Directors & Teachers
Jonathan Handman (Artistic Director, Director of Mazurka & Vivace Orchestras), conductor, teacher, and cellist, is co-founder and Artistic Director of Stringendo Inc., a music school that is committed to furthering the growth and talents of string players in the Hudson Valley. Under Jonathan’s direction, Vivace, Stringendo’s most advanced ensemble has garnered numerous awards including the Grand Champion Orchestra at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival in 2016, 2014 and 2009; and The American Prize winner in Orchestra Performance – Youth Orchestra Division in 2013. Jonathan is also in his fourteenth year at Arlington High School in LaGrangeville, NY, where he is the conductor of two symphony orchestras and directs an extensive chamber music program. In addition to Arlington’s Philharmonia Orchestra, which has won the 2017 and 2012 Public School Grand Champion Prize at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival, chamber ensembles from this program have performed at Lincoln Center (2015) and made it into the live quarterfinal round of the 2012 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.
Jonathan is also the conductor of the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra and based on his work conducting the ensemble, the review by Leslie Gerber in the Woodstock Times said, “I have never heard the WCO sounding better than it did under Handman.” In 2013, Jonathan was the winner of the American Prize in Conducting/Youth Orchestra Division. In addition, he received the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award in Music Education from the Oberlin Conservatory and in 2002 was Oberlin’s invited guest speaker representing the decade of the 1990’s at its 100th year anniversary celebration of music education. He is in frequent demand as a guest conductor for honor orchestras throughout the northeast, most recently working with groups from Syracuse, Albany and Virginia. One of his treasured experiences was spending a six month residence in La Paz, Bolivia as a cellist in the Arka-Ira String Quartet, The Bolivian National Symphony, and Professor of Cello at the Bolivian National Conservatory. As a freelance musician, his studies include The Eastman School of Music (Trombone performance), The Oberlin Conservatory (B.A. in Music Education, Cello) and an M.A in orchestral conducting from SUNY Fredonia. Jonathan currently resides in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. with his wife Kim and two sons, Jack and T.J.
Elizabeth Handman (Mentor) is currently one of the Arlington High School’s Award Winning Orchestra Program directors. She is a member of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Orchestra (1996-present) and Principal Violist of the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra (2018-present). Elizabeth free-lances with many orchestras in the Tri-State area including the Hudson Festival Orchestra, Concerts in The Village Orchestra in Kinderhook, Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra in CT, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Turtle Creek Chorale Orchestra and Collegiate Chorale Orchestra both performing in Carnegie Hall.
Elizabeth guest conducted at Ithaca College’s Summer Music Academy, Intermediate Division 2021 and is on faculty of Stringendo’s Summer Strings Camp since 1998 and on faculty of The Elisabeth Morrow Summer Strings Festival in Tenafly, NJ since 1999. She also conducted Stringendo’s Chaconne Orchestra from 2007-18. Elizabeth taught with Roberta Guaspari for 6 years at Opus 118’s East Harlem Violin program in NYC on which the movie “Music of the Heart” was based. She was also on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division for 5 years (1995-2000).
Her free-lance experience in NYC 1992-2002 included regularly playing with the American Ballet Theater Orchestra, City Opera Orchestra, Brooklyn Philharmonic, American Composers Orchestra and with numerous Broadway shows.”
Rachel Handman (Director of Chaconne Orchestra) Violinist, Rachel Handman, (Chaconne conductor) is Originally from Hyde Park, NY. Her virtuosity and improvisational ability appears in many musical forms, including classical, new music, bluegrass, Irish, pop and folk. Broadway show credits include Dr. Zhivago, Something Rotten!, Miss Saigon, Carousel, West Side Story, Music Man and currently, Funny Girl. Rachel is a long-standing member of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic and is Associate Concert master of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra.
Ms Handman has also performed with Sara Bareilles, Norm Lewis, Jennifer Hudson, Roberta Flack, Hugh Jackman and Yo-Yo Ma. Rachel can be seen performing at 54 Below with her musical partner and life long friend, Keve Wilson. Rachel and Keve have recently made a record which will be available soon.
Ms Handman enjoys many different styles and genres of music and is passionate about following her musical bliss! In addition to performing, Ms Handman teaches at Summer Strings and coaches chamber music at Music at Port Milford in Ontario, Canada.
Stephen Minor (Private Lessons) is a growing violinist who started his training at the age of 8. Originally from the Hudson Valley, he studied with violinist Rachel Handman and furthered his knowledge at SUNY Fredonia where he studied under Dr. David Colwell to fulfill a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance. While at SUNY Fredonia, he had the opportunity to participate in master classes with the Lincoln Trio, vocalist and pianist Dawn Upshaw and Gilbert Kalish, violinist Ana Milosalvjevic, and had the privilege to play with world renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Stephen has had the opportunity to tour throughout New York State with the String Faculty of SUNY Fredonia as well as with his colleagues. As of May 2015, Stephen graduated with his Bachelor of Music degree and down the line hopes to continue his knowledge and obtain a Masters in Violin Performance. Stephen is an alumni of both the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers and the Orchestra School. Stephen plays with the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra and the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra and continues with gigs on the side.
Chelsea Needham (Director of Boysenberry & Strawberry Hill Fiddlers, Private Lessons) graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a Bachelors in Music Education in 2014. She has had the privilege to study the violin and viola classically under David Rose, Rachel Handman and Emily Schaad. Some of her accomplishments as a classical musician include winning Stringendo’s concerto competition (category C) in 2008, performing a concerto with Arlington High School’s: Philharmonia in 2010, becoming a finalist in Fredonia’s concerto competition in 2012, and sitting Concert Master of Fredonia’s College Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. David Rudge for 4 semesters. Chelsea has also had the privilege to study and/or play fiddle/folk music with many wonderful musicians including: James Alexander, Bruce Molsky, Natalie McMaster, Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, and more. The majority of her folk studies are of Celtic and Americana music, but she has attended workshops and classes to learn about other styles as well. Chelsea has been a member of the Stringendo community since 2004.
NJ O’Hearn (Assistant Instructor – Overture)
NJ is a violist and violinist who grew up making music in Stringendo’s orchestras, fiddle groups, and at Summer Strings. They have prior teaching and performing experience; they have taught private lessons, performed many concerts with the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers, and they were a winner of the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra’s concerto competition in 2022. NJ is a graduate of Arlington High School, and they are currently attending Dutchess Community College with plans to pursue a career in music education. NJ is also a current member of the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra and the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra.
Kelly Ralston (Private Lessons)
Kelly Ralston is an educator and violist from Poughkeepsie, NY. Kelly spent her formative years with the Stringendo & Arlington Orchestras, Summer Strings, and the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers, where she performed throughout the Hudson Valley, toured Louisiana, North Carolina, New England, auditioned on America’s Got Talent, and opened for Alastair Fraser and Natalie Haas.
Kelly received her Bachelors of Music Education and Performance from Ithaca College and received her Masters in Music Education at New York University. Since 2015, Kelly has taught orchestra at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Virginia and New York State, earning the First Class Teacher of the Year Award at North Stafford High School. In 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 she collaborated with electric violinist Mark Wood to bring a series of rock orchestra workshops and concerts to her students. Ms. Ralston’s orchestras consistently earn superior performance ratings at competitions and won VBODA’s Blue Ribbon Award two years in a row. She is currently the orchestra director at Pine Tree Elementary School.
Kelly studied viola with Debra Moree, Cassie Sulbarán, and Juliet White-Smith. She has performed under the batons of Keith Lockhart, Jeffrey Meyer, Carl St. Clair, and JoAnn Falletta. An avid new music enthusiast, Kelly has collaborated with composers and premiered over 20 new works at recitals and festivals, most recently at New Music on the Point and the Brevard Music Center. Some of her favorite performances include Missy Mazzoli’s “Tooth and Nail” for viola and pre-recorded electronics, a run of “Spring Awakening” at Ithaca’s Hangar Theater, and a production of Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass.”
Kristina Rizzo (Director of Prelude Orchestra) Kristina has been teaching strings in the Arlington Central School District for 34 years at the elementary and middle school levels and is currently the 8th orchestra director at Union Vale Middle School. She is also the K-8 Music Coordinator for the Arlington School District.
She attended the Crane School of Music SUNY Potsdam, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in violin pedagogy. She was also awarded a Master of Science Degree from Western Connecticut State University. Mrs. Rizzo is currently the principal second violinist in the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra and the assistant principal second violinist in the Newburgh Symphony and the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra.
A certified NYSSMA adjudicator and active member of NYSSMA and the American String Teachers Association. Mrs. Rizzo enjoys guest conducting and teaching, as well as camping, reading, travel, and spending time with her husband and two sons, Louis and Matthew who are graduates of the Stringendo orchestra and fiddle programs.
Carole Schaad (Artistic Director, Director of Raspberry Fiddle Group, Private Lessons)
Carole is Artistic Director of Stringendo’s Strawberry Hill Fiddler program and Summer Strings. In 1998, with Jon Handman, she founded the original Summer Strings program. She has private students and directs ensembles at Dutchess Day School, Poughkeepsie Day School and Stringendo. Ms. Schaad is also the director of the PK Strings program which provides supportive music education for Poughkeepsie public schools.
Emily Schaad (Co-founder)
Emily is a native of Rhinebeck and a co-founder of Stringendo. She previously directed the Strawberry and Cranberry fiddle groups, as well as the Intermezzo, Tarantella, Chaconne and Prelude Orchestras. She also served as Stringendo’s Executive Director and Artistic Director. Emily is currently Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Activities at Clemson University. She has served as conductor with Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestras and Greenville County Youth Orchestras, and she has taught elementary, middle, and high school strings. She is active as a clinician, orchestra consultant, and old-time fiddler. Emily holds a BM in Viola from Curtis Institute of music, an MA in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State, and a DMA in Music Education at Boston University.
Aaron Stier (Private Lessons)
Aaron is from the town of Poughkeepsie, New York. From the time he was young, he was always surrounded by music. His two older sisters both played the violin and piano, so he was no stranger to the classical world. After starting on the violin when he was 5 years old, he soon realized it was not the instrument for him and switched to piano. A few years after that, he decided to give the cello a try and has stuck with it since then.
Aaron started playing cello in his public school system, which also introduced him to chamber music at the age of 10. Most of his joy for music has come from collaborating with other fellow musicians. Aaron has also been very involved in the world of traditional and indie folk music. He started to incorporate vocals while accompanying himself on the cello and ended up teaching himself some extended techniques to help further his ability with this alternative side to playing.
He received his bachelor’s degree in instrumental performance from SUNY Purchase and his graduate degree from Manhattan School of Music, where he studied under Julia Lichten and David Geber.
Danielle Stier (Director of Intermezzo & Tarantella Orchestras, Private Lessons)
Danielleis a violinist of unique sensibilities, grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY. She began her formal training with violinist, Marla Rathbun while concurrently studying for six years at the Stringendo Orchestra School of the Hudson Valley. Ms. Stier continued her studies at the State University of New York at Fredonia where she prospered under the tutelage of Professor Janet Sung and was mentored by cellist, Natasha Farny and violist, David Rose. After two years of study she transferred to DePaul University School of Music in Chicago, where she continued to train under Professor Sung. While at DePaul, Ms. Stier continued to diversify her playing and teaching background by studying early music and historically informed performance practice with baroque violinist Brandi Berry and harpsichordist Jason Moy. In addition to her training as a modern violinist and baroque violinist, Ms. Stier also has training as a fiddler, which is highlighted by her work with the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers. As a strong proponent of chamber music, Ms. Stier has been a participant at the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and the Hot Springs Music Festival. She has performed widely with a number of other chamber ensembles and orchestras.
With a teaching background as diverse as her performance career, she has taught high school strings for the Naperville High School in Illinois, beginning violin for Amadeus Strings in Poughkeepsie, NY, group violin classes for Music For Kids in Chicago, IL, among many others. After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance and music education she returned to New York, where she serves as an orchestra teacher for the Arlington Central School District, and directs the Intermezzo and Tarantella Orchestras of the Stringendo Orchestra School of the Hudson Valley. Ms. Stier recently completed her Masters of Music Education degree through the Boston University.
Julianna Sundberg (Director of Beginner Strings, Assistant Instructor for Overture Orchestra, Private Lessons)
Juliana is a recent graduate of Stringendo’s orchestra and fiddle programs. She currently teaches private violin lessons with Stringendo, directs the Beginner Strings class on Saturday mornings, serves as an assistant teacher in the Overture Orchestra, and is certified in the Suzuki method for level one. She regularly subs for fiddle and PK Strings classes, and accompanies the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers as a guitarist. She currently performs with several local community orchestras including Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, Woodstock Symphony Orchestra, The Erehwon Ensemble, and Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra. She studied under Danielle Stier for nine years and currently continues to advance her violin study under Rachel Handman. She also plays plectrum and tenor banjo, mandolin, guitar, and is an accomplished ukulele player who was recently featured in the fall 2022 edition of All Frets Magazine. Additionally, she enjoys performing for private gigs, and when she’s not playing an instrument or teaching music, she works as a seamstress in Millbrook, NY. In the summer monhs she can also be found lifeguarding.
Andrea Velasquez (Director of Mulberry Fiddle Group, Private Lessons, Assistant Orchestra Director of Mazurka Orchestra) Andrea is a violinist who grew up in White Plains, NY and later moved to Wappingers Falls, NY where her passion for music really took off. She spent 12 years making music as a student with the Stringendo Orchestra School of the Hudson Valley, participating in their orchestra program, fiddle program, and summer camps. Andrea had countless performance opportunities with Stringendo including a performance tour of Scotland and England with the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers as well as winning their Concerto Competition in 2012.
Andrea received her Bachelors of Music Education from The State University of New York at Fredonia in 2017, where she performed with Fredonia’s College Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Carousel Jazz strings, the Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra, the Southern Tier Symphony Orchestra, and her string quartet, The Sirens. After graduating from Fredonia, she returned home and became a private teacher and assistant conductor with the Stringendo program. After student-teaching, she taught in the Arlington Central School District as a leave replacement for orchestra director Elizabeth Handman at Arlington High School. She is currently the full-time orchestra teacher at Fox Lane Middle School.
Danielle Tavolacci (Private Lessons)
Danielle Tavolacci is excited to join the Stringendo team! She has been a member of the community since 2002 when she first began as a camper at Summer Strings.
Danielle is originally from the Poughkeepsie area, and initially started playing the viola and violin within Arlington Schools. After graduating from Arlington and Stringendo, she received her B.M. in Viola Performance from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford in Connecticut. There, she studied with world-renowned violist Rita Porfiris and performed in numerous chamber groups and orchestras. Danielle has a total of over 22 years of playing experience including programs such as Point Counterpoint, NYU String Quartet Workshop, ARIA International Summer Academy, and representing New York State in the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute Fellowship at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Danielle received an Advanced Certificate and M.S. in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. She has over 14 years of teaching experience ranging from private violin and viola lessons to conducting large orchestral ensembles, including teaching orchestra in the New York City Public Schools for 7 years. She has also been a participant in the Carnegie Hall Music Educators Workshop for 5 years. Danielle has now returned to the Hudson Valley region and is looking forward to working with Stringendo again!