ESYO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Teaching Artist ( Winds, Brass & Percussion )
Aaron Zhang is a professional musician and educator residing in Schenectady, NY. They are primarily a saxophonist and can be seen performing regularly with the Capital District Wind Ensemble as the ensemble's tenor saxophonist, but gigs regularly as a woodwind doubler. Aaron is currently a middle school band teacher in the Schenectady City School District and has many years of experience teaching with All Ears Jazz, a workshop for learning jazz and improvised music. They hold an AS in Performing Arts from SUNY Schenectady, BM in Music Education from Ithaca College, and MM in Music Education with a Conducting Specialization from Colorado State University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- CHIME Teaching Artist
Alex Atchley is a freelance percussionist, timpanist and drummer based in Scotia, NY. He previously worked as a freelancer in Chicago from 2013-2016. During that time he performed with several regional orchestras in Chicago, Northern Indiana and Western Michigan including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Elgin Symphony. Alex was also section percussionist with the Rockford Symphony, Illinois' third largest symphony.
In the Albany area Alex has performed and recorded with the Albany Symphony, Glens Falls Symphony, Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony and Berkshire Symphony. He frequently performs with the Playhouse Stage Co. in their regular season and Park Playhouse Summer performances. In 2022 Alex was the resident drummer for the Mac-Haydn Theater in Chatham, NY.
Job Titles:
- Business Banking Relationship Manager, M & T Bank
Operations Assistant | Symphony Orchestra & String Orchestra Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- CHIME Teaching Artist
Awan was first handed a saxophone when he was nine years old and has spent almost everyday since then studying jazz and classical music, as well as music theory. After graduating from Christian Brothers Academy, he attended SUNY Schenectady County Community College for two years before transferring to, and graduating from SUNY Purchase in 2023, earning a bachelor's in music. In his early years he was a member of the ESYO Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, as well as the NYSSMA All-State Jazz Band. More recently he has performed at many well-known jazz clubs in NYC such as Birdland, Dizzy's, Smalls, Ornithology, Jazz Forum, and other smaller venues. He also regularly performs in the capital region with various bands. He started teaching private lessons during college, both online and in person, and has continued to do so for students of all ages and levels. He is a very passionate musician/teacher who makes it his mission to help his students improve without forgetting to fuel their creativity and love of the instrument.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder, Owner of Pearl Grant Richmans
Beth Antonio currently serves as ESYO's percussion coordinator and as the organizer of ESYO's annual Frost Valley retreat. A parent of two ESYO percussion alums, Beth has been an active member of the ESYO community for more than two decades. During this time, Beth produced and acted in Young People's Concerts, coordinated three international tours, organized countless Frost Valley retreats and provided crucial managerial support for our percussion program. As a member of the Board of Directors, Beth helped oversee ESYO's continued success and growth, and as part of the Artistic Committee, she helped guide the launch of ESYO's CHIME program. In addition to being an integral member of the ESYO family, Beth is an avid community volunteer and proud grandmother.
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor, Statewide Public Affairs. Brian Currently Works As a Lobbyist at State Policy Inc
Job Titles:
- Master Sergeant & Saxophone Section Leader, US Army Band
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Lead Teaching Artist - Yates
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Artistic Planning, Saratoga Performing Arts Center
David Beck joined ESYO in 2000, and currently serves as the ESYO Repertory conductor. A graduate of Ithaca College and the Hartt School of Music, David's primary instruments are cello, tuba and string & electric bass. David has been a string specialist in the Bethlehem Central School District since 1991. Throughout his tenure, David has taught string lessons and orchestral ensembles in grades six through 12, and has cultivated a notable chamber program, which he founded in 1994. Currently, David conducts the Bethlehem High School Concert Orchestra and Symphony, both ensembles of note in NYSSMA's Major Organization Evaluation System. His chamber ensembles have performed for three New York governors at the governor's mansion and have participated in master classes given by the Manhattan String Quartet and the Shanghai String Quartet.
David also works as a festival clinician throughout New York, Connecticut, and Florida and has presented workshops at conferences for CASDA, NYSBDA, and NYSSMA. He is a NYSSMA certified Solo/Ensemble Adjudicator, All-State Adjudicator, and Major Organization Adjudicator, has served as both the Assistant Chair and Chairman of NYSSMA's All-State Orchestra and is currently Strings Chairman for the NYSSMA Winter Conference. Since 1995, he has been the conductor of orchestras at Eastern US Music Camp in Hamilton, NY. He also served as conductor for American Music Abroad and Cortland Chamber Orchestra. Previously, David was on the staff of Laurel Music Camp in Connecticut, and worked with the Delmar Community Orchestra, Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra, and the West Hartford Music Club.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Associate Music Director of CHIME & Chamber Music
Dr. Edward S. Marschilok joined the Empire State Youth Orchestra's Board of Directors in 1996. During his two decades of service, he was the Chairperson of the Artistic Committee and also served on the Finance Committee where he helped preserve both the artistic and fiscal integrity of the organization for generations of young musicians. In addition to participating in governance, Ed has contributed his exceptional personal expertise as a skilled coach and as a guest musician. He has accompanied the orchestra as a performer on several international tours, and frequently offers his formidable skill on the contrabassoon to round out our performances.
Job Titles:
- Melodies of Christmas Chorale Director
Dr. Michael Lister is a familiar face to ESYO, not only because of his prodigious musical activities in the region, but as a past member of ESYO's Board of Directors. Dr. Lister holds a Doctor of Arts degree in Choral Conducting at Ball State University, and has led numerous choirs in the midwest, as well as here in the Capital Region. Most recently, Dr. Lister completed a residency with the Saratoga Voices. No stranger to our youth, Dr. Lister has conducted many school music festivals and this past January, led 150 youth in Albany Pro Musica's High School Choral Festival. Dr. Lister is an associate music professor at the University of Albany.
Dr. Robert S. Hansbrough joined ESYO in 2000 and currently serves as the ESYO Wind Orchestra conductor. Robert's primary instrument is percussion. A graduate of the University of South Florida and Florida State University, Robert is a music professor at The College of Saint Rose where he founded the College of Saint Rose Summer Youth Music program and served as its director for the first five years. Robert was also the inaugural director of The College of Saint Rose Pre-College Experience program. He is the co-author of "Music for Concert Band", a selected wind band textbook published in February 2014 by Meredith Music Publications.
Job Titles:
- Edward Jones Financial Advisor
Swiss conductor Etienne Abelin has been described as a "post-classical pioneer" in the BBC Music Magazine and an "icon of new ways in classical music" by the Musica Viva Magazine Brazil.
Gareth "Gary" Griffiths joined Empire State Youth Orchestra as a general manager, and was instrumental in helping to establish and grow the organization. Gary served on the Board of Directors for more than two decades, during which time she was the Chairperson of the Artistic Committee and helped lead the Music Director search that resulted in the hiring of Helen Cha-Pyo. Gary continues to lend her time and talent to organize the annual Lois Lyman Concerto Competition and serves as Community Chairperson for the annual Melodies of Christmas performances. Gary is a respected music director and artistic leader in the community, and is a dedicated parent to an ESYO alumnus.
Job Titles:
- Repertory Percussion Ensemble Conductor
Genoveffa Vitale joined ESYO in 2009 and currently serves as the ESYO Chamber Percussion conductor. A graduate of Crane School of Music and Walden University, Gen teaches elementary band, high school percussion lessons, and percussion ensemble in the Bethlehem Central School District, and maintains a private percussion studio. Gen worked with the Jordan-Elbridge Marching Band and Indoor Drum Lines from 2000-05 and the Mohonasen Marching Band from 2007-09. She has given mallet marimba clinics at SUNY OCC and SUNY Potsdam. While at Crane, Gen won the Crane Concerto Competition, conducted and performed in the two percussion ensembles, and obtained a Performance Certificate in percussion.
Job Titles:
- Web Designer / Creative Contractor
Job Titles:
- Board Secretary, Senior Systems Engineer, GE Global Research
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- CHIME Teaching Artist ( Strings )
John Meltz grew up in the Hudson Valley, NY and started playing cello at the age of 9. He studied under Daniel Frankhuizen before moving to Albany, NY to attend The College of Saint Rose. There, he studied cello with Dr. David Bebe and Jonathan Brin and earned a BS in Music Industry. Besides cello performance, John also works in the production of music and has released albums of many different genres, including classical, electronic, and metal. He frequently performs as a member of the Silver Arrow Band and brings a diverse musical experience to his teaching.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Credit and Risk, Broadview Federal Credit Union
Joseph Gumpper joined ESYO in 2008 and currently serves as the ESYO String Orchestra conductor. Joe's primary instrument is violin. A graduate of Crane School of Music and the College of Saint Rose, Joe began his career in the Shenendehowa School District, where he first taught in the elementary schools before becoming the director of the Middle School orchestras. Since 2006, he has served as the High School Orchestra Director at Shenendehowa's East and West High Schools. In his current position, Joe conducts three orchestras. Joe also maintains a private studio.
Job Titles:
- Director of Bands at Bethlehem Central Middle School in Delmar, NY
Julie Taylor is the Director of Bands at Bethlehem Central Middle School in Delmar, NY since 2007. She directs the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands, all lessons, and jazz band. Ms. Taylor earned a B.M. in Music Education and a Performance Certificate in Clarinet from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, and a M.M. in Music Education from Ithaca College. She studied clarinet with M. David Schemancik, Dr. Alan Woy, Dr. Raphael Sanders, Dr. Michael Galvan, and Dr. Richard Faria. She is an active performing musician with Park Playhouse Pit Orchestra, The Capital Region Wind Ensemble, The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, and numerous local pit orchestras as a woodwind specialist. She hosts Woodwind clinics throughout the Capital District, is a NYSSMA adjudicator, and has been honored to conduct All-County and Area All-State bands across New York State. Ms. Taylor mainatins a private clarinet studio which includes students attending NYSSMA All-State Conference and the NYSBDA All-State Honor Bands. She is grateful for the opportunity to inspire young musicians each and every day.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Fizgerald Morris Baker Firth, P.C
Job Titles:
- Partner / Attorney, Couch White, LLP
Keith Pray is a versatile saxophonist and organist, who explores the boundaries of mainstream jazz, the blues, avant-garde, and gritty funk as a performer, bandleader, composer, and educator.
Keith has traveled from the west coast to Europe making music of many styles with hundreds of gifted musicians including some of the giants of the business. For eight years he resided in New York City performing with artists from multiple disciplines including, jazz, R&B, blues, Latin, and big band. He currently resides in New York's Capital Region and has released six albums under his name, most recently Universal Blues on his label PrayNation Records. Over his career, Keith has taught saxophone at SUNY Oneonta, jazz history, and arranging at Schenectady County Community College and currently directs the high school bands in the Schenectady City School District and the SUNY Albany Jazz Ensemble.
Keith is an in-demand jazz educator, having conducted many all-counties, masterclasses, clinics, directing the Proctors Summer Jazz Institute for 9 seasons, and most recently co-founding All Ears Jazz, which develops jazz education workshops. Besides his own recordings, Keith has recorded for dozens of artists, and continues to maintain an active performing schedule, and has added jazz organ to his performing credentials. Keith also holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) from the European Graduate School in Expressive Arts: Therapy, Conflict Transformation, and Education.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- CHIME Teaching Artist
Laura Matthews is a recent alum from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. She graduated summa cum laude with degrees in music education and viola performance. Additionally, Matthews graduated with honors as a SUNY Potsdam Presidential Scholar through her research project entitled ‘Diversity and Inclusion in the NYSSMA Strings Manual', which was presented at the 2021 NYSSMA All-State Conference. Her work aims to promote underrepresented composers and make their works more accessible to students by including more repertoire to the NYSSMA manual. Furthermore, Laura Matthews is an ESYO alum, participating in the program for 6 years until graduating in 2018. She is honored to be giving back to this organization by working as a teaching artist through ESYO's CHIME program. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her puppy, learning fiddle tunes, crocheting, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- CHIME Teacher Artist
Laura Van Voris is a recent graduate of Ithaca College, where she studied music and psychology. She is currently studying to get a Master's in Social Work at the University of Albany. Laura is also an Alumnae of ESYO, playing with the orchestra at Carnegie Hall, among other places. When she is not in school or playing the cello, Laura loves to spend time with her two guinea pigs or reading a book.
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Events Manager
Leo Milman joined ESYO in 2018 as the ESYO Concertino Strings conductor. A professional violinist and music educator, Leo studied the violin from a very young age. He holds degrees as a professional violinist from the Kiev School of Music and the Minsk Music Academy, where he studied with Olga Parkhomenko, and received a diploma with honors. Following this, he graduated from the College of St. Rose with an MA in Music Pedagogy.
While still a student of the Minsk Music Academy, Leo served as the assistant concertmaster in the Minsk Chamber Orchestra. While in that position Leo traveled around Eastern and Western Europe as a member of the orchestra as well as a soloist.
After moving to the United States, Leo pursued a teaching career and has been teaching music in public and private schools since 1995. Currently he is the string orchestra conductor for the Canajoharie School District. In 2006 he founded the Summer String Program, where he still serves as Music Director and conductor.
In addition to teaching, Leo is a soloist and member of a few chamber groups, performing in Albany and the surrounding Capital District. He is a founding member of Serenading Strings Ensemble and the Leonata String Ensemble.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Teaching Artist ( Strings )
A native New Yorker, Lia began her cello studies at the age of nine with Erika Pickhart, before pursuing cello performance at the Boston Conservatory of Music, mentored by Andrew Mark and Terry King. Lia has studied cello pedagogy with Pamela Devenport at The School for Strings in New York City and the Ithaca College Suzuki Institute, where she received her Suzuki certification units one through eight. Lia has performed with the Boston Lyrica chamber orchestra and the Albany Symphony, and she is currently a member of the Chelsea Symphony. Her album Drag was released in 2016 by Moon Records. In 2016, one of her original compositions was projected onto the Manhattan Bridge and showcased worldwide by the Leo Kuelbs collection.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Site Manager - Proctors
Job Titles:
- Co - Conductor, Youth Percussion Orchestra
Mark Foster joined ESYO in 1987 and currently serves as ESYO Youth Percussion conductor. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Mark is a member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), Vic Firth Education and Hudson Music Teacher Integration Programs. In addition to his role at ESYO, Mark is a percussionist with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, and maintains a private percussion studio in Glenmont. Mark is widely respected as one of the premier drum set players in the region.
Job Titles:
- Membership & Communications Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Teaching Artist ( Strings )
Matthew Johnson has performed throughout North America in various musical settings. As an orchestral artist, he has performed with many highly esteemed ensembles including Orchestra of St. Luke's; the New York Chamber Soloists; New York Virtuosi; Vermont Mozart Festival Orchestra; and Lake George Opera Orchestra; and has performed as principal violist of groups such as the Berkshire Bach Society; St. Cecelia Chamber Orchestra; Jupiter Symphony; Lincoln Center Naumburg Orchestra; and Berkshire Opera Orchestra. Johnson has participated in several orchestral premiers including the premier of Sir Paul McCartney's orchestral work, Standing Stone, performed in Carnegie Hall with Orchestra of St. Luke's. Other performance venues include Kennedy Center; Avery Fisher Hall; Ozawa Hall; Alice Tully Hall; and Merkin Concert Hall. He has performed under world- class conductors such as Andre Previn; Yakov Kreizberg; James Conlon; Lucas Foss; and Robert Shaw, and worked with renowned artists such as Yo- Yo Ma; Pamela Frank; Andre Watts; and Renée Fleming.
Mr. Johnson studied viola at the Mannes College of Music with Paul Doktor and Karen Ritscher, receiving a four- year undergraduate Diploma, and at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst as a scholarship student of Charles Treger. He has had additional viola training and coaching from Karen Tuttle, Robert Vernon, Joseph DePasquale, John Graham, and Marcus Thompson. Graduating Magna cum Laude from the College of Saint Rose with a BA focusing in the Music and Entertainment Industry and Communications fields, Johnson has also engaged study at Albany Law School and MBA study at St. Rose, and holds a Masters degree in Music Education from Boston University, CFA.
Matthew Johnson has performed for Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM Studios) in Hollywood and in Palm Springs, California, as well as for The Walt Disney World Company in Orlando, Florida, and has toured the United States as a violist with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra. He has appeared at the Garage, The Kitchen, and in R&B artist, D'Angello's, "Cruisin" video made for MTV, as well as participating in the Broadway production of "State Fair", and the Tony Award Winning Production of "Sunset Boulevard", with Glenn Close.
Mr. Johnson has held various teaching positions. He has served on the faculties of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV), the Juilliard School of Music (MAP); The College of Saint Rose, the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY); the Mannes College of Music; the Green Meadow Waldorf School; the Southampton Chamber Music Festival; and the New Music School of New England. He has also served as Special Arts Services Auditor for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). Johnson is currently Lead String Teacher with Empire State Youth Orchestra's El Sistema based CHIME program.
Job Titles:
- Director, Summit Senior Living
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Teaching Artist ( Strings )
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Teaching Artist ( Winds, Brass & Percussion )
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Lead Teaching Artist - Van Corlaer
Nikola Tomić is active as a trumpet performer and teacher in Upstate New York and the New York City area. In addition to his work with CHIME, Nikola teaches at the Longy School of Music of Bard College, having taught previously at Cornell University, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, the Ithaca College School of Music, and the Eastman Community Music School in Rochester, NY. He has contributed two articles and numerous CD reviews to the quarterly journal of the International Trumpet Guild. Nikola holds the DMA and MM in Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media from the Eastman School of Music and a BM in trumpet performance from Ithaca College. Nikola is a proud member of the Albany Musicians' Union, AFM Local 14.
Job Titles:
- Music Teacher, North Colonie School District
Job Titles:
- Regional Managing Partner, Wilson Elser
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Site Manager - Yates
Rachel Mitchell is excited to be joining the team as a Site Manager for the CHIME Yates program. She has worked at Yates for 8 years as a special education paraprofessional. When she isn't working she is at home with her 12 year old son or at a concert because she loves live music!
Job Titles:
- Co - Conductor Youth Percussion Orchestra / ESYO Repertory Percussion Ensemble
Richard Albagli joined ESYO in 1983 and currently serves as ESYO Repertory Percussion Ensemble and Youth Percussion Orchestra conductor. A graduate of RPI and Eastman School of Music, Richard has written more than twenty-five works for solo percussion and percussion ensemble as well as a timpani concerto. As a co-founder of Associated Solo Artists, he has designed and performed interdisciplinary programs in music, the sciences, and the humanities as well as programs in leadership and creativity in more than twenty states, Europe, Mexico, and Canada.
Job Titles:
- Owner and Director of Video & Motion, BENGRAFF.Com
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Data Management and Interoperability, MVP Healthcare
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Operations Manager
- CHIME Operations Manager
Sarah Corbett serves as CHIME Operations Manager. She is an avid animal lover, eclectic music connoisseur, theatre nerd, and a good food, good mood kind of person. Her professional careers have included the customer is always right, Broadway shows, and the wild world of high school. You may have seen her in her last role as a CHIME site manager. Sarah has two boys that are the loves of her life, and is grateful to be a part of the ESYO CHIME family.
Scott Hopkins received music education degrees from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and from the University of Connecticut with tuba as his primary instrument. Mr. Hopkins was a winner of the Crane Concerto Competition in 1996 on the tuba, and he also doubles on both bass and banjo. He has performed in concert bands, brass quintets, pit orchestras, and bluegrass, jazz and folk bands for over 30 years. As a music educator, Mr. Hopkins has taught and motivated hundreds of students and has most recently brought life to the grades 5-12 band program at Duanesburg Central School District through consistently high evaluations and a welcoming environment.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Music, Rutgers University
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations & Repertory Orchestra Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Teaching Artist ( Strings )
Teresa Gatta Norton has been a member of the ESYO family since 1979. She studied violin at the Ithaca College School of Music and is now a member of the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra and an Affiliate Artist of Violin at Union College.
Job Titles:
- Edward Jones Financial Advisor
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- Teaching Artist ( Winds, Brass & Percussion )
Ye Hu grew up in Shanghai in a musical family, beginning the clarinet at age 11 studying with her father. She attended the music middle and high school affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory before moving to the United States and earning both her BM and MM degrees from the New England Conservatory. She has been heard with orchestras in the United States and China. She received her second MM degree in Orchestra performance from Bard College, The Orchestra Now. Ye is also an experienced woodwind and piano instructor, teaching students with various age ranges, using different skill sets and goals of learning. She focuses on how to help them to enjoy playing music and always creates opportunities for them to perform and grow. In past years, all of her students have successfully won their auditions and made it to the honorable band in their district and state.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ESYO Chime Team
- CHIME & Young Leaders Director
- CHIME Director
Zoë Auerbach has enjoyed a varied and full career as a violinist/violist, teacher, and arts administrator. She completed undergraduate work in violin and viola performance, string pedagogy and philosophy, and earned her MA in philosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center, where her work focused on exploring the philosophical and ethical considerations at the nexus of epistemology, sociology, and policy, as pertains to paradigms of education. Zoë has performed throughout the US, South America, and Canada with many groups, including The Orchestra of Northern New York, Orquesta Sinfónica de Santo Domingo, and The West Side Chamber Orchestra of NYC, and, most recently, for many shows at The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck. A dedicated and passionate teacher, Zoë completed her Suzuki teacher training at The School for Strings in NYC. She maintains a large violin and viola studio in Tivoli, NY, and is the founding executive director of Harmony Project Hudson, a tuition-free music program aimed at helping young people in Hudson, NY reach their fullest potential as individuals and citizens through the powerful connections forged in the study of music.