Music Education Faculty at the Crane School of Music
Marsha L. Baxter
Marsha Baxter teaches undergraduate courses in music education and directs the Latin ensemble La Garza at the Crane School of Music, where her teaching and research interests center upon global music pedagogy and urban education. Her fieldwork projects include the study the zaponas [panpipes] with an Ecuadorian subway performer; dizi [bamboo flute] with a former professor of the Beijing Conservatory; and cedar flute with a Native American storyteller and musician. Additionally, she studied pre-Columbian music with a Huichol Indian in Guadalajara, Mexico. Her documentary film project, For the Love of the Mambo, explores music teaching and learning of the Afro-Cuban tradition through a partnership with New York City’s Mambo Legends Orchestra (composed of former members of the Tito Puente Orchestra) and La Garza. Marsha strives to create cross-cultural experiences for students, such as the winterim travel course to study dance and instrumental traditions with master musicians in Chennai, India; the Spanish immersion – music teaching practicum in Puebla, Mexico; and Crane Latin ensemble performances throughout Mexico, of particular note, in Monterrey, where the student musicians were featured young artists at the International SAT Festival. Marsha is a contributing author to the International Journal of Education & the Arts, Music Education Research, and Music Educators Journal. She received the SUNY Chancellor’s Internationalization Award for her design of the Spanish immersion – music teaching practicum project; and most recently, the SUNY Potsdam's President’s Award for Excellence in Research and/or Teaching Relating to Cultural Diversity. Prior to accepting her position at Crane, she taught general music at PS 87 on Manhattan’s Upper Westside, where her classroom was the principal site for student teachers at Teachers College, Columbia University. Marsha holds a M.M. in Performance from New England Conservatory and Ed.D. in Music Education from Teachers College.
Kent S. Burchill
Kent S. Burchill is a Pennsylvania native earning an undergraduate degree in music education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Master's degrees in music education and administration were received from the University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign. Additional graduate work has been taken at Towson University, Eastern Illinois University, and the College of St. Rose. His career included teaching in Pennsylvania and Illinois prior to moving to New York. From 1983 to 2005, Mr. Burchill was Director of Music Education for the Niskayuna Central School District where he was responsible for the administration and supervision of the K-12 program of music education. Active in New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) activities, Mr. Burchill has been a NYSSMA certified brass adjudicator and chairperson for numerous solo-ensemble and major organization festivals. He has presented clinics and workshops for NYSSMA, the Illinois Music Educators Association, the New York State School Band Directors’ Association, BOCES, Capitol Area School Development Association, Vander Cook College, and The College of Saint Rose. Mr. Burchill was involved in active-duty and reserve military bands of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army from 1970 until his military retirement in 2007. Currently, he is Off-Campus Supervisor in the Hudson Valley Region.
Debra Lynn Campbell
Debra Campbell is Assistant Professor of Music Education at the Crane School of Music where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses and chairs the campus Graduate Affairs Committee. Prior to her appointment at Crane, Dr. Campbell taught music at The Pennsylvania State University, Shippensburg University and in K-12 Public Schools. In addition, for 25 years she performed and directed choirs in churches.
In a recent research project, Dr. Campbell worked with graduate students to critically analyze the use of time by undergraduate college music education students. Additional research focuses on creative approaches to applying Educational Psychology theories in music teaching and learning. She has presented at local, state, national, and international conferences including the Music Educators National Conference, Mountain Lake Symposium, International Society for Music Perception and Cognition, and others. Dr. Campbell holds a Ph.D. and Master of Music Education from Penn State University and Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from West Chester University.
In a recent research project, Dr. Campbell worked with graduate students to critically analyze the use of time by undergraduate college music education students. Additional research focuses on creative approaches to applying Educational Psychology theories in music teaching and learning. She has presented at local, state, national, and international conferences including the Music Educators National Conference, Mountain Lake Symposium, International Society for Music Perception and Cognition, and others. Dr. Campbell holds a Ph.D. and Master of Music Education from Penn State University and Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from West Chester University.
Mark Robin Campbell
Mark Robin Campbell teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, specializing in teaching and learning, philosophy, and curriculum and instruction. His research interests center on preservice music teacher education and issues of professional development. Author projects include Constructing a Personal Orientation to Music Teaching (Routledge 2010), On Musicality and Milestone: Selected Writings of Marilyn Pflederer Zimmerman with Contributions from the Profession (University of Illinois, 2002) and Advances in Music Education Research, Book Series of the Music Education SIG of AERA (Information Age Publishing). He is contributor to Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, Journal of Aesthetic Education, Oxford Handbook on Qualitative Research in Music Education, among others. In addition to presenting at local, state, national and international conferences, Dr. Campbell has held both service and leadership positions in the profession, including Chair of the Music Education SIG of AERA, Editorial Board member of the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music, member on the Research Council of the New York State School Music Assocaition, and adviser to the Crane School's Collegiate Chapter of NAfME. His public school teaching includes working in rural, suburban and urban schools in Illinois and New York at all levels of general, instrumental and choral music education. While teaching in Illinois, Campbell recieved the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award in the "Those Who Excell" Program of the Illinois State Board of Education. For nearly 20 years Campbell ran a private piano studio working with students of all ages, and served various churches as music director. Campbell holds master's and doctoral degrees in music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Howard R. Cohen
Howard R. Cohen is a graduate of Music and Art High School and the Crane School of Music, with graduate degrees from the City University of New York. As past-president of the the Nassau County and Suffolk County Chapters of the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education, he served on the NYSCAME executive board for ten years. As the author of "An Introductory Course in Electronic Music," Mr. Cohen pioneered classroom utilization of electronic music synthesizers. His professional career included teaching in the Liverpool Central School district and the New York City Schools. While in this last assignment, he was director of the Staten Island Boro-Wide Band and conducted this group at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Cohen became the Director of Music and Art in the Spotswood, New Jersey Public Schools later returning to New York as Director of Music and Art in the Locust Valley School District and finally as Director of Music, Art, and Cultural Arts in the Patchogue-Medford Schools. Mr. Cohen currently supervises music education student teachers and performs as a free lance trumpet player in the Long Island region.
Caron L. Collins
Caron L. Collins teaches undergraduate courses in instrumental and general music methods as well as online graduate music courses in action research and learning styles. She is director of the Campus-Community Band, a collaborative, inquiry based instrumental ensemble. Currently, she serves as the Crane music education liaison for early field experience at St. Mary's School in Canton, NY. Dr. Collins earned her Ph.D in music from The Ohio State University (2007), the Master in the Art of Teaching (2002) from Marygrove College, and her Bachelor of Music Education (1978) from Indiana University. With 25 years teaching experience in the Diocese of Columbus (Ohio), she has taught instrumental and general music in grades K-12, designed and coordinated the Diocesan-wide music events, supervised instrumental music teachers, and earned the Romana Hemmelgarn Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award (1995). She has published articles and presented clinics for the Ohio Music Educators Association, New York State School Music Association, and the National Catholic Band Association. Her book, Messengers of Music: The Legacy of Julia E. Crane (Information Age Publishing 2011), shares the inspirational stories of graduates of the Crane School of Music paired with the innovative philosophy of the school's founder. Dr. Collins is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Kappa Phi, The National Catholic Band Association, New York State Band Directors Association and NAfME.
Nancy Conley
Nancy Conley is an instructor of music education with an emphasis on string music education. A native of Syracuse, NY, she received the B.M. in music education and performance from Ithaca College, the M.M. in music performance from Binghamton University, and is a candidate for the Ph.D in music education with a viola performance cognate at Michigan State University. Ms. Conley completed teacher training for Suzuki Violin Level One in Atlanta, GA in 2010, and plans to continue her Suzuki training in the future. Prior to pursuing her doctoral degree, Ms. Conley was a public school music educator in upstate New York, where she taught elementary, middle, and high school instrumental music for seventeen years. In addition, she maintained a large private studio for all string instruments, and was on the faculty of the New York-American String Teachers Association String Institute at Ithaca College for five years. An active performer while teaching, Ms. Conley played with the Binghamton Philharmonic, Tri-Cities Opera Company, and the Edgewood String Quartet. Ms. Conley has served as a clinician for school music group festivals, presented workshops at the Michigan Music Conference, and has presented research posters in North Carolina, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Upcoming presentations include the 2012 American String Teachers Association Conference in Atlanta, GA. Her main area of research is the use of improvisation as a tool for teaching and life-long learning, and she is interested in urban education, alternative music styles, and musician wellness.
Heather E. Eyerly
The Children's Chorus of Crane Founder and Artistic Director, Dr. Heather E. Eyerly, joined the choral music education faculty at The Crane School of Music in 2003 and currently serves as the Coordinator of Choral Programs. In addition to the Children's Chorus, Dr. Eyerly also teaches courses in general music education, choral music education and conducts the Hosmer Choir. Dr. Eyerly completed two degrees at the University of Toronto, including the Ph.D. in Music Education and M.M. performance (conducting) in 2007 and 2001 respectively, and is a 1994 graduate of Stetson University (B.M.E). In 1999, Dr. Eyerly was honored as the first recipient of the Elmer Iseler Canadian National Fellowship in Choral Conducting. Also in 1999, Rotary International awarded her an Academic Ambassadorial Scholarship to attend the University of Toronto. Dr. Eyerly remains a highly sought after clinician/guest festival honor choir conductor and adjudicator.
Jeffrey D. Francom
At the Crane School of Music, Jeffrey Francom directs the Crane Chorus, Men's Ensemble, and Potsdam Community Chorus; and teaches Conducting and Secondary Choral Methods. He holds degrees in choral conducting from Stony Brook University (DMA) and the University of Florida (MM); and in piano performance and pedagogy from Utah State University (BM).
Prior to joining Crane in 2009, Dr. Francom resided on Long Island where he directed the Babylon Chorale, Stony Brook Camerata Singers, Suffolk Singers, Stony Brook Opera, Bellport High School Performing Arts, and the Lynn Clark Summertime Players. He taught at Suffolk County Community College. In the past three years, he has directed choirs in Broome, Clinton, Franklin, Monroe, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Oneida, and Warren counties. From 2004-2007, he was Director of Choral Activities at Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida.
As a pianist, Dr. Francom has been a concerto soloist with five orchestras, including the New West Symphony, Conejo Symphony Orchestra, and Pepperdine University Orchestra. Dr. Francom was the 2008 recipient of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Fellowship sponsored by Charterhouse in Godalming, England. Much of his current research is dedicated to the choral music of Vaughan Williams, and the folk music of Argentina.
Prior to joining Crane in 2009, Dr. Francom resided on Long Island where he directed the Babylon Chorale, Stony Brook Camerata Singers, Suffolk Singers, Stony Brook Opera, Bellport High School Performing Arts, and the Lynn Clark Summertime Players. He taught at Suffolk County Community College. In the past three years, he has directed choirs in Broome, Clinton, Franklin, Monroe, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Oneida, and Warren counties. From 2004-2007, he was Director of Choral Activities at Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida.
As a pianist, Dr. Francom has been a concerto soloist with five orchestras, including the New West Symphony, Conejo Symphony Orchestra, and Pepperdine University Orchestra. Dr. Francom was the 2008 recipient of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Fellowship sponsored by Charterhouse in Godalming, England. Much of his current research is dedicated to the choral music of Vaughan Williams, and the folk music of Argentina.
Donald Goodness
Following a career as a music educator in a variety of assignments, Donald Goodness began supervising student teachers for The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam for intern placements in the Syracuse/central region of New York State in 2006. He holds a Master's of Music degree from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. and has done advanced study at The Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY.
Goodness is an active performer and serves as Principal Trumpet for The Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra. He is also the leader of and plays first trumpet for the seventeen piece Do Good Swingband. Along with his wife, Linda, he shares Director of Music duties at Liverpool First Presbyterian Church where he directs the choir and Linda is organist. In addition, Mr. Goodness conducts The Musicians Union of Oswego County Summer Concert Band. He is a NYSSMA adjudicator certified to evaluate All-State Brass and Jazz Solos and Major Organizations. Mr. Goodness is a native of Oswego, NY where he resides with his wife, and stepchildren Elizabeth and Patrick.
Goodness is an active performer and serves as Principal Trumpet for The Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra. He is also the leader of and plays first trumpet for the seventeen piece Do Good Swingband. Along with his wife, Linda, he shares Director of Music duties at Liverpool First Presbyterian Church where he directs the choir and Linda is organist. In addition, Mr. Goodness conducts The Musicians Union of Oswego County Summer Concert Band. He is a NYSSMA adjudicator certified to evaluate All-State Brass and Jazz Solos and Major Organizations. Mr. Goodness is a native of Oswego, NY where he resides with his wife, and stepchildren Elizabeth and Patrick.
Carol Heinick
Carol Heinick is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of Group Keyboard Instruction, joined the Crane faculty in 1989. She holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and the Catholic University of America. She performs regularly with David Heinick as a piano duet, presenting recitals and workshops throughout the northeastern United States. The Heinicks have also performed as a two-piano team with the Orchestra of Northern New York and the Crane Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Ms Heinick is active as an adjudicator for piano student and teacher organizations, and a member of the State Certification Board of the New York State Music Teachers Association.
Sarah S. Hersh
Sarah Hersh is Associate Professor of String Education and Violin at the Crane School of Music. She directs the National String Project, a service-learning program through which university students and community children share music through the violin, viola, cello, bass, and harp.
Dr. Hersh studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki for three years. A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, Dr. Suzuki's Research Institute in Japan, and the University of Minnesota, she is a designated Teacher Trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She has presented over 25-juried sessions at national conferences of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, the National Association of Music Educators, and the American String Teachers Association.
Dr. Hersh studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki for three years. A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, Dr. Suzuki's Research Institute in Japan, and the University of Minnesota, she is a designated Teacher Trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She has presented over 25-juried sessions at national conferences of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, the National Association of Music Educators, and the American String Teachers Association.
Robyn L. Hosley
Dr. Hosley has been a faculty member at Crane since 1997. She has been a public school teacher, music department supervisor, and an assistant principal. Dr. Hosley holds an Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University, a M.S. in Music Education from the College of Saint Rose and a B.M. from the Crane School of Music. She has presented music education workshops and research sessions at conferences including NYSSMA and NAfME (MENC) Eastern Division. Dr. Hosley holds memberships in NAfME: The National Association for Music Education, ASCD, and Phi Delta Kappa.
Kathleen A. Hubbard
Kathleen A. Hubbard is a Crane School of Music graduate — piano concentration — who grew up on Long Island but became entranced with the North Country and decided to stay. She spent 31 years as the vocal teacher in Madrid-Waddington Central Schools in Madrid, NY, grades 6-12, responsible for not only the choruses and general music but filling the role as musical director for over 25 musicals. While at Madrid she began a very successful guitar program and an auditioned select singing group, "Stardust," which went on to participate and take home honors in Jazz Choir Festivals around New York State. Kathy was very involved in New York State Union of Teachers (NYSUT) and served as President of Madrid-Waddington Teachers' Assocation for many years. In 1994 she obtained an Administration Degree from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Hubbard is Adjunct Instructor of Music Education and mentors student teachers and beginning teachers in music education.
Jennifer Kessler
Jennifer Kessler received the Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from the Crane School of Music and the Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. At Crane, she currently teaches foundations courses in Music Education and is a supervisor for the General Music Practicum. Before coming to Crane, Mrs. Kessler's professional career included teaching in Williamsburg, VA for 5 years as the first teacher/director for a new elementary strings program. While in this position, she maintained a private violin studio, was a member of the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra Board of Directors and worked as a free-lance violinist around the Hampton Roads/Tidewater area. After relocating to New York State, she directed the 5th grade strings program for the Warwick Valley Central School District in Orange County and then worked in Potsdam, directing the strings program for grades 5-12. Her career also includes teaching 4 years of General Music to grades PK-6. Her writing has been published in the American Strings Teacher Association (ASTA) journal.
James T. Madeja
James T. Madeja teaches studio trumpet and conducts the Crane Brass Ensemble in addition to teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in research methods, curriculum development and instrumental music education. A member of the faculty of the Crane School of Music since 1985, he received his B.S., M.S. and Ed.D. Degrees in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He currently serves as conductor of Skyline Brass and performs with the Orchestra of Northern New York and the Potsdam Brass Quintet. Dr. Madeja is also Associate Editor of The Journal of the International Trumpet Guild.
Peter McCoy
Dr. Peter McCoy teaches courses in music technology, instrumental music, and general music. He has taught in public and private schools, performed, conducted, and adjudicated nationally since 1985. Dr. McCoy received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Iowa State University and the Master of Music and Ph.D. degrees from Northwestern University. He is a regular presenter and clinician at national and regional conferences on the topics of technology in music education, classroom-based composing, and portfolio development. Dr. McCoy holds membership in the International Trombone Association, National Association for Music Education, International Society for Music Education, College Music Society, Center for Black Music Research, and Technology Institute for Music Educators. Dr. McCoy currently serves as Coordinator of Music Technology for Crane and Co-Chair of the Music Education Department.
Rebecca R. Reames
Rebecca R. Reames is an Associate Professor of Music in The Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam where she teaches courses in music education and conducting, plus conducts two choirs. Under the direction of Dr. Reames, The Crane Touring Choir performed at the 2007 Beijing International Choral Festival, the Eastern Division American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Conference in New York City, and for the Eastern Division National Association for Music Education (NAfME/MENC) in Baltimore. Dr. Reames has guest conducted and adjudicated festival ensembles in more than a dozen states and Canada. Recently she conducted in Connecticut, Maine, Montreal, New York, Texas, Toronto, and Virginia. She has also has presented choral interest sessions at regional and national music education and choral conferences, and has papers published in three major music education journals. A native of Virginia, she taught middle and high school music in Northern Virginia for over fifteen years prior to receiving the Ph.D. in Music Education/Choral Conducting from Florida State University. Dr. Reames is a Past President for New York ACDA and served as the Assistant Program Chair for the Miami National ACDA Conference. Her research interests include selecting appropriate literature for middle and high school choirs and "singers in motion."
Michael P. Schaff
A faculty member at Crane since 1997 and conducts the Crane Concert Band and teaches conducting and music education courses. Additional conducting assignments have included the Crane Spring 1999 opera production, Puccini's La Boheme and the faculty new music ensemble NUMA.
Dr. Schaff holds degrees in music education, horn performance and wind conducting from Ohio State University, The University of Texas at Austin and Indiana University respectively.
He previously taught public school music in Texas for six years and was on the faculty at Colorado State University where he was Director of Bands and Instructor of Horn for four years.
Dr. Schaff holds degrees in music education, horn performance and wind conducting from Ohio State University, The University of Texas at Austin and Indiana University respectively.
He previously taught public school music in Texas for six years and was on the faculty at Colorado State University where he was Director of Bands and Instructor of Horn for four years.
Kathryn D. Sherman
Kathryn Sherman, Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy, directs the undergraduate and graduate programs in piano pedagogy and teaches keyboard skills courses at The Crane School of Music SUNY Potsdam. A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through the Music Teachers National Association, Dr. Sherman also serves as Co-Director of the biennial Crane Piano Pedagogy Conference. She frequently adjudicates for local festivals and auditions, and her teacher workshops have been presented throughout the United States. In summers, Dr. Sherman has taught pre-college students at the Midwestern Music Camp (KS), Midwestern Piano Academy (KS), Norman Piano Day Camp (OK), and Crane Youth Music Camp (NY), and she previously served on the faculty of Oklahoma City University, teaching collegiate class piano, applied piano, and piano pedagogy.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Sherman regularly performs with Crane colleagues and guest artists; recent engagements have included playing at the International Double Reed Society Conference, the Crane Clarinet Summit, and in the Orchestra of Northern New York. Dr. Sherman earned a DMA in piano performance with an emphasis in piano pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, where she was awarded a prestigious campus-wide Graduate Teaching Award through the Office of the Provost. She also holds an MM from the University of Kansas and BM and BA degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Sherman regularly performs with Crane colleagues and guest artists; recent engagements have included playing at the International Double Reed Society Conference, the Crane Clarinet Summit, and in the Orchestra of Northern New York. Dr. Sherman earned a DMA in piano performance with an emphasis in piano pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, where she was awarded a prestigious campus-wide Graduate Teaching Award through the Office of the Provost. She also holds an MM from the University of Kansas and BM and BA degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Brenda Vredenburg
Brenda Vredenburg is a graduate of the Crane School of Music, SUNY at Potsdam where she majored in music education and organ performance, and was the recipient of the coveted Julia Crane Award in 1973. Her master’s degree (‘76) was completed in curriculum and instruction from SUNY in Albany with concentration in reading. She retired in 2005 after completing 32 years of teaching in the Saratoga Springs City Schools where during her tenure as orchestra director, the Saratoga Springs Junior and Senior High School Orchestras and select Chamber Orchestra received the highest ratings at NYSSMA competitions and national music festivals all along the eastern seaboard, in Canada, and in Italy. She had the privilege of being a sponsor teacher for many very talented student teachers from the Crane School of Music. She has conducted orchestras for elementary, middle and senior high school county music and Area All-State festivals in New York State and Massachusetts, served as a clinician for school professional development seminars and CASDA workshops, and is a solo and major organization certified judge for NYSSMA festivals. In addition to her private studio, she is working for the Crane School of Music as a college supervisor of student teacher in the Capital District. Our family, including our 6 grandchildren (3 grandsons and a granddaughter in Buffalo and a granddaughter and grandson in Houston), brings us life’s greatest joys and blessings!
Jeffrey Vredenburg
Jeffrey Vredenburg is a graduate of the Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam where he majored in music education, voice and piano. His post-baccalaureate education includes a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the State University of New York in Albany and choral conducting seminars with Donald Neuen, Dale Warland, Robert Page, Gregg Smith and Margaret Hillis. Mr. Vredenburg retired after 33 years as the music department head at the Saratoga Springs City Schools where he taught music theory and directed three choruses in the high school. The Choraliers, his most select group, received the highest ratings at NYSSMA competitions and national music festivals all along the eastern seaboard and Canada. He has been a guest conductor for junior and senior high school choral festivals and Area All-State festivals in New York State and Massachusetts and is a major organization judge for NYSSMA competitions. Currently, he is working for the Crane School of Music as a college supervisor of student teacher in the Capital District. Jeff lives in Saratoga Springs, New York with his wife, Brenda.
Tracy Wanamaker
Tracy S. Wanamaker, MT-BC is an Adjunct Instructor at the Crane School of Music where she coordinates the Music in Special Education Program and Crane Music Education Field Experience. Ms. Wanamaker received a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA and a Master's of Science in Special Education from SUNY Potsdam.
Ms. Wanamaker is a board-certified music therapist with 20 years of experience working in a wide range of clinical areas including special education, adults with developmental disabilities and gerontology settings. In addition to her duties at The Crane School of Music, she currently works with clients in both private and group settings in Northern New York. Ms. Wanamaker is also the founding director of the Northern Notes Chorus, a choir for teenagers and adults with developmental disabilities.
Active as a guest music therapy supervisor for the Jamaican Field Service Project, Ms. Wanamaker has supervised music therapy students from across the United States in providing music therapy services in Schools of Hope and infirmaries in multiple locations around Jamaica. Ms. Wanamaker is active as a consultant and clinician for professionals, teachers and parents across the United States, and has presented her research at many local, state, and national conferences including the American Music Therapy Association National Conference, and the Mid-Atlantic AMTA Regional Conference.
Ms. Wanamaker is a board-certified music therapist with 20 years of experience working in a wide range of clinical areas including special education, adults with developmental disabilities and gerontology settings. In addition to her duties at The Crane School of Music, she currently works with clients in both private and group settings in Northern New York. Ms. Wanamaker is also the founding director of the Northern Notes Chorus, a choir for teenagers and adults with developmental disabilities.
Active as a guest music therapy supervisor for the Jamaican Field Service Project, Ms. Wanamaker has supervised music therapy students from across the United States in providing music therapy services in Schools of Hope and infirmaries in multiple locations around Jamaica. Ms. Wanamaker is active as a consultant and clinician for professionals, teachers and parents across the United States, and has presented her research at many local, state, and national conferences including the American Music Therapy Association National Conference, and the Mid-Atlantic AMTA Regional Conference.
Heather Wheeler
Heather Wheeler holds a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from the Catholic University of America where she studied under Bela Nagy and Fernando Laires. She received her M.M. in Music Education from the Crane School of Music, SUNY at Potsdam. Her performance experience includes a wide range of styles and has taken her to Asia and Central America as well as across the southern and northeastern United States. Heather has taught band and chorus at the high school level as well running a private piano studio. Currently, she teaches group piano and introductory music classes for both adults and toddlers.