Erin Althen is a music teacher, performer, conductor, clinician, and author whose life’s work is sharing music with students in a way that they connect to the most fulfilling, authentic, and light-filled expression of their being. Ms. Althen is in her twenty-second year teaching in the Westhill Central School District in Syracuse, New York, where she serves as the Westhill High School Director of Bands and Chair of the Fine Arts Department; conducts the WHS Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab, Percussion Ensemble, Pit Band, and Pep Band; advises the Tri-M National Honor Society for music; and coaches chamber music ensembles. Ms. Althen is the founder and co-conductor of the Syracuse Youth Wind Symphony; co-founder of the Central New York Music Teacher Mentoring Program, and co-authored The Sight Reading Book, a series of 21 sight-reading books carefully aligned with state-specific criteria. Ms. Althen maintains a private flute studio and has performed on flute and piccolo with various music educator wind bands and orchestras. She is active as a clinician and guest conductor and has led honor ensembles and presented clinics to music educators at County, State, and National conferences. Ms. Althen is the proud recipient of the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA) Outstanding Band Director Award, National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) New York State Outstanding Music Educator Award, the Westhill Staff Recognition Award and Yearbook Dedication, and is deeply honored to have been named as one of 25 semifinalists for the 2025 Grammy Music Educator Award. Ms. Althen holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education with Performance Honors in Flute from Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music, and is a graduate of the Farmington Public Schools, in Farmington, Connecticut. 

Joseph Buchmann is the Director of Choirs at Westhill High School where he conducts the High School Concert Choir, as well as four select choirs (Westhill Singers, AmBASSadors, Sirens and Octane).  Mr. Buchmann is also the Music Director for the High School Musical and the Theatrical Director/Producer for the Fall Drama.  Mr. Buchmann’s choirs have competed and performed throughout many parts of the country including New York City, Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., Annapolis, Baltimore, Gatlinburg, Orlando, Virginia Beach and performed for a NY Mets baseball game.  He has conducted many festival choirs and All-County groups including a 700 member choir at Singfest. He has taught thousands of students and have students performing and stage managing on Broadway, National Tours, Hollywood and many theaters, and organizations throughout the USA and Europe.  Mr. Buchmann, a Lyric Baritone, and has performed professionally in over 40 Operas and Musicals singing leading and ensembles roles.  Mr. Buchmann holds a bachelor’s, master’s degree and a performance certificate from The Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam).  

Elizabeth Buell is Director of Bands at Onondaga Hill Middle School in the Westhill Central School District in Syracuse, New York, where she teaches sixth, seventh and eighth grade bands, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, woodwind lessons, and various small ensembles. A native of Cazenovia, New York, she received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the State of New York at Fredonia in 2000 and Master of Music Education Degree from Ithaca College in 2005. Elizabeth is a long-standing member and past board member of the New York State Band Directors’ Association. Her students are actively involved in Onondaga County Music Educators’ Association All-County bands and jazz ensembles, NYSSMA solo and major festivals, regional jazz festivals, and community outreach performances. In 2013, she co-authored The Rhythm Curriculum, a supplemental method created to systematically teach and reinforce rhythm-reading skills to developing musicians. Ms. Buell serves as co-conductor for the Allegro Youth Wind Ensemble, a Central New York based honors wind band. She performs on baritone saxophone in the Central Winds Music Educators’ Wind Ensemble and has maintained an active private lesson studio for nearly twenty years. In 2013, she established the Westhill Summer Band Camp and in 2016 expanded the program to include the Westhill Instrumental Masterclass Workshops. Ms. Buell currently resides in Syracuse, New York, with her daughters Addison and Sydney.

Danielle Cieply is the Director of Choirs at Onondaga Hill Middle School where she conducts fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade Choirs, Harmonizers (OHMS Select Choir), the spring musical and teaches 5th and 6th grade General Music. Prior to arriving to Westhill, Mrs. Cieply taught music for 13 years in the Liverpool Central School District. She received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Spanish from SUNY Potsdam (The Crane School of Music) and master’s degree in Music Education from Syracuse University. Mrs. Cieply has also studied and taught through the Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. Mrs. Cieply has Co-Assistant Directed the Liverpool Warrior Marching Band, LCSD Middle School Percussion Line, worked with the West Genesee Marching Band, taught privately and sung & played flute in church choirs and worship teams in the CNY area. Mrs. Cieply is currently the music teacher for CSPA: Christian School of Performing Arts. Mrs. Cieply resides in Camillus with her husband and two young children. 

Sarah Colaluca is the Elementary Music teacher for both Walberta Park Primary School and Cherry Road Elementary School. Sarah grew up in Marcellus playing trumpet in the band and participating in choir and drama. Mrs. Colaluca has a BFA in Theater Arts from Rutgers University and an MFA in Music Education from Montclair State University. Sarah spent several years living and teaching in New Jersey before coming back home to CNY and happily joining the Westhill family. Mrs. Colaluca teaches General Music for all kindergarten through fourth grade students, conducts the third and fourth grade choirs, and is the director of the Fourth Grade Drama Club's "sound crew." Mrs. Colaluca's goal is to instill a love and appreciation for music in all her students. She encourages them all to always try their best in her class and most importantly, have fun!

Corey Riley has taught instrumental music in public schools in Ohio and New York since 2010.  He is the Associate Director of Bands at Westhill High School, in Syracuse, New York, where he directs the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, chamber music groups, and teaches brass and percussion lessons to students in grades 6-12.  In addition, Mr. Riley teaches music theory and studio music classes, and is the advisor of the Westhill High School Audio Engineering and Production Club.  In the Summer, he acts as the Assistant Technical Director for the Skaneateles Music Festival.  Mr. Riley received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Euphonium Performance from The Ohio State University and master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Syracuse University.  Mr. Riley serves on the New York State Band Directors’ Association Executive Board as the 2nd Vice President of Membership and also as Website Editor. He regularly performs with the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, Bones East, Salt City Tuba Euphonium Quartet, and the Central Winds Music Educators’ Wind Ensemble.