Faculty

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  Penn Burrall

  The Ballet School Instructor

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  Penn H. Burrall, born in upstate NY, began her dance training at six, starting with ballet and tap. Her training and dedication flourished when joining St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy, The Ballet School, in Geneva, NY, under the direction of Alaina Olivieri. She was one of their first students, studying classical ballet, pointe, and modern techniques. Penn recently graduated from The Boston Conservatory in Berklee, receiving her BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance. In training at the Conservatory, she deepened her understanding of ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary forms and explored other interests such as teaching, working in the costume shop, and connecting with choreographers and peers. Burrall was also elected as a representative for the Dance Division for the Student Government Association at Berklee, in which she planned events to improve student life and helped bridge gaps within the institution. She is grateful for the opportunity to perform work by an influential professor, Jim Viera, learn Victor Quijada’s RUBBERBAND Method, and perform in pieces by Heather Stewart, Doug Varone, and Loni Landon. Her most recent achievement was being selected to perform in José Limón’s historic work, The Unsung, as part of the first-ever female-identifying cast to perform this work.
  While studying in Boston, Penn has also enjoyed performing in student works by Tricia Dietrick, Raxel Kempenaar, and Amber Gott. She has received additional training at various summer and winter intensives with Yue Yin Dance Company(YYDC), Doug Varone and Dancers, Gibney Dance, Ballet Hispanico, and Paul Taylor Dance Company. Penn has also completed work-study positions with Paul Taylor and YYDC. These different experiences have greatly inspired Burrall’s approach to performing, rehearsal directing, teaching, and collaboration.

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  Trevor Burrall

  Violin Instructor

  Trevor Burrall is a 2012 graduate of Geneva High School and 2019 graduate of the University of Vermont.  Trevor was born and raised in Geneva and began studying violin at the age of seven with the Suzuki Method.  As a Suzuki student Trevor participated in numerous institutes and achievement programs, among them the Ithaca and Hartt Institutes.  During high school Trevor played with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Youth Orchestra, SSYO (Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra), and RPYO (Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra) as well as the NYSSMA Area All-County Orchestra.  Trevor was among the students first enrolled in SPCAA’s violin program under the tutelage of Erin Hamilton and later Julianna Gray.  After high school Trevor was a student in the studios of Marilyn MacDonald and Evelyn Read.  Outside of St. Peter’s Trevor is active in the community music scene in various ensembles and collaborations.  He particularly enjoys working alongside likeminded musicians and old friends.  Trevor welcomes performance opportunities of any kind.  As an advocate for making classical music accessible to the Geneva community Trevor serves on the Geneva Music Festival Board of Directors.  For inquiries, availability, and special requests, please contact Trevor at:  .

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  Brian Donat

  Cello Instructor

  Brian Donat is a full time freelance cellist who moved to Rochester in 2017 after ~10 years of living and working in the Adirondack region of NY. An alum of Houghton College and the Meadowmount School, he keeps busy by teaching privately and performing with anybody who will have him – orchestras, musicals, weddings, ballets, chamber concerts, choirs, churches, etc. When he’s not playing cello, he can usually be found playing outside – hiking, running, xc skiing or biking. He lives in Webster with his wife, Jolene and their dog, Molly.

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  Julianna Gray

  Head of Violin Studio

  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.

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  Bernardo Marcondes

  Guitar & Ukulele Instructor

  Bernardo Marcondes is a Brazilian guitarist and researcher. Began his studies in 2008 with Dr. Steven Thachuk, Kate Lewis, Ron Borczon at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) where he received his Bachelors and Masters degree in classical guitar performance. Received the Gus & Erika Manders scholarship guaranteeing his participation at the Summer Arts 2012 program studying with Vida Quartet and Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Also received the Segovia

  Endowment Scholarship from CSUN in 2013. Worked as a research assistant in the International Guitar Research Archives at the Oviatt Library, Northridge.

  In 2012 made the premier of the work Transfigurations by Chilean composer Marcelo Lazcano and in 2013 the premier of Stroszeklied by Italian/Brazilian composer Felipe Rossi. Has been a part of the project Violões de Tiradentes since its 2nd edition in 2012, performing original arrangements and compositions for guitar duos, trios and quartets.

  In 2016, was awarded a performance certificate at the Koblenz International Guitar Academy and Festival, studying under the renowned artist and professor, Hubert Kaeppel. Performed in various venues around Koblenz, such as political events, award ceremonies, churches. Performed Alongside Australian guitarist, Aaron Hannelly, in several venues, demonstrating a diverse repertoire consisting of bossa nova, choro, jazz, gypsy jazz, and original arrangements of pop songs alongside singers.

  Most recently, Bernardo received his Doctoral Degree in Classical Guitar Performance and Literature, studying under Dr. Nicholas Goluses from the Eastman School of Music. Since he has maintained a presence in the Rochester area performing with two distinct groups. Rosa Boemia performs Brazilian choro classics and Trio Ghidorah, which had its debut album released in early 2021, focuses on original arrangements for three guitars.

  Has taught private students as well as groups in varied styles, from Rock to Classical.

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  Suzanne Murphy

  Voice Instructor

  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.

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  Alaina Olivieri

  Head of the Ballet School

  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.

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  Margaret Sawyer

  Piano Instructor

  Meg Sawyer has spent the last 27 years maintaining a private studio and working as an elementary and preschool teacher in the town of Shortsville. She teaches all ages and enjoys playing piano and viola performances.

  Meg started piano lessons at the age of 5 with her mother, Janet B. Smith, and studied the viola with Nancy Hunt of the RPO. At age 12, she continued piano lessons through the Eastman School of Music’s community education program with Harriet Zimmerman, and also continued viola lessons, playing in the Youth Orchestra (RPYO). Meg attended Houghton College, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.

  Meg began offering private lessons as well as working as a school music/elementary teacher. She later returned to the Eastman School of Music, focusing on piano and early childhood music. She created “Munchkin Music,” a movement and music program for pre-school children, which involves the use of rhythm instruments.

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  Troy Slocum

  Head of Piano Studio

  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 also is a part time adjunct piano faculty member at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Head of the Piano Studio at St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy.

   

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  Ellen Stokoe

  Violin Instructor

  Ellen Stokoe is a violinist from Wisconsin currently in the Violin section of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to being an active performer in the Rochester area, she is a devout teacher. Ellen enjoys teaching a variety of ages and levels and has completed several courses in Suzuki Teacher training with Christie Felsing, Martha Shackford, and Mark Mutter.

  Ellen Began her violin studies at age 5 in the Suzuki method. After expressing an affinity for music early in her life, Ellen’s Mom saw an advertisement offering Suzuki lessons, and she began her training. Ellen continued her musical studies with former Assistant and Associate Concertmasters of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Jerome Franke and Samantha George. Ellen earner her Bachelor of Music degree at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Federico Agostini. She continued her studies at Eastman with RPO Concertmaster Juliana Athayde, graduating with her Master of Music Literature. While completing her degree Ellen was a tenured member of the Symphoria in Syracuse. Since joining the RPO, Ellen has had the opportunity to perform in the live recording of a world premier for the album American Rapture, which won a Grammy award in 2020.

   

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  jtrowbridge

  Piano Instructor

  Jeremy Trowbridge, a native of Geneva, is currently attaining a degree in Music Education and Composition with piano emphasis at SUNY Fredonia School of Music. He is an alumnus of Saint Peter’s Community Arts Academy, participating in both the piano and violin studios as well as staff accompanist and participation in the choir program. Having studied under piano teachers Troy Slocum at SPCAA and Dr. Eliran Avni at Fredonia School of Music; Jeremy has piano performance experience in the realm of classical, jazz and modern influence. He is very excited to be part of the talented staff at Saint Peter’s Community Arts Academy.

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  Wendra Trowbridge

  Community Choir and Voice Instructor

  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 taught vocal music in the New York public school system and has conducted honor choirs for Central and Western 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.