THE FACULTY

LENNA DARBIN ANDREWS. Voice, Piano. Received her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Indiana University. She has taught music in schools, early childhood music programs, and private voice and piano. Ms. Andrews performs with prominent churches and synagogues, in addition to regular appearances with regional opera companies, and as a soloist with choral groups both locally and in New York City.

YVETTE BEZAHLER. Violin, Viola. B.A. in Music Education, M.A.T. Candidate Manhattanville College. Teaching Diploma in Violin and Piano from The Music School of Lausanne, Switzerland. Ms. Bezahler has taught music classes in the public school system for several years. She has been a member of orchestras in Switzerland as well as the U.S. and currently performs with Chamber Music groups in New York City.

CHARLES COSTA. Guitar. Received his B.M. in Jazz Composition from SUNY Purchase.  He has prepared students in workshops, classes, and ensembles, many of whom went on to further study at universities.  Charlie's main focus is to encourage ear training, theory, and improvement in everyday learning.  He is an active musician and has been performing nationally with different artists for several past years.

MARTINA CHYLIKOVA. Voice, Piano. Graduated from Teacher's College at Southern Bohemian University in the Czech Republic.  She received her BA and MM degrees from the University of Arizona and was Choral Director of the Tucson Baha'i Choir where she was solosit and coach as well.  Martina has won many prestigious vocal competitoins in Eurpoe and the United States. 

REFIKA ELIBAY. Piano. Received B.M. and M.M. degrees from Manhattan School of Music on scholarships; she received two Silver Medals at the International Piano Recording Competition and was District I winner of NYS Music Association Competition. Ms. Elibay has performed in numerous recitals in the New York City area, including performances on WNYC and Cable TV and recitals in Trinity Church.

DONALD ISLER. Piano. Received his B.M. and M.M. degrees from Manhattan School of Music. Founder of KASP Records which produced his CDs with music of Beethoven and Schubert as well as rare works of Schnabel and Spohr.  Mr. Isler has performed at Carnegie Recital Hall and Alice Tully Hall.  He has been on the faculties of the Brooklyn College Preparatory Center and the Diller-Quaile Music School.  

JENNIFER JILES. Adult beginner ballet. Holds a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase School of the Arts. Ms. Jiles was a Radio City Music Hall Rockette from 1990-1996. Some of her other dance credits include: company member of the American Dance Machine, the Red Bank Ballet, and Long Island Ballet; Sister Mary Leo in “Nunsense”; Lorraine in “42nd Street”; full scholarships at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Broadway Dance Center, and the Martha Graham School. Ms. Jiles has studied with top ballet teachers across the country and has over 20 years professional experience in the dance, theatre, television and comedy worlds. Currently, she is an EmmyAward-winning actress, host and voice-over artist. www.jenniferjiles.com

JANE PARKHOUSE.   Violin. Graduate of London University (B.Ed. Music). She has taught violin, early childhood music and coached ensembles extensively in London, New York, Washington, and Boston. In addition to performing with a variety of ensembles, Ms. Parkhouse is the founder and co-director of a summer music and drama camp in the Boston area.

ERIKA SCHLENKERMANN.  Piano, Woodwinds. Received her B.M. in Music Education with Performance Honors from Syracuse University.  Ms. Schlenkermann has performed in numerous recitals and concerts.  She has performed in Les Miserables at the Westchester Premier Theater and was music director and woodwind player for new-age classical composer CAL. She has also taught in several area music schools, and provides private instruction to students of all ages. 

WALTER WINTERFELDT. Piano. Mr. Winterfeldt is an established pianist and vocal coach. Having attended the Manhattan School of Music he studied piano with Raymond Lewenthal and vocal accompanying with Donald Nold and Martin Katz, and chamber music with Joseph Seiger. Mr. Winderfeldt has received many awards and has performed extensively in the US and Europe; he has served as assistant conductor for the CTaconic Opera Company and performed with the Hudson Opera Theatre of New Jersey. As a private coach he has been affiliated with the Manhattan School of Music