Celebration of Music Education

Sue Fay Allen and Carl Klingenschmitt may have officially retired—she from her position as music coordinator for Amherst Schools as well as middle school choral teacher and founder of Bel Canto Choirs, he from his engineering career at Bell Aerospace—but “retirement” hardly describes their ongoing community impact.

Since 1994, this energetic pair has been instrumental in connecting the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) with the wider community. Sue Fay, described by colleagues as an “Energizer bunny” of ideas, founded the Community Spotlight program, now in its’ 30^th year, which showcases student performances before BPO concerts while offering reduced-price tickets to attendees. Her extensive work with student/BPO activities also includes leading the Amherst Bel Canto Choirs at numerous concerts and developing musician/student outreach programs.

Carl, the consummate problem-solver, established crucial connections between the BPO and regional music education associations (ECMEA/NCMEA). He founded and currently chairs Friends of the BPO, coordinating the organization’s volunteer efforts, serving the BPO and raising money. Together, they’ve served in virtually every volunteer position within the organization and can often be found staffing the Friday morning Coffee Concerts.

Their shared commitment to musical education led them to create the Young Musicians Scholarship program, providing grants to college-bound high school seniors pursuing music degrees. Both also serve on the BPO education committee. However, their community service extends beyond the BPO. As officers of the Clarence Concert Association, they help organize eight free summer concerts at the Town Park. Carl also serves as Conservation Chair for the Town of Newstead, while Sue Fay sings in her church choir.

Both would insist that none of their accomplishments would be possible without the dedication of countless volunteers, supportive teachers, and the enthusiastic backing of the Buffalo Philharmonic’s board and staff.

 

Lawrence Dubill is a music educator, band director, performing percussionist, composer, golf coach, husband and father. Lawrence has been teaching in public schools for over 30 years and has directed bands/ensembles at Hamburg High School in Hamburg, NY since 1998.  He directs the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble. and Percussion Ensemble.  In addition, he directed the Symphonic Band for 23 years. Lawrence has coached golf for over 17 years at Hamburg and has also coached ice hockey in the Buffalo, NY area.

The Hamburg High School Bands have won top awards (Superior ratings, New York State School Music Association Gold with Distinction Designations) throughout the years. They performed at the New York State’s School Music Association’s annual conference. The Hamburg High School bands performed at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC, been featured at a concert at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center in New York City, numerous parades at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and participated in clinics with the US Naval Academy Band. The High School Jazz Ensemble has toured Japan four times and has hosted the Kanazawa Jazz-21 Jazz Orchestra three times in subsequent years.

Lawrence served as director of the SUNY Fredonia Concert Band in 2024 where he mentored and taught Fredonia college music majors.

Lawrence is an active performer in the Buffalo, NY area.  He has performed with the Western New York Chamber Orchestra, Erie County Wind Ensemble, Clarence Summer Orchestra, Orchard Park Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, Peoria Symphony (Principal Timpanist), Champaign/Urbana Symphony (Principal Timpanist), Sinfonia da Camera, IL (Principal Timpani/Percussionist), and Akron Symphony Orchestra.

Tami Feldman has taught music for over twenty-six years and is currently in her seventeenth
year with the Orchard Park Central School District. Mrs. Feldman grew up in Western New York
and graduated from West Valley Central School. She went on to attend Wheaton College
Conservatory of Music in Illinois and received her BME from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa,
Oklahoma and her MM from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She also earned
Levels I and II in Orff-Schulwerk at the Eastman School of Music. Mrs. Feldman began her
teaching career in Central New York at Cincinnatus Central School, where she taught K-12
Vocal Music and later moved into the Instrumental Music position. While teaching at
Cincinnatus, Tami gained experience teaching all levels of general music, instrumental lessons,
chorus, and band. She also directed swing choir, jazz band, marching band, and the high school
musicals. The experience she gained during these early years of teaching laid the groundwork
for the rest of Mrs. Feldman’s career. Upon returning to Western New York, Tami taught both
Vocal and Instrumental Music for North Collins, Lakeshore, and Orchard Park school districts.
Currently, Mrs. Feldman teaches Instrumental Music to Fourth and Fifth Grade students at
Eggert and Ellicott Elementary Schools and directs the Beginning and Advanced Bands. She
has also directed the Eggert/Ellicott Fifth Grade Jazz Band and has been a front
ensemble/percussion instructor for the Quaker Marching Band. Outside of school, Mrs.
Feldman served as Choir Director for the Wesleyan Church of Orchard Park for fifteen years.
Tami is a longtime member of ECMEA and is appreciative of the experiences that ECMEA has
provided for her students over the years. Tami and her husband, David, reside in Orchard Park
and are the proud parents of three adult children: Emi, Nate, and Maddie- all proud OP alumni.

 

Thomas Stroth is in his thirty-eighth year of teaching in the Clarence School District, currently directing the Clarence Middle School Sixth Grade Band and teaching instrumental lessons at Clarence Middle School and Sheridan Hill Elementary. During his first ten years, he spent time in a variety of roles; at the elementary level as general music teacher, instrumental lesson teacher (band and strings), orchestra director and band director; at the middle school as percussion instructor; at the high school as percussion instructor and jazz ensemble director. He assumed directorship of the Clarence High School Concert Band upon its creation in 1997 and held that position through the 2012-2013 school year. He also served for ten years as the Clarence Central School District Music Department Coordinator, and for one term as chairman of the Erie County Council of Music Coordinators. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the State University College at Fredonia, and holds a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the University at Buffalo.

Tom has performed as a percussionist with several musical ensembles in the Western New York area, including the Fredonia Chamber Players (now Western New York Chamber Orchestra), Erie County Wind Ensemble, Orchard Park Symphony, Western New York Children’s Chorus (now Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus), Erie Chamber Orchestra, the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, and the Amherst Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted the All-County Elementary Orchestra and All-County Elementary Band in Erie County, NY, was a guest conductor with the Clarence Center/Sheridan Hill 5th Grade Band at the New York State Band Director’s Symposium in Syracuse, NY, and with the Clarence High School Wind Ensemble at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL.  He is a member of the Erie County Music Educators Association, the New York State School Music Association, the New York State Band Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education and the Percussive Arts Society.  He resides in East Amherst with his wife, Theresa, and is the proud father of two grown sons, TJ and Connor.

Claudia Tower Andres is honored to be a recipient of this award and would like to thank her family and her Niagara County colleagues for their support.  Mrs. Andres grew up in rural Niagara county then studied music at N.C.C.C., the Crane School of Music (Education) and Arizona State University (piano performance – accompanying)  She has been teaching for over forty years; thirty in the public school system (Niagara Falls and currently Wilson CSD) as well as decades teaching private piano, coaching and accompanying soloists, choruses and musicals, performing classical, jazz and rock as soloist and in ensembles, working as organist and choir director and directing musical theater productions.  She is so grateful to have been able to work with students from 5 to 85 and with people from all walks of life and areas in western New York.

Claudia has been blessed with an amazing family – her husband Dr. Jerome Andres, six incredible children and ten (so far!) beautiful grandchildren.  Upon retiring this year she will be visiting family, traveling, gardening, teaching privately –  and always making music!

Angelina Fetterly is a Senior at Clarence High School. She has been involved in many musical productions in the district and the Music Academy of Western New York. Angelina has been studying private voice under Raffi Wright for 2 years. She has also studied violin with Aimee Vredenberg (4 years) and piano with Dr. Lorraine Abbott (6 years). In school, Angelina served as the President, Student Conductor and Section Leader of Treble Chorus, Librarian of Chorale, and Student Director of Chamber Choir. She is an active member of National Honors Society, Drama Club, Future Teachers of America, Student Council, Leadership Club, Bella Voce, Vocal Jazz, and the Academy of Visual and Performing and Arts. She has participated in ECMEA All-County and Conference All-State, and is honored and excited to be a part of the 2025 All- Eastern Mixed Chorus Honor Ensemble. She has also performed with the Empire Tour through American Music Aboard, the U.S Navy Little Creek Amphibious Base, VA(invitation from the Pentagon), and Disney Springs, FL with Clarence High School Chorale. She was also chosen to perform with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus under the Aspiring Voices program. She is currently awaiting an internship with Buffalo Opera Unlimited. Angelina plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University and study classical voice at the Conservatory of Music in the fall.

Samuel Liam Gugliuzza, a senior at Canisius High School, has been a violin student at Buffalo Suzuki Strings for the past thirteen years. He began playing the violin at age five under the guidance of Ms. Klansee Reynolds and Ms. Emily Greetham and is currently studying with Mrs. Lauren Eastlack. Sam has been a member of the BSS Advanced Ensemble since seventh grade, an experience that gave him the opportunity to travel to Portugal during the group’s 2024 tour. Sam has also been a first violinist in the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra for three years and enjoys performing its diverse repertoire. Beyond music, Sam plays on his school’s varsity golf and lacrosse teams. Sam is also a member of the National Honor Society and serves as a Class of 2025 prefect on the student council. This fall, Sam plans to attend the University of Michigan, where he will pursue a dual path in Pre-dental and Violin Performance.

Aidan Tardif is a senior at Frontier High School, and has been playing trombone for 9 years while also studying privately under Robert King. For most of his career he performed on tenor trombone but during his sophomore year made a switch to playing bass trombone as well. For two seasons now he has held the position of principal bass trombone in the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra, and leads a brass quintet group within the organization. He’s also been invited to play at NYSSMA Conference All-State twice as well as ECMEA for 4 years. He has participated in solo masterclasses with Larry Zalkind and Mark Kellogg at the Eastman School of Music and has taken lessons from members of the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Pittsburgh Symphony. And recently was awarded the Barb Malyak Scholarship at the 2025 ECMEA All-County Festival, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding candidate attending a four year college pursuing a degree in Music Education. 

In addition to his musical achievements, Aidan has held Class and Student Government leadership roles. He’s involved in National Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society, French Club, Ecology Club, and Ski Club. He plans to double major in Music Education and Bass Trombone Performance next year.

Ethan Hart is a saxophonist who is currently a senior at Williamsville North High School.  A native of Buffalo, New York, Ethan started with music when he was nine, insisting on playing the Saxophone.  He learned a lot about music from his parents Chris and Michelle Hart, who are both music teachers, as well as the wonderful directors, private teachers, and band mates throughout his time as a musician.  Ethan has participated in a series of honor groups including ECMEA All-County, NYSSMA Area and Conference All-State, and NAfME All-Eastern.  He is also a member of the Vitko Big Band.  Ethan hopes to further his musical understanding as a music major focusing on Music Education and Jazz Studies.

2024  KeyBank

2023  The Vincent and Harriet Palisano Foundation

2022  James Schwanz, Buffalo Public Schools

2021  All WNY Music Educators

2020  Jody Covington, Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, Buffalo Public Schools

2019  Daniel Lewis, Mary Lavin and Julie Flanagan, Amherst Central School District

2018  The Tower Family Fund

2017  The Montgomery Family Foundation

2016  NOCO and the Donald F. and Barbara L. Newman Foundation

2015  Harter Secrest & Emery LLP

2014  George and Bodil Gellman

2013  Time Warner Cable, Matthew Tremblay, Northeast Communications Specialist

2012  Allentown Villiage Society, Inc. Mary Myszkiewicz, President

2011  District Superintendents (Leadership Team) of Western New York BOCES

Donald Ogilvie, Erie 1 BOCES
Robert Guiffreda, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
Clark Godshall, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
Robert Olczak, Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES

2010  Dr. James A. Williams, Superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools

2024  Joseph Buckle
2024  William Larrabee
2024  Mary Kay Ortolano

2023  Trevor Jelowski
2023  Alicia Struckmann
2023  Rudy Tichy
2023  Annelle VanNortwick

2022  Daniel DeAngelis

2021  Randy Czosnyka
2021  Betsy Gengo
2021  Ken Kowalski

2020  Charlene Brooks
2020  Cara Calabrese
2020  Craig Poissant

2019  George Kroetsch
2019  Lynne Ruda
2019  Louis Vitello

2018  John Blickwedehl
2018  Justin Pomietlarz
2018  Christine Reed

2017  James DesJardins
2017  Pim Liebmann
2017  Michael Robertson
2017  Andrea Runfola

2016  Eric Blodgett
2016  Chris Gawlak
2016  Doug Shaw

2015  John Iocco
2015  Donna Kerr
2015  Diane Sullivan

2014  Mark Flynn
2014  Wayne Moose
2014  Maureen Reilly
2014  Joe & Edie Clouse, J&E Instrument Service

2013  Keith Ersing
2013  Karen Robinson
2013  Walter and Pat Pidgeon

2012  Michael Conte
2012  Heather Holden
2012  Debra Komosinski

2011  Phil Aguglia
2011  John Hasselback
2011  Julie Furlong

2010  Alan Reed
2010  William Staebell

2009  Kristie Schlewitt
2009  Michael Shaw
2009  Dr. Roy Clare

2008  Chris Revett
2008  Evonne Michel
2008  Karen Williams

2007  Nora Murnane
2007  Richard Goss

2006  John Kryder
2006  Cristina Voto
2006  Timothy Gastle
2006  Marni Conte

2005  Dr. Maria Runfola
2005  Pamela Christie
2005  Norman Zogaib
2005  Craig Incontro

2004  Dr. Charles Stoddart
2004  Deborah Imiolo-Shriver
2004  Carolyn Lokken
2004  Martin Allen

2003  Gary Stith
2003  Joan Boissonnault
2003  Donald Carducci
2003  Cynthia Mayo

2002  Matthew Cool
2002  Michael Ried
2002  Vivian Johnston
2002  Barbara Wagner

2001  Dr. Joseph Casimino
2001  Nanci Bailey
2001  Ann Mosner
2001  Ronald Case
2001  Dr. Patricia Chiodo

2000  Kirstin Peltz
2000  Rosemary Dayton
2000  Stephen Shewan
2000  Mark & Cecilia Morette

1999  Teresa Ferraro
1999  David Cohen
1999  Terrence Gamble
1999  Dr. James Harris
1999  Cynthia Ripley

1998  Catherine Sutherland
1998  Steven Thomas
1998  Gary Lee
1998  John Maguda
1998  Eleanor Hoch

1997  Marsha Kushin
1997  John Fleischman
1997  Allan Ripley
1997  Betty Lou Cranston

1996  Nancy Seel
1996  Paul Kroll
1996  Sue Fay Allen
1996  Elizabeth Venator
1996  William Weikert

1995  Marie Sullivan
1995  Marcia Giambrone
1995  Clarke Elliott
1995  Al Hemer

2024  Deborah Hutter, Lockport City School District

2023  Judy Peterson, Newfane Central School District

2022  Megan Dray, Lockport City Schools

2021  Wallace Goodman, Niagara-Wheatfield & Wilson Central School Districts

2020  Kevin Duncan, Lewiston-Porter Central School District

2019  April Carere, North Tonawanda City School District

2018  Roger VanDette, Starpoint Central School District

2017  Eileen Brusino, Lockport City School District

2016  Linda Werder, Niagara Falls City School District

2015  Christine Riederer, Niagara Wheatfield Central School District

2014  Dean Vallas, North Tonawanda City School District

2013  Ken Fick, Niagara Wheatfield Central School District

2012  Paul Wos, Niagara Falls City School District

2011  Norman Alexander, North Tonawanda City Schools

2024  Marc Vredenburg, Williamsville South High School, cello
2024  Matthew Russell, Lancaster High School, saxophone
2024  Paul Wittmer, Williamsville South High School, bassoon

2023  Annelyse Wilson, Williamsville East High School, oboe
2023  Jonathan Yi, Clarence High School, cello
2023  Rebekah Grande, Amherst Central High School, voice

2022  Charles Hibschweiler, Clarence High School, trombone
2022  Paul LaGreca, Lockport High School, alto saxophone
2022  Jackson Kelly, Amherst Central High School, voice

2021  Morgan Chalmers, Clarence High School, French horn
2021  Aubrey Gerhardt, Iroquois High School, clarinet
2021  Madelyn Stoklosa, Interlochen Arts Academy & Frontier Central High School, trombone

2020  Ben Mekinulov, Amherst Central High School, cello
2020  Stephanie Magera, Clarence High School, tuba
2020  Leah Streety, Iroquois High School, violin

2019  Alexander Neubert, Kenmore East High School, bassoon
2019  Matthew Cone, Williamsville East High School, violin
2019  Liam McManus, Lancaster High School, percussion

2018  Mia Fasanello, Clarence High School, oboe
2018  Frank Wendelin, Williamsville South High School, guitar
2018  Adam Kluge, Williamsville East High School, voice

2017  Jarod Yap, Clarence High School, piano
2017  Christophe Koenig, East Aurora High School, violin
2017  Drew Cone, Williamsville East High School, cello

2016  James Featherstone, Amherst Central High School, piano
2016  Madeline Ferguson, Williamsville East High School, clarinet
2016  Sarah Troeller, Clarence High School, cello

2015  Grace Ann Lee, Williamsville East High School, cello
2015  Lauren Scanio, Clarence High School, flute
2015  Angel Rhodes, Orchard Park High School, violin

2014  Duo Xu, Williamsville East High School, piano
2014  Teagan Faran, Williamsville East High School, violin
2014  Alexander Cousins, Grand Island High School, cello

2013  Cindy Q. Xue, Williamsville East High School, violin
2013  Aaron Schuman, Kenmore West High School, trumpet
2013  Joseph Desotelle, Williamsville East High School, percussion/marimba

2012  Leonard Ranallo, Sweet Home High School, classical guitar
2012  Audrey Yu, Williamsville East High School, oboe
2012  Anneliese Feist, Frontier Central High School, euphonium

2011  Anne Barr, Hamburg High School, voice
2011  Nicole Elizabeth Murray, West Seneca East Senior High School, flute
2011  Donal Sheets, Orchard Park High School, cello

2010  Joseph Mohan, Clarence High School, piano
2010  Joseph Isom, Williamsville East High School, cello
2010  Jilene VanOpdorp, Williamsville South High School, flute

2009  Joseph LoCicero, Christian Central Academy, viola
2009  Jay Louis Dref, Buffalo Academy for Visual & Performing Arts, voice
2009  Bradley Whitney, East Aurora High School, clarinet

2008  Michael Zuber, Frontier High School, bassoon
2008  Hilary Lee, Home School, piano
2008  Alina Jeon, Williamsville East High School, oboe

2007  Ana Lia Vafai, Buffalo City Honors, violin
2007  Lara Somogyi, Orchard Park High School, harp

2006 Lauren Yu, Williamsville East High School, bassoon
2006  Christopher Rogerson, Amherst High School, cello

2005  Jennifer Christen, Frontier High School, oboe
2005  Stephen C. Price, Buffalo Academy for Visual & Performing Arts, pipe organ

2004  Erica Snowden-Rodriguez, Clarence High School, cello
2004  Christopher Ziemba, Williamsville East High School, piano

2003  Justin Gopol, Williamsville North High School, violin
2003  Juliette Jones, Amherst High School, violin

2002  Lauren Zang-Eastlack, Clarence High School, violin

2001  Maureen Pohlman, Clarence High School, violin

2000  Sabatino Scirri, Clarence High School, flute
2000  Gregory Stass, Amherst High School, double bass

2024  Cade Wyles, Amherst Central High School, cello

2023  Vincent Conlon, Lancaster High School, harp/voice

2022  Aidan Carney, Lancaster High School, tuba

2021  Aubrey Gerhardt, Iroquois High School, clarinet