We’re thrilled to welcome you to Prelude 2026 in Rome. This unforgettable experience will include inspiring musical moments, meaningful professional development, and special opportunities for connection throughout the weekend. From sacred spaces to remarkable venues, we have planned each day with care. To make the experience even more meaningful, we invite you to get to know your fellow attendees. This group includes directors and music educators, along with partners, collaborators, and others connected to the musical community. Below, you will find a table introducing your travel companions. We hope it helps spark connections even before we meet in Rome. We’re excited to introduce you to your travel companions for Prelude 2026. Explore the table below to learn more about the talented ensemble directors and guests joining us in Rome. Attendees NameEnsembleTitleLocationBioAmy AlvarezBoston, MABiography not provided.Keith AndrewsKansas City, MOBiography not provided.Caroline AltmanSan Francisco Opera Guild Opera ScoutsDirector of EducationSan Francisco, CAHi there, I’ve been Director of Education at San Francisco Opera Guild where I lead the Opera Scouts since 2006. I’ve taught drama, music, dance, theater and life skills to young artists all my life, taking me from San Diego to San Francisco to New York, Texas, London, Switzerland and Italy. I also write musicals and operas and perform in operatic and musical theater roles as well as kicking up my heels as part of the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, performing at the Macy’s Parade and at other National events. I deeply believe in the power of the performing arts to heal both individuals and community and am delighted to introduce my students to both music and the tranformative power of travel and the exploration of other cultures.Michelle BoulwareCentral Coast ChoraleAssistant DirectorSalinas, CAMichelle Boulware teaches full-time at Salinas High School and directs choirs in the Pacific Grove district.Katherine ChmelkoNazareth Academy Chorale and OrchestraDirector of Performing ArtsPhiladelphia, PAThis is my 17th year teaching at Nazareth Academy and I have led 7 international performance tours with our department (our upcoming trip will be my 3rd with Encore). Under my direction, the Nazareth Academy Chorale has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Vatican, and the Basilica of the National Shrine. The Chorale was selected to perform at the PMEA State Music Conference in April 2026.Alycia ColemanTracy, CABiography not provided.Emma CokerKansas City, MOBiography not provided.Kevin CokerRockhurst High School Liturgical ChoirDirector of Choral ActivitiesKansas City, MOKevin L. Coker is the Director of Choral Activities at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri. He has over 20 years of teaching experience across elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels. Ensembles under his direction have appeared at state, regional, and national conferences, as well as the American Music Festival in Rome and Florence. He is committed to the performance of new music and has commissioned works from numerous composers, and he is the recipient of The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music.Paul DabSan Francisco Opera ScoutsMusic DirectorSan Francisco, CAPaul Dab has been a dedicated musician since age four and is an active performer and educator in the Bay Area. He teaches at the San Francisco Community Music Center, works as a teaching artist with the San Francisco Opera Guild, performs regularly with the Fête Concert Series and regional opera companies, and holds a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.Dominique DeSilvaQueens, NYBiography not provided.Leigh DodsonAsheville, NCBiography not provided.Clifton Dodson, Jr.A. C. Reynolds High School Symphonic WindsDirectorAsheville, NCClif Dodson is the Director of Bands at A.C. Reynolds High School, where he leads concert, marching, and jazz ensembles and oversees a comprehensive instrumental music program. With over a decade of experience, his ensembles have performed at venues including Carnegie Hall and Sound Kitchen Studios in Nashville and have consistently earned superior ratings at regional and state festivals.Frederick FrankPhiladelphia, PABiography not provided.Michelle FrankPhiladelphia Girls ChoirExecutive DirectorPhiladelphia, PAMichelle brings over 20 years of experience in music, educational leadership, fundraising, non-profit management, and fiscal management to her role as Executive Director. She is a Grammy®-nominated music educator and passionate nonprofit leader with work history that includes leadership roles with the Curtis Institute of Music and the School District of Philadelphia. She holds Master’s degrees in Educational Leadership from UPenn and Voice Performance from FSU. Michelle is a proud mom to twins and lives in New Jersey with her husband, Frederick.Ann JohnsonGrove City High School ChoirDirectorColumbus, OHAnn Johnson is the Director of Choral Activities at Grove City High School and holds a B.M.E. from Ohio Wesleyan University, an M.M. in Music Education, and Kodály certification from Capital University.Cameron JonesPort Jefferson Station, NYBiography not provided.Tyrone JonesHoly Trinity Performing ArtsMusic DirectorPort Jefferson Station, NYI conduct the Symphonic Band, Chorus, Select Choir, and Music Ministry, I played for several Years in a Ska Band. My Gig instruments are Saxophone, Flute and Rhythm GuitarKent JueRagazzi Boys ChoirArtistic and Executive DirectorSan Francisco, CADuring his tenure as Artistic and Executive Director, Kent guided Ragazzi’s growth plan as it became the largest boy’s chorus program in the Bay Area. He created two satellite programs for entry-level families, increased grant and foundation support, established Ragazzi’s first endowment, and achieved consecutive budget surpluses. Showcasing innovation and adaptability during the spring of 2020, Kent reimagined a program that kept Ragazzi boys safely singing. He pioneered new technology, maintained enrollment, and established Ragazzi’s health and safety plan. Under Kent’s leadership, overnight activities, including local, domestic and international touring, and camps resumed in 2022 after a three-year hiatus.Chris KentSeattle, WABiography not provided.Jean-Marie KentSeattle Children’s ChoirMusic DirectorSeattle, WAJean-Marie Kent completed her doctorate in choral conducting from the University of Washington, specializing in collaboration and community engagement. Her dissertation compared Vivaldi’s opera choruses to his works for women at the Pieta. Currently, Jean-Marie serves as the Director of Choirs at Holy Names Academy. Previously, she taught Choir and Vocal Jazz at Roosevelt High School and directed the Magnolia Chorale, a community choir. Before moving to Seattle, Jean-Marie taught music on Vancouver Island and in New York City, where she developed public school music programs for gifted children. She earned her Master of Music in Conducting at McGill University in Montreal and her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Regina. Jean-Marie has conducted orchestras and choirs, including the University of Regina Chamber Singers, the UW Women’s Choir, Nanaimo Symphony Orchestra, and the Victoria Civic Orchestra.James Long, Jr.Flagler Beach, FLBiography not provided.Paige LongMetropolitan Flute OrchestraDirectorFlagler Beach, FLPaige Dashner Long, Altus Flutes Performing Artist, orchestral / chamber musician and award winning composer, directs the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra and the Florida Flute Orchestra. Paige performs and directs flute festivals internationally and is the Vice President of the International Low Flutes Society. Former chair National Flute Association Low Flutes Committee and past president Greater Boston Flute Association; Served on music faculties at Daytona State College, Stetson University and the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA.Mohamed MazouzBoston, MABiography not provided.Elizabeth Hansing MoonSt. Stephen’s Global EnsembleArts Department ChairAustin, TXMy role is to support the ensemble directors in their planning and execution of great performance tours.John MoonSt. Stephen’s Episcopal School OrchestraDirector of OrchestrasAustin, TXJohn Moon began studying violin and piano at age six and earned a Master’s degree in classical violin performance from the University of Texas at Austin’s Butler School of Music. Trained in the Galamian tradition, he has also explored world music through study with Ali Akbar Khan and other artists. He is Executive Director of Global Harmony Productions, Executive Producer for Atash recordings, and a longtime member of Atash. Moon serves as Director of Orchestras and Chamber Music at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin and maintains an active international career as a conductor, performer, and educator, including work with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, and ensembles across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.Konstantinos PapadakisNew England Conservatory – Piano DepartmentPiano FacultyBoston, MAKonstantinos Papadakis serves on the piano faculty at the New England Conservatory.Brennan PendrakeGrove City High School ChoirsAccompanistColumbus, OHBrennan Pendrake is a collaborative pianist, organist, church choral director, and voice coach.Steven PerrySt. Teresa’s AcademyDirector of ChoirsKansas City, MOSteve Perry is Department Co-Chair and Director of Choirs at St. Teresa’s Academy, where he has served since 2015. He holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Missouri Western State University, and is an award-winning educator recognized for excellence in teaching and choral leadership.Cynara PierzinaEncore Touring EnsembleExecutive DirectorCrystal Lake, ILCynara Pierzina is the co-founder and executive director of Encore Music Academy, founded in 2005. Now celebrating 20 years, Encore has been bringing music education and performance opportunities to McHenry County, Illinois for two decades. Along with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the academy, Cynara stays closely connected to teaching, working with flute students and coaching chamber ensembles. Her work reflects a deep love of music, education, and building a strong, supportive musical community.Laura PoyzerSongbird Strings of TexasFounder and DirectorAustin, TXFounding Director of Songbird Rising Suzuki School for 15 years. This is our second international tour with encore, our first tour was to the UK in 2023.Joy RotzFayetteville, GABiography not provided.Stephen RotzWoodward AcademyDirector of MusicAtlanta, GAStephen Rotz is choral director and music theory instructor for Woodward Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, where he leads various ensembles in both the Upper School and Middle School. He earned a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Alabama, where he studied under Dr. John Ratledge. He also earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Shorter College. He is a past member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and has been featured as a soloist by the ASO. His choirs have been featured at the conferences of both the Georgia Music Educators Association and the Southern Division of ACDA.Kalen RuizFort Worth, TXBiography not provided.Drew RuizCurt Wilson Alumni Big Band (TCU Alumni)OrganizerFort Worth, TXWe are A big band jazz group made up of TCU Jazz Band Alumni. We travel and play internationally every 2-3 years. We have performed in the UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece over the last 7 trips. This is our first trip with Encore and we are excited to be traveling with them!Jared SimsMilton AcademyDirector of JazzBoston, MAJared Sims is a jazz saxophonist and educator with degrees from West Virginia University (B.M.), New England Conservatory (M.M.), and Boston University (D.M.A.). He specializes in jazz performance and pedagogy, with a focus on saxophone technique, ensemble musicianship, and effective teaching practices. Dr. Sims is an active clinician and music education advocate.Susan TevisChico Community ChoirsArtistic Director – ConductorChico, CASusan Tevis is the founder and Artistic Director of Children’s Choir of Chico, now in its 25th season. In addition to guiding the 5 choirs of CCOC, Susan teaches the youngest singers in grades Tk-1st, and also conducts Cantiamo (grades 4-7) Bel Canto (grades 9 & up), and Bella Voce (adult women). These singers are often joined by members of various adult choral ensembles in the greater Chico area for collaborative performances. Chico Community Choirs previously performed in Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, Ljubljana, Zagreb and Budapest in 2015 and 2019. Some of these same singers will be joined by additional performers for a concert tour of France in June 2026.Emma ThackeraySongbird Rising Suzuki SchoolPrivate TeacherSalt Lake City, UTEmma Thackeray is a private teacher to 24 students at Songbird Rising Suzuki School in Austin, Texas. She is completing her Masters of Music degree at the University of Texas at Austin and plays frequently with orchestras in Central Texas. She has recently been awarded a grant to continue her research on healthy musicianship and enjoys incorporating that research into her teaching.Ann TuckerEncore Touring EnsembleArtistic Director/ConductorCrystal Lake, ILSince 1993, Ann Tucker has taught music and directed all ages of choirs from 1st grade through senior adult. In 2005 she co-founded Encore Music Academy and serves as its Artistic Director, Board Treasurer and Conductor of the Encore Youth Choir and Touring Choir. She also is the Director of Music at First Congregational Church where she directs three choirs, ages 3rd-8th grade, high school and adult as two bells choirs for middle school and high school students. She has toured with her choirs both domestically and internationally for 28 years.Robert VannSacramento Youth SymphonyManaging DirectorSacramento, CARobert has been with the Sacramento Youth Symphony for nearly twenty years, starting as the Orchestra Manager in 2007. In 2014, he was promoted to General Manager and was appointed Managing Director in 2024. He is a freelance tenor and serves as the Executive Director of the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento and Artistic Director of the Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento.Nathan WadleyPhiladelphia Girls ChoirArtistic Director & ConductorPhiladelphia, PANathan Wadley began his choral training at age eleven as a chorister with The American Boychoir under Dr. James Litton. Fifteen years later, he returned as Resident Training Choir Director at The American Boychoir School, where he trained new choirboys in performance and musicianship. He has taught for over 20 years in public and private schools and currently serves on the faculty of Friends Select School in Philadelphia. Mr. Wadley holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Choral Conducting from Missouri State University, where he was a graduate assistant to Dr. Guy B. Webb, and is a certified Kodály educator through studies at NYU and Capitol University.Sara WatkinsNorwalk Youth SymphonyExecutive DirectorNorwalk, CTSara Watkins has served as Executive Director of the Norwalk Youth Symphony since 2008.Jonathan YatesNorwalk Youth SymphonyMusic DirectorNew York City, NYJonathan serves as Music Director of both the Norwalk Youth Symphony and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. He holds degrees from Harvard University, SUNY Stony Brook and The Juilliard School.David ZagorskiNazareth Academy Chorale and OrchestraDirector of BandsPhiladelphia, PAThis is my 7th year at Nazareth Academy and our 2026 summer tour will be my 4th performance tour with the group (3rd with Encore). I direct the Orchestra, Jazz Band, Chamber Ensemble, and Saxophone Quartet at Nazareth. I am a saxophonist and graduate of Temple University where I studied with Marshall Taylor. I am the Music Director for the Fralinger String Band and Director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia High School Honor Jazz Band. Staff NameTitle/DepartmentOfficeJames MatthewsDirectorEncore – BostonSean BoulwareProgram ConsultantEncore – BostonJulian EdwardsProgram ConsultantEncore – BostonGlenn QuirionDirector of Business DevelopmentEncore – BostonRobin TeagueSales DirectorEncore – BostonMatthew LaMondiaProgram ManagerEncore – BostonBarbara BrownDirector of OrchestrasEncore – BostonCarlotta BoldriniTour ManagerEncore – RomeJoe SartoriusTour ManagerEncore – RomeAdriano NapoleoniOperationsEncore – RomeAndrea SinibaldiOperationsEncore – Rome