Faculty

• 

  Glenna Curren

  Cello Instructor

  moc.l1544765595iamg@1544765595nerru1544765595c.ann1544765595elg1544765595

  Cellist Glenna Curren has maintained a private teaching studio since 2002. Currently based in Rochester, she has taught as a teaching assistant at Oberlin Conservatory and is a graduate of the nationally recognized Penfield Suzuki Program.

  Glenna strives to understand how each student learns best; as a teacher her approach centers around creating a personalized method for each student. Having earned degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Eastman School of Music, Glenna has been fortunate to study with some of the music world’s most sought-after teachers— including Alan Harris, Stephen Doane, Richard Aaron, Amir Eldan, and Catharina Meints—whom she credits with teaching her how to teach as well as how to play the cello. She thus draws upon a rich array of teaching approaches, which she supplements with concepts from yoga and Alexander Technique, insisting that a relaxed cellist is a happy cellist!

  As a performer, Glenna has appeared across the United States and five European countries. A Rochester native, she has been a returning guest soloist on Rochester Public Radio’s performance series Live from Hochstein and with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and is an alumna of the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

  Currently, Glenna is a founding member of Upstate New York’s only Classical period orchestra, Ensemble Perihipsous, which is currently in its first season. With her small instrumental chamber ensemble, Ogni Sorti, she explores lesser-known works of the Renaissance. Also a soprano, she performs with Rochester’s critically acclaimed vocal ensemble, the Christ Church Schola Cantorum.

  For more details on Glenna’s teaching approach and performing activities, and to listen to recordings of performances, please visit Glenna’s website at glennacurren.com.

• 

  Ben Ellis

  Guitar Instructor

  moc.l1544765595iamg@1544765595ratiu1544765595gsill1544765595eneb1544765595

  607-382-7702

  Ben Elllis is an adjunct professor of guitar and director of the Classical Guitar Ensemble at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS). In addition to a Bachelor’s degree from the SUNY Fredonia School of Music, Ellis holds a Master’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Syracuse University, studying under Dr. Kenneth Meyer, a renowned classical guitarist from Geneva. Ellis performs as both a soloist and chamber musician with such groups as the Syracuse Vocal Ensemble, Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel Choir, HWS Chorale, Syracuse Opera, and as part of the Great Lakes Guitar Quartet and the LaLena-Ellis Duo.  Ellis has been a featured instructor at Syracuse University, Mansfield University and the Eastern US Music Camp at Colgate University.

• 

  Julianna Gray

  Suzuki Violin Instructor

  moc.l1544765595iamg@154476559597yar1544765595geilu1544765595j1544765595

  315-521-1401 or 789-4910 ext. 115

  Julianna Gray began Suzuki violin lessons at the age of two in her hometown of Corning, New York.  She holds a Bachelors Degree in Violin Performance from the University of Oregon, where she was a cum laude student of Fritz Gearhart. While pursuing her Masters Degree in Violin Performance at Ithaca College, she was a teaching assistant to Susan Waterbury and completed her long term training in Suzuki Pedagogy with Sandy Reuning. Julianna has held Suzuki violin teaching positions at the University of Oregon, on the faculty of Ithaca Talent Education and the Hochstein School of Music.  Before moving to Rochester, she played eight seasons with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and taught violin at Lemoyne College.  She is currently the coordinator of the string department and the instructor of violin at St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy and performs regularly with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

• 

  MaryAnn Hamilton

  Adult Mixed Choir Instructor

  moc.l1544765595oa@ma1544765595hillo1544765595m1544765595

  585-721-4750

  MaryAnn Hamilton was named to the position of Parish Musician at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church upon completion of her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY in May 2000. MaryAnn plays the organ for Sunday services and directs the Adult Mixed Choir. MaryAnn also holds a Master of Sacred Music degree from Union Theological Seminary, NYC, where she studied choral conducting with Abraham Kaplan. In addition to her work at St. Peter’s and St. peter’s Community Arts Academy, Ms. Hamilton serves as Colleges Organist at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

• 

  Christine McElhenny

  Musical Beginnings Instructor

  moc.l1544765595iamg@1544765595ynneh1544765595lecme1544765595irame1544765595nitsi1544765595rhc1544765595

  315-398-2230

  Christine McElhenny grew up in the Coal Region of Pennsylvania, singing in community choirs and performing in school musicals from a young age. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Lafayette College in Easton, PA, where she enjoyed moving and performing in Black Box theater productions.  It was also where she first discovered the arts of mindful movement and listening.  She still practices these today.  Soon after moving to Geneva in 2009, she and her two daughters were first exposed to St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy through a similar music and movement class and have been grateful for the experience ever since.  Christine believes parenting is a gift and that working with children is an honor. She looks forward to serving the community in this creative way.

• 

  Suzanne Murphy

  Voice Instructor

  moc.r1544765595r.ret1544765595sehco1544765595r@men1544765595nazus1544765595

  315-789-7210

  Suzanne Murphy – Mezzo-Soprano – earned a B.M. in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Ithaca College and an M.M. degree in Vocal Performance from Yale University. At the Yale School of Music she studied with Phyllis Curtin and Richard Lalli. Ms. Murphy has taught in the Massachusetts Public School System and at the Suzuki Music School in New Haven, Connecticut, as well as teaching private studio lesson. She has performed with the Providence Opera, the Cabot Street Playhouse (Ocean State Light Opera) and the Cornell Savoyards. In addition, Ms. Murphy has been alto soloist for such major works as Bach’s Mass in B minor, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Handel’s Messiah. Most recently, she has performed as the Second Lady in Geneva light Opera’s performance of The Magic Flute. Suzanne is a member of the Boston Byzantine Choir, a group devoted to preserving Byzantine Chant in English. The BBC has achieved wide critical acclaim and has published two albums of Byzantine Chant. She is experienced teaching at all levels of ability.

• 

  Alaina Olivieri

  Dance Instructor

  moc.l1544765595iamto1544765595h@ire1544765595ivilo1544765595anial1544765595a1544765595

  585-295-3228

  Alaina Olivieri is a movement artist and collaborator with Rochester, New York based professional contemporary dance companies BIODANCE (Missy Pfohl Smith) and Hanlon Dance & Company (Eran David P. Hanlon). She is also a guest performer with KDiehl Danceworks, Melanie Aceto Contemporary Dance, KT Insights, Heather Roffe Dance and Daystar Dance. She performs locally and nationally in festivals, theaters, galleries, and Universities and appears in dance on camera and photography. Olivieri graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from The College at Brockport. It was there that she was awarded the Friars Foundation Award for Talent and Academic Achievement in the Performing Arts. Prior to her move to Brockport, Olivieri studied at The School of the Hartford Ballet, NYSSSA at Skidmore College, and SUNY Geneseo, where she received the Hubert and Gertrude Chanler Scholarship for Excellence in Dance. Ms. Olivieri serves as Head of the Ballet Studio at St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy.

• 

  Troy Slocum

  Piano Instructor

  moc.l1544765595oa@3m1544765595ucols1544765595yort1544765595

  315-521-4647 or 315-789-4910 ext. 103

  Troy Slocum is a cum laude graduate of Nazareth College of Rochester with a B.M. in Piano Performance. Troy has also pursued graduate studies in Piano Performance at Syracuse University. Troy is an active recitalist and accompanist in the Rochester/Geneva area. He has performed solo and chamber works in various venues throughout the region and is a versatile pianist, comfortable in several styles of music from cocktail piano to classical. Troy taught previously in the Rochester area and has had several award winning students in various piano competitions. He has been active in local and national music organizations and is a past President of the New York State Federation of Music Clubs, a member of the national Federation of Music Clubs, National Guild of Piano teachers, and the Music Teachers National Association. Mr. Slocum is currently adjunct piano faculty at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Head of the Piano Studio at St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy.

   

• 

  Joyce Stanzel

  Piano Instructor

  moc.l1544765595oa@ss1544765595ivsj1544765595

  585-671-5285 or 789-4910 ext. 105

  Joyce Stanzel is an experienced Music Educator, with a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastman School of Music, and graduate hours from Nazareth College, Eastman, and SUNY at Brockport. Having studied with Don Campbell, author of The Mozart Effect, she founded her company, Visible Sound, which provides informational seminars which teach ways to enhance health, wellness, and learning through music. Her professional memberships include the National Federation of Music Blubs, National Guild of Piano Teachers’ Guild. She currently lives in Webster.  Ms. Stanzel teaches at her Webster Studio, Aria’s School of Music and Arts in Greece, NY, and is on the piano faculty at St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy.  She currently lives in Webster, NY.

• 

  Wendra Trowbridge

  Community Choir and Voice Instructor

  gro.s1544765595trasr1544765595etept1544765595s@egd1544765595irbwo1544765595rtw1544765595

  315-789-4910 ext. 102

  Wendra Trowbridge received her BM and MM in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College School of Music. She has extensive experience with private training of voices at all levels, is currently adjunct voice faculty at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and has previously taught at Ithaca College. She has previously taught vocal music in the New York public school system and has conducted honor choirs for Central New York schools. Her own performances include numerous tours with the Celebrant Singers throughout the United States and fourteen countries. She has also performed in various recitals and operas throughout New York State including Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, NY and Ithaca Opera Association. Wendra is Musical Director for three St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy Children’s Choirs.