Faculty

Cody Messersmith is a dynamic music educator, performer, conductor, and disabilities advocate from the state of Pennsylvania. Messersmith is an adaptive and inclusive arts education consultant for various regional and nationally-accredited organizations. Messersmith is a doctoral fellow in the Music Education PhD program of the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. In addition to teaching music, Cody enjoys a prosperous freelance career as a first-call low brass musician in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware. In addition to performing, Messersmith conducts and serves as music director for two choirs in the greater Philadelphia region as part of the Rock Voices community choir network. Cody’s area of research interests include human development, special education, and music’s impact on communicative disorders. Messersmith earned a Master of Education degree from The Pennsylvania State University in curriculum and instruction, a graduate certification in educational leadership from The Pennsylvania State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Marywood University. Cody resides in Philadelphia with their furbabies, Benji and Bernard.

Sonali Singh

Bassoon Faculty

Music Theory

Sonali Singh is a performing artist in Philadelphia, focusing on creating improvisational experiences on the bassoon, percussion, piano, and vocals, with a strong background in Western classical music combined with free improvisation. They completed their Bachelor of Music in bassoon performance from Washington Adventist University before taking graduate-level courses for bassoon performance at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD. Sonali recently completed the Master’s in Music Therapy program at Temple University and works as a full-time, board-certified music therapist in the greater Philadelphia region while continuing their coursework toward becoming a licensed professional counselor.

Emily Felker

String Faculty

Emily Felker, is a music teacher in Northeast Pennsylvania. She began teaching in the Elk Lake School District (Susquehanna County, PA) in 2021 and teaches K-6 music. She has been teaching the strings portion of the Marywood Summer Music Academy since 2022. Emily earned her bachelor's in Music Education and Violin Performance at Marywood University in 2021, where she studied under Sophie Till. She is currently studying for her master's in Music Education at Kutztown University. She is an active violinist and violist in the area, frequently playing in local orchestras and chamber ensembles. Emily is an accomplished string player, who has turned her passion for music into teaching.

Samantha Humen

Flute Faculty

Samantha Humen is a versatile flutist in the Greater Philadelphia region of Pennsylvania. She holds a Master of Music (M.M) degree in flute performance from Temple University, during which time she studied with Patrick Williams, associate principal flute of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Currently, she is also continuing her studies with Mr. Williams at Temple University, pursuing her Doctorate of Musical Arts (D.M.A) in flute performance. Passionate about performing in many areas, she has experience as an orchestral flutist, chamber musician, and soloist, with experience in both classical as well as contemporary ensembles. While continuing her education, she serves as a substitute flutist with the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra, Berks Sinfonietta, and other region based ensembles. Her passion for performance is only matched by her love of teaching. Ms. Humen maintains a private studio of students ranging from ages six through high school, focusing on healthy playing habits and, most importantly, fostering a love of music and the arts. She firmly believes that teaching is a reciprocal process. By sharing her knowledge with her students and watching each student progress, she is constantly learning from them new ways to think about flute and performance in order to best meet the needs and goals of students of all ages.

John Maurer

High Brass Faculty

John Maurer is a critically acclaimed trumpet and flugelhorn artist as well as a highly respected music educator, who travels, performs and teaches throughout North America. He exclusively uses “Pickett Brass" mouthpieces and "Gard Bags". John is one of the lead Teaching Artists at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, New York, the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. He is also a part of the music faculty at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania where he teaches High Brass Methods.

As a soloist, John has performed in various venues including the Arizona Biltmore, the Bryce Jordan Center, the Lincoln Center - Alice Tully Hall, PPL Center, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Curtis Institute of Music and the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada. In 2014 and 2015, John was given the opportunity to perform in a musical and cultural exploration tour of Cuba; traveling from Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad and Havana. In March 2014, John was selected as a semi-finalist for the “National Trumpet Competition". From 2015 to 2016, John held the trumpet chair at the American Music Theatre located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. John has also performed as a soloist for public figures such as The Reverend Jesse L. Jackson and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

Maurer’s rendition of, “The Star-Spangled Banner” has been nationally recognized, and he has performed the United States National Anthem for the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Sussex County Minors, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, NCAA Division 1 Penn State Men’s Basketball, NCAA Division 1 Penn State Men’s Ice Hockey and the Drum Corps International Eastern Classic.

John has shared the stage and recorded with many known musicians and ensembles such as Jens Lindemann, Howard Johnson, Awadagin Pratt, Eddie Henderson, Slide Hampton, Les Brown, Jr., Dan Tepfer, and Sharon Little to name a few.

As an educator, Maurer has conducted a number of residencies and masterclasses in many renowned colleges and universities such as Misericordia University, Millersville University, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster Bible College, ElizabethtownA College, SUNY - Purchase, University of Richmond, Weber State University and Arkansas State University.

John graduated as the trumpet graduate assistant at the Pennsylvania State University with his master’s degree in Trumpet Performance and received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. John had the honor of studying under Larry Davidson, Dr. Langston J. Fitzgerald, III, Dr. N. Keith Wiley, Jumaane Smith and Wynton Marsalis.

Maurer’s debut album, “Songs For My Son” was released in 2018 and has been praised in reviews by the International Trumpet Guild and texture. It is available for streaming worldwide!

Steve Kurilla

Percussion Faculty

Ukulele

Steve Kurilla is a graduate of Marywood University, where he earned his degree in Music Education. With over 20 years of professional experience, Steve has played drum set and mallet percussion across a wide range of venues, including concert halls, jazz clubs, casinos, and universities throughout the region. Currently, he performs with notable acts such as Wade Preston, the renowned pianist and Broadway star of Billy Joel’s Movin’ Out, Marko Marcinko, Director of Contemporary Music at Misericordia University, and Dave Jumper’s lively Voodoo Barbecue Brass Band, in addition to collaborating with many other accomplished regional artists.

In addition to his vibrant performance career, Steve is deeply committed to music education. He has been an integral part of several regional summer music camps and clinics, including serving as a faculty member at the PA Jazz Institute’s Summer Jazz Camp, being a featured clinician at the Drum Set Extravaganza in Tunkhannock, PA, and contributing his expertise to Keystone College’s Summer Jazz Camp.

By day, Steve is an Adjunct Professor at Marywood University, where he teaches jazz percussion, and a general music teacher and band director at Howard Gardner Charter School, both located in Scranton, PA.

Whether on stage or in the classroom, Steve’s passion for music and teaching continues to inspire students and audiences alike.

Justin Davis

Voice Faculty

Justin Davis is the choral director at Wyoming Valley West High School, where he has led the Concert Choir, Treble Choir, and Tenor-Bass Choir since 2019. A dedicated music educator, he holds a degree in music education from Marywood University and has pursued additional training through Harmony University (Barbershop Harmony Society) and Estill Voice Levels 1 and 2.

Beyond the classroom, Justin is an active conductor and performer. He serves as the director of the Wyoming Valley Barbershop Harmony Chorus and has been a guest director at the Marywood Summer Music Academy for the past 3 years. He also performs in the barbershop quartet Unaccounted Four, sharing his passion for close harmony singing.

Under his leadership, the Wyoming Valley West choirs have received prestigious invitations, including multiple performances at the Pennsylvania Capitol and a featured appearance at the America 250 PA kick-off event at the Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Mansion. He is committed to programming engaging and diverse repertoire, often celebrating the music of other languages and cultures.

Guided by the philosophy of "unity through harmony," Justin believes that music has the power to bring people together, fostering an environment where every student can thrive.

Gabriella Tolerico

Voice Faculty

Gabriella Tolerico is a Scranton-based soprano and music educator. She has taught for the past five years in the Carbondale Area School District where she currently serves as high school choral director and assistant marching band director. Gabriella is an active performer, both as a soloist and with ensembles. She is a member of the Arcadia Chorale and Lyric Consort, two of the area’s premier choral ensembles. Gabriella also occasionally appears as a soprano with Marywood’s concert choir and at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Scranton.

A versatile musician, Gabriella is an active member in the NEPA music scene, often appearing as a soloist accompanying herself on piano at various community events and in public spaces. She also often performs as a vocalist with many bands in the area. In 2021, Gabriella was named Female Vocalist of the Year, and has been consistently nominated since. Gabriella holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Marywood University, where she studied voice with Jennifer Cowgill. Gabriella currently lives in Scranton with her partner John and her cats Badger and Iris.

Andy Kolojejchick

Music Theory

Woodwind Faculty

Mr. Kolojejchick has taught the concert, marching and jazz bands at Wyoming Valley West High School for the last 31 years as well as teaching Music Theory, Music History and AP Music Theory during that time. He has taught clarinet and saxophone at Marywood for the last 11 years and now conducts the Marywood Wind Ensemble as well. Mr. Kolojejchick has been on staff with Marywood Summer Music Academy since its inception and looks forward to seeing a great new group of students this year.

Polina Pastushenko

Piano Faculty

Voice Faculty

Polina Pastushenko is an elementary school teacher at the Crestwood School District as well as the drama director at the Crestwood Secondary Campus. She is a a Music Education graduate of Marywood University with a concentration in piano and voice. Polina has been teaching private piano and voice lessons for 6 years. She is involved in various musicals in the area as a music director.

Polina has taught at the Marywood Summer Music Academy since its inception and is very excited to be back for another year! She is also excited to work with some talented musicians and hopes to make some great music this summer!

Kate Anderson

Saxophone Faculty

Jazz Improvisation

Kate Anderson, originally from Huntersville, Pennsylvania, is a versatile saxophonist who has performed throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe. She has shared the stage with jazz legends Phil Woods, Randy Brecker, Arturo Sandoval, Slide Hampton, Joe Lovano, Marquis Hill, Delfeayo Marsalis, Bob Dorough, and Orrin Evans, as well as Motown icons The Temptations and The Four Tops.

Venturing through musical landscapes, Kate has performed with a diverse array of acclaimed artists, including country singer-songwriter Morgan Myles, R&B and gospel vocalist Barbara Walker, 18 grammy award-winning polka king Jimmy Sturr, world-famous actress and vocalist Linda Purl, and legendary producer of The Band, John Simon.

Since 2018, Kate has been an active member of the Scranton Jazz Festival Big Band. The festival hosts an annual international jazz festival and performances of the “Swingin’ Jazz Nutcracker Suite” across Pennsylvania, garnering critical acclaim and even earning a nomination for an Emmy Award in 2022. As a recording artist, she contributed to the James Witherite Big Band on the album 17+, Rick Hirsch’s Big Ol’ Band on the album Pocono Git-Down, and with American rock band The Felice Brothers on the album, Undress, where she was featured on their title track.

Amidst her eclectic collaborations, Kate's classical saxophone background remains a significant aspect of her musical journey. She has studied and performed with esteemed saxophonists Eugene Rousseau, David Stambler, Christopher Creviston, Frederick Hemke, and The Capitol Quartet. During her graduate studies at Northern Illinois University, Kate made history as the first saxophonist to win the Concerto Competition, delivering a performance of Ingolf Dahl’s “Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Orchestra”. More recently, Kate was honored to serve as the featured guest artist at Millersville University’s annual Single Reed Symposium, where she performed Claude T. Smith’s “Fantasia for Alto Saxophone and Band”, alongside the university's premiere wind ensemble.

Presently, Kate is teaching applied saxophone at Mansfield University and Director of Bands at Wyoming Seminary Lower School. She additionally offers masterclasses and workshops to aspiring musicians wherever she goes and pursues an active performance schedule throughout the NEPA region. She earned her Bachelor of Music Performance degree at Penn State University and her Master of Music Jazz Studies degree at Northern Illinois University.

Jessica Hopkins

Associate Academy Director

Beginning Guitar

Jessica Hopkins currently serves as the Director of Bands at Loyalsock Township High School, where she leads the Symphonic Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and the award-winning Lancer Marching Band, and teaches a curricular Jazz Studies class and beginning guitar course. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the band program, including rehearsals, performances, and student development while fostering a collaborative and high-achieving environment.

After earning her Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Pennsylvania State University in 2021, Hopkins began her teaching career in Fall 2021 as Assistant Marching Band Director at Abington Heights, where she taught marching techniques and music rehearsals, and assisted with administrative duties. She then began teaching at Valley View Elementary as a general music teacher in Spring 2022. Later that year, she joined Abington Heights as an elementary music teacher and continued to work with the marching band. In 2023, Hopkins transitioned to Loyalsock Township High School to assume her current position, where she has continued to expand and elevate the band program.

In addition to her teaching roles, Hopkins has contributed to the development of young musicians through her work with the Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble. She began conducting the group in 2022, serving as Assistant Conductor for one year and Associate Conductor for two years. She also serves as Assistant Director and faculty member at the Summer Music Academy, a role she has held for three years, helping to guide aspiring musicians.

Outside of her teaching and conducting responsibilities, Hopkins is an active performer, playing with the Williamsport Flute Choir, where she continues to contribute to the local music community.

Dr. Elise Bond

Clarinet Faculty

Woodwind Ensemble

Dr. Elise Bond is a Baltimore-based clarinetist and music educator who places human connection at the forefront of her work, striving to uplift and inspire others through her teaching and performing. Elise is currently the Lecturer of Clarinet at Marywood University in Scranton, PA, where she also teaches woodwind methods and conducts the clarinet choir.

As a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, Elise researches methods of promoting mental wellness in collegiate music students and serves as a member of the International Clarinet Association’s Health and Wellness Committee. In addition to her academic position, Elise is an active freelancer and performs regularly with orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the Mid- Atlantic region.

Elise received her Doctor of Music degree in Clarinet Literature and Performance from Indiana University in 2021, with prior degrees from the University of Maryland (MM, 2014) and Eastman School of Music (BM, 2010). Her primary teachers include James Campbell, Robert DiLutis, and Kenneth Grant.

Michael Parker

Brass Faculty

Michael Parker is currently on the faculty at Marywood University as a lecturer in brass studies and hip hop history. Parker is in high demand as a soloist and clinician. As a soloist Parker has presented recitals and lecture recitals at several of the International Tuba and Euphonium Associations Regional Conferences and the 2017 International Women’s Brass Conference. Parker began his solo career appearing on nearly every recital series in the Baltimore/ Washington Metropolitan region including such venues as the Strathmore Mansion, the Martin Luther King Jr Public Library, and the United States Department of State.

As a member of the Monumental Brass Quintet for over fifteen years Michael was on the artist rosters for Summit Records, Washington Performing Arts Society, Young Audiences of Virginia, Class Acts Arts, and Living Arts Pennsylvania. Michael is an advocate for new music and has commissioned, performed, and recorded several works and arrangements both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. Michael has toured the United States extensively and has performed with such groups as the Washington National Opera, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, Binghamton Philharmonic, Northeastern Philharmonic, Fairfax Symphony, Lyric Brass, and the Missouri Brass Consortium. Parker has formerly taught at the University of Scranton, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Bloomsburg University, and the Peabody Preparatory division of Johns Hopkins University.

Michael received a BMus in Tuba from Northwestern University under the tutelage of Rex Martin and pursued graduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he studied tuba with Dr. David Kutz and musicology with Dr. Michael J. Budds. Before attending college, Michael studied tuba with Cathy Cole in Washington State. Michael Parker is the founder and primary operator for Parker Mouthpieces currently producing mouthpieces for trombone, tuba, and euphonium. Michael lives in Bloomsburg with his wife Victoria, sons Christian and Benjamin. Michael enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, riding bicycles, motorcycles, and skateboards.

Kayla Furman

Oboe Faculty

Woodwind Ensemble

Kayla Furman is a woodwind specialist with nearly 20 years of teaching experience. She is a graduate of Mansfield University where she studied music education with a focus on double reeds. While there, she played with the top instrumental ensembles such as the Mansfield Concert Wind Ensemble. Kayla has performed with many chamber ensembles as well. Since then, she has continued to teach privately as well as playing professionally in the area with various orchestras, bands, and pit orchestras on a variety of woodwind instruments.

Vincent LoRusso

Academy Director

Conducting

Wind Ensemble

Vincent LoRusso is a conductor, educator, performer, and clinician with over twenty-five years of experience leading bands, orchestras, and jazz ensembles of all levels. Mr. LoRusso currently serves as the Director of Bands at Blue Ridge High School in New Milford, PA, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble, Director of the Marywood University Jazz Ambassadors, the Marywood Summer Music Academy, the Diocesan Bands of Scranton, and as Associate Conductor and Committee Chairman of the Pennsylvania Lions All-State Band.

Mr. LoRusso’s conducting credits include Performance Tours of Italy, Spain, Detroit, Minneapolis, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Toronto, Boston, Nashville, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Carnegie Hall. He is a four-time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence and holds degrees from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and Marywood University. He has studied conducting with Robert Garofalo, Ph.D, Kate Tamarkin D.M.A, Robert Zellner, and F. David Romines Ph.D..

When there is time away from the podium, Mr. LoRusso is an active performer, including leading his own eight-piece Bavarian Brass Band, the Schützengiggles Oompah Band at various venues along the east coast. He participated in the 2023 Saluting America’s Band Directors Marching Band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City with 425 other directors from across the United States. He is an obsessive (read: frustrated) NY Yankees and NY Giants fan – devoted husband to the most patient and understanding wife the world has ever seen, Maria – and the biggest supporter of his 10-year old wonderkid (and flautist), Cecilia.

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