Korliss Uecker

Degrees & Studies

Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Juilliard School.
Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Dakota
Registered Nurse before she began her singing career.

Division

Vocal Studies

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Faculty since

Performances & Distinctions

The Financial Times (London) acclaimed that “Korliss Uecker, a bright and pretty
American soprano, was charming, crystalline of voice and sparkling as an actress.” Uecker
has sung over 150 performances at the Metropolitan Opera including Susanna in the
Marriage of Figaro (international broadcast), Marzelline in Fidelio, Oscar in A Masked Ball,
and Valencienne in The Merry Widow. She appeared in the The Elixir of Love with Lucianno
Pavarotti and in Carmen with Placido Domingo. Other credits include Stella in A Streetcar
Named Desire in Strasbourg, France; Sybil in the Picture of Dorian Gray with Opera de
Monte Carlo; the Wexford Festival, Santa Fe Opera, Hawaii Opera Theater, Opera Caracas,
Glimmerglass Opera, Washington National Opera Kennedy Center, Pittsburgh Opera, the
Spoleto Festival, the Ravinia Festival, the Tanglewood Festival, the United States Naval
Academy and the Library of Congress.

Douglas Bish

Degrees & Studies

B.M., University of the Pacific; M.M., University of Oregon; Artist Diploma in Clarinet, Vienna Music Academy (Austria); D.M.A., Boston University

Division

Dean, Prep Theory, Clarinet, Chamber Ensembles

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Faculty since 2006

Born In

Menlo Park, California

Performances & Distinctions

Solo and recital appearances throughout Europe, the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Principal clarinetist with such ensembles as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Philharmonic, Charleston (SC) Symphony, ALEA III (Boston), American Chamber Winds, Northwest Clarinet Quartet, Keystone Wind Ensemble, Tanglewood’s Fromm Festival, and on Broadway. A recording contract with the Austrian National Radio. A music faculty member at Boston University, the Boston Conservatory of Music, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; and Dean at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and City College of San Francisco. Clarinet student of William Dominik, Robert Vagner, Rudolf Jettel (Vienna Philharmonic) and Pasquale Cardillo (Boston Symphony). Conducting a study with Hans Swarovsky. Dr. Bish has conducted professional, community, and academic orchestras and wind bands around the world, and high school All-State, Area All-State, and Regional bands and orchestras in seventeen of the United States. Formerly the Conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of the Music Conservatory of Westchester, he currently serves as the Conservatory’s Dean of Students and Faculty.

Teaching Philosophy

“Sharing the benefits of music study with another individual is a chance to connect on a personal level through an artistic medium respected and revered throughout history. Over the years, I have taught a few students who were so passionate about their study of the clarinet that they were driven to become professional musicians, and several have succeeded in achieving that goal. But for most of my students, learning about music through the study of their instrument is the best way ultimately to develop an appreciation of music, and all the arts, in a deeper and more meaningful way than the person who has not committed themselves to this practice. Music is largely responsible for shaping my life and my perception of the world, and sharing this with others through the clarinet or saxophone, by teaching orchestral conducting, coaching chamber music, or conducting bands and orchestras continues to be my great privilege. From my own experience, I know that studying music changes lives for the better, often profoundly, and every day in this wonderful career as a music teacher I consider to be a gift.”

Renee Guerrero

Degrees & Studies

B.M., Texas State University, San Marcos; M.M. and Professional Studies Certificate, Manhattan School of Music

Division

Piano, Prep Accompanist

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Faculty since 2009

Born In

San Jose, California

Performances & Distinctions

New York City solo debut at Yamaha Young Artist Showcase. Appearances at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall under the auspices of the Italian Academy Foundation, at Kaufman Center’s Merkin Hall, and internationally at the Young & Jazz festival in Amalfi, Italy, where she performed George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and the International Music Festival in Osimo, Italy. As a collaborative pianist, she has performed with Bronx Opera, New Rochelle Opera, VoiceExperience with Sherrill Milnes, the Altamura Arts Festival, and numerous performances under the baton of Maestro Anton Coppola. Ms. Guerrero is music director of Leonia Presbyterian Church, piano faculty member for the Narnia Festival in Umbria, Italy, and has served as a vocal coach at the Altamura Arts festival.

Celeste Simone

Degrees & Studies

BM in Voice from the Manhattan School of Music.

Division

Vocal Masterclass

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Guest Artist

Performances & Distinctions

As a vocal teacher and coach Celeste has worked with Adam Chandler-Beret, Chita Rivera, Didi Conn, Sally Kellerman, Loni Ackermann, Elaine Joyce Simon, actress Amy Irving, composer David Shire, American Idol’s Kimberly Locke, Dancing with the Stars’ Mark Ballas, Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess, from the TV show Legacies Danielle Rose Russell, Broadway Empire’s and Netflix’s The Family Ben Rosenfeld, and Kristin Chenoweth. She has worked alongside Andrew Lloyd Weber and director Joel Schumacher as the NY vocal coach for Gerard Butler on the movie Phantom of the Opera. Celeste’s voice students have appeared on Broadway in Moulin Rouge, Hamilton, The Lion King, Chicago, Gypsy, Nine, Wicked, Spamalot, Tarzan, The Color Purple, The Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, Hollywood Arms with Carol Burnet, The Grinch, The Carnegie Hall concert version of South Pacific (starring Reba MacIntyre, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Alec Baldwin), West Side Story, Baby It’s You, Rent, Follies, Next to Normal, Billy Elliot, Peter and the Star Catcher, Shrek, Once, Newsies, Matilda, Beauty and The Beast, The Producers, and the 1st national of The Band’s Visit. Many of Celeste students have been nominated for The Roger Rees Award for Excellence in Student Performance. In 2018, student Alyssa McDonald took home the award.

Justin Kessler

Division

Recording Session Techniques

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Faculty since 2023

Performances & Distinctions

Justin Kessler is a Record Producer, Songwriter, and award-winning Recording Engineer with a wealth of experience in the music business. Having worked for major record labels, including the Verve Music Group, Blue Man Productions, and Atlantic Lava, as well as in many of the top recording studios in the New York area, his resume includes names such as Bob Dylan, P Diddy, The Black Crowes, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Richie Havens, Steven Tyler, Idina Menzel, Dr. John, and many more. He is also an accomplished musician, performing live at venues across the US and appearing regularly on recordings as a guitarist, bassist, and singer, as well as on mandolin, banjo, drums, and keyboard instruments.

Teaching Philosophy

Justin currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music Production & Recording Arts at Mercy College, where he shares his expertise with the next generation of music professionals. He is also a dedicated teacher of mindfulness and meditation, helping others cultivate inner peace and wellness.

Paige Sabo

Degrees & Studies

BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona.

Division

Dance

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Faculty since 2023

Performances & Distinctions

Paige Sabo is a professional dancer, actor, and singer based in NYC. She recently toured the nation with the National Tours of South Pacific and An American in Paris (US Lise Dassin). Other credits include: In The Mood (Swing Dancer/Dance Captain) National and Australia Tours, The Music Man (US Zaneeta) and Peter Pan (Lost Boy/Jane) at North Shore Music Theatre. She is also a proud company member of AlmaNYC, a dance collective in NYC.

Amy Griffin

Division

Acting

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Faculty since 2023

Performances & Distinctions

Professional actor, Broadway veteran, director, teacher, and coach. Directing credits include: Aida, Tuck Everlasting,  I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and the critically acclaimed production of Fun Home at White Plains PAC; The 39 Steps, Shout!, The Taffetas (Depot Theatre); Blue’s Clues Live (Nickelodeon); Lonely Hearts Club (Triad, NYC); Oregon, Closet Space, Occupied (Music Theatre of Connecticut). Associate director: Annie (Engeman), The Producers (Argyle), Les Miserables (Antrim). Acting credits: How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (Broadway); Off-Broadway: The English Bride, Forbidden Broadway, Mr. President, Infertility,  Newsical, Once Upon A Mattress (w/Jackie Hoffman); First National Tours: Seussical The Musical and Grinch.  www.Amy-Griffin.com

Sakina Jaffrey

Degrees & Studies

She graduated from Vassar College in 1984, with a major in Chinese Language and Literature at the college, originally planning to be a translator before she became an actress.

Division

Acting

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Guest Artist

Performances & Distinctions

At the age of 17, Jaffrey made her professional acting debut in the play Marie and Bruce by Wallace Shawn at the Public Theatre in New York City. Sakina’s film credits include Masala and The Perfect Murder. She also appeared in The Truth About Charlie starring Mark Wahlberg, Raising Helen, and The Ode. Sakina also starred as Malini Soni in The Meyerowitz Stories, a 2017 comedy-drama film directed by Noah Baumbach and co-starring Dustin Hoffman and Adam Sandler. Her TV roles include Linda Vasquez on House of Cards, Leena Reyes on Sleepy Hollow, and Denise Christopher on Timeless. Additional show credits include The Mindy Project, Billions, Mr. Robot, and Ms. Marvel.

Marc Delacruz

Division

Acting

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Guest Artist

Performances & Distinctions

Marc’s Broadway credits include Hamilton, and If/Then. His national tour credits include If/Then, and Disney's High School Musical. Marc’s off-Broadway, international, and regional credits include Three Days to See, Where Elephants Weep, The Wedding Banquet, Allegiance, Miss Saigon, Spelling Bee, Making Tracks, Yankee Doodle Dandy, and My Fair Lady.

Cheryl Stern

Division

Acting

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Faculty since 2023

Performances & Distinctions

Broadway veteran actress and Jonathan Larson Award-winning writer, Cheryl may be seen as Benjamin’s mom “Ida” on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She has received critical acclaim for her Off Broadway solo show, Shoes and Baggage, with music by Tom Kochan (www.shoesandbaggage.com)  and recently starred in and co-wrote the Off Broadway musical, A Letter To Harvey Milk.

Cheryl’s Broadway credits include the Tony Award Winning revival of La Cage Aux Folles, starring Kelsey Grammer, The Women with Cynthia Nixon and Jennifer Coolidge, (Roundabout; filmed for PBS) and Laughing Room Only starring the late Jackie Mason. Cheryl was also featured in Fiorello at Encores/NY City Center and in Candide at NY City Opera.
Off Broadway, Cheryl starred as Claire in the Transport Group production of Being Audrey, as Alice B’ Toklas in 27 Rue de Fleurus and won critical acclaim as Mamie Eisenhower in the Drama Desk nominated First Lady Suite. Other Off Broadway credits include, City of at Playwrights Realm, , Requiem for William, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Game Show, That’s Life! and The Immigrant. Cheryl has appeared in National Tours of La Cage Aux Folles (Mme. Dindon), Les Miserables, Grand Night For Singing, Evita and Fiddler On The Roof.

Recent regional credits include Sue in Bells Are Ringing at Berkshire Theatre Group, Yente in Fiddler at Goodspeed, Jack’s Mother in Into The Woods at Baltimore Center Stage/ Westport Playhouse and The Old Lady in Mary Zimmerman’s acclaimed production of Candide at the Huntington (IRNE Award- Best Supporting Actress).
TV credits include Unforgettable, Law and Order-Criminal Intent, Sondheim; a Celebration at Carnegie Hall (PBS), Guiding Light, All My Children and As the World Turns. Films include Brooklyn Lobster with Jane Curtin and Danny Aiello, This is Where I Leave You starring Jane Fonda, Tina Fey and Jason Bateman and the upcoming Can’t Let It Go, starring Mario Cantone. Cheryl is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Pascal Pastrana

Degrees & Studies

Tisch New School on Broadway, UMD BFA Musical Theater

Division

Acting

Music Conservatory of Westchester

Guest Artist

Performances & Distinctions

Pascal Pastrana made his Broadway debut in Mean Girls. Other recent credits include Nathaniel in Paint Your Wagon at the St. Louis MUNY, Danny Zuko in Grease, Sky in Mamma Mia!, Jesus in Godspell, and Enjolras in Les Miserables.