PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, February 23, 2015
BOX OFFICE: 973-539-8008
ADMIN. OFFICE: 973-539-0345
CONTACT: ED KIRCHDOERFFER, GENERAL MANAGER, x. 6505
edk@mayoarts.org
MPAC Music Students of February
(Morristown, NJ) — Students from schools based in Randolph, Rockaway, Dover, Jefferson Township, Chatham, Chester, Kinnelon,
Parsippany and Boonton were honored as Mayo Performing Arts Center February Music Students of the Month – Outstanding
Percussionist-- prior to the Friday, February 20, 2015 performance of STOMP
The students were recognized for their achievements on stage prior to the concert.
Students were nominated by their teachers and were chosen by the Theatre’s Education Department based on their commitment to and
excellence in the performing arts. The Theatre will honor a group of students every month throughout the season and invites area teachers
to nominate students for this honor. Students will be invited to perform at a year-end recital in June.
The 2014-2015 Music Student of the Month program is sponsored by The Provident Bank Foundation.
Music students of the Month are: (bios provided by school)
Savanna Brackelmanns-Puig
Grade 8, Randolph High School, Randolph; Nominated by David Imhof
Savanna is the quintessential well-rounded High School student. She is a strong academic, she plays three seasons of sports and is very
active in the music department. She plays snare drum in the Randolph High School Marching Band, plays in the highest level Wind
Ensemble, participates in percussion ensemble, and still finds time to audition successfully for groups like the North Jersey Area Band.
Being well rounded takes talent, hard work and desire: Savanna has all three.
Sonia Casiano
Grade 8, Thomas Jefferson School, Rockaway; Nominated by Helen Love
Sonia has been involved in the Thomas Jefferson School Instrumental music program since 4th grade. She has always been a diligent and
hard-working member of the program. She has dedicated much of her free time to practicing the drum set. She has gotten proficient on
drumset by working with a private teacher, and has since joined the bass drum line at the Morris Hills High School. Sonia never misses a
lesson or rehearsal. She shares her joy of music and percussion with her teacher, her family, and her peers.
Steven Evans
Grade 10, Dover High School – Nominated by Daniel P. Vazquez
Steven is an excellent drummer whose passion for music is without rival. He has been taking private drum lessons since he was little and is
amazingly talented on drum set. Steven has the ability to play in any style and any feel. He has become the percussion section leader as a
sophomore and has auditioned for area band and will be auditioning for Region Jazz Ensemble in March. Stephen has played professional
gigs with local adults who are all amazed at his talent.
Toni Anne Marino
Grade 12, Jefferson Township High School, Oak Ridge; Nominated by Rich Barrieres and Derek Sica
Toni Anne is the principal chair percussionist at Jefferson Township High School. She has ben involved in the JHS Golden Falcons
Marching Band on snare, JTHS Wind Ensemble, JTHS Jazz Band, and has participated in professional ensembles outside of school like
the Orchestra at Hilltop Presbyterian Church. This year Toni Anne has been selected to play percussion for the JTHS Spring musical
The Mayo Performing Arts Center  100 South Street  Morristown, NJ 07960
Admin - Phone: (973) 539-0345 ext. 6505  Fax (973) 455-1607
Box Office (973) 539-8008  mayoarts.org
production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as a member of the professional orchestra. She embodies a high degree of musicianship as a
leader among her Honors Symphonic Band classmates.
Anthony Palma
Grade 12, Chatham High School, Chatham; Nominated by Barbara Klemp
Anthony participates in several musical activities at chatham High School as a dedicated member and leader in the percussion section. A
member of our curricular Wind Ensemble, Anthony also dedicates much of his extracurricular time to the Marching Band, Pit Orchestra,
Jazz Band, and Percussion Ensemble. In addition, Anthony has performed with the Chatham Community Band on several occasions. CHS
Band Director Brian Conti describes Anthony as a highly motivated and confident percussionist who is not only valued for his talent and
dedication, but for his willingness to take on new challenges. Most high school seniors would tend to not take on something new- but not
Anthony. In his first year as a drum set player for Jazz Band, Anthony works tremendously had and continues to dedicate himself to new
challenges, seeking to advance his skill level. He welcomes constructive criticism, and applies suggestions of teachers and peers to his
playing. He is a role model for fellow Band members, a spirited leader who is truly dedicated to the Chatham High School Music program.
Pierce Phillips
Grade 8, Black River Middle School; Chester – Nominated by Kenneth Piascik
Percussion is a very special section of the band. The students need to be organized, motivated, disciplined, and rhythmic, and they must
perform many different instruments. The best percussionists have all these qualities and help lead the band to the next level. Pierce Phillips
is one of these great percussionists! He arrives early in the mornings to practice the marimba, work on his rudiments, or advance in the
Theory program. He has been a member of the North Jersey Regions Band as a 7th grader and will audition again this year. Mr. Phillips
wants to be challenged and continues to inspire the other percussionists in our music program. We are all very fortunate to have Pierce
Phillips at Black River Middle School!
Tim Schneider
Grade 10, Kinnelon High School, Kinnelon; Nominated by Ryan Stroud
Tim has been a really solid presence in our percussion section since middle school. Now a sophomore, Tim has auditioned for and made
the North Jersey Area and Region I bands as a freshman and sophomore. His work ethic is 2nd to none. Every Tuesday he practices for
two hours after school on every possible percussion technique. He’s very deserving of this honor and we’re proud to have him at KHS.
Vivek Rajyaguru
Grade 8, Brooklawn Middle School, Parsippany; Nominated by Joseph Stella
Vivek is a new student this year at Brooklawn Middle School. Prior to September, he was primarily a violist, but there was not a spot for
violas in the 8th grade concert band. Vivek was asked if he would be interested in volunteering to learn the percussion instruments. He
immediately agreed to take on the musical challenge and was quickly and successfully immersed in his new role as a percussionist. He has
learned techniques for performing on all the percussion instruments with ease and has been a wonderful addition to our band on mallet
instruments, timpani, bass drum, and a variety of other percussion instruments. He is an extremely mature, well-mannered, and respectful
students and a great musician.
Antonia Zak
Grade 7, Brooklawn Middle School, Boonton; Nominated by Yvonne Manca
Antonia is an outstanding percussionist and has been since she has picked up the drums in 4th grade. She has excelled in all areas of
music but percussion is her specialty (specifically the snare drum). She is the best drummer in the school and Antonia’s rhythm is always
accurate. There isn’t a rhythm she can’t play. She has excellent sight reading skills and is the one student that can be counted on to keep
the percussion section in time. Antonia is certainly an asset to the music program
Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the
diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. The 2014-2015 season is made possible, in
part, by a grant the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts,
as well as support received from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, F.M. Kirby Foundation and numerous corporations, foundations and
individuals. The Mayo Performing Arts Center has been designated a Major Presenting Organization by the New Jersey State Council on
the Arts.
Mayo Performing Arts Center
100 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960
box office (973) 539-8008
online: www.mayoarts.org
fax (973) 455-1607 / admin (973) 539-0345 ext.6505
All Programs Subject to Change.
PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS FURNISHED UPON REQUEST
###
The Mayo Performing Arts Center  100 South Street  Morristown, NJ 07960
Admin - Phone: (973) 539-0345 ext. 6505  Fax (973) 455-1607
Box Office (973) 539-8008  mayoarts.org