OUR FACULTY

Every accomplished faculty member at the Conservatory shares the uncommon bond of a a life-long love of music and a gift for imparting that passion to their students. We go to great lengths to ensure each student-teacher connection sparks with the promise of a fulfilling,
joyful experience.

Below are short introductions to the 30+ professionals who fill our halls with music. Like to meet one? Ask to schedule a trial lesson.

MELISSA ALEXANDER

Co-Founder and pianist of the dynamic Musicora Chamber Ensemble, Melissa holds her Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY, Albany and her Masters of Arts degree from the Hartt School of Music in Connecticut.

LOIS ANDERSON

Lois is an accomplished pianist who has  composed scores for ABC and PBS and performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the New England and New Jersey Symphonies among others.

She received Bachelors and Master of Music degrees from Manhattan School of Music.

JAN DEATS

Jan earned her Music degree at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio and her Master’s at Southern Methodist University School of Fine Arts. She has performed worldwide as part of the McCall-Deats Duo. At RCM, she heads the Piano Department.

YELENA KUZMENKO

Yelena is a pianist for the world famous Eurythmy School of Spring Valley and member of the Impromptu Chamber Ensemble. Her performances have taken her to Spain and Switzerland.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts at Kharkov Music College and Masters degree from the respected Kharkov Conservatory in Ukraine.  Her former students perform and teach all over the world – Ukraine, Russia, Sweden, Morocco, Germany and USA. She is the RCM center representative for the renowned Royal Conservatory Music Development Program.

MICHAEL MARONICH

Michael is an award-winning pianist – winner the Jacob Flier Int’l Competition. He’s been a soloist at the Hartford Symphony, performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall and toured in the US and abroad.

Michael earned his Bachelors and Master degrees in piano performance at the Manhattan School of Music and is pursuing his Doctorate at Rutgers. 

MARYNA TYKHONIUK

Maryna is a professional piano instructor who earned both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Art & Music from the respected Kharkov Conservatory in Ukraine.

MIKI YOSHIURA

Miki Yoshiura holds a Bachelor of Music in piano and piano performance from Manhattan School of Music, as well as additional ongoing Professional Studies from Manhattan School of Music.
She also holds a Master of Art with Teacher Certification degree from Teachers College Columbia University and a Master of Education degree from Teachers College Columbia University.

Miki is a public school music teacher – teaching general music and chorus since 2006

Skyler Klein

Skyler Klein earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in New Jersey. He is currently working toward his Master of Music in Music Education from Lakeland University.

TARA HOOKER

Tara is a talented harpist and instructor who earned her Masters in Teaching from

Fordam University in New York.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Iona College. 

KARIN POLLOK

Karin is Co-Chair of the Conservatory’s Suzuki Violin program.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Pace University in New York., and has undertaken additional studies at Mercy College and The prestigious School for Strings in Manhattan.

PETER LEWY

Peter performs diverse genres in a range of venues. From The Bottom Line, Clearwater Festival, & The Blue Note, he has performed and recorded with folk legends The Roches, rockers Nada Surf and jazz great Bucky Pizzarelli. Classical credits include principal cellist and concerto soloist with several NYC orchestras. He is co-director of the acclaimed Maplewood Chamber Music Workshop.

ANNA TEIGEN

Anna is RCM’s String Orchestra Conductor, Co-Director of the Suzuki Program and a violin instructor. She also teaches at the Green Meadow Waldorf School. She is an avid chamber music player and coaches the On Wings String Quartet. Anna is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Music and  The School for Strings Suzuki Teacher Training Program in New York.

CATHERINE YANG

At age 9, Catherine was admitted to Julliard Pre-College  As a youth, she performed at the prestigious Paul Hall, Lincoln Center and Alice Tully Hall. As a professional, she’s added venues like Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Concert Hall and Avery Fischer Hall among many others.

Both her Masters and Bachelor of Music Performance degrees are from Manhattan School of Music. As an instructor, her students have earned recognition at Little Mozart; Crescendo; American Protege Competition and National Artists Competition. 

JONATHAN TOSCANO

Jonathan Toscano is an emerging bass player enjoying collaborations with world-class talent on the international stage.

New York-born Toscano’s dynamic style on upright and electric bass has brought him major performing credits with celebrated artists.

Toscano’s collaborators include Gregoire Maret, Steve Wilson, Jeremy Pelt, Billy Kilson, Kader Japonais, Adam Falcon, Richie Morales, Minu Cinelu, Pheeroan Acklaff, Karl Latham, Alan Cave, and more.

Toscano has performed at the Blue Note in Beijing; Winter Jazz Fest in New York City; The X Jazz Fest in Berlin, Germany; the Dobos Festival in Cegled, Hungary; Long Beach Jazz Festival, and the Zadymka Jazz Festival in Bielsko-Biala, Poland.

ADAM FALCON

Adam is guitarist with vast experience across nearly every music genre. He was mentored by legendary guitarist, George Benson. Toured with Phyllis Hyman, Sophie B. Hawkins, and Roberta Flack. And made recordings with Digable Planets, Arif Mardin, and George Benson.

adamfalcon.com

JONATHAN TROTTA

Jonathan heads RCM’s music guitar department. He teaches Classical, Flamenco, Suzuki guitar, ukulele and mandolin at the Conservatory. 

He has been a featured guest on TV56 “Un Todo un Poco” and Maine Public Broadcasting “Music du Jour.” Performed a duet with concert guitarist, Benjamin Verdery. Played with the Flamenco-Latin American ensemble “Ida Y Vuelta.” And, accompanied the chamber music ensemble “Musicora.”

Burr Johnson

Burr is a nationally and internationally recognized guitarist, who has performed with such legendary artists as Ray Charles and B.B. King. Burr has a Bachelor of Music degree from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey and teaches an early childhood music program, Burr Bear Music in addition to guitar and ukulele for all ages.

BRIAN BONVISSUTO

A graduate of Manhattan School Of Music, Brian, who is primarily a trombonist, has performed or recorded with musical acts such as Blood, Sweat & Tears, Lionel Hampton, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and Marlene VerPlank, just to name a few.

He is a full time arranger and copyist. 

HERVE ALEXANDRE

Rockland County NY multi-instrumentalist/rapper/producer/vocalist/dancer Hervé Alexandre, fuses his Jazz roots with Hip Hop, funk, Afro beat and more. His unique and authentic sound is a breath of fresh air in today’s music. Hervé holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Pace University.

Keira Burtch

Keira received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music theory and flute from Manhattan School of Music and continued her studies in conducting at Columbia Teacher’s College. She taught band, orchestra, chorus and musical theater at Suffern Middle School for many years.

MICHAEL COONEY

Michael is the creator the BoomTing! Youth Percussion Ensemble at RCM! He is an instructor at the Conservatory as well as the Warwick School of Music and the School of Rock.

Michael writes music and performs with various groups in the Hudson Valley.

SHIRLEY CRABBE

Shirley earned her Bachelors of Music Education degree at Northwestern University in Illinois. She earned her Masters in Music at Manhattan School of Music.

In addition to teaching voice at RCM, she is an active recording artist.

shirleycrabbe.com

NINA LOUIS

Nina is an experienced peformer  who has taken the stage in a variety of roles including operas, oratorios and Broadway Musicals. Her favorite roles include Mimi from La Boheme, Countess Almaviva from The Marriage of Figaro and Eliza, from My Fair Lady.

Using classical technique as a strong foundation, Nina teaches Opera, Broadway and pop/folk music. She is a graduate of Northwestern University in Illinois.

JON CAPLAN

Jon Caplan is a vocalist, pianist, and songwriter who has performed at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and the TED stage, as well as opening for numerous popular contemporary acts.

Jon earned his Bachelor’s Degree at William Paterson’s Music program and has been teaching and performing ever since graduating.

Joey Kovach

Joey Kovach is an accomplished vocalist and musical theatre performer. He has performed in a variety of venues across the country. Joey has a Master’s in Educational Theatre from The City College of New York and currently teaches Musical Theatre, Acting, and Speech classes at his alma mater.

JUDITH GORMAN

Judy is a retired executive with a Master’s in Music Theory, and decades of instrumental, teaching and choral experience.

Making music accessible to all – most importantly to those who don’t read or have never sung,

she has helped the Main Street Singers become a vibrant, solid community with a rich, and well-blended sound.

JACK L. GREMLI, Ed.D

Dr. Gremli is a multiple award winning, GRAMMY nominated life-long resident of Rockland County. He holds degrees from Ithaca College School of Music, Columbia University Teachers College and St. John’s University.

He loves to make music and interpret lyrics with developing singers.

JEFFREY FRIEDBERG, MT-BC, LCAT

Jeffrey is a NY State licensed and board certified music therapist and runs the Parent Choice Award-Winning The Bossy Frog Band. He provides music therapy to children, teens and adults with developmental delays, disabilities, autism, with behavioral/social challenges,going through difficult transitions and those with TBI. He incorporates all aspects of music in his work.

MusicForLife   /    BossyFrog.com

MOLLY GORMAN, MT-BC

Molly received her Bachelor’s degree in Music and Music Business from University of Miami, and her Master of Arts in Music Therapy from New York University.

SARAH MORRIS, MT-BC, LCAT

Sarah Morris, MT-BC, LCAT is a licensed creative arts therapist and board certified music therapist. She received her Master of Arts in Music Therapy from NYU and her Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre, and minor in Psychology from Manhattanville College. She is certified in Austin Vocal Psychotherapy and has worked with people at all stages of life – toddlers to seniors.