Staff Bios

SHERRY ALBRECHT has been practicing yoga since high school and teaching yoga for 15 years. She has taught at the YMCA, various schools, senior centers, and gives private lessons. She received her original teaching training from Maruti Landau of Hearts and Hands Center for Yoga and Health in 1995. She has done further training with Joseph LePage of Integrative Yoga Therapy. Yoga opens the heart, still the mind, and relaxes the body. Sherry feels honored to be part of the Warren County Summer Music School.

JULIE BAUGHMAN has been playing the piano for 36 years. She graduated from Clarion University with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications with a minor in Music Marketing. During her undergraduate study, she served as accompanist for the Clarion University Concert choir for 3 years. Julie accompanied many musicals for Knox Community Theater and the Salem Community Theater. She co-directed and accompanied musicals for Keystone High School in Knox, PA and Warren Are High School. She and her husband founded the Grace United Methodist Players in 2000, directing and producing 3 musicals. Julie has taught private piano lessons in Warren for 12 years and plays for school concerts, weddings and funerals. She also sings with the contemporary Christian group Messengers of Peace. She has served as assistant organist and piano accompanist for Grace United Methodist church since 1997. Julie currently teaches three and four year olds at Creative Preschool in Warren.

SOPHIE DORN participated in Summer Music School for two years as a student and five years as an intern where she assisted teachers in the areas of strings, clarinet, saxophone, and dance.  She has played the violin for 12 years, the clarinet for 11 years, and the saxophone for 5 years.  Sophie began dance lessons at the age of three at The Warren School of Ballet under the instruction of Melinda Kiser.  She took tap and ballet lessons for 16 years and jazz and Pointe for three years.  Sophie is currently a student at Edinboro University majoring in elementary, special, and early childhood education with a concentration in music.  At Edinboro, Sophie has been participating in swing and ballroom classes and attends ballroom dances in Erie about once a month.

BRYAN ECKENRODE graducated cum laude from SUNY at Stony Brook and holds a Master of Music degree from SUNY at Buffalo. Mr. Eckenrode is currently principal cellist with the Western New York Chamber Orchestra and the Southern Tier Symphony. He performs and records with the International Baroque Soloists, a chamber group that is quickly gaining world recognition for its superb musicianship and authentic performance practice. He also performs with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra, the Erie Chamber Orchestra, the Erie Opera Theater Orchestra, and has been principal cellist with the British Columbia Mozart Festival Orchestra, Canada. He is a member of the Lexington String Quartet, Camerata, and Voci d'Amore - soprano, cello, and keyboard. He is the conductor and music director of the Warren Civic Orchestra in Pennsylvania, the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony, the Buffalo City Strings, and the newly formed Third Coast Chamber Orchestra. He is also the conductor of the Vivace String Camp Orchestra at Houghton College and the Artpark String Camp in Lewiston, New York.

He can be heard on many CDs including Ani DeFranco, Sixpence None the Richer, Them Jazzbeards, John and Mary, Allison Piptione, the Jazzabels, not only as a cellist but also as a bagpiper and flutist. Mr. Eckenrode performed adn recorded a series of film scores for silent movies issued by Turner Broadcasting, now available on commercial DVD.

He has been artist faculty at the NASO-ASTA String Conference, SUNY Fredonia and artist-in-residence at the Okanagan Summer School of the Arts in British Columbia, as well as, conductor of the Summer School Orchestra. He is currently on the faculty Canisius College, Buffalo, Niagara University, and the director of the string department at Villa Maria College, Buffalo. Mr. Eckenrode is quickly gaining a fine reputation as a soloist both in the United States and Canada, and made his Lincoln Center debut in October of 2003, returning in 2006. His teachers have included; Arie Lipsky, John Hsu, Einer Holm, Samuel Mcgill, and Patricia Sublette. Mr. Eckenrode is married to internationally acclaimed soprano, Cristen Gregory.

JAMES EMBREY: Percussion Instructor with strong background in jazz, rock and roll and electronic music. Jim is the sole percussionist in the Warren Civic Orchestra and treasurer of the orchestra. He brings a strong background to the instruction of rudiments for the beginning and intermediate percussion student.

ERIN GALLOWAY (formerly known as Erin Clark) grew up in Youngsville, where she studied piano with Joan Eighmey for 11 years.  She also studied the violin in addition to participating in the choir, jazz band, percussion ensemble, marching band, and orchestra.  Erin graduated from Furman University (Greenville, SC) in 2008 with a Bachelor’s of Music in Education.  Since then, she has been pursuing her dream career of teaching private piano and violin lessons.  She currently teaches from home, at Converse College, at a local music store, and at the homes of several of her students.  In the past year,  she has also worked as an orchestra teacher and an accompanist.  Erin is excited to be returning to Warren to teach at WCSMS this year!

TRAVIS JAMES GALLOWAY is an art teacher living in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  He attended Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, acquiring both a bachelor's in Visual Arts and a master's in Arts and Education, as well as minors in writing, English, and philosophy.  Travis has won awards for both his artwork and his written works, which include poetry and short story.  Combing both of his passions, he is currently writing and illustrating a children's book.  He is really looking forward to working with such an enthusiastic group of students!

SUSAN GOBBEL holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from Edinboro University of PA. Her graduate classes were taken at Edinboro University of PA, University of Mass. Dartmouth, and at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN., specializing in Jewlry, with a concentration in Drawing, and Painting. She also holds a Drafting and Design Certificate from American Technical Institute in Pitts. PA. She was part of the "Art Smart" training here in the Warren County School District with Dr. Rosemary Omniewski, and continued studying with Dr. Omniewski, Judith Thomas, and Susan Katz, the authors of the book "The Word in Play: Language Music and Movement in the Classroom," at the Summer Music School at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. During the summers of 2007 and 2008, she worked with Dr. Omniewski, Dr. Judith Witmer of Penn State, and IU8 on "Building Bridges through Art Smart" another Federal Grant, as Creativity Mentor. She has presented at numerous State and National Art Education Conferences, and has been a Co-Operating Teacher for Edinboro University student teachers. Her High School years were spent in Acappella and Madrigal choirs, and musical theatre, singing, acting, dancing and painting scenery, as well as an Independent Study in Jewlery. Susan currently teaches Art at Warren Area High School and the Learning Enrighment Center and is a working artist.

BETSY GRIFFIN is the administrator for Warren County Summer Music School, as well as the lead project staff member for the intern program.  In addition, she has been the computer scheduler for Music School for the past ten years.  She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Computer Science from Edinboro University, as well as a Masters in Education from Gannon University.   She is retired after teaching 36 years for the Warren County School District. She is currently working as a tutor for the district.

SHANNON BARNICKEL HENRY is thrilled to return to WCSMS!  She spent many years as a student and intern before becoming a faculty member in 2000 and 2001.  Shannon is in her 11th year of teaching in a career spanning NC, MD and PA.  Currently, she is the band director at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School in State College, PA.  After 9 years of active duty United States Marine Corps, her husband, Christopher Henry (formerly of Youngsville, PA) will fulfill a lifelong dream of graduation from The Pennsylvania State University in May, where he is also employed at their Applied Research Laboratory.  He will then be commissioned in the Air Force Reserve Unit also in State College.  They have one child, a daughter, Genevieve Rose, who is nearing 3 years of age.  Shannon earned the following degrees: B.S. in Music Education, B.A. in Flute Performance from Geneva College and Duquesne University and a Master’s degree in Reading from The College of Notre Dame of Maryland in Baltimore.  She is certified in music and as a reading specialist in NC, MD and PA.  Her flute instruction continued with Rhian Kenny (Principal Piccolo, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra) after having studied with her mentor, Ann Mead.  In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her 3 Labrador Retrievers, Mack, Mocha and Maggie, one of each color; off-roading in her jeep; cooking and baking; and spending time with her friends.

KEVIN HUNT has been involved in theatre and music for over ten years. He has participated in many aspects of theatre participating in shows for the Warren County School District, Warren Players, and Clarion University, as well as, participating in the Kennedy Center's Amature College Theatre Festival. Most recently Kevin has assistant directed Warren Players, Titanic: A New Musical, as well as assistant directed last years All County Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie. On stage Kevin has recently performed in Player's production of Titanic: A New Musical as Bruce Ismay. Musically Kevin has participated in several choirs and show choirs for the Warren County School District and Clarion University. He has an undergraduate degree in Elementary education with a concentration on music and theatre and has recently obtained his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.

DANIEL IMIG holds a BS in Communications and Fine Arts and studied guitar under Joseph Breznekar. He has also studied at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago with Eric Lugosch. He currently writes commercials for radio and television.

SARAH KORCHAK earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Mansfield University and a Master of Music Education from Ithaca College with a major in piano and concentration in vocal and choral music. She pursued additional study in string pedagogy at Ohio State University and has earned Level I Certification in Orff-Schulwerk. She began her career in New York state, has been employed by the Warren County School District since 1994 and currently teaches chorus and orchestra at Beaty-Warren Middle School.

Mrs. Korchak is part of the music ministry and director of the religious education program at St. Anthony's Church in Sheffield. Through WCSMS, she developed an interest in Celtic Harp and continues to study this beautiful instrument. She has done some research on the positive effects of participation in drum circles and is thrilled to share WCSD's new set of "World Music Drumming" instruments with area students and adults. Cherished free time is spent with husband Tim, daughter Tessa, and black lab Nellie.

C.J. LYONS attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a concentration in Percussion Studies. He has studied with Dr. Michael Kingan and Dr. Ronald Horner at IUP and artists including Jeff Queen, Nick Angeles, Chris Hanning, Bob Becker, Mark Ford, Gary Burton, Andy Narell, Dave Samuels, and Ed Soph.

During his time at IUP he has had the opportunity to perform at venues such as the Percussive Arts Society International Conference in Columbus Ohio, a clinician at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Music Conference in Hershey, PA, New York Giants Stadium, as well as a solo artist at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania's Heinz Hall.

C.J. is currently a percussion consultant for numerous high school marching bands in Pennsylvania as well as a performer, music educator and composer.

He is also a member of the National Judges Association, and is an affiliated member of PAS, PMEA and MENC as well as an Innovative Percussion Education Artist.

ANN MEAD is the Director of the Warren County Summer Music School. She holds a B.S. in Music Education from Duquesne University and a Master of Music from the State University of New York Fredonia. Ann has taught both in the public and parochial schools in Warren, PA. She has laid the foundation and is a mentor for a music program at the Fundacion Camamento Christiano Esperanza in Quito, Ecuador. Ann currently maintains a Flute Studio in Warren, PA and is a former Trustee of the Struthers Library Theatre. Founding member of Mna' Tri', a flute , piano and cello trio.

ELLEN PAQUETTE holds a BA in Art and is actively involved in the visual and performing arts.  She is a freelance artist and musician and has extensive experience in theatre, primarily as a director, performer and set and costume designer.  She was a longtime board member of Warren Players, a co-founder of Timber Tales, and is a trustee of the Struthers Library Theatre.  Ellen plays the folk harp as a soloist and with other area traditional musicians.

ROBERT PEARCE is a Pittsburgh area native who fell in love with Warren County and moved here in 1992.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Grove City College and a Master’s in Music Education from the State University of New York College at Fredonia.  He has been teaching in the Warren County School District for the last 17 years, the last 13 in his current position as choral director at Warren Area High School.  Mr. Pearce serves as the secretary and webmaster of District 2 of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.  Aside from numerous choral concerts and community performances, Mr. Pearce has participated in local productions of Mame, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Wiz, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, Oklahoma, Beauty & the Beast, and Flight of the Lawnchair Man.

DENISE PEARSONholds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a concentration in flute from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her graduate study includes two seasons with the Saratoga-Potsdam Choral Institute, studying and singing under Brock McElheran and guest conductors, including Robert Shaw and Eugene Ormandy. Mrs. Pearson has enjoyed a variety of music teaching positions K-12 - instrumental, choral, musical theatre, general music - and is currently Choral Director at Eisenhower Middle/High School. She also serves as Director of Choirs at First Lutheran Church, Warren where she founded the handbell program.

ANDREW POLLARD is a multi-instrumentalist and singer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, with concentrations in Music, Language Arts, and Social Studies, and a Masters of Education in Instructional Leadership from Edinboro University. He did his graduate work in Vocal Performance at the University of Rhode Island. He has studied voice with Michael Kelly, Gary Glaze, and Jessica Van Ord. He studied harp with Joan Ceo and flute with Ann Mead. Andrew sings and plays in the Celtic music group Anam Cara. He performs as a tenor soloist in various venues and has a private voice studio in Warren, Pennsylvania. Andrew has performed in numerous roles in both amateur and professional theatres across the north east. He presently teaches at the Warren County School District’s Learning Enrichment Center for Gifted Students.

RALPH RASMUSSON holds a B.S. and M.S. in Music Education with 39 years of instrumental instruction, grades 5-12 in New York State. He has been a Jazz band instructor for 36 years and twice named Guest conductor for NYSSMA sectional Festivals. He is Concert Band and Jazz Band Director at Jamestown Community College. He is a multi-instrumental performer in many venues such as Commercial, Dixieland, Jazz and Concert Band. He has added two new CDs and has a website at www.razzandfriends.com. Mr. Rasmusson was inducted into the Chautauqua County Music Hall of Fame in 2008.

SARAH RODGERS is a former student and intern of the Warren County Summer Music School. Sarah enjoys learning new instruments and is accomplished on the clarinet, violin, saxophone, and piano. In high school and college she participated in numerous instrumental and choral ensembles as well as musical theater productions. Sarah attended Franklin and Marshall College where she earned her BA in Sociology. She is currently attending Edinboro University in pursuit of her elementary teaching certificate and Master's Degree in Elementary Education.

SUE SPENCER is the Artistic Director for the Struthers Library Theatre, Warren, PA. Ms. Spencer oversees the programming for the Allegheny Regional Theatre Experience and Dance Theatre. Her experience includes directing and co-directing musicals, producing, performance and choreography with experience in costuming and set design. Sue has worked for the past two years at the Reg Lenna Civic Center's Drama Enrichment Progrram and also with The Chatauqua Regional Youth Ballet as an administrator and instructor. Ms. Spencer also developed for the CRYB a summer intensive program bringing in professional guest artists to work with area students. She also serves on the Advisory Board for C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocates).