with a wide spectrum of jazz masters from Benny Goodman to Milt Jackson and Sonny Rollins. He has won praise not only from critics but from master musicians: Oscar Peterson picked him as one of his favorite pianists of today.
Carolyn Leonhart Adjunct Faculty Jazz Voice escofferyc@wpunj.edu View bio Carolyn Leonhart A soulful singer of stunning intelligence with a voice that is absolute magic (Jazz Times), award-winning vocalist Carolyn Leonhart has released four critically acclaimed solo albums that have been on Jazz Radio charts worldwide. Winner of Downbeats Best College Jazz Vocalist as well as third place winner in the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition, Carolyn beautifully weaves the worlds of jazz and pop into every project she is a part of. In addition to headlining at jazz clubs, concert halls, and festivals with her solo band, Carolyn has been a member of the iconic jazz/rock group Steely Dan for over two decades, appearing as a featured backup vocalist on every album and tour, including the multi-Grammy Award-winning Two Against Nature. Carolyn has toured and performed with Al Jarreau, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Enya, The Charles Mingus Big Band, Hank Jones, Helen Sung, Catherine Russell, Wax Poetic, and Lyn Leon (a collaboration with Swiss percussionists Stephan Diethelm and Matthias Eser). Carolyn made her acting debut and received critical acclaim for her performance in the Off-Broadway musical, Cross That River. She can be heard on Helen Sungs Sung With Words as well as Mike LeDonnes upcoming release. Carolyn is currently working on two new recordings - one featuring her quintet and one with her father, bassist/composer Jay Leonhart.
Samuel Lord Kalcheim Adjunct Faculty Music Theory, Ear Training kalcheims@wpunj.edu View bio Samuel Lord Kalcheim Building on expertise in 18th- and 19th-century styles and forms, Samuel Lord Kalcheim writes expressive new music for contemporary sensibilities. New York Concert Review wrote of his 2023 New York concert: Mr. Kalcheim is proving to be a promising and accomplished young composer with much to offer the world. In 2025, Centaur Records released his debut album, Samuel Lord Kalcheim: Music for Cello, featuring Juan Aguilera Cerezo and Santiago Baez. Current projects include an album of solo piano music with Welsh pianist Llyr Williams, to be recorded in August 2026, and a song cycle for three voices and piano written for three major U.S. opera singers. A dedicated teacher, Samuel is currently completing a textbook, Tonal Harmony at the Keyboard: A Practical, Schematic Method. He currently teaches at William Paterson University and Montclair State University, and has previously taught at the Walden Summer Musicians Program, The School for Strings, Felician University, among other institutions.
Payton MacDonald Full-time Faculty Classical Percussion Phone: 973-720-3667 macdonaldp@wpunj.edu View bio
John Maiello Adjunct Faculty Athletic Bands maielloj@wpunj.edu View bio John Maiello Mr. John J. Maiello is currently the director of Athletic Bands at William Paterson University. His responsibilities include providing entertainment for football, basketball and campus events. In 2020, Mr. Maiello retired from public education from Nutley, New Jersey. He was the John H. Walker Middle School director of bands. Mr. Maiello was the Nutley High School Director of bands from 2004-2018. His teaching responsibilities included Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo. A native of northern New Jersey, he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Music Education from William Paterson University. Mr. Maiello is now in his 39th year of teaching in the New Jersey area.
June Marano-Murray Adjunct Faculty Classical Voice maranomurrayj@wpunj.edu View bio June Marano-Murray June Marano-Murray received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano and accompanying from Manhattan School of Music where she was the recipient of the prestigious Harold Bauer Award. Her credits include: Wolf Trap Company, Lake George Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Central City Opera, Pepsico Summerfare (Peter Sellars), NY Opera Repertory Theater, and the Berkshire Choral Institute. She was also the music director for opera productions at Asolo Opera in Sarasota, Florida, the Bel Canto Opera in NYC, and performed and taught at the First International Summer Music Festival in Taiwan. June is also a former Gramma Fisher Scholarship recipient, which enabled her to study and perform at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. June was a former lecturer at SUNY-Purchase, as well as Music Director for both Purchase Opera Theater, and for Mannes College of Music. She was also a former member of the opera coaching staff at Manhattan School of Music for 34 years, and she also accompanied the Birgit Nilsson Master Class series for five years. She used to be Dean of the Northern Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and currently serves as choir director/organist at Second Reformed Church in Hackensack, NJ. She is also the organist for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Tenafly, NJ, as well as a freelance coach and piano teacher.
Marcus McLaurine Adjunct Faculty Jazz Bass mclaurinem@wpunj.edu View bio Marcus McLaurine Composer, leader and sideman, bassist Marcus McLaurine has become one of the most sought-after artists in jazz, sharing bandstands with Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Lou Donaldson, Dame Cleo Laine, Joe Williams, Jon Hendricks, Abbey Lincoln, and the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Thad Jones.
John Mosca Adjunct Faculty Jazz Trombone moscaj@wpunj.edu View bio John Mosca John Mosca (trombone), a native New Yorker and The Juilliard School graduate, has performed with Pierre Boulez and the Metropolitan Opera, as well as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams and Stan Getz. In 1975 he joined the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra which won a GRAMMY® the following year for the Live in Munich album. Mosca currently co-leads The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, whose latest release, Up From the Skies, received two 2007 GRAMMY® nominations. Mosca has been actively involved in jazz education for over twenty years, having served on the faculty of numerous university jazz programs, most recently as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Connecticut.
Stephen Myerson Adjunct Faculty Jazz Piano, Ear Training myersons@wpunj.edu View bio Stephen Myerson In 1988 he started playing with the Milt Jackson Quartet (along with Mickey Roker and Bob Cranshaw). Mr. Jackson recorded Mike’s compositions and arrangements. Mike also became the band’s musical director. In the fall of 1992, Mike was chosen to be part of a group of top young musicians for the Phillip Morris Superband World Tour. Mike served as musical director for that group, which featured Ryan Kisor on trumpet, Joshua Redman on tenor saxophone, Jesse Davis on alto saxophone, Christian McBride on bass and Lewis Nash at the drums. Around this time, Mike toured with the Newport All-Stars in lineups that featured Harry “Sweets” Edison and Clark Terry. Mike has been playing and recording with Benny Golson since 1997. He has also been leading trios that have included greats like Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Billy Hart, Pete LaRoca and Louis Hayes.
Steve Nelson Adjunct Faculty Jazz Vibes nelsons32@wpunj.edu View bio Steve Nelson Described as the most completely realized and original performer on the vibraphone, Steve Nelson began his career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania choosing an instrument not often seen on the bandstand. He was introduced to the vibraphone in high school by George A. Monroe, a steel worker by day, and a gifted vibraphonist in the Milt Jackson tradition. Along with early instruction in jazz, Monroe also taught him the piano. Steve dedicates "Blues for George A." to his teacher on his album, Full Nelson. A career spanning five decades, Steve has distinguished himself by making consequential contributions to the improvisatory development of his instrument, as well as the tradition of jazz. By the early '70s he was performing regularly and honed his skills alongside local Pittsburgh luminaries as drummers Roger Humphries and J.C. Moses, trumpeter Tommy Turrentine, saxophonists Eric Kloss and Nathan Davis. He completed his Master's at Rutgers University's Jazz Studies program helmed by Kenny Barron, music education pioneers bassist Larry Ridley and drummer Ted Dunbar. Steve's debut recording was James Spaulding Plays the Legacy of Duke Ellington, and throughout the early '80s he worked with Kenny Barron, David "Fathead" Newman, Bobby Watson, and was featured in the George Shearing big band. Steve has been the instrumentalist of choice for the most iconic jazz artists as Kenny Barron, Jackie McLean, Lewis Nash, James Williams, Curtis Lundy, and Mulgrew Miller (Wingspan Sextet) and Dave Holland (Dave Holland Quintet and Big Band) with whom he has shared decades long collaborations through composing, performing and touring. Steve continues to tour and record with Donald Brown, Renee Rosnes, Geoffrey Keezer and Jeremy Pelt, among others.
Tim Newman Director of Graduate Music Studies Full-time Faculty Jazz Trombone, History Phone: 973-720-2372 newmant@wpunj.edu View bio
James Noyes Adjunct Faculty Classical Saxophone noyesj@wpunj.edu View bio James Noyes A monumental force of ideas and energy (Saxophone Journal), James Noyes has performed with the Long Island Philharmonic, Juilliard Symphony, Argento New Music Project, New York Arts Ensemble, David Amram, Rosemary Clooney, Doobie Brothers, and more. He led the SURGE Saxophone Quartet to a first prize at the 28th Artists International Chamber Music Competition, performing to a sold-out Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall). Noyes is recognized for a sound that is both entrancing in its dreamy melancholy (NY Concert Review) and a shape-shifting mass of pure expression (I Care if You Listen). Several composers have written works for him, including Steve Cohen and Eric Nathan. His articles are published in Musical Quarterly, Saxophone Symposium, Saxophone Journal and Saxophone Today (columnist). He is currently completing Elise Halls Commission: Ushering Women, Saxophone, and French Composers into the Orchestra, a biography of the worlds first female orchestral saxophonist. Dr. Noyes teaches at William Paterson University (saxophone) and Manhattan School of Music, Precollege Division (theory, ear training, saxophone) and is author of over fifty musical compositions. He earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Manhattan School of Music where his teachers were Paul Cohen (saxophone), Nils Vigeland (theory), and Kenneth Cooper (performance practice)
Angelo Panetta Adjunct Faculty Sound Engineering Arts PANETTAA1@wpunj.edu View bio Angelo Panetta Dramatic story telling in feature and short films requires special artistic and technical attention.
So Yeon Park Adjunct Faculty Classical Piano parks28@wpunj.edu View bio So Yeon Park Pianist Soyeon Park has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States, Canada, Romania, Italy, Czech Republic, China, and Korea. A highly sought-after collaborative artist in New York City’s demanding classical music scene, Soyeon has frequently appeared at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall. Her energetic and insightful interpretations of classical works have charmed and inspired many audiences, young and old.
Caroline Parody Staff Pianist Adjunct Faculty Classical Piano parodyc@wpunj.edu View bio Caroline Parody Staff Pianist Caroline Parody earned a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from William Paterson University, and her Masters from Montclair State University in New Jersey. She received several awards, including Outstanding Performer and Music Scholar from WPUNJ. Additionally, she studied voice and vocal pedagogy, winning First Place in the NJNATS competition. Performing throughout the NY metro area, she has accompanied the Oratorio Society of NJ, Coro Lirico, Pro Arte Chorale, Harmony Singers, Concord Singers, WPUNJ Opera Workshop, and was assistant musical director for WPUNJ Musical Theater and Leonia Summerstage. An educator for over 30 years, Caroline currently serves on the faculty of WPUNJ, From The Top Music Studio in Midland Park, NJ, and is the Director of Music at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Wayne, NJ.
Thomas Paster Adjunct Faculty Popular Music Voice pastert@wpunj.edu View bio Thomas Paster Thomas Paster is the director of vocal music at Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, NJ. His a cappella group Highlands Voices was featured on the Lifetime TV series Pitch Slapped in 2016. They are the reigning National A Cappella Convention Champions, the 2014 ICHSA National Champions, and have won the Mid-Atlantic States A Cappella Championship for the past five years. He is also an active composer/arranger/ensemble coach and works with many groups in the tri-state area. Mr. Paster holds a BM from Ithaca College and an MS from the University of Scranton and has been an adjunct professor of music at Kean University and William Paterson University. He is a recipient of the Yale University Distinguished Music Educator Award and is proud to be the NJ representative for the A Cappella Education Association.
Matthew Paterno Adjunct Faculty Classical & Music Education paternom@wpunj.edu View bio Matthew Paterno Matthew J. Paterno received his Bachelor of Music degree from Rutgers University-Mason Gross School of Arts in 1989. He studied conducting there with Scott Whitener and euphonium with Harold Janks of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. In 2014, He earned his Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton. Mr. Paterno is the current music director of the Hanover Wind Symphony based in Northern New Jersey. In this position, he has commissioned many new works for wind band and hosted world class soloists such as Stanley Drucker, Steven Mead and Michael Baker. The Hanover Wind Symphony performs 5-6 concerts a year with repertoire drawing from major band works, new music for wind ensemble, patriotic selections and holiday favorites. Mr. Paterno recently retired from public education after 36 years of service. He began his teaching career as the fourth grade Music Teacher and High School Band Director for the Keansburg Public Schools and spent the last 35 years as The Director of Bands and Instrumental Music at Wayne Hills High School. He continues to teach as an adjunct faculty member at William Paterson University where he instructs classes in Brass Methods, Understanding Music, Ear Training and Applied Euphonium. In addition, Mr. Paterno serves as a mentor for student teacher candidates. He also founded, organized and was the lead instructor for the Wayne Sounds of Summer music camp for 11 years. Throughout his career, bands under Mr. Paternos baton have consistently received excellent and superior ratings in contests and festivals. He has had the distinction of having the Wayne Hills Wind Ensemble chosen to perform in Avery Fisher Hall in New York! He has also conducted several honors bands, including the following: North Jersey Area Symphonic Band, NJ Region I Junior High Jazz Band, NJ Region I Brass Ensemble, Atlantic/Cape May Honors Band and The CJMEA Junior High Symphonic Band. Mr. Paterno was also the creator and coordinator of the NJMEA State Marching Band Festival and served for ten years as the chairman of the NJMEA State Conference Marching Band Academy. Mr. Paterno is listed in Whos Who Among Americas Teachers and is a two-time recipient of the Governors Teacher of the Year Award for Wayne Township. He was awarded the Eastern Marching Band Associations Director of the Year award and was honored by School Band and Orchestra as the New Jersey representative of their 50 Directors Who Make a Difference list. He is also the proud recipient of the North Jersey Music Associations Service Award. Mr. Paterno is in demand as a clinician and brass teacher, as well as an adjudicator with the National Judges Association.
Jeremy Pelt Adjunct Faculty Jazz Trumpet peltj@wpunj.edu View bio Jeremy Pelt Jeremy Pelt has become one of the preeminent young trumpeters within the world of jazz. Forging a bond with the Mingus Big Band very early on, as his career progressed, Pelt built upon these relationships and many others which eventually lead to collaborations with some of the genre's greatest masters. These projects include performances and recordings with Cliff Barbaro, Keter Betts, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Ravi Coltrane, Frank Foster, Winard Harper, Jimmy Heath, Vincent Herring, John Hicks, Charli Persip, Ralph Peterson, Lonnie Plaxico, Bobby Short, Cedar Walton, Frank Wess, Nancy Wilson and The Skatalites, to name a few. Pelt frequently performs alongside such notable ensembles as the Roy Hargrove Big Band, The Village Vanguard Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Big Band, and is a member of the Lewis Nash Septet and The Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band featuring Louis Hayes. As a leader, Pelt has recorded ten albums and has toured globally with his various ensembles, appearing at many major jazz festivals and concert venues. Pelt's recordings and performances have earned him critical acclaim, both nationally and internationally. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal by legendary jazz writer and producer, Nat Hentoff, and was voted Rising Star on the trumpet, five years in a row by Downbeat Magazine and the Jazz Journalist Association. Pelt is currently touring throughout the United States and Europe in support of his latest release, "Soundtrack".
Rich Perry Adjunct Faculty Jazz Saxophone perryr@wpunj.edu View bio Rich Perry Rich Perry is a jazz tenor saxophonist. He has been living and performing in New York City since 1976. His beautiful tone and sophisticated harmonic conception have given him a unique creative voice which critics have described as eloquent, inventive, thoughtfully lyrical and impassioned yet cerebral. ...With a career at the forefront of New Yorks jazz scene for nearly four decades, Perry is considered by many musicians, composers, and jazz critics alike to be one of the musics most lyrical and intriguing improvisers. Focusing on beautiful melodicism rather than flashy displays of chops which the saxophonist can turn on when the situation demands, as can be heard weekly at Village Vanguard where Perry has been the house big bands lead tenor player for nearly two decades... (Alex Chilowicz, Musician, Composer, and Jazz Historian )
David Philp Full-time Faculty Popular Music Music Business Phone: 973-720-3802 philpd@wpunj.edu View bio
Dante Portella Adjunct Faculty Sound Engineering Arts portellad@wpunj.edu View bio Dante Portella Dante graduated from the Hartt School of Music with a degree in Music Production and Technology and an emphasis in classical guitar performance. Technology and music have always been at the center of his work and creative projects. As an audio engineer, Dante has found rewarding projects both in the studio and on location, having worked years under the legendary engineer Jason Corsaro, whose invaluable mentorship shaped his approach to recording and mixing. Memorable projects include working with artists like Zakk Wylde, Bernie Worrell, Bobby Caldwell, Sara Bareilles, and 2 live box sets with Warren Haynes. He has also had the pleasure of working with composers like David Lang and Caroline Shaw and has assisted with several projects with The Crossing Choir which have earned 3 Grammy Awards and 2 Grammy Nominations. As a musician, his passion is playing traditional banjo and fiddle in the Old-Time Appalachian style and he regularly attends festivals throughout the summer season. As an educator, Dante has taught audio courses in the Communication and Music departments at William Paterson University. He is currently the full-time Audio Technician in the Broadcast Production and Support division of William Paterson University's Information Technology department.
Teresa Purcell-Giles Director of Bands Full-time Faculty Classical Flute, Conducting Phone: 973-720-3935 purcellgilest@wpunj.edu View bio
Stacey Sassi Adjunct Faculty Music Education sassis2@wpunj.edu View bio Stacey Sassi Dr. Stacey Sassi is a veteran educator with nearly three decades of experience in the Bergenfield Public Schools. She has taught elementary vocal music and has served as Choral Music Director at Roy W. Brown Middle School since 2001. Dr. Sassi also serves as the K–5 Music Coordinator for Bergenfield’s five elementary schools and as the Summer Music Enrichment Coordinator. Her professional experience includes teaching instrumental music and assisting high school choirs and the marching band. Dr. Sassi earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from William Paterson University, a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Rutgers University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) from Rutgers University. In addition to her teaching career, she has performed with the Pro Art Chorale and served as a soprano soloist at St. Brendan’s Church in Clifton. She has held leadership positions on the Executive Board of the Music Educators of Bergen County, including President and Recording Secretary. Dr. Sassi has served as Festival Coordinator for the MEBCI Middle School Band and Chorus Festival since 2001, managed several NJSMA Region 1 honor choirs, and conducted the Bergen County Middle School Chorus and the Inaugural Bergen County Treble Chorus Festival. In recognition of her contributions to music education, she received the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Teacher of the Year in 2017."
Paul Scott Adjunct Faculty Classical Tuba scottp@wpunj.edu View bio Paul Scott Paul Scott is a busy freelance tubist in the Tristate area and has appeared as a soloist with the Ramapo Valley Chamber Orchestra and The Symphony Of Winds of Percussion, Jersey City, NJ. Paul has performed with The New Jersey Pops, The Philharmonic On The Hudson, The Imperial Brass Quintet, and the Garden State Brass Ensemble. He has recorded with The Kensington Brass and for film soundtracks. Paul is a graduate of Jersey City State College where he studied with Pasquale Landolfi and was the Instrumental Music Director of the River Edge, NJ elementary school district from 1989 to 2016. He has served as a clinician for MEBCI, NJMEA, Region 1 and for many NJ high school districts. Paul is a resident of Oakland, NJ and has been on the faculty of William Paterson University since 1992, leading many brass ensembles, the Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble ("The Pedal Tones"), and teaching all tuba lessons.
Christopher Sholar Adjunct Faculty Popular Music Guitar sholarc@wpunj.edu View bio Christopher Sholar Grammy Award-winning music producer and composer Chris Sholar is one of the most in-demand guitarists in the world of R&B and Hip Hop music. He has worked with the top names in the music industry, a diverse range of artists from Stevie Wonder to Snoop Dogg. He's performed everywhere from concerts at Carnegie Hall to arenas at Glastonbury to the NFL Super Bowl Gala.
Brian Timmons Adjunct Faculty Classical & Music Education timmonsb@wpunj.edu View bio Brian Timmons Dr. Brian P. Timmons is the District Music Coordinator (6-12) for the Bergenfield Public Schools, and Director of Bands at Bergenfield High School where he directs the Honors Wind Ensemble and Marching Band and teaches AP Music Theory. He also serves as the Band Director at Seton Hall University, where he leads the band in performance for campus community events and in support of the mens and womens Pirates basketball program. In addition, he serves as adjunct professor of music at William Paterson University. Dr. Timmons received his doctorate in music education from Liberty University, where his research focused on conductor mentoring. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from William Paterson University, where he studied conducting and trumpet with Dr. J. Craig Davis, and Master of Arts in wind conducting at Hofstra University, where he studied with Dr. Peter Loel Boonshaft. Ensembles under his direction have performed at NJPAC, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. His guest conducting credits include the Ridgewood Concert Band, the William Paterson University Wind Ensemble and Summer Honors Band, the North Jersey Concert Band, the MEBCI Bergen County High School and Middle School Honor Bands, the Imperial Brass, the Teaneck Community Band, Rockland County (NY) Senior All-County Band, and the New Jersey Choral Society. He serves as President of the North Jersey Band Festival. He also served as President of the Music Educators of Bergen County, Inc. from 2010-12, and continues to serve as treasurer on the executive board. In June of 2013, he was named a Yale University Distinguished Music Educator and represented New Jersey at Yales Symposium on Music in Schools, and was named the 2018 New Jersey representative of 50 Directors Who Make a Difference by School Band and Orchestra Magazine. In 2022 and 2024, he served on the faculty of the John Philip Sousa National High School Honor Band.
Pat Van Dyke Adjunct Faculty Digital Music Creation vandykej3@wpunj.edu View bio Pat Van Dyke Pat Van Dyke is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer whose music balances the rhythmic intensity of golden-era hip hop with the rich harmony & refreshing subtlety of jazz. Pitchfork has called Pat’s music “like Count Basie directing a big band dedicated to lost Roy Ayers compositions”, while legendary DJ and radio personality; Bobbito Garcia has said this about PVD’s artistic output: “what I perceive the album to be is a jazz record that’s produced by someone young enough to be raised on hip-hop.” Drawing from a diverse palette of sounds, Pat’s music features live instrumentation alongside analog synthesizers, lush horn arrangements, and vintage keyboards, straddling the boundaries of electronic music, jazz, and golden era hip-hop. As a recording artist, Pat has recorded and released music with Benny Sings, Mayer Hawthorne, Sadat X (of Brand Nubian), John Robinson, Zac Colwell, Jeff Taylor, and many more. As a session musician, producer, and sample creator, Pat's work has been heard on records that feature hip-hop legends such as Kool Keith, Masta Ace, Czarface, as well as Sam Barsh, & Suff Daddy
Kathryn Vetter Adjunct Faculty Classical Clarinet vetterk2@wpunj.edu View bio Kathryn Vetter Dr. Kathryn Vetter is an internationally award-winning clarinetist based in New York City. She performed at the 66th Festival Internazionale di Musica Contemporanea during La Biennale di Venezia, where she was awarded Best Performance. As a soloist, she won the 2018 Contemporary Performance Competition at the Cortona Sessions for New Music in Cortona, Italy and has performed solo recitals in Ireland and across the United States. As an orchestral musician, she performs with the Fort Greene Orchestra and has previously performed with Teatro Grattacielo, New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers, Juilliard Lab Orchestra, Painted Sky Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Oklahoma Festival Ballet, and Norman Philharmonic. Kathryn is the founding clarinetist of Sputter Box, a clarinet, voice, percussion ensemble and Nu Quintet, a wind quintet. Sputter Box has commissioned over eighty works for their unique instrumentation and has toured across the US. Nu Quintet was an Artist Ensemble for Chamber Music Societys Chamber Music Beginnings program where they worked with students across New York Citys five boroughs. As a freelance chamber and solo musician, Kathryn has also performed with Contemporaneous, infraSound, and Collide-O-Scope Music. Dr. Vetter currently teaches clarinet at William Paterson University, clarinet, music theory, and ear training at Mannes Prep at The New School, and a private studio of clarinet, saxophone, and flute students. Previously, she was an Adjunct Music Professor at Five Towns College (2021-2025), the sabbatical replacement Professor of Clarinet for Dr. Suzanne Tirk at the University of Oklahoma (2022), and maternity-leave replacement for Dr. Tirk at the University of Oklahoma (2016). Dr. Vetter was awarded with the OU Provost's Certificate of Distinction in Teaching (2018). Kathryn earned her doctorate of musical arts in clarinet performance at Stony Brook University. She earned her masters degrees in clarinet performance and music theory from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelors in music education from Michigan State University. Her primary teachers include Alan Kay, Dr. Suzanne Tirk, Dr. Guy Yehuda, Ted Oien, Dr. Caroline Hartig, and Sarah Bednarcik on classical clarinet and Dr. Derrick Newbold on jazz clarinet and saxophone. Originally from New Jersey, Kathryn now resides in Brooklyn.
Nathan Webb Adjunct Faculty Music Education webbn@wpunj.edu View bio Nathan Webb Dr. Nathan Webb strives to serve through his gifts, believing it is his calling to leave a legacy as a drummer, musician, educator, and mentor. He has performed for presidents and celebrities alongside some of the most renowned jazz artists worldwide. Nathan earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from William Paterson University in 2024, focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the music classroom. With 13 years of teaching experience in Paterson and Belleville public schools, he is a passionate advocate for giving back to the community through music education.
David Weisberg Full-time Faculty Classical & Digital Music Creation Music Technology, Composition, Music Theory, Ear Training Phone: 973-720-3160 weisbergd@wpunj.edu View bio
David Wong Adjunct Faculty Jazz Bass wongd4@wpunj.edu View bio David Wong "David Wong is a sought-after bassist born and raised in New York City. He is currently a member of the Bill Charlap Trio, the Charles McPherson Quintet, and the Terell Stafford Quintet, has held the bass chair with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra for over 16 years, and also regularly performs with Cécile McLorin Salvant. David was a member of Roy Haynes’ Fountain of Youth band for 15 years as well as the Heath Brothers Quartet. David has appeared on over 80 recordings, including Samara Joy’s Grammy Award– winning album Linger Awhile. Wong is adjunct faculty at Purchase College, William Paterson University, The New School, and The City College of New York. David is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where he studied classical music with Orin O’Brien of the New York Philharmonic, and later studied with Ron Carter."
