John Fleischman, Jr.

John Fleischman, Jr., holds a Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the State University at Fredonia, New York and has done graduate work in voice performance at SUC Fredonia, SUC Potsdam, and the Eastman School of Music. He is a vocal music instructor in the Orchard Park Central School district and a past-president of the Erie County Music Educators Association. He presently serves as NY ACDA Repertoire and Standards Chair for Children's Choirs. Mr. Fleischman is also a member of the New York State School Music Association and the Music Educator's National Conference for whom he is a nationally registered music educator. He was listed as a distinguished educator in Who's Who Among American Teachers in 1994. In 1995, he was awarded the Artist-Teacher diploma after completing Level III of the Choral Music Experience Institute for Choral Teacher Education under the leadership of Dr. Doreen Rao. In May of 1997, he was the recipient of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Erie County Council of Music Coordinators Award for excellence in Choral Music Education.

Mr. Fleischman has also performed extensively throughout Western New York as a tenor soloist. He has appeared frequently in area concerts, musicals, recitals, and operatic productions. He appeared with the Artpark Opera Chorus for ten summer seasons and sang with the Westminster Choir for 19 years. From 1992-1998, he was the music director of the Orchard Park Chorale, an adult community choir.

Catherine E. Sutherland

Catherine E. Sutherland earned her Bachelor and Master degrees in Music Education from SUNY College at Fredonia. She is currently teaching Classroom/Vocal Music at Transit Middle School in the Williamsville Central School District.

In addition to her responsibilities in the Williamsville School District, Mrs. Sutherland has been the accompanist of the Western New York Children's Chorus since 1988, and has traveled with them to England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Amsterdam, and France. Mrs. Sutherland is an active guest conductor of County and NYSSMA festivals. She and her husband have served as conductors of the touring ensembles for American Music Abroad for several summers. In 1996, Mrs. Sutherland was awarded the Artist-Teacher Diploma in Canterbury, England after completing Level III of the Choral Music Experience Institute for Choral Teacher Education under the leadership of Dr. Doreen Rao. In 1998, she was the recipient of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Award for Excellence in Classroom Music Education.

Mrs. Sutherland is a member of the American Choral Directors' Association, the New York State School of Music Association, the Music Educators National Conference, and the Erie County Music Educators' Association. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Erie County Music Educators Association since 1989 as a liaison for Choral and Classroom Music and as secretary. She has also served as past president of the organization. In addition, Mrs. Sutherland and her husband are Head Chaperones for the NYSSMA Winter Conference.

Elenora J. Seib

A native of Buffalo, New York, Elenora J. Seib, holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal and Instrumental Accompanying from the Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor of Music Degree cum laude from the SUNY College at Fredonia. She is currently the Music Associate at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She has been musical director and/or coach/accompanist for SUNY at Buffalo Opera Studio, Western New York Opera Theatre, Great Buffalo Opera Company, Opera Sacra, Artpark, and the Chautauqua Institution Summer Schools. Miss Seib has serves as accompanist for the Camerata Singers, various All-County Festivals, and has played numerous vocal recitals and musical theatre presentations throughout Western New York.

From 1986-2001, Miss Seib was the accompanist for the Buffalo Choral Arts Society, having traveled as pianist and organist on successful concert tours to Dublin, Paris, London, Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, Barcelona, and Provence. As a founding member of Nostalgia, she has performed at the Lancaster Opera House, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, and has served as musical director and conductor for staged presentations. Miss Seib has toured with the Western New York Children's Chorus as organist for concerts in Stratford-upon Avon, Paris, Edinburgh, Dublin, and Killarney, and as a chaperone for International Children's Choral festivals in Italy and Germany. A member of the faculty of Niagara University, Miss Seib teaches voice classes in the Theatre and Fine Arts Department.

 

David G. Curtis

David G. Curtis, accompanist, is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, receiving the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Music Education, with a concentration on the child and adolescent voice. Mr. Curtis is a member of the music faculty at the High School in the Niagara Wheatfield School District. His choirs have earned ten consecutive "Gold Medal and Gold with Distinction Awards" at the New York State School Music Association Major Organization Festivals. They have also earned four consecutive "First Place" Awards at National Choral Competitions in Pennsylvania and Ohio, also receiving the Judges Choice Award.

Mr. Curtis frequently conducts and accompanies All-County Choruses throughout New York State and has presented numerous workshops in Music Education and Choral Conducting at the University at Buffalo and NYSSMA Conference.

As a music educator, Mr. Curtis has received the Irving Cheyette Music Education award from the University at Buffalo for excellence in Music Education, and the Frederick Chopin Piano Award for excellence in Piano Performance.