Where Are They Now
Tomoya Aomori, Double Bass and Percussion
Bassist and Percussionist Tomoya Aomori is an active soloist and chamber musician who performs concerts and recitals worldwide. As a bassist, he tours around the world with his cellist wife Julia Kang, playing and organizing concerts and events under the name Aomori-Kang Duo (AKDuo.com). He is also a regular performer with the New York
Alexander Appel, Percussion
Alexander Appel is a graduate student in percussion performance at NYU and is also a composer. Alex has stayed connected to MYO by performing with the Alumni Orchestra in June 2014, as well as performing with the Suffolk orchestras in November 2014, and coaching our Nassau percussionists as they prepare for their upcoming March 15
Daniel Bassin, Trumpet and Conductor
Daniel Bassin, Class of 1999, is an active conductor, composer, trumpeter and improviser, currently Music Director of the University at Buffalo Symphony Orchestra, a position he began in autumn 2010, and the newly-appointed Music Director/Choir Conductor at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo. Daniel came to Buffalo after working for five seasons with the American
Scott Davis, Double Bass
Scott Davis, son of MYO Board Treasurer Ken Davis, is from Plainview, New York and started playing the bass at age 9. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with James VanDemark, and a Master of Music from Indiana University, where he studied with Kurt Muroki. His
Audrey J. Edelstein, Bassoon and Conductor
Audrey J. Edelstein played bassoon in the Nassau Principal Orchestra from 2009-2011, toured Eastern Europe with MYO in 2010, and interned at MYO in 2013. From her seat in the wind section, she watched Scott Stickley approach music and got hooked, realizing what she really wanted was to conduct.
Audrey J. Edelstein, Bassoon MYO Class
Kurt Ferguson, Trombone
Kurt Ferguson was our guest soloist for the June 7, 2015 Alumni Concert and performed the Ferdinand David Concertino for trombone and orchestra. Kurt Ferguson was born and raised in Nassau County. His career has taken him from coast to coast, performing in venues such as Disney Hall, Houston Symphony’s Jones Hall, and Lincoln Center,
Bianca Ferrante, Viola
Aside from touring China with MYO and working in the MYO Office, violist Bianca Ferrante teaches private lessons in the Long Beach and New Hyde Park area. She is currently working on her Masters Degree in General and Special Education for Grades 1-6. In her spare time, she performs at multiple Sunrise Senior Assisted
Roger Kalia, Trumpet and Conductor
Roger Kalia played trumpet with the MYO Principal Orchestra from 2001-2003 and toured China with MYO in 2001. Winner of the 2013 Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, Roger Kalia has been hailed as a conductor who conducts with “vigor” and “commitment” (Charlotte Observer) and for bringing a “fresh view to classical music” (The Republic).
Aaron Langenauer, Trumpet
Aaron Langenauer, Class of 2009, played in the MYO Principal Nassau Orchestra during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons. He then studied Music Education and Trumpet Performance with a minor in Jazz Studies at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. Aaron additionally studied instrumental conducting and served as the Music Director for the Clarkson
Katherine Liccardo, Violin
Katherine Liccardo played violin with the Nassau Principal Orchestra and was the winner of the 2009 MYO Concerto Competition, performing the Sibelius Concerto at Carnegie Hall. Katherine began her violin and piano studies at age 3. Her passion for music started at home, growing up in a household of music teachers and performers. Katherine received
Anthony Madonna, Cello and Voice
Cellist and Singer Anthony Madonna is a current senior at Westminster Choir College, earning his degrees in Music Education & Vocal Performance. Throughout his time at Westminster, Anthony has become increasingly involved in the Princeton community. He has held conducting internships with the Princeton Girl Choir, the Westminster Neighborhood Children’s Choir, and the adult community
Veronica Mak, Voice
Veronica Mak was part of the Nassau Youth Chorale for her first three years in MYO, and then the inaugural Nassau Chamber Chorale her senior year. She is currently a Voice Performance undergraduate at Manhattan School of Music studying with Joan Caplan. Since her time with MYO, she has sung major choral works with
Sarah Miller, Cello
Sarah Miller, MYO alumni 2015, currently a sophomore cello performance major at the Cleveland Institute of Music, competed and won first place in the Collegiate and Professional Division of the Tennessee Cello Competition at the University of Tennessee this weekend. In addition, last week Sarah was awarded a full fellowship to attend the prestigious Aspen
Noreen Prunier, Viola and Singer/Songwriter
Noreen Prunier played viola with the Nassau Principal Orchestra (Class of 2013) and is now a Nashville based singer/songwriter. Performing since the age of four for anyone willing to listen, she always knew that a music career was in her future. Originally from Nassau County, New York, Noreen moved to Nashville, TN in the fall
Kaitlyn Raitz, Cello
Cellist, Kaitlyn Raitz, Class of 2007, grew up surrounded by an array of musical genres, finding each one more exciting than the next. These passions have led her to a career as a versatile cellist who is equally at home playing Schubert or Sondheim, sitting in on a bluegrass jam or reading a Beethoven string
Leah Stevens, Flute
Leah Stevens played flute with MYO’s Suffolk Principal Orchestra for six years since its opening season in 2008. After graduating high school and leaving MYO, she began working on her undergraduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music for a bachelor’s degree in Flute Performance, as well as a minor in Art History through Case