Our Music Summer Program

Mark Bligh is the director of the Denton Ave Elementary Band (Herricks UFSD) where he teaches winds, brass and percussion for grades 3-5. The Denton Ave Band regularly attends NYSSMA Majors and consistently earns Gold with Distinction honors. Mark Bligh is an active NMEA member who has chaired several All-County festivals and presented at the Balanced Mind Conference. The past few years he conducted the Winds, Brass and Percussion sectional for the NYSSMA All-State Symphonic Orchestra and will conduct the 2018 SCMEA Division 1 Central All-County Band. Mark performs regularly as Principal Alto Saxophone for the Northwinds Symphonic Band, has performed with the Atlantic Wind Symphony as well as various chamber recitals. Mark is a past member of SCMEA and current member of NMEA, NYSSMA, NYSBDA and NafME.

Boris Deviatov is an award-winning violinist and conductor. After earning his doctorate of music in his native Ukraine, Boris toured the major concert halls of North America and Europe as a member of the Leontovich String Quartet. He teaches viola at Usdan.

Aaron Korn is a freelance horn player, performer, and educator. He has played alongside the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Princeton Symphony, and Allentown Symphony Orchestra. Aaron’s musical credits include Cinderella on Broadway, Rocktopia on Broadway, and the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. He currently teaches in the Music Advancement Program at the Julliard School.

Andrew Ranaudo is an award-winning performer, teacher, and composer. Andrew has played, toured, and recorded with top musicians at historic venues across the United States and Europe. His penchant for contemporary avant-garde music and eclectic artistic partnerships has seen his music played at MOMA PS1, Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, and the Mattress Factory Museum. For the last 18 years, Andrew has maintained an active teaching studio in Brooklyn and he looks forward to another summer teaching piano at Usdan.

Dave Schecher returns to Usdan this summer for his 31st season. He is a trombonist, private music instructor and retired public school teacher who has also been the Director of The Long Island Brass Guild for many years.

Andrew R. Steinberg is an accomplished saxophonist, lecturer, and educator. In addition to teaching saxophone at Usdan, Andrew is a doctoral candidate at New England Conservatory and serves as Music Director of Megalopolis Saxophone Orchestra. As a music historian, Andrew has revived numerous neglected works and lectured at leading universities and conservatories.

James Labrosse is a musician, songwriter, and Usdan guitar teacher. James grew up in a French-Canadian household in a Spanish-speaking neighborhood in South Florida, instilling a love of world music. He moved to Spain when he was 18 to pursue his love of Flamenco music and performance, and went on to graduate from Berklee College of Music.

Cindy Giron is a composer, performer, music educator, and arts administrator currently living in The Hague, Netherlands. Her studies include stops at Boston’s New England Conservatory Preparatory School, Manhattan School of Music, New York University, and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. She enjoys writing music for ensembles and has collaborated with dancers, visual art installations, and live electronics. Cindy is Usdan’s Music Department Coordinator.

Paula Berardinelli is a pianist, organist, and doctor of music. She is a freelance performer and has often accompanied major pop artists. She was featured at the Chelsea Center Concert Series and appeared with the Minnewaska Chamber Music Society. Paula currently teaches piano at Hofstra University, Molloy College, and Usdan.