Faculty

Irene Bernstein (traditional and Suzuki Piano, Theory) holds a Bachelor of Music, Kharkov, Ukraine and Masters of Music in Theory and Musicology, Saint Petersburg Conservatory, Russia. Teaching young beginners through advanced intermediate students and adults for 39 years has resulted in a system of training that incorporates European, American, and Suzuki methods, and requires parental involvement and group class participation.

Alex Blanarik (Dance) has been trained in many styles of dance since the age of three, and has performed in A Midsummer Night's Dream as Helena, Petrushka as the Ballerina Doll, Little Women, Beauty and the Beast, lead roles in The Nutcracker, and with the Louisville Ballet Company. Ms. Blanarik currently dances with the Penn State University Dance Program, where she pursues a dance and theatre minor.

Evelyn Bookhammer (traditional and Suzuki Cello) studied at Mansfield University and Penn State University, and currently performs with Altoona Symphony. Ms. Bookhammer is certified in Suzuki Repertoire through the American Suzuki Association, and also teaches at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA and the State College Suzuki Program.

Tim Breon (Guitar and Bass), studied at The Collective in New York City and Uptown Music Collective in Williamsport, PA, is a graduate of the PA Governor's School for the Arts, instructor for guitar and electronic music at Lycoming College, and principal bassist and stage manager for the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Breon has played with Buddy Rich, Chuck Mangione, and other greats.

David Curley (Banjo, mandolin, guitar, bodhran, Irish vocal techniques, Irish dancin) is a traditional Irish musician, dancer and singer from Galway, Ireland. He began learning the bodhran and Irish dancing at the age of 4, added tenor banjo at the age of 8, and was soon a child performer in shows such as Siamsa na Gaillimhe and Realtai Cora Finne. He has a B.A. in Irish Music and Dance from the University of Limerick and considerable experience in competitions. David is the lead singer with the Irish band SLIDE and regularly tours Ireland, Europe, and the USA. He is featured on the band's most recent CD, BEO-LIVE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lI7Lezyh3yM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=trpBqOGcvEI

Brandy Davis (Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet) holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education from the Penn State School of Music. A performer with the Altoona and Nittany Valley Symphonies, and Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra, Ms. Davis is concertmaster for the State College Municipal Band. She was a guest clarinet soloist with the Elementary Honors Choir at the ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conference in August 2009 and teaches all levels of clarinet and beginning and intermediate level saxophone.

Carolyn Eaton (Ballet) studied the British system of classical ballet in her native Australia. In 1972 she received additional training at Covent Garden, London. Upon her 1981 arrival in the US, Ms. Eaton undertook an intensive study of the Russian Vaganova system at the Hartford Ballet School. Since then, Ms. Eaton has taught and become Owner/Director at The Ballet Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, been Principal of the MetroWest studios of the Boston Ballet School, taught at Marymount Manhattan College, and currently is on the Faculty at The Ailey School in New York.

Arthur Goldstein (Piano, Composition, Jazz Studies) holds an MFA in composition from Pennsylvania State University with emphasis in piano and has studied at the Eastman School of Music and the Berklee College of Music. Mr. Goldstein teaches jazz history and music appreciation at Penn State University, is active as a solo recitalist, accompanist, and leader of his own jazz quartet. Mr. Goldstein has two solo recordings, "Piano Solos" and "Intersections", devoted to twentieth century piano literature.

Lauren Kooistra (Piano, Pre-school Piano) holds a Bachelors of Music from Gordon College, Masters of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, with distinction, from Westminster Choir College, and currently earns a Ph.D in Music Education at Penn State University. Ms. Kooistra has teaching experience at Messiah College, State Street Academy of Music, and Westminster Conservatory, and specializes in pre-school and Early Childhood Music Education.

Wendy Levin (Voice, Choir, Piano, Sight Singing) holds a Masters of Fine Arts from Cleveland Institute and Voice Therapy Certification from Boston Conservatory. Ms. Levin has sung with Cleveland Opera Theatre, Harrisburg Civic Opera and in concert at The Whitaker Center. Ms. Levin has recently been commended by The Congressional Youth Leadership Council in Washington, DC.

Carol Pharo (Piano, Voice, Vocal Ensemble, Choir, Ballet, Violin, Violin Group Instruction, Mark O'Connor Violin Method, The Little Orchestra) holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music History from Penn State University, a Master of Music from New England Conservatory, diplomas in voice, piano accompaniment and historical dance from The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and a Certificate in Hammerklavier from The Royal Conservatory in The Hague. Ms. Pharo is the Executive and Artistic Director of The Music Academy.

Adrienne Price graduated from the University of Central Florida in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Music specializing in Vocal Performance. During her studies, she played the role of "Naggia" in Richard Mohaupt's Double Trouble and won the Central Florida NATS competition. Ms. Price has recently received her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at Pennsylvania State University where she played the lead role of "Hansel" in Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, Nero in Claudio Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, the Mother in Gian-Carlo Menotti's The Consul, and the Mother in Gian-Carlo Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. Ms. Price will continue her studies at Penn State University, pursuing a Professional Performer's Certificate to be completed in 2012.

Suzie Rothgeb (Ballet) has performed with Light of the World Ballet in Syracuse, New York and has been teaching classical ballet technique with an emphasis on the Vaganova style for over eight years.

Joanne Rutkowski (Musicians All! Program) Professor and Coordinator of Music Ed. at PSU, holds a Bachelor of Music from Miami University (Ohio) and an MFA and Ph.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Rutkowski is an early childhood and elementary general music specialist.

Cathy Scafidi (Piano) holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and has been teaching piano for over twenty years to students beginner through advanced levels. Ms. Scafidi also teaches at Juniata College and the Grier School.

Juliane Schicker is a native speaker of German. She graduated from the Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg, Germany in 2008 with Masters Degree in English, German, and secondary education. After moving to the United States, she completed a Masters in German Literature at the Texas Tech University in 2009. She is currently studying for her Ph.D. in German Literature and Culture at the Pennsylvania State University and teaching German to undergraduates. Ms. Schicker has worked with children and adults of all ages and likes to combine her language skills with her musical interests. She sings in a local choir and small ensembles and plays the saxophone in a jazz band.

Steffany Shock (Violin) holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University and currently pursues a Masters of Music degree at Penn State's School of Music with Professor Jim Lyon.

Anne Sullivan (Harp) began her career as a concert harpist at age twelve, when she appeared twice as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, Ms. Sullivan is a recitalist, chamber musician and symphonic soloist, a recording artist, and has accompanied classical and popular artists including Luciano Pavarotti, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra and Roger Daltrey. She currently instructs harp at the University of Delaware and Swarthmore College.

Diane Gold ((Flute) has been on the faculty of the Music Academy since near its inception. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Columbia University, she is principal flute of the York (PA), Nittany Valley, and Altoona Symphony Orchestras. A member of the Huntingdon Trio and Easterly Chamber Players, she has performed extensively in the United States and Europe. Ms. Gold Toulson taught for many years at Bucknell University, and Juniata and York Colleges.

Brooke Welsh (Piano) holds a Masters of Music degree in Piano from Temple University, a Bachelors of Arts in Music from Susquehanna University, and has served as piano faculty at Settlement Music School in West Philadelphia and as adjunct faculty at Philadelphia University. Ms. Welsh is Director of The Altoona Symphony Orchestra

"Cathy is a perfect fit for Sophia. We love her teaching style, encouragement, and ever present humor. Thank you!"

"With patience and good humor, Wendy has brought my voice to a level I didn't think achievable; it has been a joy to have her as a teacher".

"We are so pleased; Arthur is great!"