Usdan Center for the
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Music

The music program includes both instruction and performance. Faculty members come from the finest conservatories and include leading freelance musicians and concert artists. They teach with love and aim for the highest standards possible.

For detailed information about these and all other Usdan courses, please visit the "All Classes" page.

Classes Offered

  • Majors

  • Concert Band
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Orchestra
  • Senior Chorus
  • Junior Chorus
  • Classical Guitar
  • Classical Piano

  • Minors

  • Senior Chorus
  • Select Chamber Choir
  • Junior Chorus
  • Chamber Music
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Folk Guitar
  • Band, Orchestra

Faculty

Patrick Armann | Percussion

B.M., Boston Conservatory, M.M. and D.M.A., SUNY Stony Brook. Performances with Atlantic Philharmonic, Long Island Symphonic Winds, New Music Consort, New Jersey Percussion Ensemble Bay Street Theater. Faculty, Sachem High School.

Eileen M. Benedict | Jr. Chorus, Discovery Chorus

M.S., Long Island University. Conductor, SCMEA and NMEA Festivals. Lecturer: SUNY Stony Brook Community Music. Clinician: SCMEA, NYSSMA. Former faculty, Connetquot Schools.

Michael Blutman | Trumpet

B.M., University of Maryland, M.M., Juilliard. Performances with National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, American Symphony, Orchestra of St. Lukes, Sting, Ben Folds, Jon Batiste.

Lani King Chang | Violin

B.M., San Francisco Conservatory, M.M., New England Conservatory. International Musicians Seminar, Prussia Cove. Prize winner Coleman National Chamber Music Competition. Former violinist, San Francisco Opera Orchestra, and Abel, Delay, Melikian. Faculty, Hoff-Barthelson Music School.

Elina Chekan | Folk Guitar

Graduate, Belarus Academy, M.M., Yale University. Director of Guitar Pre-College Division, University of Wisconsin. Former artist-in-residence, The Bloomingdale House of Music.

Marissa Connolly | Viola

B.M., Crane School of Music, M.M., CUNY Brooklyn. Faculty, The Corlears School, North Shore Hebrew Academy.

Karen Di Martino| Senior Chorus

B.S., Hofstra University, M.M., Manhattan School of Music. Solo performances at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall. Faculty, Sayville Schools.

A. Bradford De Milo | Director of Junior Bands; French Horn

B.S., Hofstra, M.A., Professional Diploma, LI University. Performances with LI Brass Guild, Concert Pops of LI, Atlantic Wind Symphony, Lehman Woodwind Quintet, Nassau Symphony, NY Virtuosi. Music Director, Village Pops of Farmingdale. Faculty, Adelphi University, Nassau Community College.

David Dolgon | Clarinet

B.S., M.A., NYU. Clinician, SmartMusic and Finale. Performer, Atlantic Wind Symphony, Concert Pops of Long Island, Lehman College Band. NYSSMA All-State Adjudicator. Former faculty, Syosset Schools.

Andrew Giammalvo | Jazz Ensemble, Assistant Dean of Students

B.M.E., Bradley University; M.A., LI University. SCMEA Jazz Day Coordinator. Performances with Dave Liebman, Ann Hampton Calloway, Sam Butera, and Vic Damone. Faculty, Sayville Schools.

Adam Glaser | Orchestra

B.A., University of Pennsylvania; M.M., University of Michigan; Artist Diploma, Curtis Institute of Music. International conductor and composer. Conductor, Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra.

Rene Izquierdo | Classical Guitar

M.M. Artist Diploma, Yale University School of Music. Soloist and chamber musician. Faculty, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Alina Kiryayeva | Piano

B.A., M.A., The Juilliard School. Recitalist, teacher, and collaborative artist. Soloist with Kharkov State Philharmonic, State Opera Theater Orchestra, Imperial Valley Symphony Orchestra, New York Symphonic Ensemble Orchestra.

Aaron Korn | French Horn

B.M., Manhattan School of Music, M.M., Yale School of Music. Member, Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, Allentown Symphony Orchestra.

Susan Lehr | Cello

B.M., M.M., New England Conservatory. Performer, Symphony of Long Island, American Chamber Ensemble, Minnewaska Chamber Music Society, Classical Strings. Former Director of Orchestras, Waldorf School.

Kageki Nagao | Double Bass/Chamber Music

B.M., M.M., The Julliard School. D.M.A., SUNY Stony Brook. Performances with Westchester Symphony, Jupiter Symphony, Berkshire Opera, Utah Festival Opera. Faculty, Long Island Lutheran High School.

Tia Roper | Flute

B.Music, Manhattan School of Music, M.M., Boston University. D.M.A., Rutgers University. Performances with New York City Ballet, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Queens Symphony Orchestra. Faculty, Bloomingdale School of Music.

David Schecher | Director of Senior Bands, Dean of Students

B.A., Ithaca College, M.M., Stony Brook. Music Director, LI Brass Guild. Music Director and Conductor, Atlantic Wind Symphony. Faculty, Bayport/Blue Point Schools.

Andrew Segale | Saxophone

B. Music, New England Conservatory. Performances: Goldman Band, Symphony of LI, NY Virtuosi, Island Chamber Symphony, American Concert Band, Cy Coleman Orchestra, American Chamber Ensemble, Adolphe Saxquartette.

Francesca Smith | Piano

B. Music, M.M., Manhattan School of Music. Performances: Manhattan Trio, NBC Concert Festival. Former Faculty, Browning School, St. Paul's School (London).

Katya Stanislavskaya | Piano

M.M., Temple University, M.F.A., New York University. Musical director, composer, lyricist, and educator.

Valerie Sulzinski | Oboe, Chamber Music

B.F.A., SUNY Purchase, M.M., Queens College. Recitalist, chamber musician, studio oboist. Faculty, LI University, Queens College, Five Towns College.

Sebastian Vera | Low Brass

B.M., Southern Methodist University. M.M., Mannes College of Music. Principal trombone, Pittsburgh Opera. Founding member, Guidonian Hand Trombone Quartet. Performer, Dallas Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Vermont Symphony, Albany Symphony, Orquesta Sinaloa de las Artes.

Judith Witmer | Director of Junior Orchestras; Viola

Studies at Curtis Institute, B.M., Manhattan School of Music, M.S., Long Island University. Performances: La Scala Opera, New York City Opera, New Jersey Opera, Westfield Symphony, Broadway shows. Faculty, Merrick Schools.