Artistic Directors

Ariel Rudiakov is a third-generation musician receiving his early musical training from his parents, cellist Michael and pianist Judith in Riverdale, NY. In addition to his post as Music Director for the DSO, he was recently appointed conductor of the University of Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and co-coordinator of string chamber music studies there. Ari was…

Stephen Michael Smith, an American symphonic and choral conductor, is noted for his ability to communicate his infectious passion for music to fellow musicians and audiences alike. Currently serving as Music Director for three symphony orchestras in the greater New York City area, he is in his twelfth season as Music Director of the Danbury…

Glen Lebetkin, Music Director & Conductor, has been the director of the Danbury Centre Strings since 1999. The program, under his direction, continues to grow in size and popularity. Mr. Lebetkin was the music teacher at Ridgebury Elementary School from 1973 – 2008. He directed strings, band, chorus, general music, as well as musicals. Along…

Albert Montecalvo has directed the Danbury Music Centre Summer Band Program since 2002. He retired from the Carmel School District in 1998 as director of music K-12 and director of bands. He has performed as drummer and percussionist with many local orchestras, theater groups and big bands. He conducted the Danbury Symphony Orchestra in Charles…

Arthur Fredric, Artistic Director, Director/Choreographer, is an award-winning teacher with the National Dance Institute and a former Broadway performer. In 1997, he and Lisa Denton, first joined with Nancy Sudik, James Humphreville and the good people of the DMC to re-imagine and deliver anew this beloved holiday tradition, the Nutcracker Ballet. Arthur is directing and…

Lisa Denton, Co-Director/Choreographer and Costume Designer, is happy to be celebrating her 24th year collaborating on the staging and designing the costumes for the Danbury Music Centre Nutcracker Ballet. Lisa is a former gymnast and pursued ballet with the Westchester Ballet Company and ballet, modern and jazz at Denison University and UCLA. She also assisted…

Larry Deming began his study of violin in the Danbury Music Centre’s Summer Strings Program with John Burnett. He received a B.S. Degree With Distinction from the Indiana University School of Music in 1981, studying violin with Henryk Kowalski and composition with John Eaton. He played violin in the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Springfield…

Alison Corigliano received her Bachelor of Music, cum laude, in violin performance from Western Connecticut State University in 2001. Since then, she has taught at the Wooster School, Canterbury School, and most recently, New Fairfield Public Schools. Currently, she teaches private violin and viola at her home studio in Danbury, and has been with the…

Anthony Nunes was born and raised in Danbury and now resides in New Fairfield. He has been teaching private trumpet lessons since 1999 and has been teaching in Norwalk since 2010. He performs in various musical groups in the area, including the Danbury Symphony Orchestra, and has his Master’s degree in Music Education from WCSU

Andrea Rivera-Luna is a composer, educator, and saxophonist currently studying at the Eastman School of Music. Her most recent composition performances took place in 2019 and 2020. The Zohn Collective read her piece for small ensemble A hop, a skip, and a jump during a composer’s masterclass in 2019, after being selected from among her…

Joana Genova is Assistant Professor of Violin and Director of Chamber Music Initiatives at University of Indianapolis, Artist Associate at Williams College and Artistic Director of Taconic Music in Manchester, VT. Ms. Genova began playing violin at the age of six in her native Bulgaria, made her solo debut at the age of twelve with…

Lori Abbott, violinist, received a BM from New England Conservatory and a MA from NYU. She has performed with many NY area orchestras and chamber groups including American Ballet Theater, Opera Orchestra of NY, NJ Symphony, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Chautauqua Symphony, Bronx Arts Ensemble, NY Choral Society, NY Composers Circle and the Queen’s Chamber Band….

Joyce Flanagan is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees in Music Education. She also holds a Masters in Supervision and Administration from Southern Connecticut State University. Joyce was the Choral Director and Chairperson of the Visual and Performing Arts at Ridgefield High School for 35 years….

New York-born conductor Stephen Somary has spent the last twenty-five years dividing his time between conducting great orchestras and choruses of the world and leading the global resurgence of the 19th-century composer, Felix Mendelssohn. Among the many ensembles Mr. Somary has led are the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Slovak Philharmonic, and the Thüringen Philharmonic, of…

Recently retired from teaching, John’s career in academia spanned 40 years. He has led choirs at the high school level, at Scarsdale and Somers High Schools and at the college level as the Director of Choirs at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. He has conducted festivals choirs in Dutchess and Westchester Counties, CMEA Western Connecticut and SCMEA…

Mr. Humphreville retired in April, 2000 as Music Director and Conductor of the Danbury Symphony Orchestra, a position he held since 1977. Mr. Humphreville has shaped the musical activities of the Danbury Music Centre since 1955. He is credited with the development of the Nutcracker Ballet and Messiah, two highlights of the Music Centre’s annual…

Richard Price was Music Director and Conductor of the Danbury Concert Chorus from 2002 to 2010, when he was named Music Director Emeritus. He is president of Candlewood Digital, called by Fanfare Magazine “one of the most respected classical recording firms in the industry.” As a producer/engineer he has over 1000 commercial CDs to his…