Hiroshi Yamazaki

On Friday, February 4, ArtsWestchester’s third annual

NewUrbanJazz™ series kicks off with the Hiroshi Yamazaki Quartet. Pianist Yamazaki, a member of the Music Conservatory of Westchester Jazz faculty, leads his own quartet in an evening of original compositions and interpretations of the jazz repertoire. Performing with him will be Steve LaSpina (bass), Tony Jefferson (drums) and Peter Furlan (Tenor Sax). For details visit www.artswestchester.org.

Tatiana Feigin

And…

The Feigin Duo featuring MCW faculty member Tatiana Feigin (violin) and pianist Eugene Feigin will perform in the Great Hall at Long Island University on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 8:30 p.m. The pair will perform music of Germany and Austria including works by Bach and Brahms.

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Photo/Cathy Pinsky

The Music Conservatory of Westchester (MCW), a non-profit community school for music and the arts, has appointed Edgemont resident Dr. Jean Newton as executive director. Mr. Rodd D. Berro, a member of the Conservatory’s board of trustees since 2008, was also recently elected as board president.

Newton has been on the Conservatory’s staff since 1995. Most recently, in her role as dean of students and faculty, she supervised 75 faculty, three staff positions, and was responsible for program development and operations as well as student recruitment and retention. Her extensive experience as an arts administrator and educator led not only to expanded performance opportunities for MCW’s students, but also a 10 percent increase in enrollment. While serving as the school’s director of development, Newton supervised the successful completion of their $7.8 million capital campaign.

“It’s such a privilege to have the opportunity to lead this stellar institution with its rich history and bright future,” said Newton. “The Conservatory is very close to my heart. My son studied piano and my daughter studied flute here. When I joined the staff 16 years ago, I had hoped it would be a long-term relationship.”

In addition to carving a successful career in arts administration, Newton has also been an active performer and teacher. She joined the Conservatory’s faculty in 1995, established the school’s Baroque ensembles, and continues teaching harpsichord and chamber music. Prior to her focus on an administrative career, Newton performed as a soloist and chamber musician with a variety of ensembles including the Cantabile Chamber Players, New York Baroque Ensemble, New York String Ensemble and Musica Antiqua. She has appeared with the 92nd Street Y Chorale, The String Section, New Jersey Chamber Symphony, City College Faculty String Quartet, and Bronx Arts Ensemble, among others.

Newton is currently secretary of the New York Metro Area Chapter of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, as well as a board member and recording secretary of the Westchester County Arts Leadership Association. She is a former board member of the SUMMIT Music Festival and Edgemont School Foundation. Newton also served on peer review panels for the United States Department of Education, New York State Council on the Arts, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

A graduate of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College where she earned her masters degree in harpsichord and early music performance, Ms. Newton also earned a doctoral degree in English Literature from the City University of New York’s Graduate School and University Center. She additionally holds a New York State Permanent Teaching Certificate in English for grades 7-12.

Newton succeeds Carol Shiffman, who passed away in October after a long illness. Recognized nationally for her work in arts administration, Shiffman was a devoted leader and champion of music, dance and arts education. “In her two-and-a-half years at the Conservatory, Carol provided extraordinary leadership, passion and organizational development,” said Newton. “Her impact on the Conservatory will be felt for years to come as the spirit of teamwork she fostered lives on. I’m honored to continue her work and also carve new paths.”

Music Conservatory of Westchester offers music and theatre programs for students of all ages and skill levels, and music therapy for children and adults with disabilities. Centrally located in White Plains, N.Y., the Conservatory recently welcomed Faust Harrison Piano Center, nationally recognized for restoration and sales of Steinways and other high quality instruments, as an on-campus resident.

“We have some very exciting plans for the Conservatory,” Newton continued. “I’m very much looking forward to working with our wonderful community of students, parents, faculty, board and staff.”

Newton’s new role at the Conservatory leaves a vacancy in the Dean’s position. Dr. Sarah Wetherbee, who had been Assistant Dean since September 2008, will serve as Interim Dean through June 2012. Dr. Wetherbee holds a B.M. from the Curtis Institute and a D.M.A. from Peabody Institute of Music. An accomplished violinist and violist, she is known for her work as an administrator, teacher and performer, and has served in numerous faculty and staff positions at Gettysburg College, the Levine School of Music, Arlington Symphony, and Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, among others. She has been co-founder and Artistic Director of Fiori Musicali, an ensemble in residence at the Walters Art Museum, has served on the board of the American Composers Forum, and currently serves on the board of the Greenwich Village Orchestra in NYC.

“Jean has excelled in every role she’s had at the Conservatory. We are so very confident her leadership and experience as executive director will propel our school and its offerings to even greater heights,” Rodd Berro said.

Berro is the president and owner of Pegasus Assest Management Inc., a Private Wealth Management firm based in Montebello, N.Y. He received his Certified Financial Planning™ certification (CFP®) designation in 1995 and is a member of the Financial Planning Association. Before joining Pegasus, Berro was a co-founder of Arts Data Associates, a marketing and consulting firm. The former president of the Armonk Players, Berro still maintains a board member position for the organization. In addition, he is currently the treasurer of the Financial Planning Association, Greater Hudson Valley Chapter. Berro earned his B.F.A. in Theatre from North Carolina School of the Arts. He currently resides in Armonk, N.Y., with his wife, Elizabeth, and two children, Kelsey and Zachary.

“I’m truly honored to serve as board president of this community institution. This school has meant a great deal to my family and I. My daughter took lessons for years, and my son continues to. I’ve witnessed the power of MCW first hand, and am excited on what the future might bring for this arts campus in the heart of White Plains,” he said.

The Music Conservatory of Westchester is at 216 Central Avenue in White Plains, N.Y. They can be reached at (914) 761-3900 or by visiting www.musicconservatory.org.

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Upcoming events at the Conservatory include a Flute Masterclass led by Mindy Kaufman, solo piccolo and flutist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra since 1979, and an alumna of the Conservatory. The Masterclass is entitled “Phrasing, Singing, Intonation, and Breathing,” and will take place on Saturday, December 3 at 11a.m.. For more information please call 914-761-3900 or visit www.musicconservatory.org.

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Join us for a jazzy and offbeat Evening of Cafe Music on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. The concert, part of MCW’s Live on Central series, features faculty members Michael Bunchman, Justin Stanley, and Sarah Wetherbee performing tunes including Paul Schoenfield’s Klezmer-Inspired Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piant and selections from Bruce Wolosoff’s Mad Maude and other tales. Tickets are free for MCW students and faculty, $15 for general admission, and $10 for students, seniors and alumni. Tickets can be purchased at www.liveoncentral.eventbrite.com.

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On Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., please join us for a concert celebrating the life of MCW’s Executive Director Carol Shiffman. Faculty, friends, and students will perform.

For details, email info@musiced.org

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Acclaimed children’s entertainer David Gonzalez (fourth from left) was the featured performer at the Music Therapy Institute’s (MTI) 25^th Anniversary Celebration, held recently in White Plains. MTI, which is part of the Music Conservatory of Westchester, addresses the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive well being of children and adults with a wide variety of special needs. Also in attendance were (left to right) Lisa Sandagata, Phyllis Bethel, Donald Stevens, David Gonzalez, James Maxson, and Tina Brescia.

Upcoming events benefiting MTI include Novembowl at Grand Prix New York’s Spins Bowl, a state-of-the-art bowling center and lounge located at 333 Bedford Road, Mount Kisco. The event will take place on Thursday, November 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Cost ranges from $50 – 60 and includes bowling, kart racing, food, drinks, and live music from the Conservatory. For more information on this event or to learn more about MTI, please call 914-761-3900. www.musicconservatory.org  Photo by: Jon Chattman

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This video was filmed partially in MCW last spring. Enjoy!

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The 14-member Antara Ensemble opens its 18th season with a concert led by its music director, conductor/flutist Harold Jones, on Tuesday, October 4 at 8:00 p.m., at Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church, 619 Lexington Avenue (54th Street) in New York City. 

The program will feature world premieres of William Foster McDaniel’s The Prophet for soprano and strings (with soprano Valerie MacCarthy), and MCW piano faculty member Cindi Hsu’s Nevermore for strings. Other works include Samuel Barber’s Adagio, Barber’s Dover Beach for voice and strings (featuring baritone Thomas Buckner), McDaniel’s Concerto for Flute and Strings (conducted by Ariel Rudiakov and featuring MCW faculty member Harold Jones as flutist), and Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite.

Tickets are $25; seniors (62 and over) and students $20. For information and reservations: (212) 866-2545.

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