Our Instructors

Morgan Decker (in person and at Fishkill: trombone, tuba, trumpet, French horn )

Morgan Decker is an avid music educator and performer based in the Hudson Valley. (more)

Mary Hastings (in person; trumpet)

Joshua Long (in person) 

Dr. Joshua E. Long holds degrees in adult education (PhD), band/wind ensemble conducting (MM), music education (MM, BS), and euphonium performance (MM). (more)

Ted Messerschmidt (in person; trombone, low brass)

Joseph Gusmano (online; trumpet)

Joseph Gusmano is a composer and educator from the Hudson Valley. He received his BA from Vassar College in Music and Philosophy... (more)

Rusty Boris (on sabbatical; guitar, bass guitar, banjo)

Best known for his signature bass solos in a variety of styles, from jazz to bluegrass, Rusty is in demand as a performer, teacher, songwriter and session player in the Hudson Valley... (more)

Dan Stevens (in person; guitar, ukulele, mandolin)

Dan Stevens has a masters in classical guitar performance from Purchase College and is an experienced teacher and performer... (more)

Darius Beckford (in person)

Darius Beckford is a jazz pianist/composer with a background in classical. In 2023, they graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a bachelor’s in jazz performance... (more)

Rusty Boris (on sabbatical; guitar, bass guitar, banjo)

Best known for his signature bass solos in a variety of styles, from jazz to bluegrass, Rusty is in demand as a performer, teacher, songwriter and session player in the Hudson Valley... (more)

Nicholas Salomone (in person; guitar, Community Jazz Combo)

Nicholas Salomone is a tubist, guitarist, music educator, and administrator from Poughkeepsie. Outside of his duties as the Academy of Music Assistant, he teaches the Community Jazz Combo... (more)

Tom Melito (online; drumset)

Tom Melito has been a mainstay on the New York City jazz scene for many years. ... (more)

Dennis Yerry (online; piano, Native American flute)

Dennis Yerry is a musician, composer, arranger and musical director whose career has encompassed a myriad of musical genres.... (more)

Joe North (on sabbatical; saxophone, clarinet, flute)

Joe North received his bachelors degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia, where he studied saxophone with Wildy Zumwalt..... (more)

Evangeline Athanasiou (in person)

Evangeline Athanasiou is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in musicology (music history) at the CUNY Graduate Center... (more)

Darius Beckford (in person)

Darius Beckford is a jazz pianist/composer with a background in classical. In 2023, they graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a bachelor’s in jazz performance... (more)

Peter Cody (in person)

Peter did his undergraduate work at SUNY New Paltz, where he earned his B.A. in Theory/Composition... (more)

Richard Devens (in person)

Richard received a BS from Brooklyn College, where he studied with Augustin Anievas and Michale Rogers. ... (more)

Choi Fairbanks (in person)

Originally from Korea, Choi received numerous awards from national classical music competition  ... (more)

Sandra Grebs (in person)

Sandy started taking piano lessons at age 5 and has always had a passion for performing and teaching. ... (more)

Russell McCook (in person)

As a professional actor and musician, Russell McCook showcases his talents across diverse venues and musical styles nationwide... (more)

Beverly Poyerd (in person)

Beverly Poyerd began her music training at age five and studied piano, performance and theory at the Henry Street Settlement School... (more)

Janet Salt-Frommer (in person)

Janet teaches piano privately and for the Music School at Dutchess Community College... (more)

Joseph Gusmano (online)

Joseph Gusmano is a composer and educator from the Hudson Valley. He received his BA from Vassar College in Music and Philosophy. (more)

Dennis Yerry (online)

Dennis Yerry is a musician, composer, arranger and musical director whose career has encompassed myriad musical genres... (more)

Rusty Boris (on sabbatical)

Best known for his signature bass solos in a variety of styles, from jazz to bluegrass, Rusty is in demand as a performer, teacher, songwriter and session player in the Hudson Valley... (more)

Tom Melito (online)

Tom Melito has been a mainstay on the New York City jazz scene for many years. ... (more)

Campbell Youngblood (in person)

Campbell  is a New York based drummer, composer, and educator. ... (more)

Choi Fairbanks (in person)

Originally from Korea, Choi received numerous awards from national classical music competition  ... (more)

Amanda Heaton (in person; violin)

Amanda Heaton has been playing the violin since the fourth grade. She grew up in Poughkeepsie and attended school in the Arlington School District... (more)

Russell McCook (in person)

As a professional actor and musician, Russell McCook showcases his talents across diverse venues and musical styles nationwide... (more)

Rich Simon (in person; cello, double bass)

Richard Simons is conductor of the Mid-Hudson Community Orchestra at SUNY Dutchess Community College... (more)

Caitlan Truelove (in person, also in Fishkill; violin)

Caitlan Truelove is a classically trained violinist with nearly two decades of experience in solo, collaborative and orchestral performance. ... (more)

Heeja Questad (online; violin)

Born as a music-loving native Korean, Heeja started violin in 5th grade and never stopped. ... (more)

Evangeline Athanasiou (in person)

Evangeline Athanasiou is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in musicology (music history) at the CUNY Graduate Center... (more)

Krista Libertino (in person)

Krista Libertino has spent over 20 years studying and performing music. She is a Dutchess Community College vocal performance alumna and seasoned performer... (more)

Russell McCook (in person)

As a professional actor and musician, Russell McCook showcases his talents across diverse venues and musical styles nationwide... (more)

Dennis Yerry (online)

Dennis Yerry is a musician, composer, and musical director whose career has encompassed a myriad of musical genres... (more)

John Howell (on sabbatical)

John Howell, tenor, has sung throughout the United States, Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, and Sydney, encompassing opera, oratorio, and choral. (more)

Lindsay O'Neil

Lindsay O’Neil holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in classical voice performance from Manhattan School of Music and Eastman School of Music, respectively. (more)

Lynnette Benner (in person; flute, oboe)

Lynnette Benner began playing flute at the ripe old age of eleven.... (more)

Morgan Decker (in person, also in Fishkill; clarinet, flute, saxophone)

Morgan Decker is an avid music educator and performer based in the Hudson Valley. She received her Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education ... (more)

Dennis Yerry (online; Native American Flute)

Dennis Yerry is a musician, composer, arranger and musical director whose career has encompassed a myriad of musical genres ... (more)

Joe North (on sabbatical; saxophone, clarinet, flute)

Joe North received his bachelors degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia, where he studied saxophone with Wildy Zumwalt ... (more)

Rich Simons (in person)

Richard Simons is conductor of the Mid-Hudson Community Orchestra at SUNY Dutchess Community College... (more)

Gary Ljungquist

Gary Ljungquist received his bachelors from the College of Saint Rose in Music Industry and his masters from Middlesex University in Creative Media focusing in Audio Technology... (more)

Ted Messerschmidt (in person)

Originally from the Washington D.C. area, Edward “Ted” Messerschmidt is a versatile musician who has been recognized in national and international contests in composition, conducting and performance. ... (more)

Rich Simons (in person; guitar, ukulele, mandolin)

Richard Simons is conductor of the Mid-Hudson Community Orchestra at SUNY Dutchess Community College... (more)

Joseph Gusmano (online)

Joseph Gusmano is a composer and educator from the Hudson Valley. He received his BA from Vassar College in Music and Philosophy... (more)

Dennis Yerry (online)

Dennis Yerry is a musician, composer, arranger and musical director whose career has encompassed myriad musical genres... (more)

Campbell Youngblood (in person)

Campbell  is a New York based drummer, composer, and educator. ... (more)