Faculty

Audio Recording Technology Faculty

JOHN MACHADO, Associate Professor
Audio Recording Technology Department Chair
Mus.B., Mus.M., Five Towns College

Professional audio engineer with 20 years’ experience working in the world of audio recording technology. Engineer/producer on many projects that range from independent recordings to major and indie label recordings, and post production for movies, television, radio, and theatre.

JOSEPH KUHL, Associate Professor
Liberal Arts and Sciences/General Education Division Coordinator
Mus.B., Mus.M., Five Towns College

2010 winner of the Lorraine Kleinman Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching. Freelance Audio Engineer/ Producer. Recorded and mixed for RCA Records and various independent labels. Published songwriter with music licensed to network TV shows.

JEE YUN LEE, Assistant Professor
B.S., Ewha Woman’s University
Mus.M., Five Towns College

Professional audio recording engineer with experience at Buttons Sound Inc. Assistant Director of Music Television Programs at Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) for the Soyo Rock Festival in Seoul, Korea.

MICHAEL MAZZARACO, Instructor
B.A., SUNY Purchase

Adjunct Audio Faculty

MATT BLOSTEIN, Instructor
B.M., Manhattan School of Music
M.M., University of Valley Forge

PHIL PAINSON, Instructor
AVID Pro Tools Certified

Business Faculty

David M. Cohen, Professor, Business
College President
B.A., State University of New York at Oneonta
J.D., New York Law School

EDWIN CROCOLL, JR., Assistant Professor
Music and Entertainment Industry Studies Coordinator
B.A., University of Rochester
M.B.A., Binghamton University
M.F.A., University of Southern California

JANET KAPLAN, Professor, Business
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Director of Compliance 
B.A., Emory University
M.A., Stony Brook University
J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

CATHERINE KIMMEL, Associate Professor
Business Division Chair
B.S., SUNY College at Buffalo
M.B.A., Dowling College

DONNA LATORRE, Associate Professor, Business B.S.,
M.B.A., St. John’s University

Donna LaTorre has been a business professor at Five Towns College since 2004. She currently teaches business seminar, human resource management and marketing courses. Professor LaTorre received both her undergraduate and graduate degree in Finance from St. John’s University. Prior to joining Five Towns College, she worked at Shearson Lehman as a portfolio assistant.

MARY LOBIONDO, Associate Professor, Business
B.S., M.B.A., St. John’s University

Experienced educator and administrator with specialization in teaching principles of macroeconomics and microeconomics, business organization, management, and marketing courses. Developed curriculum as an instructor for distance education courses. Academic advisement. Former textile industry executive. Member Global Association of Teachers of Economics, Council for Economic Education. Interim chairperson of the Business Division.

CAROLANN P. MILLER, Professor, Business
Provost/Dean of Academic Affairs
B.A., M.B.A., St. John’s University

Former Assistant Dean at St. Joseph’s College and experienced higher education specialist in curriculum, assessment, and administration. Developed curriculum for project management certificate, not-for-profit management, and organization management programs. Created a Cisco Academy for software training development. Member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon economics honor society and the Society of Human Resource Management.

KRYSTI O’ROURKE, Assistant Professor, Business
B.S., Ithaca College
M.P.A., Long Island University: C.W. Post College

Research Associate for Town of Huntington Programs, LIU’s Department of Public Administration and publications in Journal of Gerontological Social Work on Job Interests and Employment Barriers. Active member in local Chamber of Commerce and Career Director Associations.

Adjunct Business Faculty

JOHN BLENN, Assistant Professor, Music Business
B.A., Hofstra University

Producer, SAG actor, director, screenwriter and published playwright with more than 75 productions. President, Middle Class American Productions, former General Manager, Westbury Music Fair and Dix Hills Performing Arts Center, founder and publisher of Long Island Entertainment. Directed World Premiere of Eddie Money’s autobiographical musical, Two Tickets to Paradise and has appeared in such films as Here Comes the Boom, Bronx Bull and Paul Blart: Mall Cop. He is also currently developing the Valley Stream Performing Arts Center.

ANNE BROWN, Assistant Professor, Business
B.A., Hofstra University
J.D., Fordham University School of Law

Experienced attorney licensed to practice in the State of New York. Solo practitioner specializing in bodily injury, real estate, and elder law for over 20 years. Active member of the Nassau County Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee and Plaintiff’s Round Table, Hofstra and Fordham University Alumni Associations. Mentor at the Barack Obama Elementary School in Hempstead.

MARK CARPENTIERI, Assistant Professor
Music Business
B.A., Queens College
M.S., Clarion University of Pennsylvania

President and Founder of M.C. Records, a five time Grammy nominated label that has released over 45 recordings nationally and internationally. Was nominated for a Grammy as a musician, producer and for his record label. Inducted into the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi. Professor Carpentieri has been teaching at Five Towns College since 2006. #mark_carpentieri

BRUCE COLFIN, Associate Professor, Business
B.A., Queens College
J.D., New York Law School

President of the Law firm of Bruce Colfin Law, P.C., THE FIRM ®, primarily concerned with Entertainment Law, Copyright, Trademark, Video, Comics and Toys, Literary Property, Theater and Intellectual Property Law.

CHRISTINE FLYNN, Assistant Professor, Business
B.A., Stony Brook University
M.B.A., Adelphi University
Certified Financial Planner (C.F.P.)

Experienced Financial Services Professional specializing in business management and finance. Graduate of the Project Management Institute.

SUSAN GAIDE, Professor, Music Business
B.S., Hofstra University
M.B.A., Adelphi University

Songwriter, producer, music marketing strategist and President of ChromeOrange™ Music Media, a New York-based record label and music publishing company (ASCAP). Former writer for Pro AV and Distance Education Report.

LAURA GILBERT, Instructor
B.A., University of Pennsylvania
J.D., Suffolk University Law School

DANA GIOE, Assistant Professor, Business/Liberal Arts
B.A., Florida Atlantic University
J.D., Nova University

MELVIN GLAZER, Associate Professor, Music Business
B.S., Rutgers University

Educator, Songwriter, Business Executive (Past V.P. Sales, Chanel Cosmetics and V.P. Sales, Godiva Chocolates USA), Actor, Columnist, Raconteur and State sponsored speaker on behalf of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities on Frank Sinatra. Publishing and songwriter credits include recordings by Etta James, Robert Plant, Elvis Presley, and Static-X. Collaborations with Hall of Fame writers, Carole King, Sammy Fain, and Aaron Schroeder. Awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters degree for lifetime achievement in Music and Business in May 2014.

BARRY HEYMAN, Assistant Professor
B.M., New York University
J.D., New York Law School

TIMOTHY KELLY, Associate Professor
A.A.S., Hocking College
B.S., M.S., Ed.D., Dowling College

JOHN MASSERWICK, Associate Professor, Business
B.B.A., Pace University
M.B.A., Adelphi University
Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.)

THOMAS O’BOYLE, Assistant Professor
B.A., Harwick College
M.B.A., Pace University

LOU PLAIA, Instructor
B.S., SUNY New Paltz
M.B.A., Dowling College

MAUREEN POLLICINO, Instructor
B.A., State University of New York at Oneonta
M.B.A., Adelphi University

TARYN RELLA, Instructor
B.S., Lehman College
M.S., SUNY Old Westbury

ELENI ROSELLI, Instructor
B.S., New York University

RHONDA TENEBAUM, Instructor
B.A., Hofstra University
M.B.A., CW Post Long Island University

Music Education Faculty

MARGARET THIELE, Professor
Music Education Department Chair
B.M.Ed., Ohio State University
M.A., Eastern Michigan University
D.M.A., Boston University

Dr. Margaret Thiele recently joined the faculty at Five Towns College as the Music Education Department Chair. Dr. Thiele holds degrees from The Ohio State University (BME), Eastern Michigan University (MA), and Boston University (DMA). She previously taught at Heidelberg University and Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Thiele’s specialty is Elementary General music having taught elementary general music and choir in the Dexter Community Schools in Dexter, MI for many years.

Dr. Thiele has presented research in Utah, Virginia, Nebraska, Florida, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Published articles have appeared in TI:ME, the FMEA Research Perspectives in Music Education, and the OMEA Triad. Her research interests include music development and cognition, and the impact of public policy on music education. Professional affiliations include the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and NAfME. A mother of four and grandmother of six she enjoys biking, hiking and traveling with her family.

JENNIFER DARDZINSKI, Assistant Professor
Assistant Dean of Instructors
A.A., Nassau Community College
B.A., Hofstra University
M.S., Ph.D., St. John’s University

WILLIAM FORTGANG, Associate Professor
Music Education Department Chair
B.A., M.S., P.D., Long Island University

Professor Fortgang has been an educator for over 40 years. Throughout his career, he has taught public school instrumental music at the elementary and middle school levels and was a Supervisor of Fine Arts. He also served as a Junior-Senior High School principal for 21 years.

At Five Towns College Professor Fortgang teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels and is responsible for placing and supervising our student teachers. He also supervises our Education faculty members and is responsible for coordinating the NCATE/CAEP (National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education/Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation process for our Education Division.

Professor Fortgang is a former President of the Nassau County Music Educators Association and is currently the Executive Director of Nassau NYSCAME (New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education). He holds New York State Permanent Certifications in Music K-12, School Administration and Supervision (SAS) and School District Administration (SDA). Professor Fortgang is an active member of the Suffolk County Music Educators Association, Nassau County Music Educators Association, New York State School Music Association and NAfME (National Association for Music Education).

Adjunct Education Faculty

DOUGLAS BORSUK, Assistant Professor
B.S., Rider College; M.S. Adelphi University
P.D., Long Island University: C.W. Post College

Brentwood and New York City public school teacher.

JOSEPH DEL GIUDICE, Assistant Professor
B.S., M.S., Long Island University: C.W. Post College

Mathematics teacher, Half Hollow School District. Coached American Computer Science League teams.

ANASTASIA GLASHEEN, Associate Professor
B.M., SUNY Potsdam
M.A., M.M., Stony Brook University
D.M.A., University of Southern California

DEAN KARAHALIS, Associate Professor
Director of Instrumental Music
Mus.B., Mannes College of Music
M.A., Queens College
P.D., Hofstra University

Founder of The Concert Pops as well as the conductor and music director. He has performed with the Radio City music Hall Orchestra, New York Lyric Opera, Goldovsky Opera and is Musical Director/Founder of the New York Brass Choir. Conducting highlights have included U.S. Air Force Band, Washington, D.C. and a Night at the Opera with Metropolitan Opera star Robert Merrill. In 1992, he was appointed Conductor-Musical Director for The Eglevesky Ballet and is currently musical consultant to the Moscow Festival Ballet. The Concert Pops have performed concerts throughout the east coast in their “Pops Under the Stars” series. Some highlights are performances with guest soloists, Marvin Hamlisch, The Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Broadway’s Tommy Tune, Betty Buckley, Enzo Stuarti, Joel Gray, and Robert Merrill.

TIMOTHY KELLY, Associate Professor
A.A.S., Hocking College
B.S., M.S., Ed.D., Dowling College

ANGELINA LIBARDI, Associate Professor, Science
B.S., M.S., Adelphi University

MADELINE NELSON, Assistant Professor
B.S., North Adams State College
M.S., Hofstra University

STEVEN V. RAND, Assistant Professor
B.S., SUNY Old Westbury
M.S. in Ed., Five Towns College

Hockey, Basketball, Tennis Coach. Member: Huntington Historical Society; Greater Long Island Running Club.

Film/Video Faculty

ERIKA HOULE, Assistant Professor
Film/Video Division Chair
B.F.A., M.A., New York University

SAVAS ALATIS, Instructor
B.F.A., School of Visual Arts

JUSTIN ANDREWS, Assistant Professor
B.A., Framingham State College
M.F.A., Savannah College of Art and Design

THOMAS CALANDRILLO, Assistant Professor
Mass Communication Division Chair
B.P.S., M.A., Five Towns College
L.M.H.C., C.A.S.A.C., Adelphi University

JARED HERSHKOWITZ, Associate Professor
B.A., State University of New York at Albany
M.S., New York Institute of Technology

Adjunct Film/Video Faculty

MICHAEL ATKINSON, Assistant Professor
B.F.A., Long Island University: C.W. Post
M.F.A., Long Island University: Brooklyn

He is a staff writer and film critic for The Village Voice, reviews for Sight and Sound and The New York Times. Author of his film genre book called Exile Cinema.

CHARLES DESJARDIN, Instructor
B.F.A., Five Towns College

Charles DesJardin is a working professional Freelancer, working currently in such Industry and Commercial production houses as Manhattan’s Southeby’s. He offers Director of Photography work for Independent film and media industrials. He has a BFA in Film/Video, receiving training in cinematography from season professional Sol Negrin. Also putting his films in film festivals and working on his own independent work!

DAN GALIARDI, Associate Professor
B.S., B.A., SUNY Buffalo
M.S., Hofstra University

Member, International Cinematographers Guild/Local 600 IATSE, Hollywood, California. Film industry professional camera assistant, proficient in the use of various motion picture cameras (both 16 mm and 35 mm): Panavision, Arriflex, Aaton, Moviecam, and Photosonics. Expert in studio and location filmmaking techniques. Has administered the Guild’s entrance exam on several occasions. Major motion picture credits include: Batman Forever, Major Payne, Conspiracy Theory, Independence Day, The Truman Show, Jungle 2 Jungle, and others. Network television credits include: Law & Order, NYPD Blue, Time of Your Life, etc. National commercial campaign credits include: AT&T, Smith Barney, Avon, and more.

KENNETH KELSCH, Instructor
B.A., Montclair State University
M.F.A., New York University

MICHAEL PRYWES, Instructor
B.S., Northwestern University
J.D., Hofstra University

AMANDA ROCCO, Instructor
B.F.A., Five Towns College

ANTHONY SAVINI, Instructor
A.A.S., Fashion Institute of Technology
B.F.A., New York University

Anthony Savini is a director of photography with expansive experience with documentaries, feature films, television, web and corporate videos. He has worked as a director of photography on various films including the vast documentary work of Ken Burns.

Interactive Computer Graphics Faculty

PAUL LIPSKY, Assistant Professor
Interactive Computer Graphics Division Chair
B.F.A., M.F.A., School of Visual Arts

KAREN PELLECHIA, Instructor
B.A., Queens College
M.F.A., Brooklyn College

Adjunct Interactive Computer Graphics Faculty

PAUL BIEDERMANN, Instructor
B.F.A., School of Design and Visual Arts

NICK SELVAGGIO, Instructor
B.S., New York Institute of Technology

Liberal Arts/General Education Faculty

JOE KUHL, Associate Professor, Science
Liberal Arts and Sciences/ General Education Division Coordinator
Mus.B., Mus.M., Five Towns College

2010 winner of the Lorraine Kleinman Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching. Freelance Audio Engineer/Producer. Recorded and mixed for RCA Records and various independent labels. Published songwriter with music licensed to network TV shows.

MALISA ALI, Instructor
B.A., M.S., Stony Brook

JERRY COHEN, Associate Professor, Science
Dean of Students
B.S., Ohio University
M.S., Hofstra University

ALISSA GAMBINO, Instructor
B.A., LIU Southampton College
M.F.A., Stony Brook University

RICHARD POLLARD, Associate Professor
B.S., M.S., SUNY Stony Brook

DOMINICK QUARTUCCIO, Assistant Professor
A.A., Suffolk Community College
B.A., M.F.A., Stony Brook University

TINA VINCENTI, Assistant Professor
B.A., Stony Brook University
M.F.A., Queens College

MARIA WOLFROM, Assistant Professor
B.S., Polytechnic University, Brooklyn
M.S., Hofstra University

Adjunct Liberal Arts/General Education Faculty

LINDSAY BRYDE, Instructor
B.A., M.A., Fredonia State University
M.F.A., Adelphi University

MARY FERNANDEZ, Instructor, Spanish
B.A., SUNY Stony Brook
M.A., Long Island University: C.W. Post College

KELLY HEIDER-WALSH, Instructor
A.A.S., State University of New York at Farmingdale
B.A., Dowling College
M.A., Long Island University: C.W. Post

JACK HEIFNER, Instructor
B.F.A., M.S., Brooklyn College

ANNA KAPLAN, Professor, Speech
B.A., M.S., Brooklyn College

Professor Kaplan has taught at the College since 1981 and has earned the rank as full Professor. In addition, in 2006 she was presented with the Lorraine Kleinman Cohen Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching. She was inducted into the Phi Sigma Eta Honor Society of Five Towns College in 1996 and currently serves as a Board Member of the Executive Committee of the Phi Sigma Honor society at Five Towns College.

CARL KIRSCHNER, Professor
B.A., Queens College
M.A., Ph.D., New York University

ANGELINA LIBARDI, Instructor
B.S., M.S., Adelphi University

JUDAH MAHAY, Instructor
B.A., Calvin College
M.F.A., SUNY Stony Brook

SOPHIA PANAGOS, Instructor
B.A., St. Joseph’s College
M.S., Dowling College

PHEBE SZATMARI, Instructor
B.A., Queens College
M.F.A., Stony Brook University

Mass Communication Faculty

THOMAS CALANDRILLO, Assistant Professor
Mass Communication Division Chair
B.P.S., Five Towns College
L.M.H.C., C.A.S.A.C., Adelphi University

HOLLI HAERR, Instructor
B.A., Indiana University

Adjunct Mass Communication Faculty

BRIDGETTE BOYLE, Instructor
B.A., Fairfield University
M.B.A., Fordham University

DANIELLE CAMPBELL, Instructor
B.A., Adelphi University

NORMAN PRUSSLIN, Associate Professor
B.A., SUNY Stony Brook
M.A., CUNY Queens College

Experienced professional educator in media arts, bridging academics and co-curricular activities that bring an interdisciplinary approach to education and a member of the Radio-Television New Directors Association and Society of Professional Journalists. He is a director and member of the Long Island Music Hall of fame, the Press Club of Long Island/Society of Professional Journalists, Intercollegiate Broadcasting System and the Broadcast Education Association.

SHARON RYBA-PERTZ, Instructor
B.S., College of Staten Island

MICHAEL QUICK, Instructor
B.A., Sacred Heart University

Music Faculty

JILL MILLER-THORN, Professor
Music Division Chair
Director of Graduate Music Programs
B.M., M.M., Ithaca College
D.M.A., Temple University

Dr. Jill Miller-Thorn received her DMA in composition from Temple University in January 1994. Her compositions include two symphonies, a concert band piece, various chamber works and piano music. She has studied with Karel Husa, a Pulitzer Prize winning composer at Cornell University, and Maurice Wright at Temple University. Awarded the Penn Woman Award in musical composition in May 1986, Dr. Miller-Thorn’s success that year included a world premiere of Woodwind Quintet # 1 by “1807 and Friends” a renowned chamber group comprised of members from the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Public Library accepted her first symphony, Symphonic Fantasies, as part of its Fleishman Collection of Orchestral Music.. In 2003, the Five Towns College Concert Band premiered By the Band Shell, a reflective work on her childhood in a rural setting where she would sit near the band shell to hear the community band play Sunday concerts in the local park. Lament for solo clarinet was premiered in NYC by Demetrius Spaneas for Women’s Work 2011. She is currently the Chair of the Music Division and Director of Graduate Music Studies at Five Towns College.

SCOTT BALLIN, Assistant Professor, Jazz Piano*
Director of American Songbook Ensemble
Mus.B., Mus.M., D.M.A., Five Towns College

Professional engagements include: Pianist for Isotope Stompers, numerous concerts including main stage Hechsher Park in Huntington. Musical Director for Gene Santini, at Feinsteins N.Y.C. Pianist with Long Island Jazz All Stars directed by Mike Carubia. Jazz concerts and club appearances with Byran Carrott, Teddy Charles, Jerry Weldon, Jay Hogard. Music Director for Rat Pack Show, Rainbow Room, N.Y.C. Pianist/Music Director for Henry Prego, Harrah’s Atlantic City. Pianist Garden City Hotel, Parker Meridian Hotel N.Y.C. Bandleader and pianist on Carnival Cruise ship M.S. Tropicale.

Contributing writer for Jazz Improv Magazine - Concert and CD reviews, instructional articles. Undergraduate and Graduate instructor at Five Towns College for: Keyboard classes, Ear Training, Harmony, Music History and Private Instruction. Director of American Songbook Ensemble, Upbeat Entertainment, Jazz Piano Concert Series. Professional Development: IAJE Conventions, Jazz Times Conventions, N.Y.C., Chick Corea Workshop, Lenox, Mass., JEN Convention, Reno, Nevada. Host of radio program The Music of Miles Davis on WFTU radio.

STEVE BRIODY, Associate Professor, Guitar, 
Composition/Arranging *
Director of Instrumental Music
B.A., SUNY Fredonia
Mus.M., D.M.A., Five Towns College

Dr. Briody is a recognized guitarist, composer, educator and arranger. He has played guitar with legends such as Randy Brecker, Jeff Lorber, Dave Valentin, Jane Monheit, Charlie Daniels, Funk Filharmonik, Carl Fischer, and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame All-Star Band. He is the author of the Jamey Aebersold book Jazz Guitar Lines of the Greats, which has become a popular Jazz guitar publication. Steve is a staff arranger at Smart Chart, prominent publisher of college and high school jazz ensemble arrangements. He has also contributed lesson articles to Guitar Player and Guitar World magazines. His song “Footsteps” appeared on the #1 Jazz album of sax great Eric Alexander. Recently, he had the honor of being guest conductor of the Nassau All-County Jazz Ensemble in 2018, performing at the Tilles Center. In addition to his international credits, he often performs in the NY area with jazz, funk, and top-40 bands. At Five Towns College, Steve currently teaches Graduate-level Jazz Harmony, Arranging, Big Band Arranging, Improvisation, Guitar Instruction, Jazz/Pop Composition, Popular Music Lab, Graduate Jazz Pedagogy, and directs the Jazz Orchestra.

MARC SILVERBERG, Assistant Professor
Director of Vocal Music
B.M., University of Delaware
M.M., Westminster College of the Arts at Rider University
D.M.A., Five Towns College

Dr. Silverberg has established himself as one of the leading voices in a cappella education today. He has served on the executive board of the Contemporary A cappella Society of America (CASA) as Director of Education and presented workshops on vocal improvisation at multiple a cappella festivals, SUNY Purchase, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, The New York State School Music Association, the Nassau County PEAK Festival, the National A cappella Convention, and the American Choral Directors Association’s 2013 National Convention. In spring of 2018, Dr. Silverberg became the first guest conductor for the Suffolk County Music Educator Association’s (SCMEA) All-County Contemporary A cappella Group.

His professional performing group, Satellite Lane, was crowned the 2013, 2014, and 2018 New York Harmony Sweepstakes “Audience Favorite,” and he has won the award for “Best Arrangement” in the 2013, 2016, and 2018 Harmony Sweepstakes competitions. Satellite Lane also recently took second place at the 2018 Varsity Vocals Aca-Open Semi-Finals.

In addition to being an a cappella clinician, conductor, and performer, he also writes original musicals and plays. His original work, He’s Not Himself, premiered Off-Broadway in 2012 as part of the New York Music Theatre Festival.

Adjunct Music Faculty

KRISTI ADAMS, Instructor
Director of Vocal Jazz
B.S., Dowling College
M.A., SUNY Stony Brook

Kristi Adams has been an educator of music, dance, and theatre for Middle County Central School District on Long Island for 19 years. Throughout her career, Kristi has taught sight-reading, vocal pedagogy, and professional singing techniques to students ranging from sixth grade through the college level. Most notably, Kristi has directed both the Rhapsody in Pink Girls Ensemble and the Spartan Barbershop Chorus, an ensemble that competes internationally. Kristi has won numerous achievements for her work, including the Jenkins Lifetime Achievement Award and special recognition by the New York State School of Music Association as being an expert on the male changing voice. This recognition earned her a place on the organization’s “Music Views” DVD.

In addition to her educational accomplishments, Kristi is also an accomplished dancer who has trained professionally with members of the Joffrey Ballet and Julliard Ballet School. Her training enabled her to teach beginning through advanced ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, tap, and hip-hop styles at various dance schools. Currently, she sings with the award-winning Greater Nassau Chorus and works full-time as a music teacher at Newfield High School.

MICHAEL BLUTMAN, Adjunct Professor, Trumpet*
B.M., University of Maryland
Mus.M., Julliard

Michael Blutman enjoys a diverse career as a trumpeter and music educator. A graduate of The Juilliard School and the University of Maryland, some of his performing and recording credits include: Sting, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Jonathan Batiste Jazz Band, Broadway shows, David Bowie’s band, and many others. As an educator, Michael has taught at Five Towns College, Ithaca College, Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, East Meadow’s (NY) Fusing Culture and Curriculum, Nassau Suffolk Performing Arts, and has a private trumpet studio on Long Island. Michael also co-founded Pinnacle Music Press (www.pinmusicpress.com), a music education publishing company, and has written articles for several music education journals and websites.

BRYAN CARROTT, Assistant Professor, Percussion *
Coordinator of Percussion Studies
B.A., William Paterson College

A native New Yorker, Mr. Carrott has toured and recorded throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan, with Ralph Peterson, Henry Threadgill, Butch Morris, Dave Douglas, The Jazz Passengers and Charlie Hunter. He is a two-time recipient of New York’s Meet The Composer Award and has been cited for several years in Down Beat Magazine’s International Critics’ Poll. He has also been featured on BET’s Jazz Central, on the film soundtrack, 3 A.M. with Branford Marsalis, and as a mallet/multipercussionist for Disney’s Lion King on Broadway. As a clinician for Ross Mallet Instruments, Bryan has led performances at the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) and the Percussive Arts Society Conventions. He was a featured soloist with Cologne, Germany’s WDR Orchestra conducted by Gunther Schuller.

KENNETH E. COOK, Associate Professor, Woodwind *
Graduate Research
B.M., SUNY Potsdam
M.M., University of Michigan
Ph.D., Michigan State University

Dr. Cook is a saxophone soloist, chamber musician and private instrumental music teacher. He performs regularly on Long Island as the co-leader of the Northport Jazz Band, member of the Savoy Swing Band, as a member of his church music ministry, as well as other groups. He has studied saxophone with Donald Sinta, Sigard Rascher, and Dr. James Stoltie. Other varied work experiences include working for a composer’s representative, Small Business Development Center, and certified adjudicator for the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) solo festivals. Professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, North American Saxophone Alliance and Parliamentarian for the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.

PETER DESALVO, Assistant Professor, Percussion *
Mus.B., SUNY Potsdam
M.S., Long Island University: C. W. Post College
D.M.A., Five Towns College

Dr. DeSalvo is a highly respected conductor, having worked with All-County and select concert, jazz and percussion ensembles in the Tri-state area. Peter studied five years with his mentor/teacher, Henry Adler, and recently, under the tutelage of Bryan Carrott, completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Five Towns College. His compositions are published by Bachovich Music Publishers and is a Grover Pro Percussion and Mike Balter Mallets endorser.

Pete DeSalvo recently retired as Director of Bands at Sayville High School, New York, and is currently an Adjunct Percussion professor at Five Towns College, Dix Hills, NY. He is the Chair of the PAS Education Committee and a founding member of the Stik Figures Percussion Ensemble. He also maintains an active performing, recording, producing, teaching, and piano tuning career, here on Long Island and in Pennsylvania.

MARY ALICE DOMENICA, Assistant Professor, Piano,
Music Theory*
B.M., Covenant College
Mus.M., Belmont University
D.M.A., University of Miami

Dr. Mary Alice Domenica’s musical background includes undergraduate and master’s degrees in classical solo piano performance, and a doctoral degree in collaborative piano with a cognate in music theory. Her chamber music experience includes frequent work in instrumental chamber ensembles, musical theatre accompanying, and extensive experience as a choral and instrumental accompanist, including accompanying the Nashville Symphony Chorus. She is currently the owner of Dix Hills Piano, a studio where she teaches beginning through advanced piano and specializes in teaching piano technique to promote relaxation and improve artistry. In addition to being a piano instructor, Dr. Domenica also coaches vocal students at the studio.

Dr. Domenica is also a trained organist and vocal coach. She has worked as an organist for the Astoria Community Church and a piano instructor at the Community School of the Arts at Austin Peay State University. At Austin Peay State University, Dr. Domenica appears as a recording artist on several albums produced on campus.

WILLIAM FARRISH, Assistant Professor, Guitar, Jazz
Harmony*
A.A.S., Mus.B., Five Towns College
M.M., SUNY Purchase College

For the past 30 years, Bill Farrish has earned his living as a performing musician touring throughout the United States and Canada in various groups ranging in size from solo to big band. Bill has performed with Shunzu Ohno, John Stowell, Dennis Wilson, Bernard Purdie, Tiny Grimes, Charles Eubanks, David Garibaldi, Arthur Prysock, Ray Alexander, Jimmy Halperin and many others. His work also includes Off-Broadway productions of: Man of LaMancha, Lil’ Shop of Horrors, Hair, and Tapestry. Television credits include: Bea Moss Productions and “The Carl Bruno Show” (TCI Cable), featured artist in the independently released production “An Evening with Bill Farrish” by Raven Productions, QPTV., composer of the theme and incidental music for The Park, Eun Kyung Show, Radio Seoul, Flushing NY and many jingles.

Having released six CD’s for MCR Records under his own name, Bill’s music has been featured on several radio broadcasts in Europe, the Far East, and South America. In 2014 All About Jazz featured an article about Bill entitled “Practice, Do You? Part 3-3” Bill has also published two books, entitled Jazz Guitar Volume I and Basic Musicianship.

KENNETH FRIESE, Associate Professor, Voice *
B.S., SUNY Potsdam
M.M., Boston University

Before his employment at Five Towns College, Professor Friese worked for many years as the choral director of the Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, where he led the choir to numerous accolades, including multiple “gold with distinction” medals at choral festivals held by the New York State School of Music Association. His choirs have performed at various concerts and events nationally, and most notably, multiple performances at the Tilles Center on Long Island. He is currently the organist and director of music at Old First Presbyterian Church and Temple Beth-El, both in Huntington. In addition to his multiple directorships, he is also a prolific vocal coach, specializing in vocal development and Baroque singing techniques. He has taught classes in secondary choral methods, choral conducting, accompanying for the high school teacher, and multiple levels of sight-singing.

LISA GARY, Assistant Professor, Jazz Voice*
B.M., McGill University

Lisa Gary is a versatile New York-based vocalist, songwriter, and lyricist who has recently been on tour with the group Postmodern Jukebox, with whom she appeared on the video “Ex’s and Oh’s”. She has also recorded a Jazz/Pop crossover album with Grammy-nominated producer and arranger Rob Mounsey that features trumpet legend Lew Soloff. The first single, “Good Love”, was released along with a music video that was recently premiered by Vevo.

Lisa has sung with Jane Monheit, as well as the Birdland Jazz Quartet. She also leads shows at NYC venues like the Kitano, Iridium, The Plaza Hotel, and the Bitter End as well as the Upstairs, House of Jazz, and Diese Onze in Montreal. Recently, Lisa appeared as the musical act for Hank Azaria’s Celebrity Poker Night. She also performed the theme song for the Montreal Jazz Festival’s 30th edition DVD at a press release at Le Savoy Metropolis. She also recorded her original Vocalese on “All of Me” and “Basella” for her Jazz EP and performed on the program “All that Jazz” on the Bonnie D. Graham television show in New York. Prof. Gary currently instructs the Jazz and Pop vocalists at Five Towns College.

JEFFREY GLEMBOSKI, Assistant Professor
Director of the Barbershop Harmony Ensemble
Mus.B., Mus.M., Five Towns College

Jeffrey Glemboski is a professional public-school music educator at the Norman J. Levy Lakeside School in Merrick. He is a member of the National Music Educators Association (NMEA) and the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS). Recently, he was the recipient of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) Founders Award. Professor Glemboski is currently the musical director of the Long Island Sound Barbershop Chorus and its scholastic offshoot at Five Towns College.

In addition to his educational pursuits, he currently sings bass in the internationally known barbershop quartet Round Midnight. The quartet recently achieved Top 10 Finalist status in the BHS International Barbershop Quartet Contest and they are past BHS Mid-Atlantic District Quartet Champions. The group has received praise for their recording efforts too, garnering multiple Contemporary A cappella Recording Award (CARA) nominations. The foursome has won the New York City Harmony Sweepstakes Championship and was appointed an official “Arts Envoy” group by the U.S. State Department.

MASATORA GOYA, Assistant Professor, Composition*
B.A. Kyoto University
M.M. New Jersey City University
D.M.A., Five Towns College

Trained as a vocal performer first, Masatora explores the musical landscape of drama, space, and emotion. Described as a “composer of cultural crossroads” by American Composers Forum, his unique eclecticism has attracted many musicians performing in nontraditional chamber ensembles, such as Alturas Duo, Duo Anova, Liberté Mandolin Orchestra, Duo Yumeno, Tomoko Sugawara, Thomas Piercy, and Hidejiro Honjoh. Masatora also frequently collaborates with visual artists and filmmakers, such as Yuki Ideguchi, Sam Platizky, Andre Lewis, Nori Mizukami, Chloe Miller, and Takashi Nasu. His music has been performed worldwide and his album “Dream of Sailing” has been released from Ravello Records.

Masatora received a BA in Integrated Human Studies from Kyoto University and studied music at Koyo Conservatory. Since relocating to the United States, he earned a Master of Music from New Jersey City University and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Five Towns College, and studied in the BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. A resident composer of Kadoma Film Commission as well as a recipient of ASCAP Plus Awards, Jerome Fund for New Music, and Diversity Doctoral Fellowship at SUNY Purchase College, Masatora served assistant director of Vox Novus Composer’s Voice and taught at NJCU and Purchase College.

J. PETER HANSEN, Assistant Professor
A.A.S., Nassau Community College
B.A., Queens College
M.S.Ed., Hofstra University

Peter Hansen, an expert in the area of Korg sequencers, taught in the public school system for 27 years. As an active composer, guitarist, vocalist & performer, sound engineer, and producer his compositions include jingle work, radio & television spots, pop songs in many styles, guitar sonatas, electronic works, and orchestral works. He has been a clinician at NYSSMA All-State and Balanced Mind conferences. Member of NMEA since 1991, member of Nashville Songwriters Association Inc., Long Island Blues Society, BMI, he is TI:ME Level I & II certified. He is currently working on a publication Jack of All Trade – Survival in the Music Business, a diversified approach to the career path of being a professional musician.

Former students include two MENC National winners in Electronic Music Composition (2008, 2012), the Northeastern University 1st place winner in Composition (2009), and dozens of NYSSMA/All-State Conference selections in Electronic Music. His teachers include studies with Billy Bauer, George Perle, Bruce Saylor, Robert Starer, Don Muro.

KELLY HORSTED, Assistant Professor, Voice, Piano *
B.M., Applied Piano, Eastman School of Music
M.M., Collaborative Piano, Eastman School of Music

Pianist Kelly Horsted, a native of Sioux City, Iowa, enjoys an active career in NYC as an accompanist, music director and vocal coach specializing in new opera, art song, and role preparation.

An enthusiast of new music, Kelly has enjoyed a long relationship with American Opera Projects including his sixth season as a co-music director for the Composers and the Voice series. Other notable collaborations with AOP include Hershel Garfein’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Tarik O’Regan’s Heart of Darkness, Paula Kimper’s The Bridge of San Luis Rey as well as Patience and Sarah for the chamber opera’s premiere at the Lincoln Center Festival.

Kelly has been a frequent collaborator at NYU’s Tisch Graduate Musical Theater Program, and Ann Baltz’s Operaworks. He has taught at Hunter College, Mannes College of Music, the International Workshops in Graz, Austria, the Bowdoin Summer Music Festival and the Hartt School of Music.

Mr. Horsted has appeared at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Zankel Hall and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, and Symphony Space in NYC. He has also performed at the Wintergreen Festival, in Fountainbleau, France, and on the Opera America Songbook. While at Eastman he was a 1st place winner in the Kneisel Lieder Competition.

DEAN KARAHALIS, Associate Professor
Instrumental Music Eduation, Concert Band
Mus.B., Mannes College of Music
M.A., Queens College
P.D., Hofstra University

Founder of The Concert Pops as well as the conductor and music director. He has performed with the Radio City music Hall Orchestra, New York Lyric Opera, Goldovsky Opera and is Musical Director/Founder of the New York Brass Choir. Conducting highlights have included U.S. Air Force Band, Washington, D.C. and a Night at the Opera with Metropolitan Opera star Robert Merrill. In 1992, he was appointed Conductor-Musical Director for The Eglevesky Ballet and is currently musical consultant to the Moscow Festival Ballet. The Concert Pops have performed concerts throughout the east coast in their “Pops Under the Stars” series. Some highlights are performances with guest soloists, Marvin Hamlisch, The Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Broadway’s Tommy Tune, Betty Buckley, Enzo Stuarti, Joel Gray, and Robert Merrill.

JOHN KELLY, Assistant Professor, Guitar *
Mus.B., Mus.M., Five Towns College

Professional guitar and mandolin performer and recipient of the Tony Mottola Award.

JOSEPH KIMURA, Assistant Professor, Cello*
B.M., M.M., Juilliard School of Music

Currently a member of the Five Towns Master Quartet, Joseph Kimura has had a very diverse musical career. Formally a member of the Laurentian String Quartet, he has appeared as a soloist with many orchestras, including the Stamford Symphony, Hoboken Chamber Orchestra, Garden State Chamber Orchestra, Korean Symphony, Gloria Chamber Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the State of Mexico. Joe appears on recordings for the EOS ensemble and Riverside Symphony, as well as numerous movie and TV soundtracks. He has performed live on National Public Radio and appeared on Broadway with The Will Rodgers Follies and Beauty and the Beast. He has taught at Summertrios and the Greenwood Junior Music Camp during the summer. He studied with Harvey Shapiro at Julliard, including studies with Paul Katz and Channing Robbins.

LILLIAN LABARBARA, Assistant Professor, Voice *
Mus.B., Manhattanville College
M.S., Long Island University: C. W. Post College

Professional pianist, choral director, accompanist and vocal coach. Former director of chorus at Northport High School, Northport, NY. Director of choir at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Centerport, NY.

SCOTT LITROFF, Assistant Professor, Saxophone
B.A., Stony Brook University
M.M., Mannes School of Music
D.M.A., Stony Brook University

Scott Litroff is a saxophonist recognized for his versatility as a performer and educator in both jazz and classical styles. Dr. Litroff performed his solo debut at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, and has since performed at venues including Weill Hall, Merkin Hall, The DiMenna Center, Yoshi’s Club San Francisco, and Jazz Alley in Seattle, as well as venues in Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan. He has performed alongside some of the world’s finest musicians including Koh Mr. Saxman, Ray Anderson, Bakithi Kumalo, Steve Salerno, Nellie McKay, William Wei-Leng Chen, and has performed under the baton of renowned conductors including George Manahan, Rosen Milanov, Joseph Colaneri, and David Hayes. Dr. Litroff previously held positions at Adelphi University, Stony Brook University, and Suffolk Community College.

Dr. Litroff’s numerous awards and honors include the prestigious 2013 Samuel Baron Prize, the 2012 Ackerman Prize in Music, the 2011 Bob Meyers Award for Excellence in Jazz, as well as First Prize in the Stony Brook University Graduate Concerto Competition, First Prize in the Mannes Concerto Competition, and Two-Time Winner of the Stony Brook Undergraduate Concerto Competition.

DAVID LOBENSTEIN, AssistantProfessor
Director of Jazz Ensemble
B.M., SUNY College at Fredonia
M.F.A., California Institute of the Arts

Dave Lobenstein currently teaches orchestra for the Long Beach Public School System and is an Adjunct Professor at Five Towns College where he instructs Jazz Combo and Jazz History classes. Dave has been very involved around the NYC area as a jazz clinician. He has conducted workshops at local colleges and high schools which focus on beginning improvisation and introduction to the jazz repertoire. As a performer, Dave has worked with a variety of musical styles. His credits include: Performances at the JVC Jazz Festival w/ The Dave Lobenstein Quartet, Interplay Jazz Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, Roscoe Mitchell, Leo Smith, Jeff Jarvis, Jimmy Wormworth, Kevin Clark, Sam Dillon Quartet, Manhattan Vocal Project, Regis and Kathie Lee, Danny Holmes, and the Mike Fahn Quartet.

Dave’s primary teachers have been: Charlie Haden, Darek Oles, Marc Johnson, Peter Rofe, Scott Colley, and Harry Jacobsen.

ANDREA LODGE, Assistant Professor, Piano* 
B.Mus., Memorial University of Newfoundland
M.Mus., University of British Columbia
D.M.A., SUNY at Stony Brook

Pianist Andrea Lodge has been called a “Must See” (The Telegram, St. John’s, Canada). A specialist in the performance of contemporary music, she frequently collaborates with composers on the creation of new works including Herbert Deutsch, Elliot Cole, Nicholas Deyoe, Andrea Mazzariello and C. Curtis Smith. Andrea was awarded top prizes at the Eckhardt-Gramatté Canadian National Competition for the Performance of New Music, including the award for best performance of the commissioned work, Curlicue, by Karen Sunabacka. She was featured in the Village Times Herald (Long Island, NY) for her showing at this competition in an article called “Stony Brook Pianist Hailed as One of Canada’s Best!”

Dr. Lodge is an integral part of nief-norf, a contemporary music organization and ensemble focused on bringing together new ideas in performance, composition and research. Since 2014, Andrea has been faculty pianist at the annual nief-norf summer festival and for nief-norf project performances. She performs regularly as soloist, with guitarist Jay Sorce as the Sorce/Lodge Duo, and with Hypercube, a cutting-edge new music quartet of saxophone, percussion, guitar and piano/accordion. Hypercube has been bringing their music to new audiences with tours across the country. Her piano studies include work with Gilbert Kalish and Christina Dahl.

MICHELLE MARIGOTTA, Instructor
B.M.E., Lee University
Mus.M., Five Towns College

LAURA MOLE, Instructor
B.A., M.A., Queens College

AUDRA MORICCA, Assistant Professor, Voice*
Applied Instruction Administrator 
B.M. Applied Voice, Mannes School of Music
M.A. Voice Performance, Aaron Copland School of Music, CUNY Queens College

Dramatic Soprano Audra Moricca, a native of Northport, New York, began her musical studies as a violinist, studying at Manhattan School of Music. Ms. Moricca maintains an active performing career and is a highly respected interpreter in both the operatic and concert arenas. Audra specializes in the dramatic roles of Strauss, Verdi and Wagner, as well as the title roles of Tosca, Turandot, and Vanessa.

With pianist Kelly Horsted, Ms. Moricca has performed extensive recital repertoire exploring less standard expansive song works reflecting their particular affection for modern dramatic song in venues across the US. As a scholar, Audra has studied with internationally respected pedagogues, notably, Joanna Levy, Ruth Falcon, Leo Lozito, Barbara Peters, Elisabeth Vrenios and Robert C. White.

As a pedagogue, Audra has taught both performance classes and private study. She is a technical specialist working with students in all musical styles frequently noted for accomplishing extensive range and power and quick progress among her students. In addition to Five Towns College, Audra has served as a vocal faculty member at Molloy College, the Hartt School at the University of Hartford and at Music in Chappaqua. She maintains a private studio in Manhattan, West Hartford, Connecticut and Northport, New York.

JEANINE NAGAO, Instructor, French Horn *
B.A., SUNY at Stony Brook
B.M., M.M., Julliard

JEBEDIAH PATTON, Assistant Professor, Jazz Piano*
B.A., Duke University
M.A., CUNY Queens College

Jeb Patton has toured throughout the United States and abroad with the Heath Brothers and with Jimmy Heath’s Generations Quintet, performing in theaters, festivals, concert halls, colleges, and clubs. Recent highlights include two performances with the WDR Bigband in Germany, a tour of France, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland with his quartet, a solo concert in Versaille, a tour of Mexico with his trio, and a solo/duo performance honoring Thelonious Monk as part of Monk@100 Duke Performances Series in North Carolina.

He has recorded and published a number of workbooks and transcriptions of comping by artists such as Horace Silver, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock and Art Tatum. Career highlights also include performing at the Opening Nights of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jimmy Heath’s 75th Birthday Celebration, October 2001 as well as at Jimmy Heath’s 90th Birthday Celebration, October 2016 at Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center.

MATTHEW PIERCE, Assistant Professor, Strings*
B.M., M.M., The Johns Hopkins University:
Peabody Conservatory of Music

Founder of the Five Towns College Master Quartet, Composer-Violinist Matthew Pierce is celebrated for his new classical scores commissioned by major American ballet companies. His work has been performed around the country and around the world at City Center in New York, Covent Garden in London and the Palais Garnier in Paris. Alice (in wonderland), whose score Sarah Kaufman of the Washington Post called “the crowning luxury of this ballet” has been performed by Washington Ballet, Ballet Austin, Milwaukee Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Ballet Hawaii, Compania de Danza Siglo XXI of Puerto Rico, Colorado Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, Sacramento Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet. Next season Alice (in wonderland) will be seen in Hong Kong, Taiwan and tour to West Australia Ballet in Perth.

As an educator Mr. Pierce has enjoyed 23 years of teaching violin and viola, conducting youth and college orchestras, coaching chamber music and teaching theory, ear training and composition first at Montclair State University in New Jersey and now at Five Towns College on Long Island.

PETER M. ROGINE, Professor
Guitar, Jazz Harmony, Guitar Ensemble
B.A., Queens College
M.A., Long Island University

Peter Rogine is a professional guitarist with extensive live performance, recording and television experience. He hosted the Cablevision Television show Guitar Extra Help. Prof. Rogine studied with Joe Monk, Sol Berkowitz, Raoul Pleskow, Lynn Oliver, Billy Bauer, Joe Diorio, His performances include working with Bob Florence, Cab Calloway, Al Martino, Jerry Vale, Buddy Greco, Dick Contino and performing in jazz concerts with Bucky Pizzarelli, Panama Francis, Steve LaSpina. As a columnist for Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, he created over seventy five articles.

In 2016, Peter Rogine was a Quarter-finalist for the National Grammy Music Educators Award. As founder of the FTC Jazz Guitar Ensemble, Prof. Rogine has directed over 15 years of performances of the group. Most recently his ensemble was chosen to perform at the 2018 Jazz Educators Network Conference in Dallas. He is a long time faculty member and is one of the most in-demand professors on campus.

JOSEPH ROMANO, Assistant Professor, Woodwinds*
B.M., M.M., Manhattan School of Music

Joseph Romano received his Bachelors and Masters of Music Degrees from Manhattan School of Music. Studies include private lessons with Peter Simenauer, Joseph Allard, David Tofani, Charles Russo, Leonard Hindell, and Eddie Daniels. Recipient of MSM Scholarships and a member of the Dean’s List. Additional studies include Augustin Duques at The Julliard School and with Bob Mintzer. Also received New York State Permanent Public School Teacher Certification while at MSM.

Since 1986 has been a member of the faculty of Friends’ Academy as Band Director, Woodwind Instructor, and Jazz Ensemble Director. Since 2015 has been a faculty member of The Green Vale School as Woodwind Instructor. Prof. Romano co-led the Dowling Jazz Ensemble with Charles Sarling from 2014-16. He has performed at Carnegie Recital Hall, Town Hall, Symphony Space, On and Off Broadway Shows, Westbury Music Fair, Nassau Coliseum, The Tilles Center, recording sessions for CBS Records, The Rainbow Room Orchestra, the Mineola Choral Society, The Concert Pops, and Theater Three. Performances with Donna Summer, Nell Carter, the Annual Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Dinner hosted by Mary Tyler Moore and the Make A Wish Foundation which featured Tony Bennett, Lainie Kazan, and Mariah Carey.

TONY ROMANO, Assistant Professor, Guitar*
Mus.B., Five Towns College
M.A., CUNY Queens College

Guitarist, composer, and Centaur Recording Artist Tony Romano has been a visible part of the New York City music scene for over twenty years. Just Jazz Guitar magazine wrote “His tone is beautiful and soulful, and his remarkable technique is a servant to his rich musical imagination and broad harmonic palette.” With a wide range of playing styles, Tony has toured worldwide and performed and recorded with many notable Jazz, Latin, Pop, and Broadway artists, including Randy Brecker, Joe Locke, Michael Feinstein, Bill Warfield, Steve LaSpina, Joe Bataan, Dave Valentin, Candido Camero, Chembo Corniel, Yomo Toro, Joel Frahm, Thomas Chapin, Brit Woodman, Santi DeBriano, Paul Bollenback, Stanley Jordan, Debbie Gibson, Kat Gang, Alex Gemignani, and Chuck Cooper. Tony’s guitar work can be heard on all 52 episodes of the BBC series 3rd & Bird as well as the  Discovery Channel miniseries Going, Going, Gone! He has also performed for NPR broadcasts, and has appeared on NBC’s The Today Show, Telemundo, and the ABC Morning Show. Tony is an adjunct Professor at Five Towns College, and has been a Teaching Artist for the Kupferberg Center at Queens College, as well as an instructor for the National Guitar Workshop. MA from the Aaron Copeland School of Music at Queens College, BM from Five Towns College.

JEFFREY SULTANOF, Assistant Professor, Music
B.A., Queens College, City University of New York
M.A., Seton Hall University

Jeffrey Sultanof has had an eclectic career as a composer, arranger, conductor, historian, editor, author and teacher. He holds a B.A. degree from Queens College (CUNY) and an M.A. from Seton Hall University.

Sultanof worked at Warner Bros. Publications from 1977-1994 as an educational music editor, editor/arranger for ensembles large and small, and historian, preparing corrected editions of Gershwin, Porter and other legendary American composers. He worked with Burt Bachrach, Neal Hefti, Gordon Lightfoot and John Williams, arranging his “Liberty Fanfare” for Brass Quintet. He prepared facsimile editions of the orchestral music of George Gershwin, and edited “Arranged by Nelson Riddle,” an arranging text completed before Riddle’s death.

From 1994-2002, he was an editor and consultant with the Hal Leonard Corporation, where he worked as an editor and producer of recordings with Sonny Rollins, Ahmad Jamal, Ron Carter, Benny Green, Billy Childs, Andy Laverne and Gerry Mulligan, producing the last recordings of Mulligan as a baritone saxophonist. From 2002-2004, he was assistant professor of music at Five Towns College, arranging for and coaching singers, conducting the jazz ensemble, and teaching courses on the music business, music history, and film music on the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree levels. From 2013-2017, he was an instructor and administrative coordinator of the MEMP (Music and Entertainment Management and Production) program at the Institute of Audio Research in New York City.

He was one of the first editors who championed researched and corrected vintage big band, orchestral, and combo music for use by historians, educators and students. His most notable achievement in this area is a folio of the Miles Davis Nonet repertoire (The Birth of the Cool), published by Hal Leonard Corporation (Sultanof’s in-depth article about this folio was published by the Journal of Jazz Studies and is available online), and over 50 pieces composed and/or arranged by legendary Canadian composer Robert Farnon with the composer’s participation and approval. Sultanof has written many articles on music and film history; he was the only writer who contributed two articles to The Oxford Companion to Jazz (Oxford Univ. Press); most recently his articles and reviews have appeared on the jazz.com, Rifftides, and Do the Math websites. In 2017, the book “Experiencing Big Band Jazz: A Listener’s Companion” was published by Roman & Littlefield to overwhelmingly positive reviews. It has been adopted as a required text at the University of North Texas. In 2019, he wrote the booklet notes for the Mosaic Box “The Complete Woody Herman Decca, Mars and M-G-M Sessions (1943-1954).”

As a composer, a Clarinet Concerto for Ken Peplowski and a Piano Concerto for Ted Rosenthal will be premiered in 2020, both with Jazz Ensemble accompaniment. As an arranger, Sultanof has written for Lynn Roberts, Ellen Gould, the Palm Beach Pops, and many other performers and ensembles. He has conducted student and professional symphonic orchestras, wind ensembles, and jazz ensembles all over the United States, and has lectured at Rutgers University, Queens College, George Washington University and The New School for Social Research.

VALERIE SULZINSKI, Instructor, Woodwinds *
B.F.A., SUNY Purchase

Professional credits include Atlantic Wind Symphony, The Garden City Cathedral Orchestra, Long Island Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Theatre Company, Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, Nassau Symphony Orchestra, Queens Philharmonic, and St. Martins Symphony Orchestra.

CHRISTOPHER TIBALDI, Assistant Professor, Percussion *
B.B.A., Hofstra University

Prof. Tibaldi is a highly-regarded, and versatile drummer in the NY area. He is endorsed by Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Evans Drumheads, Rhythm Tech Percussion and GMS Drums. Chris was a member of the renowned band “The Touch” for several years, and continues to be an in-demand studio musician and clinician. He has performed for a sold out Nassau Coliseum and Hammerstien Ballroom as well as hundreds of other venues from Maine to Miami. Additional studies at Five Towns College and Berklee College of Music. Session Experience for studios such as Deep Wave, Killingsworth, Sabella, and Cove City Studios.

MARK VERDINO, Assistant Professor, Electric and Acoustic String Bass*
Mus.B., SUNY Potsdam
M.M., Manhattan School of Music

Mark is fluent on both acoustic bass and fretted and fretless electric bass. He is a sub on the Broadway show Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, School of Rock, Jersey Boys, The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Mean Girls, Waitress, Hello Dolly, Pretty Woman, Matilda, Miss Saigon, On Your Feet, Groundhog Day, Finding Neverland, Bandstand, The Great Comet, Fun Home, Gigi, Mary Poppins, Spring Awakening, Young Frankenstein, The Pirate Queen and Movin’ Out. Mark held the bass chair for the Jersey Boys 1^st National Tour, Jersey Boys 2^nd National Tour, Aladdin 1^st National Tour and the Spring Awakening 1^st national tour. He also subs in the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra and in the band for the Big Apple Circus. He plays in the corporate party/club date band LUXE. He played for 10 years in the acclaimed Dave Matthews Tribute Band Ants Marching, as well as the Billy Joel Tribute band Glass Houses. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and The 55 Bar along others. Mark is endorsed by D’Addario stings, New York Bass Works basses.

DEANA VERONE, Assistant Professor, Voice *
B.A., Molloy College
M.A., Long Island University: C.W. Post

Deana Verone has been an adjunct professor of Vocal studies for over 10 years. As a well-known Mezzo-Soprano vocalist, she has performed at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, NJPAC, and Hofstra University. She performed with Sal Valentinetti, Chris Macchio, and Jim Sergi. Ms. Verone’s performing career has taken her throughout the tristate area, as well as Pennsylvania and Florida.

When Ms. Verone is not performing she is a music educator for a local school district, and teaches Early Childhood Music Education and Beginner Piano at Nassau Community College. She holds an advanced certificate in Educational Leadership from Long Island University and graduated with the Music Achievement Award of Excellence. She has been a proud member of the Music National Honor Society and Delta Omicron.

Ms. Verone has worked as a music librarian/backstage assistant for many performing artists who include: Brian Stokes Mitchell, Idina Menzel, Nathan Gunn, Kelly O’Hara, Natalie Merchant, Linda Eder, Kristin Chenoweth, Johnny Mathis, and Frank Sinatra Jr.

JONATHAN WAXMAN, Adjunct Professor, Music History
B.M., Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
M.A., Ph.D., New York University

Jonathan Waxman completed a Ph.D. in historical musicology at New York University with a dissertation titled “Prefacing Music in the Concert Hall: Composer Commentaries, Program Books, and the Conflict over Musical Meaning.” He has recently published an article in the journal Popular Music History which examined the influence of Ives’s music on the film scores and concert works of Bernard Herrmann. As Vice-President of the Greater New York City chapter of the American Musicological Society, Jonathan has supervised several scholarly conferences for the society, and has recently given papers on concert program books at the national meetings of the Society for American Music, and the American Musicological Society.

YUKI YAMAGUCHI, Instructor
B.M., Tokyo College of Music Conservatory
Mus.M., Five Towns College

* Private Instruction Music Faculty

Theatre Arts Faculty

DAVID KRASNER, Professor 
Theatre Arts Division Chair
B.F.A., Carnegie Mellon University
M.F.A., Virginia Commonwealth University
Ph.D., TUFTS University

David Krasner, Ph. D., Chair of Theatre at Five Towns College, has taught acting, directing, and theatre history for over 40 years.  He received his doctorate in drama from Tufts University.  He is the published author of 11 books and over 3 dozen articles on acting, modern drama, African American theatre, theatre and philosophy, and dramatic theory and criticism.   He twice received the Errol Hill Award from the American Society for Theatre Research for the best work on African American Theatre, and received the 2008 Betty Jean Jones Award from the American Theatre and Drama Society as the best teacher of American drama.   His students have won Tony, Emmy, and Obie Awards, and he is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on Stanislavsky Studies, acting, African American theatre history, and modern drama.  He serves on the advisory/editorial boards of Stanislavsky Studies, Theatre Journal, and African American Review.  He was formerly the Dean of the School of the Arts at Dean College in Franklin MA; Head of the BFA Acting Program at Emerson College; Director of Undergraduate Theatre Studies at Yale University; and Head of the MFA Graduate Directing Program at Southern Illinois University.  For nine years he taught acting, voice, speech, and movement at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NY.  

MICHAEL JOHNSON, JR., Assistant Professor
B.P.S., Five Towns College

Artistic Director and Resident Stage Manager for the Five Towns College Performing Arts Center (FTCPAC). Has experience as an assistant stage manager, props master, spot technician, and carpenter at the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport Some of the productions there included Dreamgirls, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Will Rogers Follies, Forbidden Broadway, Beauty and the Beast, The Wedding Singer, and The Producers. Also worked as spot technician, rigger, and assistant stage manager for the international tour of Phantom of the Opera.

MILTON JUSTICE, Assistant Professor
Deputy Chair of Theatre Arts Division
B.F.A., Southern Methodist University

Academy and Emmy Award Winner Milton Justice began his career as an assistant director at the New York Shakespeare Festival and has continually moved between film, television and theatre. Professor Justice has had the privilege of coaching and teaching a wide range of actors including Mark Ruffalo, Kevin Bacon, Chris Carmack, Sean Astin, Kyra Sedgwick, Benecio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Kathy Bates, and Patrick Stewart – to name a few. He has taught at Yale, N.Y.U., U.S.C., Unitec in New Zealand, as well as workshops in South Korea, Australia and The Czech Republic. For his work in film and television, he has received an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Nominations. Milton began his theatre career on Broadway, producing the world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ Vieux Carre. His most recent film producing effort, Losing Chase, marked Kevin Bacon’s directorial debut, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and won a Golden Globe Award for Helen Mirren. In March of 2017, he presented a Workshop at the International Stanislavsky Seminar in Prague.

RON LAND, Assistant Professor, Voice *
B.Mus., Music, University of the Arts
M.M., Temple University

MICHAEL VISCO, Instructor
A.S., Suffolk Community College
B.A., State University of New York at New Paltz
M.F.A., Florida State University

Adjunct Theatre Arts Faculty

STANLEY BAHOREK, Instructor
B.F.A., University of Michigan
M.A., Baruch College

HALI BEKOFSKY, Instructor
B.F.A., The University of the Arts
MICHAEL COSTA, Instructor
B.A., Dean College

MICHAEL COSTA, Instructor
B.A., Dean College

TIMOTHY GOLEBIEWSKI, Instructor
B.A., M.A., University of Pittsburgh
M.F.A., University of Connecticut

ALEXA GREEN, Instructor
B.F.A., University of Cincinnati

JARED HERSHKOWITZ, Associate Professor
B.A., State University of New York at Albany
M.S., New York Institute of Technology

Professional actor, director, producer, and educator with more than fifty years of experience in professional and educational theatre. He has appeared on and off Broadway and in many regional productions. He has acted with Jason Robards, Sandy Dennis, Richard Mulligan, Billy Crystal, William Hickey, William Daniels, Gene Saks, and many other notable actors. He has studied directing with Jarka Burian, Paul-Bruce Pettite, and Herb Costin and acting with James Leonard, Robert Lewis and Richard Mulligan. He has produced plays, musicals, readings, and award shows in New York City.

SHERRY KFARE, Assistant Professor
B.A., Pace University
M.A., Brooklyn College

Professional costume designer at the Stage Theater Company. Her shows include: Amadeus, Anything Goes, Oliver, South Pacific, Music Man, Working, Fiddler on the Roof, Godspell, The Man Who Came To Dinner, and The Three Sisters. Experienced theater arts and speech teacher involved in all aspects of stage management and director of theater programs at all grade levels. Member of the New York State Theatre Educators Association.

DANIEL RENKIN, Instructor
B.A., Indiana University

KELLEY SWEENEY, Instructor
B.S., State University of New York at New Paltz
M.F.A., State University of New York at Stony Brook