Our Guest Artists
Kristen Plumley
Described as possessing a “shimmering soprano” (The New York Times) with “sparkle and precision” (The Washington Post), Connecticut native Kristen Plumley has performed with New York City Opera,Virginia Opera, Chautauqua Opera and many other companies throughout the country. On the concert stage Kristen has appeared with the symphony orchestras of Cleveland, Indianapolis, Seattle, Baltimore, Edmonton, Ottawa, St. Louis, Richmond, Memphis, Minnesota, and more. A big science fiction fan, Kristen’s favorite concert is Sci-Fi Spectacular, music from science fiction movies and television shows, hosted by Star Trek series luminaries such as George Takei, Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis. She is proud to be the president of the Ridgewood Friends of Music, which supports the music programs in Ridgewood’s public schools. Please visit her website at www.kristenplumley.com.
Emanuel Meli
Emanuel Meli attended New York University and Manhattan School of Music where he studied voice. He went on to perform with local and regional opera companies such as
Concert Opera of Manhattan, DiCapo Opera Theater, New Jersey Repertory Opera, Opera Northeast, Philadelphia Opera Festival and Regina Opera. He performed in concert and opera. Opera roles include Ferrando (Cosi fan Tutte), Nemorino (L’Elizir d’Amore), Pinkerton (Madame Butterfly), Rodolfo (La Boheme), Sam (Susannah) and Tamino (The Magic Flute). More recently Manny has sung with the Harmonium Choral Society in Morristown where he also served on the board as Treasurer and President. Currently he lives in Rutherford with his husband Ron and pooch Boomer, works as an IT Program Manager for JPMorgan Chase and sings with his church choir, Rutherford Congregational Church under the direction of Susan La Fever.
Mike Lunoe
Mike Lunoe played drums for the U.S. Tour of CHICAGO The Musical for five years. He's performed in cabarets with Barb Jungr, John McDaniel, Wells Hanley, Molly Pope, Marissa Mulder, Tori Scott, and Shawn Ryan. Lunoe's Sunflowers (Helianthus gronus and Helianthus spilarum), a sound sculpture made in collaboration with The Warp Whistle Project, was presented in Philadelphia in 2016. Mike co-hosts the Animal Fan Club Podcast with Meredith Juergens.
Brian Princing
Brian Princing has been an active performer,conductor, composer, and music educator in the New York/New Jersey area for 25 years. He holds a BM from William Paterson and a MM from NJCU. Mr. Princing is currently the Performing Arts teacher at Brookside School in Allendale, NJ, and performs regularly with the Jack Breslin trio.
Lauren McCandless
Our Scholarship Winner!
Lauren McCandless, soprano, is a current senior at Ridgewood High School. She has been a student of Susan McBrayer for the past four years. Lauren has performed in Maroon and White recitals, Ridgewood High Schools classical recital series, for the past three years. Lauren is also a part of various performance ensembles at her school such as the Chamber choir, The AcaBellas, Carolers, and New Players. Outside of school Lauren is a member of the New Jersey All-State Treble chorus. She would like to thank Susan McBrayer, Mr. Bourque, and her family and friends for all of their guidance and support. Lauren plans on continuing her musical education at the collegiate level and is currently in the process of auditioning for different music programs.
Kristen Plumley
Described as possessing a “shimmering soprano” (The New York Times) with “sparkle and precision” (The Washington Post), Connecticut native Kristen Plumley has performed with New York City Opera,Virginia Opera, Chautauqua Opera and many other companies throughout the country. On the concert stage Kristen has appeared with the symphony orchestras of Cleveland, Indianapolis, Seattle, Baltimore, Edmonton, Ottawa, St. Louis, Richmond, Memphis, Minnesota, and more. A big science fiction fan, Kristen’s favorite concert is Sci-Fi Spectacular, music from science fiction movies and television shows, hosted by Star Trek series luminaries such as George Takei, Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis. She is proud to be the president of the Ridgewood Friends of Music, which supports the music programs in Ridgewood’s public schools. Please visit her website at www.kristenplumley.com.
Emanuel Meli
Emanuel Meli attended New York University and Manhattan School of Music where he studied voice. He went on to perform with local and regional opera companies such as
Concert Opera of Manhattan, DiCapo Opera Theater, New Jersey Repertory Opera, Opera Northeast, Philadelphia Opera Festival and Regina Opera. He performed in concert and opera. Opera roles include Ferrando (Cosi fan Tutte), Nemorino (L’Elizir d’Amore), Pinkerton (Madame Butterfly), Rodolfo (La Boheme), Sam (Susannah) and Tamino (The Magic Flute). More recently Manny has sung with the Harmonium Choral Society in Morristown where he also served on the board as Treasurer and President. Currently he lives in Rutherford with his husband Ron and pooch Boomer, works as an IT Program Manager for JPMorgan Chase and sings with his church choir, Rutherford Congregational Church under the direction of Susan La Fever.
Mike Lunoe
Mike Lunoe played drums for the U.S. Tour of CHICAGO The Musical for five years. He's performed in cabarets with Barb Jungr, John McDaniel, Wells Hanley, Molly Pope, Marissa Mulder, Tori Scott, and Shawn Ryan. Lunoe's Sunflowers (Helianthus gronus and Helianthus spilarum), a sound sculpture made in collaboration with The Warp Whistle Project, was presented in Philadelphia in 2016. Mike co-hosts the Animal Fan Club Podcast with Meredith Juergens.
Brian Princing
Brian Princing has been an active performer,conductor, composer, and music educator in the New York/New Jersey area for 25 years. He holds a BM from William Paterson and a MM from NJCU. Mr. Princing is currently the Performing Arts teacher at Brookside School in Allendale, NJ, and performs regularly with the Jack Breslin trio.
Lauren McCandless
Our Scholarship Winner!
Lauren McCandless, soprano, is a current senior at Ridgewood High School. She has been a student of Susan McBrayer for the past four years. Lauren has performed in Maroon and White recitals, Ridgewood High Schools classical recital series, for the past three years. Lauren is also a part of various performance ensembles at her school such as the Chamber choir, The AcaBellas, Carolers, and New Players. Outside of school Lauren is a member of the New Jersey All-State Treble chorus. She would like to thank Susan McBrayer, Mr. Bourque, and her family and friends for all of their guidance and support. Lauren plans on continuing her musical education at the collegiate level and is currently in the process of auditioning for different music programs.