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President's Message
Kim Farrell, President
Happy Spring Everyone!
Another year has come and gone! As I look at our CNYAMT 2025-2026 year full of events, I am continually amazed at what our organization accomplishes each year. Without our dedicated teachers, event chairs, committee members, sponsors and underwriters, donors, tech. support, and Board of Directors, none of our events would have been possible.
Thank you all so much for your diligence, perseverance, and support of our mission to serve the needs of our members and their students!
Congratulations go out to:
1. The teachers and students who were involved in the Instrumental Competition. On May 2nd, 11 applicants and 10 teachers participated. Big thanks to Dana DiGennaro and James Krehbiel for chairing this event.
2. The Chairs of our Vocal Competition - Gayle Ross, Laura Enslin, Kathy Montcrieff, Kay Paulsen and Sabine Krantz. We had a very successful competition on May 30th, with 15 students performing and 7 teachers participating. Congrats to all the performers!
3. The students who performed in our annual Mother’s Day Outreach Recital on May 9th at The Nottingham in Jamesville. We had a total of 18 students and 6 teachers participating at this event. It was a wonderful celebration of Mother's Day at The Nottingham.
What a fabulous and enjoyable Scores for Scholars Sale and Luncheon we had on June 10th at Drumlins! Thanks to Barb Irwin, chairperson, for organizing the luncheon, and the committee of people working the event: Bernadette Kessler, Mary Ellen DiPietra, Phil Eisenman, Gayle Ross, Michelle Wilcox, and Joanne Mroczek. Thank you to our student musicians who performed: The West
Genesee String Quintet started us out with some beautiful background music while people arrived, browsed through the Scores for Scholars music, admired the beautiful raffle baskets, and caught up with friends. After a delicious lunch, Emilia Kamnev, a student of Dr. Nezhdanova, performed beautifully on our CNYAMT digital piano.
Our new slate of board members has been approved for 2026-2027. You can find the full list on our website. Welcome new board members: Paul Burgay, Sam Herbert, Amy Heyman and Ida Trebicka!
I am looking forward to serving another productive and exciting year as CNYAMT President! I wish you all a wonderful, relaxing, and enjoyable summer.
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All members are welcome to join us at the next Board Meeting on 09-09-26 at 10:30am. Email me for an invitation at farrellka4@gmail.com.
Kim
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IT'S MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME!
The CNYAMT fiscal year ends June 30. Thanks to all who have already renewed, either at the luncheon or via the website. Convenient renewal via PayPal, Venmo, or check is available.
PayPal: https://www.cnyamt.org/become-a-member. Fill in your email, check the renewal option that suits you (1 active, 2 spouse, 3 both, 4 collegiate), use the form to make any changes to your information, hit the black button and pay via PayPal.
Venmo: @MaryEllen-DiPietra. In the comment, include the membership level you want and for whom.
Check: Send to Mary Ellen DiPietra, 4312 Lazybrook Cir., Liverpool, NY 13088.
Changes of information may be emailed to phil.eisenman@gmail.com.
Many thanks to all who are timely in renewing your membership!!!!
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Student Lesson Tuition Assistance
CNYAMT is offering Student Lesson Tuition Assistance towards private music lessons for students for the summer semester: July 1-August 31, 2026. The purpose of this fund is to provide assistance toward the tuition of private music lessons for students who lack the financial means to further their training due to their current economic conditions. The amount of tuition assistance is based on our availability of funds, as well as, the applicant’s referral from their CNYAMT teacher.
Eligibility:
- Teacher must be a current CNYAMT member.
- Teacher AND student are active participants in CNYAMT events (recitals, festivals, competitions, community outreach, masterclasses, workshops)
- Teacher must be the instructor of the major instrument the applicant will study.
Awards will be distributed across applications on a rotating basis, one student at a time per teacher, in
order of need. Please submit one application per student. For questions or further information contact:
Bernadette Kessler
bcmkessler@gmail.com
(315) 569-8241
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INSTRUMENTAL COMPETITION
We are incredibly proud to announce the winners of the 2026 CNYAMT Instrumental Competition, which took place on May 2, 2026. Eight student prize winners were presented in a lovely recital at Park Central Presbyterian Church on May 3rd. Many thanks to all of the students who participated and their teachers. We were very impressed with each and every one of your performances! Congratulations!!
Intermediate Division
1st place - Ethan Lavallee, violin, student of Joan Batson and Tales Navarro
2nd place - Kimberly Hsueh, violin, student of Yassu Yang
Honorable Mention - Saruar Aitbayeva, violin, student of James Krehbiel
Senior Strings Division
1st place - Nagi Aitbayeva, violin, student of James Krehbiel (Winner of the Senior Scholarship Competition)
2nd place - Daniel Yang, violin, student of Peter Rovit
3rd place - James Cooper, cello, student of Lars Kirvan
Senior Winds Division
1st place - Madeline Carver, flute, student of Dana DiGennaro
2nd place - Catherine Benedetto, bassoon, student of Greg Quick
3rd place - Madison Lapp, flute, student of Jenna Stango
We are grateful to our wonderful judges, Julie Bridge, french horn, and William Knuth, violin. We so appreciate their patience, knowledge, and expertise.
James Krehbiel and Dana DiGennaro, Instrumental Competition Chairpersons
Click this link for more pictures and highlights from this event!
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MOTHER'S DAY RECITAL
The Mother's Day Recital took place on May 9th at the Nottingham with six teachers and eighteen students participating. It was a wonderful variety of levels of musicianship and styles of music. Congratulations to all involved! Click this link to see more pictures from this event!
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The May 30, 2026 Vocal Competition hosted 15 contestants representing eight area teachers. Competition adjudicators were two professional performers and pedagogues of high regard. Gregory Sheppard, former student of one of our retired teachers, has enjoyed a professional performing career throughout the US, Canada, and Europe and is also highly regarded for his adjudication of vocal competitions, his teaching at John Jay College, and his creativity and vision creating delightful musical events. Lauralyn Kolb performed extensively throughout the US, was a beloved member of Hamilton College and Colgate vocal departments, and maintained an active studio in New York City for many years. Her former students have been heard throughout the US and Europe. Both Gregory and Lauralyn worked diligently to provide our students with excellent pragmatic feedback and suggestions to enhance their artistic journey in vocal performance.
On May 31st, 7 competition prize winners and 3 honorable mention award winners were recognized in a delightful recital event. Prizes were awarded at the beginning of the program and all contestants were recognized for their courage and commitment, so clearly reflected in their participation. It was stressed that vocal performance can be a life-long journey, that the current results are simply a snapshot in time, and that the potential for expanding performance power and experiencing the immense satisfaction of giving a powerful performance is without limit. Those singing in the recital, all presented inspiring performances, featuring strong vocal and presentation skills which were warmly received by the audience of families and friends.
The competition and recital were held at the Onondaga Community College Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall which has a superb acoustic and is an ideal setting for the events. CNYAMT is extremely grateful to Onondaga Community College for making this fabulous facility available to us and thus, empower us to enhance the quality of the contestants’ experience.
Our professional collaborative pianists for both events were Sabine Krantz and Abel Searor. When it comes to ensemble performance, ensuring the best available collaborators is also a point of pride for the Vocal Committee. It was an honor to have had both Sabine and Abel at the keyboard this year.
The Neva Stevens Pilgrim Senior 1st Prize Fund, in combination with private donations and underwriting, made this event possible.
Click this link to see more pictures from the event and information about the winners!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO CNYAMT’S 2025/26 MERIT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Hudson Brenner
Student of Ida Till-Trebicka
Graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High School
Attending Johns Hopkins University
Degree Program - Piano Performance
Purpose of Merit Scholarship - to provide tuition assistance to a high school senior pursuing a music degree at an accredited college. This award is given to a student who has distinguished
themselves in the area of music performance. This year, the student will receive $1000 toward their educational pursuits.
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CNYAMT ANNUAL LUNCHEON
A big heart-felt thank you to all our members who made our annual luncheon a success. Among several activities being held simultaneously were Scores for Scholars, membership renewals, sign-ups for next year’s activities, raffles, approval of new board members, and saying goodbye to Michelle Wilcox and Gayle Ross whose board limits were up. Thanks to our President, Kim Farrell, we were treated to musical entertainment by the West Genesee String Quintet and 9-year-old Emilia Kamnev, a piano student of Dr. Elena Nezhdanova. We had an opportunity to honor some hard-working CNYAMT members and our sponsors. Bernadette Kessler created the 2025-26 Year in Review, placed at each table, highlighting CNYAMT’s accomplishments during the year. Also, thank you to Drumlin’s staff for accommodating all our requests and providing delicious new luncheon choices. It was great seeing so many familiar faces and meeting some of our new members. Wishing everyone a safe and restful summer.
Sincerely,
Barbara Irwin, Luncheon Chairperson
Click the link to see more pictures from this culminating event!
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A LOOK TO NEXT SEASON
2026-2027 Board and Chairs
Executive Board
Terms are 3 years with 3-term limit (Numbers listed indicate the year of the present term)
President – Kim Farrell (5)
Vice President – Phil Eisenman (3)
Treasurer – Mary Ellen DiPietra
Recording Secretary – Bernadette Kessler (1)
Board of Directors
Terms are 3 years with 3-term limit (Numbers listed indicate the year of the present term)
Paul Burgay (1)
Sam Herbert (1)
Amy Heyman (1)
Barb Irwin (3)
Joanne Mroczek (5)
Gayle Ross (1)
Ida Tili-Trebicka (1)
Committee Chairs
Banquet/Scores for Scholars – Barb Irwin/Mary Ellen DiPietra
Membership – Phil Eisenman
Newsletter - Joanne Mroczek
Publicity – Joanne Mroczek
Senior Merit Scholarship – Barb Irwin
Senior Scholarship – Dana DiGennaro
Scholarship/Tuition Assistance – Bernadette Kessler
Sponsorship – Barb Irwin
Sunshine – Kathy Montcrieff
Teacher Forum – OPEN POSITION
Website & Social Media – Joanne Mroczek
Scores for Scholars – Bernadette Kessler
Event Chairs (listed by calendar dates)
Halloween Recital – Barb Irwin/Robbie Padilla
Barnes & Noble Holiday Recital – Bernadette Kessler/Mary Ellen DiPietra
Community Outreach – Kim Farrell
String Community Workshop – OPEN POSITION
Baroque, Classical, & Sonatina Piano Festival – Lynn Moroz
Artist Piano Advanced Piano Competitions – Amy Heyman/Ya-Wei Tseng/Bernadette Kessler/Kim Farrell
Instrumental Competition – James Krehbiel/Dana DiGennaro
Vocal Competition – Gayle Ross/Laura Enslin/Kathy Montcrieff/Kay Paulsen/Sabine
Krantz
Teacher Concert Series – Lana Stafford/Robbie
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Check out our highlights from this season!
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PIANIST/ORGANIST NEEDED
The Preble Congregational Church will be in need of a pianist or organist. Anyone interested, call/text Cathy at 607-345-0722.
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GRAND PIANO FOR SALE
Kawai KG-2 grand piano, 5'10" in walnut satin finish with Dampp-Chaser humidifier system. Serial #479844 (Japan 1971). Single owner, purchased in 1972. Well maintained. Fully restored in 2015 in Philadelphia -- restrung, new pin block, felts replaced, hammers reshaped, etc. FOR SALE IN CAZENOVIA $7000
Contact Caroline Cargo at 610-955-9625 cell or ccargo123@gmail.com
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STEINWAY UPRIGHT PIANO FOR SALE
Ebony Steinway upright piano, made in 1914, with a humidifier and bench with storage for music. Regularly tuned and maintained. Sound, like no other piano manufacturer! The serial number is 169256 and is shown in the pictures. The bench does have a crackling in the ebony on top.
60" w x 26" D x 49" H. Pickup only. $2500 or best offer.
Elizabeth Frani 315-447-6925
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2025-2026 Board and Chairs
Executive Board
Terms are 3 years with 3-term limit (Numbers listed indicate the year of the present term)
President – Kim Farrell (4)
Vice President – Phil Eisenman (2)
Treasurer – Mary Ellen DiPietra
Recording Secretary – Gayle Ross (9)
Board of Directors
Terms are 3 years with 3-term limit (Numbers listed indicate the year of the present term)
Barb Irwin (2)
Bernadette Kessler (4)
Lynn Moroz (1)
Joanne Mroczek (4)
Mary Whittington (6)
Michelle Wilcox (8)
Committee Chairs
Banquet/Scores for Scholars – Barb Irwin/Mary Ellen DiPietra
Membership – Phil Eisenman
Newsletter- Joanne Mroczek
Publicity – Joanne Mroczek
Senior Merit Scholarship – Barb Irwin
Senior Scholarship – Dana DiGennaro
Scholarship/Tuition Assistance – Bernadette Kessler
Sponsorship – Barb Irwin
Sunshine – Kathy Montcrieff
Teacher Forum – Mary Whittington
Website & Social Media – Joanne Mroczek
Scores for Scholars – Bernadette Kessler
Event Chairs (listed by calendar dates)
Halloween Recital – Barb Irwin/Robbie Padilla
Barnes & Noble Holiday Recital – Bernadette Kessler/Mary Ellen DiPietra
Community Outreach –Kim Farrell
String Community Workshop – OPEN POSITION
Baroque, Classical, & Sonatina Piano Festival – Lynn Moroz
Artist Piano Advanced Piano Competitions – Amy Heyman/Ya-Wei Tseng/
Bernadette Kessler/Kim Farrell
Instrumental Competition – James Krehbiel/Dana DiGennaro
Vocal Competition – Gayle Ross/Laura Enslin/Kathy Montcrieff
Teacher Concert Series – Mary WHittington/Lana Stafford/Robbie Padilla
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Photo Release Form For A Minor
CNYAMT will now be using a PHOTO RELEASE FORM for ALL performance events. If the performer is a minor, the parents/guardians must sign our form to give consent for their child’s photo or video recording to be used on our website, Facebook page or in other media.
Members can find this form on our CNYAMT website under “Forms and Logos” in the Get Involved section.
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Find a Music Teacher and Member Directory - Pictures
Don't forget about our "Find a Music Teacher" option on our website. Membership in CNYAMT includes your biography being listed here, along with your information for students and parents to find music teachers. Take a moment and check the link in your biography to make sure it is accurate. Are you currently accepting students? Make sure you let us know if you aren't so we can change your status. Changes to your information can be made by simply emailing your changes to cnyamt@gmail.com.
If you would like a picture in our "Find a Music Teacher" spreadsheet, email a current picture to cnyamt@gmail.com.
Our Member Directory page is also the place to sign out our sign and vase for events!
If you need help logging in to this MEMBERS ONLY LOGIN PAGE to check your bio or other information, please email cnyamt@gmail.com for log in credentials.
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