Stephen Laifer Instructor of Orchestral Repertory (Horn) DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass, & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Mr. LaiferBIOGRAPHY Stephen Laifer joined the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as 4th Horn in 2012. Mr. Laifer was born in Honolulu, Hawaii into a military family, eventually settling in Syracuse, New York. Laifer began playing the horn relatively late as a sophomore in high…
Vince Ford Instructor of Music Leadership DEPARTMENTMusic LeadershipCONTACT INFOEmail Mr. FordBIOGRAPHY Vince Ford boasts two decades of experience successfully increasing the reach and impact of high-profile arts institutions. Expert in integrating audience engagement, content development, innovative platforms, revenue, and fostering high-performing teams, Vince is a seasoned leader. Currently serving as the SVP of Strategy and…
Caen Thomason-Redus Instructor of Arts Leadership DEPARTMENTMusic LeadershipCONTACT INFOEmail Mr. Thomason-RedusBIOGRAPHY Caen Thomason-Redus is grateful to spend his time making a difference in the world through music. That journey has taken him through orchestras, presenters, universities, and now the League of American Orchestras, where he leads Inclusion and Learning. Immediately prior to joining the League,…
Mike Lee Visiting Assistant Professor of Musicology DEPARTMENTMusicologyCONTACT INFOEmail Professor LeePersonal WebsiteBIOGRAPHY Mike Cheng-Yu Lee is one of a new generation of pianists performing on period pianos that span the early-18th to the 20th centuries. Awarded Second and Audience prizes at the inaugural Westfield International Fortepiano Competition by a jury that included the late Christopher…
Laura Lentz Instructor of Arts Leadership DEPARTMENTArts LeadershipCONTACT INFOEmail Ms. LentzPersonal WebsiteBIOGRAPHY Laura Lentz is a flutist, collaborator, and teacher-mentor, exploring and sharing music’s infinite palette of emotionally expressive colors. She is dedicated to sharing music by today’s most forward-thinking composers, collaborating with others to create exciting and gripping work, and teaching the next generation…
Tamari Gurevich Hill Assistant Professor of Piano Supervisor of Applied Piano TAs DEPARTMENTSPianoCONTACT INFOEmail Professor GurevichBIOGRAPHY Native of the Republic of Georgia, Tamari Gurevich Hill made her orchestral debut with the Georgian State Symphony at age 11. In 1992, as one of the leading young artists in Georgia, Tamari was invited to join the renowned…
Jeffrey Gray Instructor of Orchestral Repertory, Low Brass DEPARTMENTWoodwinds, Brass, & PercussionCONTACT INFOEmail Mr. GrayBIOGRAPHY Jeffrey Gray joined the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in 2011 as bass trombonist. He previously held the same position with the Grant Park Orchestra of Chicago from 2003-2014, and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra from 2000-2011. Mr. Gray received a Bachelor…
Gene Dobbs Bradford Executive Director, Savannah Music Festival Class of ’89E BIOGRAPHY Gene Dobbs Bradford joined Savannah Music Festival as Executive Director in February 2022. He previously served as the President and CEO of Jazz St. Louis for 23 years, where he led an $8.5 million capital campaign as well as the expansion of education…
Nathaniel Wisch Retired Hematologist-Oncologist Former Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine Former Adjunct Professor of Medicine at New York University Class of ’55, Parent of ’96 graduate BIOGRAPHY Nat earned his BA in Biology with Distinction from the University of Rochester in 1955. While a student he was a member of Phi Epsilon Pi,…
Kathleen van Bergen CEO and President of Artis—Naples John and Joanne Fisher Chair Class of ’98E BIOGRAPHY Now in her 12th season at the helm of Artis—Naples, CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen continues to chart an assured and ambitious course for the organization. Her dedicated oversight is recognized throughout Southwest Florida and the greater arts…