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.
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.
RENE DALANDAN
Dr. Rene Dalandan, DMA, holds the following degrees: Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude, from the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music (Philippines), Master of Music from Mannes College of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from Manhattan School of Music in NY under Nina Svetlanova.
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.
WUIYEON KIM
Whether lecturing at universities on music composition, composing for the stage, film and dance, or teaching piano, Wuiyeon does so with warmth, excellence and creativity. Having earned his Bachelor’s at Chugye University in Seoul, South Korea, Master’s at Mannes College of Music in NY and Ph.D. at Rutgers University in NJ, Wuiyeon is poised to bring piano students of all levels to their full potential.
Skyler Klein
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 has recently earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Rutgers University.
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.
SUNG HO YANG
A native of South Korea, Sung Ho has appeared in solo recitals at concert halls around the world, Europe, Asia and the United States. While studying at Seoul National University, he received a Merit Award and Scholarship to New England Conservatory of Music to study with Wha Kyung Byun. An award-winning performer and with years of experience and a passion for teaching, Dr. Yang’s goal is to teach young music students who want to explore the world of piano.
MIKI YOSHIURA
Miki Yoshiura holds both a Bachelors and Masters 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
ELIZABETH FUJITA
Elizabeth has earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music degrees with full scholarship at Manhattan School of Music. Influenced by her teachers Ivan Galamian and Raphael Bronstein, she has a distinguished career in teaching violin and viola as well as performing. Her goal is to guide students in developing discipline, confidence and a lifelong appreciation for music.
TARA HOOKER
Tara is a talented harpist and instructor who earned her Masters in Teaching from Fordham University in New York.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Iona College.
KARIN POLLOK
Karin is the Director 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.
EDDY ROSEN-WALLBERG
Edward Rosen-Wallberg, known warmly to students and families as Eddy, began playing the violin at 3 years old in New York with Suzuki Method, and studied Violin Performance at the University of Delaware with Xiang Gao and Kate Ransom. A Suzuki trained violin teacher, Eddy believes that every child can find success, happiness, and excellence in music. With joyful encouragement of families, teachers, and fellow students in abundance, Eddy’s violin studio is a perfect fit for all families with school-age students. Eddy is the Conductor of our Conservatory String Orchestra.
LILA VILLASENOR
Lila Villasenor, an RCM Alumna, is a composer, violinist and music instructor specializing in media/soundtrack scoring and violin performance. A magna cum laude graduate of Berklee College of Music with a B.M. in Film and Media Scoring, Lila is an experienced violin instructor who designs individualized lesson plans to support strong musical growth for students of all ages.
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 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
Winds/Brass
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.
Percussion
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.
MARIEKE DE KOKER
Marieke received her MM in Vocal Performance and Impact Entrepreneurship from Mannes School of Music at The New School in New York. She holds a BM in Vocal Performance from DePaul University in Chicago. Marieke is a Motion Picture Arts alumnus of the Interlochen Arts Academy High School.
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.
NINA LOUIS
Nina is an experienced performer 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.
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.
Music Therapy
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.
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.