News

Award-winning Canadian cellist Marie-Elaine Gagnon will present a classical music program on Thursday, July 24 at 7 pm in the Childwold Memorial Presbyterian Church. The program includes works by Gabriel Fauré, Alberto Ginastera, Camille Saint-Saëns, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and a few more surprises! Think of the Swan, Papillon, Silent Woods, etc... She will be accompanied by Risa Okina on piano.

Dr. Gagnon is a first prize-winner of numerous music competitions in Canada, which led to many solo performances in her native home. In 2000, she was chosen amongst several young candidates to perform a cello recital for the prestigious Canadian Broadcasting Company program: "Jeunes Artists." Gagnon has performed in many music festivals, including: Le Festival International du Domaine Forget, The Penderecki String Quartet Chamber Workshop, Orford Music Center and The National Youth Orchestra of Canada. In May 2002, she was the first cellist to win a scholarship from the D. Robinson Foundation to study at the Aspen Music Festival. Her participation in these many music festivals gave her the opportunity to study with well-known cellists such has Leslie Snider (Quebec), Sharon Robinson (Indiana), Desmond Hoebig (Cleveland), Philipe Muller (Paris), Roland Pidoux (Trio Pasquier), Paul Watkins (London), and David Ellis (Alcan String Quartet).

An avid chamber music player, Marie-Elaine was a member of the Rawlins Piano Trio from 2007 to 2017, in residence at the University of South Dakota. The trio has formed a reputation as a preeminent interpreter of 19th and early 20th century American music. Owing to its expertise, the ensemble has recorded four CDs of these works on the Albany Records label. The fourth disc- American Discoveries-, released in July 2009-is "...another winner from the Rawlins Trio...they continue their work of bringing us American composers' music that is worth hearing...Their playing is artful, suave and pleasing." (Morrison) Since joining the Rawlins Piano Trio in 2007, Dr. Gagnon has toured in Taiwan, South Korea and Panama. She has performed to prestigious music conferences such as the Chamber Music Society in New York and the College Music Society National conference in San Diego.

A strong advocate for music education and outreach, Dr. Gagnon has taught at the Barry University in Miami and prior to join the music faculty at the University of South Dakota, taught at the Université de Montréal for the Preparatory Program. She was associate professor of cello and chamber music at the University of South Dakota since 2007. Raised in Québec, she received her Diplôme d'Étude Supérieur I at the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal, her Diplôme d'Étude Supérieur II from the Conservatoire de Musique de Québec, M.M. from the Florida International University and finally her D.M.A from the University of Miami. Several times a year, she performs with her newly formed ensemble, the Zapateado Duo with Venezuelan-born pianist Angelica Sganga. Gagnon is principal cello for the Sioux City Symphony since 2015 and owns a cello made in 1904 by the French Master Paul Bailly. She is an assistant professor of cello at the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam.

Risa Okina is a theorist and collaborative pianist who has performed throughout the United States and Japan. Before moving to upstate New York, she was a much-sought-after collaborative pianist in the Philadelphia area and regularly performed with students and local musicians. She has also collaborated with many local opera and theater groups, including the Philadelphia-based opera company, ENAensemble. She was a member of the Toradze Piano Studio, where she studied with the world-renowned pianist Alexander Toradze. She performed regularly at the Toradze Studio Recital series during her master's program.

Dr. Okina received her Ph.D. in Music Theory from Temple University, where she has taught both written and aural music theory. Her dissertation "Brahms and The Uncanny" explores the musical uncanny in the piano chamber music of Johannes Brahms, utilizing the notion of the uncanny from the perspective of the German philosophers Ernest Jentsch and Sigmund Freud. Her primary argument is that the musical uncanny acts as a hermeneutic window to reach a deeper musical meaning, which can open us up to unique interpretations.

Her research interests include Sonata Theory, Musical Semiotics, Musical Narrative, Psychoanalysis, Schenkerian Analysis, and Hermeneutic Analysis of the music of Johannes Brahms and other 19th-century composers. Her work has been presented in both national and international conferences, including the International Brahms Conference in Irvine, CA (2019), Music Theory Midwest Annual Conference and the Society for Music Theory Annual Metting (2020). She was also invited as a guest scholar for the Performance and Analysis Graduate Seminar at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, where she performed Brahms's Violin Sonata in D minor, Op. 108 and discussed how our analysis and hauntological reading of the piece could shape our interpretations and performance. This past summer, she presented at two international conferences: The 29th European Association for Music in Schools (EAS) Conference, Belgrade, Serbia, and the 15th International Congress on Musical Signification, Barcelona, Spain.

She holds a MM in music theory from Temple University, a MM in piano performance at Indiana University South Bend, and a baccalaureate degree from the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Japan. She has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Temple University, a pianist for the Villanova Singers and the Main Line Singers, as well as Rowan University, and West Chester University, and an organist for Trinity Reformed UCC in Collegeville, PA, and Emanuel UCC in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Okina is an Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Accompanying at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.

The Orchestra of Northern New York and The Secret Sits Pro Musica Ensembles, Inc. open their  2025 summer chamber music series this week with an incredibly talented husband and wife duo, The Dotys on Thursday, July 10 at 7 pm in the Adirondack Presbyterian Church in Lake Clear. Admission is free, and donations are gratefully accepted.

The Dotys perform traditional and original tunes from a variety of folk and classical music styles. They wow their audiences with engaging personal interactions that are as fun to watch as they are to listen to. Liesl is an amazing and award-winning violinist and fiddler while Karl is a talented composer and bass player.

LIESL DOTY, Violin – Although originally from quaint Cape Girardeau, MO, Liesl’s career has taken her well beyond the banks of the Mississippi River. Hailed for her “magnetic presence,” she has performed across North America and Europe, appearing at major venues including Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, Weill Recital Hall, Zankel Hall, The Musikverein, The Kravis Center, The Kennedy Center and performs actively as a soloist having worked with several orchestras in the United States.  She has appeared as a recitalist and chamber musician in numerous festivals and concert series including Yellow Barn, Skaneateles Chamber Music Festival, Ottawa Chamber Fest, White Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, New Music New Haven, Chamber Music at Yale, Orford Centre d’Arts, Sommerakademie Mozarteum in Salzburg and Ferme de Villefavard in France.  As a crossover artist, she released three commercial fiddle albums in collaboration with musical legends, Buddy Spicher and David Grier, and has appeared as a guest artist at the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Since 2009, Ms. Doty has been featured as a soloist in composer/pianist Eric Genuis’ national tours. In 2012, Liesl became a member of Boston’s own Grammy-Nominated chamber orchestra, A Far Cry and has enjoyed touring, recording and collaborating with all 16 of her co-artistic directors in the collective.  Her favorite “crier” in the orchestra is her husband, bassist Karl Doty, with whom she performs regularly as part of their classical and crossover duo, “The Dotys.”

Liesl earned her Bachelor and Master of Music from Indiana University under the instruction of Mimi Zweig and Mauricio Fuks and an Artist Diploma from Yale University as a student of Ani Kavafian.  Liesl is a candidate in the Doctor of Musical Arts program at New England Conservatory and was the teaching assistant to Lucy Chapman during her studies there. Previous faculty appointments include Dartmouth College, University of New Hampshire, Saint Anselm College and Southeast Missouri State University. She is currently Assistant Professor of Violin at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. She is the concertmaster of the Orchestra of Northern New York.

KARL DOTY, Bass – Born and raised in Duluth, MN, Karl Doty has become one of the most versatile bassists of his generation. Along with being a founding bassist with A Far Cry, he has also recorded and toured internationally with the Grammy award winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Being versed in different musical languages, Karl has performed with Edgar Meyer, Väsen, Darol Anger, K2 and Morning Zephyr as well as with his wife, champion fiddler Liesl Schoenberger Doty. He has performed as a soloist at home and on tour with A Far Cry, BMOP, and the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra. Karl has performed with the Boston Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Boston Pops, and New Century Chamber Orchestra. An active chamber musician, Karl has collaborated with the Bridgehampton,  Andover, North Country, Long Lake, and Walden chamber players as well as on NEC’s First Monday concert series. Karl received his Bachelor’s degree in double bass performance in 2007 from the New England Conservatory, and his Master’s degree in 2009 on a full scholarship from the same institution.

Three very bright students of the Crane School of Music – Michael Wong ’26, Paige Krebs ’26, and Vanessa Cruz ’25 – are wrapping up 2-credit internships they were engaged in for 80 hours each this semester. Under the tutelage of ONNY Executive Director Kathy Del Guidice, they studied grant-writing, marketing, and arts administration. The following brief essays reveal what they learned and whether the program was of value to them.

Michael Wong '26

Michael Wong ’26 is majoring in Violin Performance and Music History with a minor in Music Business. In addition to his grant writing and marketing internship this semester, he apprentices with ONNY in the violin section and works as ONNY’s Production Assistant and Social Media Coordinator.

During my internship with the Orchestra of Northern New York (ONNY), I tackled fundraising and grant-writing. My experience helped significantly enhance my writing skills and deepened my understanding of arts administration.

One of the major assignments involved working with Executive Director Kathy Del Guidice on a fundraising appeal letter. I was unfamiliar with this style of writing, so I wrote an initial draft and collaborated with Kathy to extensively revise the letter. Our work was highly successful, generating thousands in contributions to the Orchestra, and I am proud to have completed this project and learned the intricacies of crafting effective appeal letters.

The primary focus of this internship was writing grants for ONNY and, according to Kathy, I excelled. During my experience, I worked on grants to a variety of organizations such as the Northern New York Community Foundation, and each had unique requirements. For each grant, I wrote up an initial draft, then Kathy and I would thoroughly review and revise it to perfect the grant. Funding is still pending, but we are confident in the strength of our applications and optimistic about their prospects.

Altogether, I am highly satisfied with my experience at ONNY. The opportunity to work alongside Kathy on the Orchestra’s operations has honed my writing skills and provided valuable exposure to fundamental aspects of nonprofit arts administration.

Paige Krebs ’26

Paige Krebs ’26 is a clarinet major who plays with the Crane Symphony Orchestra. As the Marketing Intern for this semester, she was also afforded the opportunity to interview marketing managers at North Country This Week and SeaComm Federal Credit Union.

This semester, I had the opportunity to serve as the Marketing Intern with the Orchestra of Northern New York (ONNY). From the beginning, I have worked with Executive Director, Kathy Del. Guidice, whose mentorship has been one of the most impactful on my professional development. Through this internship, I strengthened my skills in interpersonal communication, strategic marketing, event planning, advertising, budgeting, and more. In this reflection, I will explore my experience as a Marketing Intern, and the valuable lessons ONNY has taught me.

When I was looking through internship opportunities this semester, ONNY immediately stood out to me. As a student at The Crane School of Music, I have attended ONNY concerts since my freshman year, and I have always been drawn to the organization as a whole. As a music business major, I have always been interested in orchestral management, as well as marketing. So, I was excited when I discovered interning with ONNY was a possibility.

During my time with Kathy Del Guidice, I was involved in a wide range of tasks – from learning the importance of crafting effective emails to developing a promotional plan for a major classical concert.

One of my responsibilities included compiling a contact list for mass email marketing, which involved gathering names from Greek Life organizations, as well as faculty and staff from major colleges across St. Lawrence County. This experience allowed me to further my comfortability with computer programs like excel but also strengthened my outreach and communication skills as I worked to expand ONNY’s audience base.

As part of my internship, I wrote a letter addressed to ONNY’s patrons, as well as a news release titled “Renowned Crane Soloists Featured in Upcoming Spring Concert.” I will say that writing has not always been one of my strongest skills, but this experience helped build my confidence in my abilities. Along with those releases, I had spent time writing a TV spot and a radio blurb, to advertise the Spring Concert. 

The few weeks leading up to the Spring Concert were some of the highlights of my internship. I developed a promotional plan which included news release timelines, social media content, and e-blast messaging. During this period, I also created both digital and print versions of an audience survey to collect valuable feedback from concertgoers. The work I completed also ranged from preparing the classical concert program to setting up risers and chairs for rehearsals. I had also had the opportunity to manage ONNY’s Instagram account, where my posts received positive engagement and brought in several new followers in just two days.

The Spring Concert was a standout moment in my internship experience. Not only did I have the opportunity to serve as house manager and assist with the 50/50 raffle, but I was able to enjoy a fantastic concert. Witnessing the results of everyone’s hard work come together on stage was truly inspiring.

As I wrap up my time with ONNY, I’ve been able to reflect on the many valuable experiences I have had, and the new skills I've developed along the way. I’m very grateful to the entire ONNY team for welcoming me, and I want to especially thank my mentor - Kathy Del Guidice – for her guidance and support. For any student considering a career working in the orchestral field, I wholeheartedly recommend pursuing an internship with ONNY- it has been a truly rewarding experience.

Vanessa Cruz ’25

Vanessa Cruz ’25 is a Violin and Music Education major who will graduate in the coming days. As Assistant to the Executive Director, Vanessa worked on twelve different projects. She also is a Crane Student Apprentice who has performed with ONNY during her time at Crane. 

My internship with the Orchestra of Northern New York (ONNY) has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Although I am not a music business major or minor (I am currently studying Music Education and Music Performance), I was eager to broaden my understanding of arts administration—and over the past 16 weeks, I have learned more under the mentorship of Mrs. Del Guidice than I ever could have imagined. ONNY’s deep roots in the North Country community also gave me valuable insight into the region’s cultural landscape, which I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring.

One of my first major responsibilities was coordinating the ADK Outreach Program, which brought ONNY chamber ensembles to schools throughout the Adirondacks. This initiative was the perfect combination of my passion for music education and my internship, and I found the experience incredibly fulfilling. Another project I’m especially proud of is the TSS ONNY student apprentice feature that appeared in the Spring Concert Program. As a former apprentice myself, it was meaningful to create a piece that highlights the value of that experience and I hope that the feature helps inspire future students and community members to get involved.

In addition to these projects, I contributed to concert production planning, financial tracking, and various administrative initiatives. I also had the opportunity to design flyers, postcards, and other promotional materials. What began as a casual interest in graphic design has now grown into one of my most marketable professional skills, thanks to the hands-on opportunities ONNY provided.

As I prepare to graduate, I’m proud to leave with a portfolio of 12 completed arts administration projects—each one a reflection of the skills and experience I’ve gained during this internship. ONNY has offered me real-world, meaningful experiences that have deeply enriched my education and professional growth. I’m sincerely grateful for this opportunity.

In the 2024 ONNY Holiday program, an essay titled, Remembrances of Marie - Her Surprise Encounter with Robert Frost," appeared. It was written by her husband, 94 years young, and ONNY benefactor, Bernard Patten. The following is his second installment of memories about Marie - and his impressions of ChatGPT. We print these articles in recognition of and with gratitude for his extraordinary contribution of $125,000 to ONNY made in memory of Marie Patten.

Click here to read the second installment.

ONNY’s upcoming spring concert, titled Delights and Dances, will feature four exceptionally talented musicians and Crane faculty members, presenting their skills in a new modern work by  renowned composer Michael Abels. 

Delights and Dances is orchestrated for string quartet and orchestra. The piece transitions through different styles – from calming dance music into full blues sections and a rigorous hoedown. The soloists will perform virtuosic cadenzas, with technically demanding solos throughout the entire piece. 

Liesl Schoenberger Doty is a renowned artist, recitalist, and chamber musician. “An active  soloist, she has collaborated with numerous orchestras across the United States.” She has been featured in many renowned festivals and concert series. Outside of her work in classical music, Liesl is a crossover artist who has “released three commercial fiddle albums in collaboration with musical legends Buddy Spicher and David Grier.” “In 2012, Liesl became a member of Boston’s Grammy-nominated chamber orchestra, A Far Cry.  Also in this group was bassist Karl Doty, her now husband, whom she performs with in her crossover duo titled, The Dotys

Liesl holds degrees from Indiana University, the Yale School of Music, and the New England Conservatory. She has held faculty positions at Dartmouth College and the University of New Hampshire among others, as well as SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music where she is the current Associate professor of Violin. Lisel is ONNY’s new concertmaster. 

Dr. Timothy Yip is a violinist and educator based in Potsdam. He has performed as a chamber musician and orchestral player in venues across the United States, including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Since moving to northern New York in 2022, he has performed with the Orchestra of Northern New York as a section violinist and has appeared as a soloist with the St. Lawrence Choral Society, where he performed Vivaldi's "Autumn" Concerto from The Four Seasons. 

As an educator, Tim has taught at Indiana University Bloomington's pre-college program and is currently on faculty at the Crane School of Music, where he teaches violin and music business. He has served as an adjudicator for competitions hosted by MTNA and the Crane School of Music. His education includes studies at UCLA, UW-Madison, Indiana University Bloomington, and St.  Petersburg Conservatory. 

Dr. Shelly Tramposh is the Professor of Viola at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where she teaches viola, Irish fiddling, and the Crane Mariachi ensemble, “Mariachi los Osos del Norte”. Dr. Tramposh is a frequent presenter at ASTA national conventions and American Viola Society events, where she performs and speaks about issues such as practicing, hypermobility, and the pedagogy of bow strokes. Her articles have appeared in the Strad, and her CD “Sprezzatura” is available online. Shelly has been a member of several orchestras, including Colorado Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic, among others. She has also participated in a numerous amount of summer music festivals. 

Dr. Tramposh holds degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory, the  Eastman School of Music, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. She is a past member of the executive board of the American Viola Society and an avid supporter of all things  alto. Shelly is the current principal violist with the Orchestra of Northern New York. 

Marie-Elaine Gagnon is a French-Canadian cellist, who is a proficient performer and educator. She holds degrees from the Conservatoire de Musique de Montreal, Conservatoire de Musique de Quebec, Florida International University, and the University of Miami. She taught at the University of South Dakota from 2007 to 2017 before joining the music faculty at the Crane School of Music of SUNY Potsdam in the fall of 2017. Earlier on, Marie-Elaine taught at the Université de Montréal for the Preparatory Program and at Barry University in Miami. In August 2021, Dr. Gagnon was awarded a Lougheed Applied Learning Grant from SUNY for her project, “Teaching Music through Mindful Mindset and Neuro Associative Conditioning.” Dr. Gagnon is a first prize winner in numerous music competitions and is an avid participant in music festivals. She is the current principal cellist with the Orchestra of Northern New York. 

The spring concert Delights and Dances will be conducted by Music Director Colonel Michael J. Colburn (USMC, Ret.). It will take place April 26th at 7:30pm, in SUNY Potsdam’s Hosmer Hall, as well as April 27th at 3:00pm, in the Trinity Episcopal Church in Watertown. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.onny.org or by calling (315) 212-3440. 

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The Orchestra of Northern New York, the region’s only year-round professional orchestra, will shine a spotlight on 16-year-old violinist Eric Lee, Manlius, in its highly anticipated spring concert series on April 26 in Potsdam and April 27 in Watertown.

Lee, a junior at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, captivated judges with a brilliant performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, winning him first place in ONNY’s 18th Annual James and Katherine Andrews Young Artist Competition, and the opportunity to solo with the Orchestra later this month. Known for its soaring lyricism and breathtaking virtuosity, the concerto is a beloved masterpiece—and Lee’s upcoming performance promises to make this must-see concert unforgettable.

A student of Dr. Peter Rovit, Concertmaster of The Syracuse Orchestra, Lee has been studying violin for 11 years. His talent and dedication have earned him prestigious honors, including First Prize in the CNYAMT Instrumental Competition, recognition from The Syracuse Orchestra, and leadership positions such as Concertmaster of the Syracuse Youth Orchestra. His musical journey has taken him to renowned programs like the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and the NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester.

Eric Lee is the son of Kelly and Young Lee, Manlius.

ONNY remains dedicated to inspiring and fostering young musicians through initiatives like the Young Artist Competition, which has provided a platform for young musicians since 2007. Lee’s performance is a testament to the competition’s mission—to inspire young musicians to reach the highest level of artistry they can achieve.

This event is a unique opportunity for middle school and high school instrumental and vocal students who are “pursuing artistic growth. They perform for ONNY’s professional musicians, then receive feedback and coaching from the panelists. It takes place on Saturday, April 12, from 9 am – 1 pm in the Crane School of Music, Rehearsal Room C143. The deadline to apply is March 29.

Last spring, fifteen students from around St. Lawrence County and as far away as Rome, NY, played their NYSSMA selections prior to that competition, which was held in May 2024. All participants receive a Certificate of Participation and written feedback from the panelists who include ONNY’s Music Director, Colonel Michael J Colburn (USMC, Ret.) 

The application for the Challenge can be found at onny.org/competition/youth-programs. Students must apply with a teacher(s) recommendation to be considered for the event. The selected work must be from the current NYSSMA Manual, Level 5 or 6. Memorization is NOT required. The non-refundable application fee is $25 per student.

For the guidelines and application for the Challenge for Young Artists, visit onny.org/youth-programs or call 315-212-3440.

More than 140 people enjoyed scrumptious desserts while listening to eight fabulous local singers as they performed hits from Broadway and beyond at ONNY’s first Cabaret Show with Desserts on Saturday, February 1 in SUNY Potsdam’s Thacher Hall.

ONNY wishes to extend its sincere thanks to the performers who donated their time and talents for this fundraiser. They were Jim Fryer, Kyle Flint, Meaghan Janovsky, Jennifer Blewett, Hailey Hodge, Andrea Ellison, Laura Gilbert, and Kimberly Busch, with Josh Barkley on piano. We are also grateful to all those who attended the show.

Jim Fryer has performed with Community Performance Series summer musicals, with Grasse River Players, and Parishville-Hopkinton School. He is an Associate Professor of Psychology at SUNY Potsdam.

Kyle Flint has also had roles in CPS summer musicals, including Gomez in The Addams Family. He is a clinical pharmacist at Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

Meaghan Janovsky was also familiar to audience members having played leading roles for several CPS productions, including Midge Mahoney in last summer’s production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She teaches fifth grade in Massena.

Jennifer Blewett is a veteran of several CPS productions, including the aforementioned Spelling Bee show, Once Upon a Mattress, and Mary Poppins. She is the Director of Compliance and Continuing Education at Auto Manager.

Hailey Hodge joined other CPS production actors in this cabaret show. She has played Frenchie in Grease and Cinderella in Into the Woods, in addition to several other roles. She owns Luna, a women’s clothing and lingerie store in Canton.

Andrea Ellison is a Crane alumna who is honored to be part of the musical community of the North Country. She shares her love of performing with her music students at Parishville-Hopkinton Central School.

Laura Fitzsimons Gilbert has worked previously as a soloist in the CPS “Back to Broadway Cabaret” and as a lead in their musical, The Taffetas. In her free time, she performs with her rock/folk/country band, The Whiskey Room, at festivals and other venues in the area. She is the PreK-12th grade Vocal Music Teacher at Morristown Central School.

Kimberly Busch, who organized the cabaret, joined others in production numbers. She has served as guest conductor for the Herkimer County Music Educators’ Association and the St. Lawrence County Music Educators’ Association (SLCMEA). She directed the CPS production of Once Upon a Mattress and was Vocal Director for The Addams Family. She is the Vocal Music Director at Canton Central School where she directs choir students in grades 5-12. Ms. Busch is also the immediate past president of the Orchestra of Northern New York and a current board member.

Josh Barkley accompanied the performers on piano. He has had a role in more than 25 musicals, from music directing and playing keyboards in the pit to sound engineer and lighting designer. He is the new Assistant Facilities Manager for the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam.

The Orchestra of Northern New York, the North Country’s only year-round professional orchestra, hosted the 18th Annual James and Katherine Andrews Competition on January 25 in Hosmer Hall. A sixteen-year-old violinist from Manlius, NY, won first place.

Eric Lee, son of Kelly and Young Lee, vied with other competitors for the first-place prize of $500 and the opportunity to solo with ONNY at its spring concert series, April 26 and 27 in Potsdam and Watertown respectively.

Lee, a junior at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, has studied the violin for eleven years, and is currently studying under Dr. Peter Rovit, Concertmaster of The Syracuse Orchestra. Eric has also been a member of The Syracuse Youth Orchestra for the past seven years and has recently been selected to be its Concertmaster.

Eric is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, including First Prize from the CNYAMT Instrumental Competition, Second Prize from the ONNY Young Arts Competition, the Excellence in Music Award presented by The Syracuse Orchestra and Drakos Urgent Care, and as a Finalist for The Syracuse Orchestra Tenacity in Tune Award. Additionally, the Wolfgang String Quartet, of which he is the first Violinist, won Best Syracuse Area Ensemble awarded by the Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music.

Eric has attended and been recognized at numerous prestigious festivals and summer camps, most recently attending the Boston University Tanglewood Institute in July to August 2024 and the NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference held at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY in December 2024.

Cellist Felix Haskins, 14, son of Catherine and Taylor Haskins, Westport, NY, took second place and a prize of $300. A member of the Vermont Youth Orchestra, he has been studying privately with Suzanne Smith since 2021. Last summer, he was accepted as the youngest participant at Kinhaven Music School’s Senior Session, an intensive music camp for high school students. In addition, Felix was admitted to the nation’s first ever semester program for high school-aged classical musicians, which will begin next fall. He has also performed in pit bands, holiday services, and informal ensembles across his local community.

James Cooper, 15, won third place and $150 prize. He is the son of James and Michelle Cooper, Rome, NY. James is currently a Syracuse Young Artist Orchestra member, the most elite of three SYO groups. He has participated in numerous All-State and All-County orchestras and the Crane Youth Music summer camp in 2024. He was recently chosen as one of the ten Tenacity in Tune Award finalists and recipient of the Excellence in Music Award. In 2024, he was one of the top three winners of the CNYAMT Instrumental Music Competition. 

The Young Artist Competition was founded in 2007 for talented high school students in Northern and Central New York. Its mission is to inspire young musicians to reach the highest level of artistry they can achieve.

For more information about the annual competition and the Orchestra of Northern New York, visit onny.org or call/text 315-212-3440.

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The Orchestra of Northern New York held the 18th Annual James and Katherine Andrews Young Artist Competition on January 25, 2025, at Hosmer Hall, Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. Pictured here, L to R are judge and ONNY Music Director Colonel Michael J Colburn (USSMC, Ret.); judge Liesl Schoenberger Doty, ONNY Concertmaster in the April 2025 concert; cellist James Cooper, Rome, who took third place; violinist Eric Lee, Manlius, who won the competition; cellist Felix Haskins, Westport, who placed second; judge Marie-Elaine Gagnon, ONNY Principal Cello; and Kevin A. Angstadt, President of the Orchestra's Board of Directors. All three of the judges are on the faculty of the Crane School of Music.

Enjoy scrumptious desserts while listening to eight fabulous local singers as they perform hits from Broadway and beyond!  The Orchestra of Northern New York is hosting A Cabaret Show with Desserts for one performance only on Saturday, February 1 from 6:30-8:30 pm in SUNY Potsdam’s Thacher Hall, which is handicap accessible.

Performers include Jim Fryer, Kyle Flint, Meaghan Janovsky, Jennifer Blewett, Hailey Hodge, Andrea Ellison, Laura Gilbert, and Kimberly Busch, with John Barkley on piano.

Jim Fryer has performed with Community Performance Series summer musicals, with Grasse River Players, and Parishville-Hopkinton School. He is an Associate Professor of Psychology at SUNY Potsdam.

Kyle Flint has also had roles in CPS summer musicals, including Gomez in The Addams Family. He is a clinical pharmacist at Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

Meaghan Janovsky will also be familiar to CPS audience members having played leading roles for several productions, including Midge Mahoney in last summer’s production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She teaches fifth grade in Massena.

Jennifer Blewett is a veteran of several CPS productions, including the aforementioned Spelling Bee show, Once Upon a Mattress, and Mary Poppins. She is the Director of Compliance and Continuing Education at Auto Manager.

Hailey Hodge joins other CPS production actors in this cabaret show. She has played Frenchie in Grease and Cinderella in Into the Woods, in addition to several other roles. She owns Luna, a women’s clothing and lingerie store in Canton.

Andrea Ellison is a Crane alumna who is honored to be part of the musical community of the North Country. She shares her love of performing with her music students at Parishville-Hopkinton Central School.

Laura Fitzsimons Gilbert has worked previously as a soloist in the CPS “Back to Broadway Cabaret” and as a lead in their musical, The Taffetas. In her free time, she performs with her rock/folk/country ban, The Whiskey Room, at festivals and other venues in the area. She is the PreK-12th grade Vocal Music Teacher at Morristown Central School.

Kimberly Busch, who is directing the Cabaret, will join others in production numbers. She has served as guest conductor for the Herkimer County Music Educators’ Association and the St. Lawrence County Music Educators’ Association (SLCMEA). She directed the CPS production of Once Upon a Mattress and was Vocal Director for The Addams Family. She is the Vocal Music Director at Canton Central School where she directs choir students in grades 5-12. Ms. Busch is also the immediate past president of the Orchestra of Northern New York and a current board member.

Josh Barkley will accompany the performers on piano. He has had a role in more than 25 musicals, from music directing and playing keyboards in the pit to sound engineer and lighting designer. He is the new Assistant Facilities Manager for the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $27 for seniors (62+) and military personnel including veterans, and $10 for college students. Reserve your seat today by visiting onny.org, by calling 315-212-3440, or at the door if the performance is not sold-out.