Stephanie Mowery, Artistic Director and Conductor for Chorale and Kantorei, joined the Syracuse Children’s Chorus in 2011 after serving as the Director of Children’s and Youth Music at All Saints Church, Pasadena, California since 1986 where she directed six choirs, grades K-12. She also served as Associate Director of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus from 1987–1995 and Apprentice Choir Director from 2004-2007. In demand as a guest director and clinician, Ms. Mowery is active with children’s choirs in the Los Angeles area and serves as a leader in teacher education and festival organization. Stephanie holds degrees from Occidental College and Westminster Choir College. She was awarded the Artist-Teacher Diploma from the Choral Music Experience Institute in 1995. Her choirs from All Saints Church have been featured at regional and state conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), and the National Convention of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
Marcia DeMartini, Assistant Director and Conductor for Preludio, is a vocal and general music educator at West Genesee High School. Her choirs have earned Gold ratings at NYSSMA large ensemble festival, and have been invited to perform at the Syracuse University Multicultural Choral Festival as well as in clinic with Dr. Leo Nestor of Catholic University of America. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO in 1999 and a Masters of Music Education from Syracuse University in 2006, where she served as assistant conductor of the Syracuse University Oratorio Society under Dr. Elisa Dekaney. Mrs. DeMartini is currently a member of Phi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, MENC, NYSSMA, and ACDA. The 2010-2011 season marks her 2nd year as Assistant Director for the Syracuse Children’s Chorus.
Rebecca Miller Nadworniak, Director of Operations and Finance, joined the Syracuse Children’s Chorus in the spring of 2009 before graduating magna cum laude from Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music in May 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Industry and Performance Honors in vocal performance from the College of Visual and Performing Arts as well as a minor in Management Studies from the Whitman School of Management. While at Syracuse University, she served as President and Treasurer of the Syracuse University Women’s Choir, was named a University 100 Scholar, inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and a member of The College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean’s List. Ms. Miller also performed with The Mandarins, Syracuse University’s oldest all-female a capella group, Syracuse University’s Opera Workshop, and the Syracuse Opera Chorus. As Director of Operations, she is responsible for the organizational and financial duties of the Chorus.
Kerry McDermott, Director of Communications and Development, joined the Syracuse Children’s Chorus staff in the summer of 2009 after working as the Group Sales Representative for the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. She is a 2008 graduate of Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Industry, cum laude. During her time at Syracuse University, Ms. McDermott performed with the Syracuse University Women’s Choir and the Syracuse University Oratorio Society, and was a member of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean’s List. Ms. McDermott is an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota, the international fraternity for women in music. As Director of Communications and Patron Development, she focuses on marketing, development and public relations for the Chorus.
Barbara Marble Tagg is Founder and Director Emeritus of the Syracuse Children’s Chorus, and Instructor at Syracuse University where she conducts the SU Women’s Choir and is a member of the choral music education faculty. Dr. Tagg has presented concerts and workshops in England, Europe, Canada, Hong Kong and China, as well as for universities and choral organizations throughout the United States. Committed to the advancement of the American choral profession, Dr. Tagg held national leadership positions for both Chorus America and the American Choral Directors Association. Her publications include serving as guest editor of three issues of The Choral Journal devoted to children’s choirs, repertoire and standards, and American choral music.
Recognized for her dedication to American music and new compositions, Dr. Tagg has premiered over 85 works for treble choirs. She conducted the annual Keynote Arts Associates Children in Harmony Choral Festival in Orlando, Florida for 17 years, and was conductor of the Adirondack Children’s Chorus at the Adirondack Festival of American Music in Saranac Lake, NY with Gregg Smith for over twenty years. She is an Honorary Member of the Ernst Bacon Foundation, a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, and has been honored by ACDA, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Civic Morning Musicals, the Syracuse Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Syracuse Post Standard, Disney Performing Arts, and Sigma Alpha Iota for her commitment to musical excellence, music education and to the choral art.
Board of Directors:
President – Jamie Sutphen
Vice President – TBD
Secretary – Maren King
Treasurer – TBD
Chorister Representative(s) – TBD
Valerie Beecher
Susan Fox
Katryn Hansen
Travis Newton
Virginia B. Parker
James G. Schunck
Ex-Officio:
TBD
Advisory Board:
Arthur Brooks
Carole Brzozowski
Beverly Chiavara
Courtney Chiavara
Bonnie Beth Derby
Noreen Falcone
Tim Fox
Dr. William Harmand
Peter Manolakos
Francis Nichols
Anthony J. Rivizzigno
James A. Tuozzolo
Honorary Board:
Bob Chilcott
Daniel Hege
Dr. Hope Irvine
Douglas Kinzey
Libby Larsen
Tarky Lombardi, Jr.
Fabio Mechetti
Dr. Doreen Rao
Gregg Smith
The Honorable James T. Walsh
Dr. Cornelia Yarbrough