Laurel Concert Program 2025
Elizabeth “Ma” Sonier, Laurel Music Camp’s Founder
Elizabeth C. Sonier began teaching in Winsted in 1932. In October of 1944, She had an idea to bring a nationally respected conductor together with music students for a week of rehearsal during the summer. Music educators from across Connecticut agreed on the benefits it would provide to the students, but colleagues told her over and over “There’s no way, Betty. There’s a war on!”
1945 staff member Mary Lane would write:
“Having accomplished that little bit, we sat there on our last morning together, storing up in our memories the beauty of the scene before us. The lapping of the lake seemed to say, “All is well.” A cool breeze tossed the waves, which gurgled under the abandoned raft near the pink laurel bushes. Across the lake, pine trees stretched skyward from a rocky cliff. On our own shore birds echoed back and forth in the gently rustling birches. Then and there we decided that, look where we might, we could not find a more beautiful spot … in which to establish an annual summer music camp. Nor could we find a more appropriate name than the “Laurel Music Camp.”
A local resident, Walter Davey, had heard the students rehearsing, and would row his boat across the lake to listen – Davey was an active Scout leader. In March of 1946, Davey and Sonier gathered with lead Scout Council members Prosper Lavieri and Merle Hildreth, along with Connecticut Music Educator Association officers G. Albert Pearson and Doris Raynor at the Workcoeman Boy Scout Reservation. This would be the new home for Sonier’s dream.
Camp Workcoeman has graciously hosted Laurel Music Camp for most of its existence, but the past four years of camp have been held at Camp Mattatuck in Prospect, CT. Together, the Scouts of Camp Mattatuck and the Laurel Music Camp Staff of today have proven to all alumni of LMC that regardless of location or circumstances of the world, Laurel Music Camp continue in its same spirit for many years to come!
OUR CONDUCTORS
Keenan Asbridge, Jazz Band Conductor
Keenan is a trumpet and piano player, educator, and composer/arranger from Hartford, CT. He has been active on the New England and New York music scenes for about a decade now, performing in a variety of styles and settings.
Keenan leads his own jazz sextet, featuring original compositions and arrangements, and is a member of a funk/soul group called Nikita; in addition to this he is a freelance musician playing everything from weddings, to big band, or pick-up small group gigs.
In the Spring of 2023, Keenan received a Masters degree in composition and arranging from UMass Amherst, where he started diving into the world of conducting large ensembles, as well as writing for them. Keenan also teaches all ages of students in Hartford at the Charter Oak Cultural Center, as well as Studio 88 in Mansfield, CT.
Dr. Jeremy Wiggins, Choir Conductor
Dr. Jeremy Wiggins serves as an Associate Professor of Music, Coordinator of Choral Activities, and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music at Western Connecticut State University. In this role, he conducts the University Singers and Concert Chorale, and teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, choral literature, and music education. Since 2019, Wiggins has prepared the WCSU University Singers for performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. In the last three years, this ensemble has also performed at the 2023 CMEA State Conference, the 2024 ACDA Eastern Regional Conference, and the 2025 NAfME Eastern Division Conference. Wiggins has served as a Repertoire & Resources Chair for University and College Choirs since 2019 with the CT ACDA and was recently elected President of the state chapter. Wiggins will begin his term as President-Elect in June 2025. Since 2020, Wiggins has served as the Artistic Director of the renowned Charis Chamber Voices (CCV) based in Westchester County, New York. Under his direction, CCV has performed an array of diverse chamber music and choral-orchestral works.
Wiggins taught secondary choral music in Southern California for nine years. His choirs at San Clemente High School and West Covina High School toured nationally and received top ratings and scores at regional, state, and national choral festivals. Under his direction, both programs doubled in size and increased their presence in the community by partnering with local choral ensembles and performing for charitable organizations. Wiggins completed his doctoral studies in Choral Conducting and Music Education at Florida State University and holds an M.M. in Choral Conducting and a B.A. in Choral Music Education from California State University, Fullerton. Wiggins’ collection of historical performance editions is published by Hinshaw Music.
Dr. David Hagy, Orchestra Conductor
David Hagy was Music Director of the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra for 36 years through 2024 and is now titled Music Director Emeritus and continues to conduct the annual Nutcracker production. He retired in 2022 from Wake Forest University following 27 years as the Orchestra Director there. During his time there he taught three semesters at Wake Forest’s Casa Artom in Venice, Italy. He also conducted youth orchestras in Omaha, Springfield (MA), Greensboro, and Winston-Salem and has music-directed over fifty musical theater productions.
Dr. Hagy grew up in Indianapolis and credits that city’s public school system with enabling him to become a classical musician. He went to Indiana University as a violinist and Yale as a conductor, and attributes his conducting abilities to study with Thomas Briccetti and Otto-Werner Mueller.
Dr. Hagy graduated magna cum laude as a Violin Performance major from Indiana University and holds master’s and doctor’s degrees in Orchestral Conducting from Yale University. He currently lives in Long Island City, NY with his cat Dario and is pleased to be not only working with the students at Laurel Music Camp for his fourteenth time but also one of its newest senior staff members!
Dr. Justin McManus, Concert Band Conductor
Justin McManus (he/him) is the newly appointed associate director of bands, director of athletic bands, and assistant professor of music at the University of California, Los Angeles. At UCLA, Dr. McManus will direct the “Solid Gold Sound” Bruin Marching Band, Varsity Band, and Symphonic Band. Additionally, Dr. McManus will teach undergraduate conducting and other music education courses in the Herb Alpert School of Music.
Most recently, Dr. McManus served as director of athletic bands and assistant professor of music at the University of Connecticut where he directed the 315-member Pride of Connecticut Marching Band, Pep Bands, and conducted the university concert band. While at UConn, the UConn Marching Band was invited to perform for its first NFL halftime in 30 years and was later selected by the Sudler Trophy Trust Foundation to represent collegiate marching bands at the 2024 Sudler Trophy Legends celebration in New York City. Dr. McManus has presented at several professional development sessions, including the 2025 National Association for Music Education Eastern Division Conference and the Boston University (BU) Professional Development series. An active researcher, Dr. McManus has been published in two music education handbooks published by Oxford University Press and was recently awarded a research grant for a study on factors influencing participation in performing arts activities.
Dr. McManus also served as Assistant Director of University Bands at the University of Notre Dame and as adjudicator of the New Zealand National Concert Band Association Festival. He received a doctorate in music education from the BU School of Music and graduate/undergraduate degrees in bassoon performance and music education from the University of Connecticut. Originally from Torrington, CT, Dr. McManus attended LMC as a camper and later as a JC. He has been thrilled to return as conductor of the 2025 LMC Concert Band.
Michael Alderman, Accompanist
Michael Alderman is a multifaceted keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist with a B.A. in Music Education, concentration in Pipe Organ, from the University of Bridgeport. Residing in New Haven, Connecticut, he works along the coastline with a diverse array of ensembles. Michael has served as the music director of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Stamford, Connecticut for the past six years, and the accompanist for Old Saybrook Public Schools for the past three. This fall, he looks forward to beginning a position as Fairfield University’s Glee Club accompanist. On the side, Michael is a frequent collaborator and continuo player with the Fairfield County Chorale, as well as a member-at-large with the American Guild of Organists, where he helps to plan concert and educational programs in the Greater Bridgeport region. Michael is thrilled to be returning for his third summer as the Laurel Music Camp staff accompanist!
Jazz Band Performers:
TRUMPET
Benjamin Buyniski
Kaleb Foster
Andrew Quito
Kylie Tinnirella
TROMBONE
Vincent Leone
Annamarie Mueller
Lukas Whitehouse
BASS TROMBONE
Najee Durrett *
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Victor Simancas
Paul Westerberg
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Julian Prytko
Maya Teator
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Maher Abunasra
PIANO
Piper Walker
BASS
Nora Higgins
GUITAR
Raina Pereira *
DRUMS
Ethan Cavajani
Chorus Performers
SOPRANO
Naya Bilodeau
Molly Crossley
Emma Daggett
Kai Hendler
Eliana Holerca *
Hailee Knapik †
Lillian LaCaprucia-Hull *
Lori McClain
Maddie Perry *
Kiley Pienczykowski
Emily Renauld
Sieanna Ricketts
Amaya Santos
River White
Chloe Nixdorf
ALTO
Naomi Belin
Cecilia Cangiano
Emmaline Davis
Amelie Driscoll
Heidi Farnum
Logan Foster *
Kyro Garrett
Charlotte Gonzalez
Magdalena Kovacs
Rowan LaFleur
Bailey Madore *
Maya McCue
Liam McGrath
Kaitlyn Metcalfe
Amelia Sears
Ili Staley
Julia Thies *
Nikki Whitehill †
Lauren Zimmerman
TENOR
Jazmin Santiago
Lio Owen
Henry Wichland
William Finn
Ari Erazo
Ethan Ansanitis
Soren LaCaprucia-Hull
Liam McGrath
BASS
Joel Glenister †
Jonathan Kulinski †
Patrick Minnerly *
Hunter Patrick
Ryan Pothier *
Scott Spinner
Brandon Zenevitch †
Orchestra Performers
VIOLIN 1
Flynn Amodio
Richard Bierut
Selena Antwi
JJ Sun
Phoebe Blume ✝
VIOLIN 2
Johanna Stolfi
Aury Milan
Rachel Gohla
Camy Groff ✝
Leah Belin ✝
VIOLA
Sophia Macris
Ann Sengchanthong
Princess Peprah
Wyatt Bosma ✝
CELLO
Bella Milano
Hazel Westfall
Daviean Mitchel
Gabbi Richardson
Rory Levine
Ady Germaine
Hilary Bareiss ✝
Lai Espinal *
STRING BASS
Nicky Mitchell
McKenna Semeraro
Matt Miskin ✝
FLUTE
Brianna Wood *
Cailyn Gorman *
Millie Athay
OBOE
Rowyn Fereira
Jonathan Emrick
CLARINET
Emma Kurowski
Emmy LaPlante
BASS CLARINET
Kai Vardon
BASSOON
Isabella Oakley
Livia Fallon ✝
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Donald Polk
FRENCH HORN
Frankie Pfaffle
Grant Abelson ✝
TRUMPET
Lemon Dickens
Alec Marvin
Jonah Erazo
Andrew Teator *
TROMBONE
Lily Dauphinais
Layne Gordon
Brandon Harley
TUBA
Ava Stango
TIMPANI
Heidi de Leon
PERCUSSION
Soren Westerberg
Grace Reid
Teresa Waldron ✝
PIANO
Luke Ashworth ✝
Concert Band Performers
FLUTE
Amelia Athay
Emma Bednarz
Rose Mojica
Izzy Dimmock
Azalea Dycus
Cailyn Gorman *
Kate Hudak
Alina Kaiser
Tyda Kin
Lydia Whelton
Brianna Wood *
PICCOLO
Lily Kosko
OBOE
Jonathan Emrick
Rowyn Ferreira
CLARINET
Kameron Aldridge
Maria Avendano Cabra
Je’nene Crandall
Bopah Kin
Emma Kurowski
Emmie LaPlante
Eric Pelletier *
Michael Russo
BASS CLARINET
Kai Vardon
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Megan Bernegger
Brayden Buyniski
Ash Delaney
Mark DeLorenzo
Chad Feliciano
Madden Holcomb
Owen Miller
Donald Polk III
Anthony Russo
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Lucas Dombkowski
Kayla Gerhart
Cole Orlowski
Jane Riley
Frost Wyatt
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Natalie Pear
BASSOON
Livia Fallon ✝
Isabella Oakley
FRENCH HORN
Grant Abelson ✝
Frankie Pfaffle
TRUMPET
Alexander Delgado, Jr.
Lemon Dickens
Jonah Erazo
Allison Giampietro
Jonathan Grant
Miles Kellnhauser
Madigan Krauss
Alec Marvin
Jason Maton
Tina Mattei
Ivy Monroe
Jacob Russo
Andrew Teator *
TROMBONE
Calvin Bareiss *
Lily Dauphinais
Layne Gordon
Brandon Harley
Deanna Juliano
Christopher Novellino
Chris Teator *
EUPHONIUM
Josh Clemons
Dean Gonzalez
Kairi Grant
Mackenzie Hale
TUBA
Persy Dravis
Andre Morais ✝
Anthony Ramos
Ava Stango
BATTERY PERCUSSION
Sophie Peters
Joshua Styga
MALLET PERCUSSION
Soren Westerberg
PERCUSSION
Heidi de Leon ✝
Zachary Fox *
Jake Fox *
Grace Reid *
Rex Sturdevant ✝
Teresa Waldron ✝
* Junior Counselors are performers as well as being staff members; they are noted with their performing groups by an asterisk next to their name.
✝ Senior Staff that are performing are shown noted with this symbol.
Laurel Music Camp Senior Staff 2024
Grant Abelson
Rock Abrahamson
Nicole Ager
Don Amodio
Keenan Asbridge
Luke Ashworth
Jamie Barber
Hilary Bareiss
Leah Belin
Paul Bilodeau
Robin Bilodeau
Phoebe Blume
Sarah Bochain
Wyatt Bosma
Crystal Chausse
Cait Daily-Gonzalez
Heidi de Leon
Livia Fallon
Derek Friend
Kim Friend
Scott L. Friend
Jenn Galasso
Maddie Gay
Jess Giampietro
Phil Giampietro
Joel Glenister
Katherine Grabowski
Courtney Graham
Camy Groff
Megan Hendler
Kyle Hogan
Kenneth C. Jacques II
Cliff Janssen
Kevin Kelleher
Hailee Knapik
Mark Kolb
Casey Kulinski
Jonathan Kulinski
Jordan Lasko
Julia Lavernoich
Beq Lendvay
Michelle Martin
Karla McClain
Lyric McVoy
Scott Minnerly
Tara Minnerly
Matthew Miskin
Andre Morais
Carrie Peters
Dan Rehberg
Kyle Saulnier
Oslo Schaller
Lauren Sleath
Kaira Springer
Rex Sturdevant
Melissa Teator
Lyn Tracy
William Valenti
Nikki Whitehill
Teresa Waldron
Brandon Zenevitch
A Special Thanks
Connecticut Rivers Council
Jeromy Nelson and the staff of Camp Mattatuck
Pomperaug High School
The Gilbert School: Winsted, CT
Northeastern Communications
Main Street Community Foundation
Southford Pizza
Mateusz Zechowski, STUDIOTEO Recording Services