EILEEN FINLEY - Touring Choir, Senior Choir and Junior Choir

Ms Finley, founder and Artistic Director of the Chorale, has studied music and choral conducting at the Kodaly Institute in Kesckemet, Hungary; at Southeastern Massachusetts University; and at the Royal School of Church music at Princeton University. She received her masters of Music Education at the College of New Jersey and her Kodaly Certification from the Kodaly Center of America in Massachusetts.

In addition to her 36 years of teaching experience on the elementary level in the Neshaminy School District, Ms Finley has considerable teaching experience on the graduate and undergraduate level. She has taught courses and workshops at College Misericordia, College of New Jersey, Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, University of Pennsylvania, University of West Texas and Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

Ms Finley is the recipient of the "Citation of Excellence" from the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, "Recognition of Excellence" from the Neshaminy School Board, "Citation of Appreciation" from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the College Misericordia Alumni Award presented by the Music Department, and has been listed as an "Accomplished Teacher" by the Music Educators National Conference.

ACCOMPANISTS

EILEEN FIELDS has been accompanying the Touring Choir and the Senior Choir since 1992. She began her accompanying training in high school when she played for her high school choir under the direction of David Hall. Ms. Fields earned her Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music Education degrees at Temple University where she also studied two years as a piano performance major. She is currently teaching choral music at Upper Moreland Middle School.  Her professional experience has included accompanying Masterworks Chorale, Summer Stage, Neshaminy Valley Musical Theater, in addition to playing in pit orchestras for several high school productions. Ms. Fields has been honored as one of two "Up and Coming" Teachers in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

MARLENE WILLIAMS accompanies the Senior Choir.  She received her degree in music at Temple University and studied with private teachers at the Settlement Music School and at Eastman School of Music.  She became a church organist at age 16 and currently serves a organist and choir director at the Pilgrim Baptist Church in Philadelphia.  Mrs. Williams taught music at Settlement Music School and in private elementary schools for 10 years.  She has extensive performance experience throughout the United States as a keyboardist for several professional ensembles  In addition, Mrs. Williams is active as a music therapist and a private piano teacher.

ERIN SCHNARR accompanies the Junior Choir.  She is a Music Education student with a concentration in piano at Chestnut Hill College.  Miss Schnarr began accompanying in high school as the chapel accompanist at the Academy of the New Church Girls School.  She accompanied for chapel services at Bryn Athyn College and continues to play for worship services in the Bryn Athyn community.  She also accompanies for instrumentalists at the Chestnut Hill College student recitals.  Miss Schnarr plans to teach music at the elementary level upon completion of her degree program.

REHEARSAL ASSISTANT

ERINA PEARLSTEIN is a recent graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, NJ where she studied Music Education.  During her time at Westminster, Erina worked with multiple synagogues in central New Jersey teaching religious school music for children ages three to twelve.  Along with her current duties with the PYC, she is also the Cantorial Soloist for the Levittown synagogue Temple Shalom where she not only leads the music for weekly services, but directs the adult choir, teaches religious school music and tutors Bar and Bat Mitzvah students.  She credits her cat Sandy for her continued work in music as he shows his support by sitting politely on the piano every time she practices!