Robert D'Ambrosio Jr. Robert D'Ambrosio Jr. graduated in 1994 and went on to attain a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Hofstra University in 1998. He married his high school sweetheart, Jody (Zentil), in 2001, and they currently live in East Meadow with their two children, Ethan (3) and Haley (1). Rob currently works for Hyosung, an ATM manufacturer, as a liaison to Citibank. Some of his fondest high school memories involve his days in the Copiague High School Chorus and Madrigal Choir. While his public performances are now few and far between, he still sings in the shower on a daily basis.
Robert Bennett Robert Bennett attended Copiague High School from 1998-2002 where he was an active member of the Chorus and Madrigal Choir. Robert also was twice selected to the All-County Chorus and, in 2001, had the honor of participating in the New York All-State Festival. After graduating from Copiague High School, Robert attended C. W. Post-Long Island University from 2002-2007 and received a BA in History. While studying History at LIU, Robert was also intensely involved with the school's music department. It was through Copiague's participation in the LIU Tilles Choral Invitational performance of Carmina Burana that Robert became interested in attending LIU. During Robert's collegiate career, he performed with the LIU Chorus, Chamber Singers, Madrigal Singers and Vocal Jazz Combo. As a member of the Chamber and Madrigal Singers, Robert performed on tours in the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and around the United States. In 2007, Robert was chosen to sing the National Anthem for a NY Islanders home game. Since completing his undergraduate studies, Robert has taken a full time position working for LIU. Robert is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Political Science and is, once again, performing with the C. W. Post-LIU Madrigal Singers. Robert is excited to be returning to Copiague to perform and give back to the community. He would like to thank Ms. Occhiogrosso and Mr. Wurtzel for making so much possible. Music is central in Robert's life as a musician and as a person!
Bob DiGiovanna Bob DiGiovanna and his brother Michael were gifted students of music at the Deauville Gardens Elementary School where they were the heart and soul of Mr. Wurtzel's elementary music program. Upon graduation from Copiague High School, Bob received a B.S. in Psychology from SUNY New Paltz and Masters of Social Work from Adelphi University. He has been a social worker in Seaford High School for twenty years and maintains a private social work practice in Deer Park. Bob has performed as a professional musician throughout his entire life and is accomplished on many instruments in addition to his vocal ability. He is married and has two sons, ages 12 and 10. We trust that they will carry on the Rich DiGiovanna musical tradition.
Christopher Duffy & Jillian Duffy Christopher Duffy – Class of 2004, attended Five Towns College majoring in Theatre Arts, in which he performed in the chorus, choir and A cappella groups. He also performed, directed and co-directed numerous plays and musicals. In addition, he has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and numerous theatres in New York City and Long Island. Christopher is very excited for this concert at Copiague. It will be the first time he will perform with his sister, Jillian. They both developed their musical skills from Mr. Wurtzel and Miss Occhiogrosso. Special thanks go to Mr. Wurtzel and Miss Occhiogrosso for making his years at Copiague not only educational, but for giving him memories he will never forget. Jillian (Duffy) Black graduated from Copiague High School in 1999 after performing in Mr. Wurtzel's Madrigal Choir, Chorus and musical for four years. She then attended Marist College where she met her husband of four years, Steven Black, and earned her BA in Special and Elementary Education. During her years at Marist, she was a member in the school's Chorus, Select Chorus, Madrigal Choir and musical. After graduating in 2003, she got married in 2004, moved to Connecticut and began teaching third grade and musical theater to elementary students over the summer. Last August, Steven and Jillian welcomed their son, Jonathan, into their family. Jillian is so excited to be involved in this evening of wonderful music and musicians and to perform with her brother, Christopher, for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Wurtzel, for making high school some of the best years of my life!
Nadine Ford Nadine Ford has been singing and performing in front of a crowd since the tender age of five years old. Whether it was through the expression of singing, dancing, or playing music on various instruments, music has always played a leading role in her life. While in high school, Nadine was a frequent soloist, star of the stage and a member of the All-County and All-State Choirs. In May 2007, Nadine received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and was a Voice Principal at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. During her studies (Fall 2003-Spring 2007) at Berklee, she was the recipient of the World Tour Scholarship, Student Ambassador traveling within the United States and internationally, and was on the Dean's List three times. While at Berklee, Nadine participated in a tour of the Philippines. She has performed with many notable artists including Aretha Franklin, Gloria Estefan, Ledisi, Anita Baker, Patrice Rushen, Jennifer Holiday, Melissa Etheridge, Ron Carter, Kevin Eubanks, to name a few. Nadine is in the studio recording her 1st album and continues to perform original music with the band, Reality, based in Boston, Massachusetts, and cover music with The Beat, a band based in Long Island, New York. Nadine will also be traveling to Japan with the Glory Gospel Singers in December 2008. She is happy to share that if it wasn't for the support she has had from her family and, most importantly, chorus teachers Miss Occhiogrosso and Mr. Larry Wurtzel, her music career would not be what it is today! Mr. Wurtzel is the man!
Joshua Hemmings Joshua Hemmings – (Bass-Baritone) Class of 2007 – is a sophomore Music Education major at Westminster Choir College and currently a probationary member of the Rho Kappa Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is also an apprentice conductor with Westminster Youth Choral under Dr. Joe Miller, the head of Choral Activities at Westminster Choir College and studies voice under Guy Rothfuss. Josh was a major contributor to the high school band, chorus and stage throughout his time at Walter G. O'Connell Copiauge High School. He was also a member of the All-County and All-State Choirs. Joshua would like to thank the Copiague School District for the many years of support and opportunities they gave him.
Michael Johnson Jr. Michael Johnson Jr. graduated from Copiague High School in 2002. He recently graduated from Five Towns College with a Bachelors of Professional Studies in Business Management with a concentration in Music Business. Michael is now pursuing a career in theater. He has worked in many different areas of theater, from performing to stage managing to light design. Michael completed the 2008 summer season at Gateway Playhouse as an Assistant Stage Manager. In November, he will be touring with Phantom of the Opera in Europe. Michael thanks Mr. Wurtzel and Miss Occhiogrosso for the opportunity to return to the stage on which he began his theater career. He would like to wish future generations of Madrigals the best of luck.
Sarah Meehan Sarah Meehan graduated from Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School in 2005. Throughout High School, she was an active member of Mr. Wurtzel's Madrigal Choir, the marching band and the Copiague Playhouse where she stunned audiences with her brilliant performances in Les Miserables, Into the Woods, and Seussical. Sarah was a member of the All County and All State Choirs and is currently studying music education at The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Sarah hopes to one day teach music and conduct a choir of her own.
Cristen Fischer Salisbury Cristen Fischer Salisbury was a member of the Madrigal Choir from 1994-1998. After high school, she earned a B.S. in Music Education from Hartwick College and a M.Ed. in Music Education from Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music. Cristen is currently in her seventh year of teaching at Pulaski Road Elementary in East Northport, where she is responsible for K-5 classroom music and 4th and 5th grade chorus. In addition, she directs the fifth grade musical, which is currently Seussical Jr. (Past performances include Bye Bye Birdie Jr., Music Man Jr., Into the Woods Jr., Annie Jr., and School House Rock Live Jr.!) She is the advisor to the school newspaper and directs the Pulaski Show Choir. She returned to Copiague to conduct the pit orchestra of Les Miserables, Seussical and Grease. Cristen holds a position on the Executive Board of LIAOSA, the Long Island chapter of national organization dedicated to the Orff-Schulwerk approach to elementary music. Most recently, she was invited to be a clinician at the PEAK Festival, Nassau's All County for 3rd grade students. Cristen currently lives in Copiague with her husband, Brian, and her daughter, Elliote. She is thrilled to be a part of this special event and credits her years in Madrigals for fostering her passion for the arts.
Daryl Schwartzwalder Daryl Schwartzwalder was a member of the Copiague High School Class of 2000. He probably was most remembered for his crazy antics and weird voices which led him to the role of the Evil Plant, Audrey II, in the High School musical, Little Shop of Horrors. An active member of the Copiague High School Madrigal Choir throughout his entire High School career, his experiences with the group shaped him musically and as a person. Daryl moved on to attend Five Town College. Currently, he is one of the management staff at the local Stop & Shop in Amityville. His love for music and the arts, which was nourished in the Madrigal Choir, remains with him today.
Dawn Schwartzwalder Dawn Schwartzwalder graduated in 1998 and was a member of the Madrigal Choir during a time when the group realized four consecutive years of 1st place competitive standings. She was also very active in the Copiague Playhouse and, in her senior year, gave an amazing performance as Annie in the Copiague High School production of "Annie." Dawn has worked as a professional wedding singer, is currently a nurse and has most recently recorded her own Gospel CD, which is now being mastered for release. She attended C. W. Post College on a music scholarship before starting a family. Dawn is proud to be the mother of her own Brady Bunch, six wonderfully talented and beautiful children who are the joy of her life. She remembers her time with the Madrigal Choir and Mr. & Mrs. Wurtzel with great affection. Dawn has these words of advice..."Whenever there is an opportunity to sing---just do it!"
Antonio G. Quinones Antonio G. Quiñones was always an active participant in the choral program prior to graduating Copiague Senior High School in 1995. He performed with the Madrigals all four high school years and landed a leading roll in school musicals; The King and I, Damn Yankees, Bye Bye Birdie, Fame and The Music Man. Tony was even awarded the opportunity to sing back-up for Tevin Campbell on Good Morning America. During his high school years, Tony tested himself through NYSSMA and was challenged with SCMEA, All County, All State and All Eastern. Tony has been "On the Job" for the last five years with FDNY as a HazMat Paramedic. He still sings in church and with his nine year old daughter Kimberly, the next singing star of the family.
Melissa Sulecki & Noelle Joy Cariola Melissa Sulecki Chicarelli, after her tenure at Copiague High School, went on to study at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue and, in 2003, graduated with a BA in Human Relations with a concentration in Counseling & Guidance. In March of 2004, she was married to fellow Copiague alumni, David Chicarelli. During her college years, Melissa began taking Pastry Arts classes at the Culinary Academy of Long Island and discovered a love of food – especially cake. After four years as a Human Resources Generalist at a private firm in Woodbury, LI, Melissa started her own specialty cake business, The Sugar Chic, and is now working towards building her business. Melissa's love of the arts is stronger than ever, and she continues to work in the musical theatre arena with her brother, Joe, and his theatre education program, diG Repertory, which guides urban youth through mentorship in the arts. Melissa is so happy to be performing at Copiague, again, and would like to send love and thanks to Mr. Wurtzel and her fellow alumni. Noelle Joy Cariola is thrilled and honored to be included in this alumni event and would like to thank Mr. Wurtzel for the unbelievable opportunity. After her unforgettable experience in High School, which included All County & All State Choir and major roles in the school musical productions, Noelle went on to study at Hofstra University and graduated in 2003 with a degree in English and American Literature with a minor in Drama Performance. She soon made her way down to Florida, where she landed roles at Florida Studio Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Festival and Orlando Repertory Theatre, among others. Some of her favorite roles include Fredricka in Sondheim's A Little Night Music, Fern in Charlotte's Web and Lucy in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Noelle currently resides in Orlando, Florida and is making a living as a print model and event hostess. She plans to attend graduate school for Education and Literacy. Her performance tonight is dedicated to all the people in her life that changed her "For Good."
Raina Murnak & Derrick Davis Raina Murnak graduated from Copiague High School in '97 after a wonderful musical and theater career. From there, she went on to pursue an undergraduate degree in voice and a Master's degree in Composition from SUNY Stony Brook. It was there that she took her musical theater background and translated it into a career performing 20th century modern classical music. She then moved to Florida and got her Doctoral degree in Composition and Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Miami where she is currently on faculty teaching in the Theory and Vocal departments. One of her compositions can be heard on the album "Glisten" on Albany Records. Along with this, she is a very active pop singer performing in many different corporate bands and original projects. Her voice has been featured on national commercials, and she has appeared many times playing piano and singing backup on Telemundo, in Miami. Raina is also currently working on her debut album featuring her original rock and soul songs. She owes Copiague a very special place in her heart and in her musical soul and is honored to be here tonight with some of her heroes. Derrick Davis graduated Copiague High School in 1996. He then went on to study and graduate from Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus with a BFA in Vocal Music Performance. Since then, Derrick has devoted a large amount of his time to building the Powerhouse Youth Ministry in the Upper Room Christian World Center, which now has over 100 members. This year he has made his way back into theater. His credits include his off Broadway debut in Showboat, You're It!, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Die Fledermaus, The Night the Angel Sang, If I Die, to name just a few. Derrick's reflection upon this evening's concert: "I am thrilled to be coming back to my roots to perform once again with the man who had a huge part in starting it all! Thanks Mr. Wurtzel."