Meet our Featured Artists for Sotto Voce’s upcoming production of Mascagni’s CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA!
PRODUCTION TEAM
Alex Huddleston
FILM & STAGE DIRECTOR
Alex Huddleston is a Buffalo-based multi-media artist, originally from St. Louis MO. After completing his PhD in May 2020 from SUNY University at Buffalo in composition, he began pursuing artistic expression beyond the limitations of absolute concert music. An artistically nomadic creative, these activities include art installations, multimedia performances, digital art, photography, and filmmaking. In the latter category he has directed in a number of genres including experimental films, narrative films, music videos, and documentary. His highly anticipated documentary series titled “Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo: A Home for All” was recently screened to great acclaim. He has been an artist-in-residence at Rust Belt Books, and composed several film scores with collaborators including photographer Eric Weeks. His directorial debut for staged music drama was UUCB’s 2023 production of Dido and Aeneas. This was followed by a double-bill of Puccini’s Il Tabarro and Suor Angelica with Operallora.
The originator of Sotto Voce’s ‘opera nouveau’ aesthetic, He strives always to both preserve the integrity of the art-form whilst drawing contemporary audiences into the drama through terms shared between both. In Sotto Voce’s first season, he presented his first narrative screenplay – a modern retelling of The Magic Flute. This highly ambitious production fused modern scripted filmmaking with historically accurate live music in a very successful hybrid event. A few short months later, he stage directed his fifth opera – his second production of Puccini’s Suor Angelica. In this production, interviews with contemporary survivors of the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) reflected on the similarities between Puccini’s ~100 year old opera and their actual experiences in recent memory. These interviews were collaged and woven into the fabric of the opera. Sotto Voce’s next “opera nouveau” production was Lucia di Lammermoor, featuring an original script, where Sir Walter Scott will offer commentary and observations on the show interlaced with the music. Alex is excited to again be creating original short films to accompany this year’s productions of Cavalleria Rusticana and Fidelio.
His concert music has won highly competitive awards and has been performed in numerous cities in the United States, including New York City, Austin, Boston, and Buffalo, as well as in Italy and Portugal. He is a music critic and book reviewer for University of Cambridge press’s TEMPO. He is a producer for the ScoreFollower, Incipitsify, and MediatedScores YouTube channels, and edits content for many other YouTube channels.
Jessie Downs
ARTISTIC & MUSIC DIRECTOR
Jessie Downs (b. 1991) is the Founding and Artistic Director of Sotto Voce and the Music Director for the UU Church of Buffalo. As a Music Director, Jessie has guided the musical preparation and interpretation of Sotto Voce’s 2024 production of The Magic Flute, UUCB’s 2023 production of Dido and Aeneas, and Opera Magnifico’s 2023 production of L’elisir d’amore. She looks forward to music directing Sotto Voce’s March 2026 production of Cavalleria Rusticana.
As a soprano, Jessie’s performances have been described as “simply stunning,” “a tour de force,” her voice as “sweet,” “very round,” and her range “impressive.” Recent operatic roles include the Second Lady in The Magic Flute (2026, NY), Lucia in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor (NY, 2025), Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute (NY, 2024), Suor Angelica in Puccini’s Suor Angelica with Operallora (NJ, 2023) and Sotto Voce (NY, 2024), Mimi in Puccini’s La Boheme with Opera Magnifico (NJ, 2022), and Sashatya in her own The Second Sight (NY, 2021). Upcoming roles include Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana with Opera Magnifico, Micaela in Carmen withTokyo Opera Studio, and Marzelline in Sotto Voce’s August 2026 production of Fidelio.
Jessie holds a PhD from the University at Buffalo (2021) and a BMus from Oberlin Conservatory (2013), both in Music Composition with a focus in voice. She has studied bel canto pedagogy and interpretation extensively since the age of 14. Since the age of 19, she has worked with master pedagogue Franco Bertacci – himself a pupil of Franco Corelli and Cornelius Reid – whose teachings continue to guide both her own practice and her way of working with other singers.
Mason Cancilla – CONDUCTOR
Mason Cancilla, whose conducting has been described as “poised, elegant, and very polished.” (JoAnn Falletta) founded the Avanti Chamber Orchestra and Chorus in 2023. It has since become simply Avanti – a group of dedicated musicians ranging from amateur to professional. Together we form an ensemble, whose repertoire spans the Baroque through the Modern. Avanti is also dedicated to aiding in the development of young soloists and composers. In August of 2024 the orchestra performed Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” and the two Romances for Violin and Orchestra for the 1st Annual Buffalo Beethoven Festival, also founded by Cancilla.
He is currently music director at St. Benedict’s RC Church in Buffalo and of Cantio Sacra at Canisius University. Mason is a conductor and team coordinator for Buffalo String Works. This summer, Mason will spend time at the Eastman School of Music studying and conducting Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem for the second time. This will be Mason’s fourth time attending Summer@Eastman. The past program’s included: Bach’s B minor Mass, Margaret Bond’s Credo, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem.
Mason is a graduate of the University at Buffalo (UB) with an MM in Orchestral Conducting. While at UB, he served as the assistant conductor of the University at Buffalo Symphony Orchestra (UBSO). He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Canisius College, now Canisius University, and an Associate of Science degree from Niagara County Community College, now SUNY Niagara. For a full bio please visit masoncancilla.com
Ivan Docenko – ACCOMPANIST/ ENSEMBLE PIANIST
Ivan is a freelance musician in WNY. Currently, retiring in June, he completed his 33rd year in the Buffalo State University Music Department. At BSU, he worked as a staff pianist, serving as vocal/ instrumental coach and accompanist for the chamber choir.
As a performer he collaborates with the Ed Croft Trio in live annual performances of the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack in various venues throughout WNY. He also occasionally plays with the Buffalo Tango Orkestra/Shulman Trio for special events.
With his violinist brother, Gregory Docenko, Ivan has performed on live-taped programs on BTPM’S “Hear Us Out” & “Classical Live on Stage.” They also contributed their talents to the WNED/PBS Documentary: “Polonia- WNY’s Polish/American Legacy. The duo is known throughout WNY for their versatility in musical styles, ranging from classical to popular to ethnic music.
Also, for WNED/PBS, Docenko appears as accompanist for local singers from Buffalo Opera Unlimited, in recorded/televised performances of operatic selections, in a 3-part series.
At his home music studio, Ivan coaches local singers & pianists. Docenko also has been composing original music which is available on ArrangeMe.com online, some of which has been performed at BSU this year.
During his retirement, Docenko hopes to continue freelancing, maintaining his studio & composing, and performing/recording/traveling with his singer wife, Angela.
CAST
Ariel Emma – SANTUZZA
Known for having a voice that has been called “a force of nature sound with natural ease” (Parterre Box) and having a “rich, warm, and open tone” (Wooten | OperaWire), Ariel Emma has been making her way through the opera circuit with a smile and a song to sing.
This season, Ariel has been blessed to have many opportunities to collaborate with some amazing companies across the nation including: Ouroboros Opera in The Order of the Virtues portraying the role of Victory, Killer Queen Opera as a part of their cabaret series, and Valkyrie Ensemble in their production of Suor Angelica as the title role.
Jax Hassler – TURIDDU
Jax Hassler is a young tenor from the Mountains of Big Sky country Montana. He is dedicated to the lyric and dramatic Italian and French repertoire. He is noted by critic and colleague alike for his “soaring high notes” “generous volume” and meticulous preparation. Jax’s recent roles include Ernani in Ernani with Blue Mountain Opera, Don Jose in Carmen with Amici Opera, Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca with Regina Opera, Canio in I Pagliacci with New Rochelle Opera and Regina Opera, and Turridu in Cavalleria Rusticana with the Philadelphia Orchestra Society. His upcoming roles include Turridu in Cavalleria Rusticana, Canio in I Pagliacci, and Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. He currently lives in New Jersey and studies with world class tenor and Maestro Di Canto Arturo Spinetti.
Brian J. Alvarado – ALFIO
Brian J. Alvarado’s ‘liquid baritone of great charm,’ ‘precise patter elocution,’ and ‘highly attractive legato’ (Parterre Box) has featured recently as Peter in Hansel and Gretel and Guglielmo in Così fan tutte (Bronx Opera), Dr. Falke in La Chauve-Souris (Orchestre Classique de Montréal), the Baritone in The Four-Note Opera (Festival d’art vocal de Montréal), Silvio in Pagliacci (New Rochelle Opera), Angelotti in Tosca (Opera Vermont), Eugene Johnson in Blind Injustice (Opera Theatre of the Rockies), Tom in Un ballo in maschera (Opera Project Columbus), and Ivan Turgenev in Notes on Viardot (Music on Site). Other roles include Leporello in Don Giovanni (Bronx Opera, Long Island Lyric Opera, Lighthouse Opera, Amore Opera), The Magic Flute‘s Papageno (Opera Theatre of Montclair) and Sprecher (Barn Opera), Schaunard in La bohéme, Dandini in La Cenerentola, and the title roles in The Sorcerer, Venus and Adonis, and Sweeney Todd. His solo concert work includes Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s BWV 147, Keiser’s Markuspassion, Haydn’s Nicolaimesse, Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore, Pastoralmesse, and Spatzenmesse, Schubert’s Mass in G, and Gounod’s St. Cecilia Mass. The Bronx native has appeared chorally at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Madison Square Garden, National Sawdust, and elsewhere.
Emily Rich – LOLA
Emily Rich‘s voice has been described as rich, plummy, healthy, full, creamy and thrilling. The core of Emily’s being is her music. Her passion from a young age was to perform, sing, and entertain. Emily Rich was recently a Smith Young Artist with Cedar Rapids Opera and following that, went on to work as an Education Assistant for their summer youth program. She has performed in productions and opera scenes from various operas including Così fan tutte, Mamelles de Tiresias, Il Matrimonio Segreto, Little Women, The Crucible, Die Zauberflöte, Carmen, Suor Angelica, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Dido and Aeneas, Madame Butterfly, Don Giovanni, Aleko, and Tosca. She has also previously performed at Pittsburgh Opera, Land of Enchantment Opera institute, Opera Breve, Bologna International Opera Institute, and Vann Vocal Institute. Emily currently resides in New York and frequently coaches with Eric Trudel. Emily received her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a Master of Music in Voice Performance from Indiana University’s Jacob’s School of Music.
Mamma Lucia/ Santuzza Second Cover – KASWANNA KANYINDA
Mezzo-soprano Kaswanna Kanyinda is acclaimed for her vocal warmth and dramatic presence. A recent Resident Artist at Fort Worth Opera, she has performed with Opera Grand Rapids, Spoleto Festival, Toledo Opera, and Opera MODO, and was a finalist in major competitions across the U.S. She premiered roles in Stinney, Omar, and Stand Up, and covered Jo Ann Robinson/Fred Gray in She Who Dared with Chicago Opera Theater. She earned her master’s at the University of Michigan under George Shirley and performed at the Kennedy Center. A North Carolina native, she now resides in Dallas-Fort Worth and continues her vibrant career.
Beth White – SANTUZZA COVER/ SOPRANO LEADER
Beth White has been singing in the Buffalo music community for nearly three decades. Beth is known for her lithe chiaroscuro tone and extensive range. In 2021, she played the role of the Water Spirit in the first production of The Second Sight by Jessie Downs and in 2023, sang the role of First Witch in UUCB’s production of Dido and Aeneas. A longtime member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Beth has also sung with the BPC Chamber Singers and the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Chapel Choir. As a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo Choir, she has performed solo and chamber group pieces for the congregation. She has studied with Genia Las and Jessie Downs, whose coaching in the bel canto technique has expanded her vocal range, power, and flexibility. She joined Sotto Voce in their first season as Second Lady in The Magic Flute, returned in their second season in the role of Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor and Lia in L’enfant prodigue, and is thrilled to be covering Santuzza in this year’s production of Cavalleria Rusticana.
Carl Hengen – TURIDDU COVER/ TENOR LEADER
Carl Hengen wields an “heroic” Tenor voice well-suited to both Bel Canto and Verismo. Recently, Mr. Hengen sang the role of Manrico (Il Trovatore) in Opera Magnifico’s “Verdi Spectacular,” and prepared to cover Edgardo in the same company’s Lucia di Lammermoor. He also twice participated in the Westbroek-Van Aken Vocal Studio course in Mosset, France, focusing on Drammatico and Heldentenor repertoire. Other role highlights for Mr. Hengen include Ruggero in Puccini’s La Rondine, Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore, and Aeneas in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. Mr. Hengen teaches at the Baltimore School for the Arts and the Lutherville Music School. He is also an accomplished Guitarist and Audio Engineer.
Mr. Hengen holds a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from Michigan State University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Music in Voice Performance from the University of Maryland, College Park, and the Associate’s Degree in Music from The Community College of Baltimore County, Essex Campus.
Ky VerHoef – ALFIO COVER/ BARITONE LEADER
Ky VerHoef is a Buffalo-based baritone celebrated for his expressive voice and wide-ranging vocal talents. A versatile soloist, he has performed with esteemed ensembles such as INCIPIO, Avanti, the Lutheran Choral of the Niagara Frontier, the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, and Sotto Voce. Ky has also had the privilege of collaborating with notable groups including the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In addition to his performance career, he is a staff singer with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and serves as the Programs Director for INCIPIO, where he plays a key role in curating innovative musical experiences. His dedication to both solo and choral music has made him a respected figure in Buffalo’s dynamic arts scene. Ky has sung in the choruses of Sotto Voce’s The Magic Flute (as a Priest) and Lucia di Lammermoor, served as Stage Manager and Flautist for their Suor Angelica, and premiered the role of the “Dark Angel” in Grit & Silk (an adaptation of L’enfant prodigue). This is also Ky’s second feature in the annual Sotto Voce Gala.
Krista Laskowski – LOLA COVER/ CONTRALTO LEADER
Lauded for her “flowering, darkly rich voice” (Boston Classical Review) and “natural,
easy stage presence, and ample vocal gift”, mezzo-soprano Krista Laskowski is “adding an engaging zest” (The Boston Musical Intelligencer) to the American opera and concert stage.
Laskowski’s repertoire spans both standard and contemporary opera, musical theatre, oratorio, and song. Most recently, she was featured in a Gilbert & Sullivan Revue with Choral Artists of Sarasota, where she had previously been featured in the Florida premiere of Florence Price’s Abraham Lincoln Walks At Midnight, and Mozart’s Requiem. As a recitalist, she has presented programs including art song, opera arias and musical theatre selections.
Laskowski has been featured on the concert stage in the works of Bach, Vivaldi, Saint-Saëns, Pergolesi, Handel, Mozart, Vaughan Williams, Duruflé, Strozzi, and Argento.
Onstage, Laskowski has performed with Opera Tampa, Indianapolis Opera, Gulfshore Opera, Odyssey Opera, Boston Opera Collaborative, MassOpera, and New Voices Opera. Her portrayal of the Marquise de Merteuil in the Boston premiere of Conrad Susa’s The Dangerous Liaisons was noted “flamboyantly evil in a way that’s so very fun to watch” (New England Theatre Geek). Other important roles include Meg March (Little Women), Amastre (Serse), Flora (La Traviata), Florence Pike (Albert Herring), Siebel (Faust), and Franca Nacarelli (The Light In The Piazza).
Ms. Laskowski holds a Bachelor and Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Upcoming performances may be found at http://www.kristalaskowskimezzo.com.
Laurie Pastena – MAMMA LUCIA COVER/ CONTRALTO LEADER
Laurie Pastena, mezzo-soprano, originally from Brooklyn, NY is passionate about opera singing. Laurie currently performs as a member of the Community Music Chorus under the direction of Paul Waara and sings with the Opera-Lytes. Her previous performances include scenes at the Hunter College Opera Workshop and the Cheektowaga Community Chorus. She is a student of Christina Santa Maria at the Santa Maria Voice Studio. She greatly enjoyed singing the role of La Badessa in Sotto Voce’s Suor Angelica, and in the chorus for Lucia di Lammermoor, and is looking forward to Cavalleria Rusticana!
Tediyra Barton-Harris – SOPRANO CHORISTER
Born and raised in Buffalo NY, Tediyra Barton-Harris is a classically trained soprano with a focus on opera performance. In 2009, she was awarded the Andrew Brown Scholarship of Choral Achievement by her Alma Mater, Buffalo State College. Some of her more notable performances are Donna Elvira from Don Giovanni with the Cadenza Workshop, and as a soloist for the 2010 Bach Festival. Currently, Tediyra teaches voice at the Community Music School of Buffalo and works as a soloist in the Western New York area. She made her Sotto Voce debut as a chorister in their March production of Lucia di Lammermoor and is glad to be back for Cavalleria Rusticana.
Jamie Gangemi – SOPRANO CHORISTER
Jamie Gangemi (she/her) is an emerging music director and performer from Buffalo NY. Earning her Bachelor’s in Music Education:Vocal from SUNY Fredonia, she is currently completing her graduate studies in Music Performance: Conducting at the University of Buffalo.
A mezzo soprano, Jamie has appeared in several Buffalo Opera Unlimited productions, and will take on Miss Pearl in “Joshua’s Boots” this May. She is also a lead singer in the Holy Trinity Chancel Choir, and the Assistant Music Director/Communications Director and Core Singer for new local choir, INCIPIO. As well as serving as Music Director and Choral Director for the annual musicals at Nardin Academy and Iroquois High School, respectively.
Jamie first joined Sotto Voce as Second Spirit in The Magic Flute and The Monitor in Suor Angelica, and served as Choral Director and Stage Manager for Lucia di Lammermoor, and premiered the invented role of the “Light Spirit” for Grit and Silk, a new take on Debussy’s L’enfant prodigue.
Anthony Bellisimo – BASS CHORISTER
Bass, Anthony Bellissimo is from Buffalo, NY. Over the last decade he has developed a full bass sound after resuming vocal training in 2012 with Dr Maria Vetere PHD, and attending master classes with renowned Conductor, Richard Bonynge.
Opera had been abandoned for musical theater and there was little singing for 25 years with an uncooperative work schedule.
Having studied voice performance at SUNY Buffalo in the 70’s, 25 years later later he obtained a BA in Communicative Disorders and Sciences.
He has performed in numerous Buffalo theater groups:
Roles performed include:
The Poet in “Kismet”, The Butcher in Musicfare’s “Fiddle on the Roof”, 1776 Kavinoky Theater, and in ensembles in several other musical productions .
He performed Colline in a La Boheme adaptation (Buffalo Opera Unlimited), but recently performed the full role in a production by Opera Niagara. He performed the role of Silvano in Un Ballo in Maschera Opera Unlimited in Buffalo.in 2022.
Michael Warner – BASS CHORISTER
This is Michael Warner’s first production with Sotto Voce. He has had leading roles in recent past productions with Opera-Lytes of Buffalo theater company, and was in the chorus of “The Marriage Of Figaro” put on by Buffalo Opera Unlimited in 2024. He is a retired RN and has been a voice student of Maria Goodrich at Community Music School for the past five years. He is excited to be a part of the opera and working with all the talented individuals involved.
ORCHESTRA
Elizabeth Goldstein – FLUTE
Elizabeth Goldstein has been playing the flute for 15 years. She was drawn to the bright sound of the flute and piccolo, especially in John Philip Susa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever”. Elizabeth is a member of Avanti, a community orchestra, and took classes in music at the University at Buffalo. In addition to the flute, Elizabeth also conducts research in the Auditory Perception and Action Lab on singing accuracy and emotion.
Megan Kyle – OBOE
Oboist Megan Kyle performs as a soloist, improviser, chamber musician, and orchestral musician throughout Western New York. Megan is a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, new music ensemble Wooden Cities, musical research group Null Point, voice/oboe duo Senso di Voce, and oboe/piano/violin/cello quartet The Evolution of the Arm. She teaches oboe at SUNY at Buffalo. Megan has released several albums with The Evolution of the Arm and Wooden Cities on Infrasonic Press. Tierceron, an album of improvisations with Esin Gunduz and Henry Birdsey, was released in summer 2023 on Other Minds Records.
Susan Stewart – CLARINET
Susan Stewart is a clarinetist who holds a BA in Music from Buffalo State University and a MM in Clarinet Performance from the University at Buffalo. Currently Susan plays with Avanti Music and the Cheektowaga Community Symphony Orchestra. Other local groups she has played with include Amherst Chamber Ensembles, Legion Band of the Tonawandas, Erie County Wind Ensemble, Barker Community Band, Bergholtz German Band and various community theater groups in the orchestra pit.
Fred Albrecht – BASSOON
New to Sotto Voce, Dr. Fred Albrecht has appeared in concert halls all overt the world as principal bassoon in the world Doctors orchestra raising millions of dollars for medical charities. He has performed with the BPO in both series and subscription concerts. He has appeared as soloist with the UB symphony and the Swedish Christianstad Symphoniker. He plays principal bassoon with the WNY Chamber Orchestra, Buffalo Camerata, Southern Tier symphony and Clarence Summer Orchestra. He regularly performs at Shea’s and with Buffalo Opera Unlimited.
Michael Goss – FRENCH HORN
Michael Goss is a freelance hornist and pianist originally from Buffalo and currently based in central Illinois, where he is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in horn performance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Previously, he received his Master of Music degree from Bowling Green State University in 2022, and his Bachelor of Music degree from SUNY Fredonia in 2020, both in horn performance.
An active freelance hornist, Michael has appeared with various orchestral and chamber ensembles across the United States, including the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Sinfonia da Camera, Western New York Chamber Orchestra, Avanti Chamber Orchestra, Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra, and Niagara Frontier Brass Quintet. Additionally, Michael has performed with the Lancaster Town Band since 2012, where he also serves as their Staff Arranger.
Michael was a winner of the 2022 Dorothy Frizelle Orchestral Audition Contest (High Horn Division) at the 54th International Horn Symposium in Kingsville, Texas, and was a finalist in the 2025 School of Music Concerto Competition at the University of Illinois. His playing can be heard in the BGSU Philharmonia’s recording of Galaxy Dances by Augusta Read Thomas, released in 2023 on the album New Music from Bowling Green, Vol. 9 under Albany Records.
Steven Lattimore – PERCUSSION
Coming Soon!
Amie Vredenburg – VIOLIN 1
Amie Vredenburg has been teaching violin and performing since 1999. After completing a Bachelor of Music Education in Violin and Voice at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam where she was a Presidential Scholar and the recipient of the Harry Kobialka String Player Award as well as the Kenneth Cottrell Memorial Scholarship, she began her career teaching orchestra students and violin. Mrs. Vredenburg did graduate work through an Assistantship at the University of Maryland at College Park where she earned a Master of Music specializing in String Pedagogy, Violin Performance, and Research in Music Education. Mrs. Vredenburg moved back to her home town of Amherst, NY where she is often concert master and soloist on violin and viola throughout Western New York; she performs with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Artpark, Clarence Summer Orchestra, Concert Master of Cheektowaga Symphony, Theatre of Youth, Second Generation Theatre, Musical Fare, Nickel City Opera, and a member of the Oakgrove and Buffalo Heartstrings String Quartets. Amie has been on stage with various great artists such as Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Idina Menzel, Smokey Robinson, Johnny Mathis, The Eagles, Dave Brubeck, Bela Fleck, Mannheim Steamroller, and The Who. Amie is also a frequent featured artist with Henri Star and the Mohammad School of Music in Buffalo, NY. She has the honor of being an orchestra director at Bristol Hills Music Camp since 2013, along with guest conducting various honor orchestras around the state. Mrs. Vredenburg has four children who each play instruments and sports! She currently teaches 7th and 8th grade orchestra, chamber orchestra, rock orchestra, and lessons at Mill Middle School in the Williamsville Central School District in WNY, and directs the district 5-8 Summer Orchestra.
Arts Center, Artpark, Clarence Summer Orchestra, Concert Master of Cheektowaga Symphony, Theatre of Youth, Second Generation Theatre, Musical Fare, Nickel City Opera, and a member of the Oakgrove and Buffalo Heartstrings String Quartets. Amie has been on stage with various great artists such as Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Idina Menzel, Smokey Robinson, Johnny Mathis, The Eagles, Dave Brubeck, Bela Fleck, Mannheim Steamroller, and The Who. Amie is also a frequent featured artist with Henri Star and the Mohammad School of Music in Buffalo, NY. She has the honor of being an orchestra director at Bristol Hills Music Camp since 2013, along with guest conducting various honor orchestras around the state. Mrs. Vredenburg has four children who each play instruments and sports! She currently teaches 7th and 8th grade orchestra, chamber orchestra, rock orchestra, and lessons at Mill Middle School in the Williamsville Central School District in WNY, and directs the district 5-8 Summer Orchestra.on!
Jenna Noreck – VIOLIN 2
Jenna Noreck is a violinist from Buffalo, NY. She began her studies with the Suzuki Method at the age of 5 and continued private studies with Tom Halpin for 7 years. Jenna spent several years teaching strings at Nardin Academy from 2008-2012. Having played with orchestras and chamber groups across Western New York, she always finds joy in creating music as part of a larger story. She has performed with Western New York Chamber Orchestra, Southern Tier Symphony, MusicalFare, Second Generation Theatre and various community/university orchestras. Jenna holds a BA in Music from the University at Buffalo. This is Jenna’s second performance with Avanti Music and is excited for more collaborations with the group. For Jenna, the violin is all about connection—whether it is with other musicians or the audience.
David Bojanowski – VIOLA
David Bojanowski has been explaining what a viola is since he was 10 years old. A dedicated chamber and orchestral musician, he performs regularly with Queen City Strings, serves as principal violist of the Southern Tier Symphony, and appears with a variety of chamber ensembles throughout Western New York. He has also performed with several ensembles in New York City, including the Chelsea Symphony and the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony.
David is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music and Penn State University, where he studied under Dr. Shelly Tramposh and Dr. Timothy Deighton, respectively. In addition to his musical work, he is passionately committed to civic life in WNY, serving as Director of Constituent Services for Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
Sam Godus – CELLO
Native to Buffalo, Samantha holds a Bachelors of Music from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and a Masters of Music from the University of Ottawa, both degrees with a concentration in Cello Performance. Playing now for 20 years, Sam has studied under cellists such as Roman Mekinulov, Marie-Elaine Gagnon, and Paul Marleyn.
An avid chamber music and orchestral performer, Sam has co-founded and is the cellist of the Equinox String Quartet as well as the Canela String Quartet. Sam has played with The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and still currently plays with The Orchestra of Northern New York, The Western New York Chamber Orchestra, and Avanti Chamber Orchestra. She has held principal positions with Avanti, WNYCO, The Crane Symphony Orchestra, The Crane Opera Ensemble, The College Light Opera Company, Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra and the Amherst Chamber Ensembles.
Outside of cello, Sam enjoys reading, painting, and being outdoors. She is also a singer/songwriter and producer who goes by the artist name GODDESS. Her music is heavily influenced by artists such as Adele, The Black Keys, and Hozier. Samantha has released her first self titled album in January of 2024. Catch Sam playing her own original music around the Buffalo area!
Marc Cousins – BASS
Marc Cousins– Electric, Acoustic & Upright Bassist | Arranger
Paris-born bassist, arranger, and versatile musician Cousins brings a rich, dynamic sound to every performance. Having started his musical journey in Brussels, Belgium, Cousins honed his craft at Arizona State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance, followed by graduate studies at North Texas State University.
With years of experience touring the US and Europe, Marc’s musical journey has taken him across diverse genres and regions, living and performing in cities like Orlando, Dallas, and New York City. He currently resides in Buffalo, where he’s been an integral part of the local music scene, playing with groups like the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Buffalo Tango Orkestra, the Hot Club of Buffalo, French ConeXion, and Cousins Trio.
Marc’s mastery of electric, acoustic, and upright bass, combined with his innovative playing , creates a rich and captivating experience for audiences wherever he performs.
Sotto Voce 