Faculty

Mrs. Anthony holds a B.A. in Music Performance in voice/piano from Moravian University.   She also studied at Berklee College of Music and with faculty members from the Curtis Institute of Music.  She has a love for all genres of music:  pop, classical, jazz, R&B, etc.  She also performs throughout the Lehigh Valley & surrounding areas.

“My goal, through individualized teaching, is to instill a life-long appreciation of and the desire to enjoy learning music, to each student that I teach.”

Mr. Czechowski has been playing the piano for many years, having started lessons as a child.  His love of music has grown to include all styles: Jazz, Pop, Rhythm and Blues as well as Classical through numerous performances and through music instruction at both Berklee College of Music and Moravian College. 

Mr. Czechowski regularly appears at the Deerhead Inn, Hotel Bethlehem, Starwood Resorts, as well as venues in and around the Philadelphia area, the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Poconos.  Performances have also included the COTA Jazz Festival for the Arts, Musikfest, Mayfair, and the Virginia Arts Festival.  He has also performed with many high-level artists including Simone, Bernadette Peters, Charles Fambrough, Mickey Gilley, Clint Holmes, and more.  He has also released three recordings which may be found on Apple iTunes, Amazon.com and as HMV music in Japan.   Mr. Czechowski has been a teaching artist since 1996.

Matthew Blanchard holds a B.A. in Music Education, with a minor in vocal performance from The Pennsylvania State University, where he studied under Eric Henry, David Yinger, and Velvet Brown. While at Penn State, Matthew performed with the Marching Blue Band, Concert Choir, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, various jazz bands, and many other chamber groups on tuba, sousaphone, trumpet, and trombone.

He is a high school music teacher and the band director for the Palmerton Area School District. Originally from Boiling Springs, PA, Matthew uses inspiration from the outdoor world in his playing and composing to combine his two passions: music and nature.

Watch Matthew Blanchard’s PSU Senior Recital

Mrs. Gaul started playing violin at the age of nine and went on to receive a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in Wheaton, IL. She has performed in many orchestras and chamber groups and has a wide range of training and experience in classical, folk, jazz, and Celtic genres. Ms. Gaul has taught string students of all ages and skill levels in individual and group lessons. Her experience includes teaching in private studios, running a home studio, and instructing in public schools. She also enjoys composing violin arrangements in her spare time.

Anita DeChellis is a classically trained soprano with an interest in modern literature for the voice and a passion for teaching.  She holds a M.M. in Voice Performance from Duquesne University and a B.M. in Voice Performance from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.  

Having begun her musical journey with piano studies at age 8, clarinet at age 12, and private voice lessons at age 16, Anita was named Outstanding Classical/Opera Soloist in  2018 and 2019 at the Lehigh Valley Music Awards after her most recent CD releases on Sachimay Records, “Do You Mind?” and “Every Emotion is Just Perfect”.

Anita has performed at the Rome Opera Festival, with the Pittsburgh Opera Chorus, with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus as a featured soloist with the Boston Pops, and with the Bach Choir of Bethlehem.  She has performed in many different settings as a soloist in Boston, New York City, Easton, Bethlehem, including Killian Hall at MIT, The Knitting Factory in New York City, and Foy Hall at Moravian University. 

For over 30 years, she has shared her love and enthusiasm for music with her students by exposing them to a varied repertoire with a concentration on good technique.  Her vast experience in contemporary music, art song, opera arias, musical theatre and jazz, provides a broad range and interest to enlighten and encourage students of all ages.  Lessons focus on breathing techniques, placement of the voice and proper use of the body while singing to develop a healthy, beautiful, artistic singing voice.

Learn more about Anita DeChellis at https://dandechellis.com/anita-dechellis

Dan DeChellis holds a M.M. in Piano Performance from Duquesne University, a B.M. in Piano Performance from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, and completed Contemporary Improvisation Studies at New England Conservatory in Boston, MA.

Dan has been immersed in music from listening, improvising, playing classical, rock and jazz and collecting records for as long as he can remember. His first job was a paperboy; his second was in a record store, where his collection and interests grew.  In college, he focused on the theory and technique of classical music, while continuing to improvise and discover jazz, which he loved. He studied jazz piano with Laurie Altman and was in jazz bands during his undergraduate and graduate studies. Dan also attended The New England Conservatory in Boston for a period to study with Ran Blake and Paul Bley in the Contemporary Improvisation Department.

He launched his label, Sachimay Records in Boston in 1997.  His first two records, “Shapes” and “Real Time” with the DeChellis / Tomasic / Nakatani Trio were released to great acclaim by the press. The trio performed at Scullers Jazz Club and the Autumn Uprising Festival. In New York City, Dan performed regularly with Daniel Carter, Reuben Radding and Dee Pop at CBGB’s, founded the Improvised & Otherwise Festival, and shared the Main Stage with Gerry Hemingway at The Knitting Factory.  

Dan has released five albums of original music for his piano trio and a number of Improvised Music, Rock and Ambient records with Anita DeChellis, Gary Hassay, Beholder, The Appropriation Committee, Four The Day, Acoustic Kitty Project and The Dana Gaynor Band. Dan’s varied projects have brought him to many well-known stages such as, Chris’s Jazz Café (Phil), The Stone Pony (NJ), The Knitting Factory (NYC), New Langton Arts (CA), Tonic (NYC), World Café Live (Philly), Wonderbar (NJ), Musikfest (PA).

Dan has a wide variety of teaching experience, including collegiate-level Improvisation and Piano at Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA, where he founded the Moravian Improvised Music Ensemble.   Since 2003, he has shared his joy and knowledge of playing the piano, music history, and theory with private students of varying ages and technical levels in classical, jazz and rock styles. 

Learn more about Dan DeChellis at https://dandechellis.com

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Mr. Gonzalez holds an M.S. in Education and B.S. in Music Percussion Performance from Mercy College. He began playing music at a young age, developing his craft in drum corps activities and military bands. He is a former U. S. Army Bandsman & senior instrumentalist with the New York Army National Guard, which included a year-long deployment to Iraq with the 42nd Infantry Division Band.

His teaching experience includes many years as a paraprofessional and special education teacher in New York City public schools. This experience taught him to approach each student with empathy. He enjoys teaching students of all ages on drums, Latin percussion, drum circles, and marching drum line.

Mr. Gonzalez continues to perform around the world in a wide range of musical settings.  His technical abilities and unique sound are the result of formal study and years of experience performing on numerous stages in Hawaii, California, Las Vegas, New York, Pennsylvania, Russia, and more. Daniel has contributed musical talent to various artists’ recordings throughout the years and continues to enjoy an engaging music career as a live performer, recording artist, and teacher.

Visit drumiel.com

Kelly Hooper is a recent graduate of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University, where she received bachelor’s degrees in both music and psychology.  In college, she studied under Dr. Timothy Shafer and was recognized for exemplary jury performances in two honors recitals and participated in the university’s concerto competition. She also offered her skills to two weekly religious services, where she was applauded for both prepared and improvised performances.  In addition to teaching private and group piano lessons at CMS, as the Program Coordinator, Kelly is responsible for developing and coordinating new and existing classes, programs, and recitals for our students. In her spare time, Kelly performs music at local country clubs and vineyards; she plays and sings contemporary works on her keyboard and ukulele.

Visit Kelly Hooper’s personal website.

Watch Kelly Hooper perform Kapustin’s Prelude from 8 Concert Etudes

Ms. Kanik holds a B.A. in Music Education from Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY). She is currently the Strings Teacher at the Circle of Seasons Charter School in Fogelsville and has been teaching privately for over 10 years.  Before attending college, she studied at the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY) with Chien-Kwan Lin and played in the Eastman Community Wind Ensemble. At Ithaca College, she played in the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Nuovo Saxophone Quartet and soloed with the Symphony Orchestra. While teaching in public schools in Maryland, she also performed with the Middle River Concert Band (Baltimore, MD), Anne Arundel Community College Concert Band (Arnold, MD) and Bay Area Community Band (Stevensville, MD). She currently performs with the Macungie Band on tenor saxophone and on cello in the Valley Community Orchestra.

Ms. Kistler holds a M.M. from The Juilliard School and B.M. from Oberlin College Conservatory. She has studied Baroque repertoire with Nancy Wilson, Princetown, New Jersey; and Stanley Ritchie. Ms. Kistler has served on the faculty of Lehigh University, Cedar Crest College, Kutztown University, and the Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Performing Arts. Currently, Ms. Kistler is a member of the CMS faculty, an artist-lecturer at Moravian University, and maintains a private studio. Performance schedule includes playing both modern and Baroque violin.

Mr. Klump is an experienced brass and folk musician, arranger, conductor, and music educator.  He holds a B.A. in music from Moravian College, where he studied trumpet with Larry Wright, voice with Trisha Budlong, and guitar with John Arnold.  He performs locally with the South Side Brass, Mariachi Montaña del Sur, the Peace Singers, and serves as Assistant Conductor for the Marine Band of Allentown.

Since 2001, Mr. Klump has worked as a private tutor, ministry leader, performance coach, and music teacher.  He is currently the Band Director at Notre Dame High School in Easton and was previously the Band Director at Bethlehem Catholic High School.  He is experienced in directing wind, string, and jazz ensembles and teaching music theory, history, and technology.  He has worked with all levels of learners, from beginners to pros, and joins the faculty of CMS to offer lessons in trumpet and guitar.

Mr. Klump hails from New England, where he grew up and attended school in western Connecticut.  He now makes his home in South Bethlehem.  When he’s not working, he toils with various home improvement projects, plays recreational tennis, and enjoys frequent trips to New York as an avid fan of the Mets.

Mrs. Martin earned her B.A. in Music Education from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, summa cum laude. Elaine was principal flutist with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra for nearly 30 years. As principal, Mrs. Martin gave pre-concert lectures at retirement homes to prepare residents for concerts; so too, she performed in smaller ensembles as part of ASO’s outreach programs.

Mrs. Martin is a member, along with Andrea Wittchen, harp, of a duo, Elan, which performs for recitals, weddings, receptions, and church services. Currently, she is a Lecturer of Flute, Muhlenberg College as well as faculty here at CMS.

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Leah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Spanish from Gettysburg College.  She is classically trained in violin (advanced/professional level) and piano (late beginner/intermediate level).  During her collegiate career, Leah was active in music in the Gettysburg community.  She performed with the Gettysburg Community Chamber Orchestra, Crossroads Contemporary Band at Christ Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, and EnVaGe Faculty Ensemble at Gettysburg College. 

She has a wide range of private and group teaching experience in classical genres with students of all levels, in both English & Spanish.   While studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, she assisted with the Grupo Talía youth orchestra’s rehearsals and interned at WikiUp Las Rosas language academy.  She also interned in Allentown as a teaching artist with El Sistema Lehigh Valley.

As a former CMS student herself, she makes sure that her students feel both challenged and respected in their lessons, so that each student receives instruction that follows their unique needs and interests.

Watch Leah’s Senior Recital at Gettysburg College (March 2024)

(in-person only)

Allentown native and resident Matthew Morrow holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in musicology from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. His dissertation “Complex Impressions’: Nature in the Music and Criticism of Claude Debussy” was informed by a three-month research residency in Paris and received the School’s prestigious Alfred Mann Dissertation Award. During his time at Eastman, Matt studied piano with the eminent virtuoso and pedagogue Rebecca Penneys, and taught courses on Liszt, Debussy, and twentieth-century music. Prior to his degrees at Eastman, Matt completed his B.M. at Bucknell University, where he studied piano with Barry Hannigan and penned an honors thesis on Chopin’s celebrated études for piano (Opp. 10 & 25). In addition to performing in association with the American Musicological Society and the Nineteenth-Century Studies Association, Matthew has presented lectures and recitals at venues across the United States. A recent recital of Russian music in Bethlehem featured Musorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition as well as shorter works by Tchaikovsky, Scriabin and Prokofiev.

Matt has worked with a wide array of students over his career, including kindergarteners, conservatory D.M.A. candidates, middle-aged music lovers, and senior citizens returning to music studies after many years away. He strives to meet every student at their current level and then tailors a program of study to suit their specific needs, goals and preferences. In his piano lessons, Matt emphasizes injury prevention, healthy and efficient practice habits, fluency in musical literacy, ear training, and rhythmic vitality. He is particularly keen to inculcate in his students an appreciation for the practical application – at the instrument – of general theoretical and historical knowledge. Ultimately, Matt aims to inspire his students to be imaginative musicians, analytical thinkers and informed members of the global community.

In addition to his lifelong passion for classical music, Matt loves popular music of all stripes, from punk rock to hip-hop to electronic. In collaboration with the Allentown-based vocalist Kate Pistone, he is the pianist and arranger for the duo Living Rarity, which made its Musikfest debut last year during the deluge and will be performing again this year on multiple stages (and hoping for better weather!). Matt also serves as the musical director, keyboardist and guitarist for Jefferson Friendship, a nine-piece cover band that has performed locally at venues like The Icehouse, The Funhouse, The Colony Meadery, and Abington Friends School.

Watch Matt discuss and perform Chopin’s Étude in E-flat minor, Op. 10, No. 6

Hear Living Rarity perform an arrangement for piano and voice of Blondie’s “Dreaming”

Watch Jefferson Friendship play a charity event at Abington Friends School

Ms. Murthy holds a B.A. in Music Education from Indiana University and a M.B.A. from Lehigh University.  She is available for private lessons in all levels of violin and in beginner-level piano.  She is certified by the Suzuki Association of the Americas and has extensive experience teaching both individual students and public school classes.  Ms. Murthy continues her own music education journey through Suzuki continuing education courses and observation at Suzuki Summer Institutes and Festivals.

Teaching the Suzuki Method, she believes that all children can become great musicians.  Through private lessons, group lessons, and performances, students learn proper practice techniques, listening skills, playing by ear, reading music, and sight-reading.  She is committed to fostering each student’s musical growth in a positive environment, and she encourages parents to be involved in their student’s learning.

Ms. Murthy also has extensive experience performing classical music.   She is a member of the Moravian University Community Orchestra and performs at a variety of local events.

Mr. Nieznay holds a B.A. in Music (Trumpet) and a B.S. in Music Education from Kutztown University. He has been teaching privately for over 20 years in the Berks and Lehigh County areas. He served as a Brass instructor for the Spring-Ford Area HS Marching Band in Royersford, PA from 2013-2018. Aside from his teaching obligations, Mr. Nieznay is also an active perform with the Mirandola Fanfare Trumpets, the Galena Brass, and the Little Brass Band of the Lehigh Valley. He was a member of the Municipal Band of Allentown for 16 years and their solo cornetist for 10 years. He has also performed with the Reading Choral Society Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Chamber Brass, the Pottstown Symphony, the Schuylkill Symphony, the Schuylkill Choral Society Orchestra, and as a member of the pit orchestra for Muhlenberg College’s summer theater programs. He is versed in all styles of performance and has also played in rock, funk and big bands throughout the tristate area. Mr. Nieznay is also a proud veteran of the United States Navy where he served 15 years as a Hospital Corpsman for the Fleet Marine Force. Currently, in addition to teaching with Community Music School, he is the Director of Operations for Zeswitz Music.

Andrew holds a B.A. in Music Performance, with honors, from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA, where he studied jazz, ear training, voice, and the art of improvisation.

Hailing from Emmaus, PA, Andrew developed his love of music at age nine, when he began studying saxophone, guitar, and voice.

In addition to being a teacher, solo performer, and session musician, Andrew has been the guitarist for The Philadelphia Funk Authority since 1998.  This award-winning dance and party band is a fan favorite at festivals, weddings, and corporate and private events in the tri-state area and beyond.  

Andrew has over 25 years of experience as a private music instructor in acoustic and electric guitar (pick-style and fingerstyle) and music theory instruction at all levels, as well as beginner-level mandolin, ukulele, piano, and bass guitar. He has also coached small music ensembles and group classes. 

He uses a student-based teaching approach to guide students in the music direction to which they aspire, paying special attention to proper technique and getting the best possible sound out of the instrument.  Andrew is experienced in teaching a variety of genres, including jazz, blues, rock, folk, R&B, classical, pop, and singer-songwriter.  He has worked with students from age 5 to 78, including students with learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum.  

Through his work as a session musician, Andrew discovered the thrill of songwriting, and the art of creating songs through lyricism, improvisation, and recording production.  He released his debut album Blue Lake California in 2008.  He recently performed on Dina Hall’s Firefly (2024) and Chris Powers’ The Unknown(2024).

Watch Andrew perform “Disco Inferno” with Philadelphia Funk Authority

Dr. Saturen holds bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and was the first to complete the doctor of musical arts degree at Temple University. He studied piano principally with Gisa Adler of the Chopin-Liszt tradition.

Before arriving at Community Music School in 1994, Dr. Saturen held full-time faculty positions at Fairleigh Dickinson University for 17 years and Moravian University for 6 years. The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia commissioned a good number of his compositions. Other compositions of his are recorded on the Contemporary Record Society and Verra Classics labels.

Dr. Saturen believes that a student should acquire certain basic skills but should be free to pursue his or her special interests. His musical styles include both the classical and jazz traditions as well as standard popular songs.

Ms. Serrao holds a B.M. Music Education from Moravian University and is a K-12 certified teacher. She also studied at Westminster Choir College, East Stroudsburg University, and Rider University. She is an experienced educator; she currently teaches at KidsPeace in Orefield and at her private piano studio in Bethlehem.

Ms. Serrao is a piano accompanist for the Moravian University Music Institute, Moravian University Suzuki Camp, and NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). She also accompanies students for private studio recitals throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Ms. Serrao is available to accompany intermediate and advanced students for CMS recitals.

Watch Ms. Serrao accompany CMS student Mary Pulanco on Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in Eb Major – Allegro amabile by J. Brahms

Joseph Wagner holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from Moravian University and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies through the University of the Arts, Philadelphia.  He was a Founder’s Scholar at Moravian University and the first graduate of the Martin Guitar Finger-Style Guitar Program. He has studied privately with the iconic Pat Martino.

Mr. Wagner is an experienced educator of all ages.  He has taught master classes with Jim Weider, (the Band), focused on improvisation, traditional jazz, and gypsy jazz styles.  In addition to teaching private lessons in guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, and mandolin, has also created and directed student ensembles and managed stage sound systems for student performances.  He ensures all students have a solid foundation in music reading, theory, composition, and ear training.  He is also a substitute teacher in the Saucon Valley and Bethlehem Area School Districts.

Mr. Wagner is an inventive guitarist, educator, and composer who leads several jazz ensembles comprising some of the most talented musicians in Eastern Pennsylvania.  He performs regularly around the region as a solo jazz guitarist, and leads a traditional jazz trio, a quartet, a gypsy jazz group, and an improvisational fusion band. Various distinguished musicians have appeared live with him, including Tony Marino, bass (Dave Liebman), Paul Rostock, bass (Frank Sinatra Jr), and Rodney Holmes, drums (Santana).

As the owner of Keystone Sound Design, Mr. Wagner is an experienced composer and recording engineer for TV and film soundtrack projects.  He has designed and installed soundscapes for local museum installations, including the Destination:  Northampton County at the Sigal Museum in Easton and at the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem.

Visit joewagnermusic.com

Ms. Walsh, soprano, holds a M.A. in Voice (Opera) from Hunter College of The City University of New York and a B.M. in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. She most recently performed the roles of Königin der Nacht in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Taufee and Sandmann in Humperdinck’s Hänsel & Gretel in Munich and Stuttgart, Germany with the Freies Landestheater Bayern.

She has participated in Masterclasses in New York City with Margo Garrett in 2020 at the NATS Winter Workshop, and with Mark Markham, as part of the 2019 Art Song Preservation Society’s Masterclass series. At the 2017 & 2016 Schubertiade Festivals in Schwarzenberg, and Hohenems, Austria, she was a participant in Masterclasses with Thomas Quasthoff & Justus Zeyen, and Thomas Hampson & Wolfram Rieger. She has also performed in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Richard-Strauss- Festival’s 2016 and 2014 Masterclasses with Angelika Kirchschlager, and Brigitte Fassbaender and Michelle Breedt. She has performed many solo recitals in and around New York City, Central and Northern New Jersey, Philadelphia, Reading, and Allentown, PA, as well as Munich and Straubing, Germany, where she has received critics’ praise for her technical vocal mastery and her believable interpretations.

She is a champion of the music of women composers as well as the lesser-known works of Franz Schubert, Hugo Wolf and Richard Strauss. She has enjoyed operatic successes in both the USA and Germany, singing the roles of Konstanze in Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Theater Lünen, Oper Schloss Laubach), Königin der Nacht in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Junge Oper Detmold, IVAI), Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Papagena in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Oscar in Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera (Center City Opera Theater), Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (Charlottesville Opera), as well as Lucia in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto, and Zerbinetta in Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos, all in concert performances.

She has been teaching private voice lessons for 13 years and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), as well as the New Jersey and Lehigh Valley chapters of NATS, the Professional Women Singers Association of NYC, and musica femina muenchen in Munich, Germany.

Visit juliakatherinewalsh.com