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Jin-Kyung Joen Violin, String Department Chair Violinist Jin-Kyung Joen has performed extensively in Italy, USA, Poland, Greece, and Korea for various music festivals and concert series. In addition to serving on the violin faculty of the New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School, as well as the Killington, Foulger and Bosa Antica (Italy) music festivals, Ms. Joen recently served as the Artistic Director of Project STEP, a string training and education program for students from underrepresented communities. Ms. Joen’s students have been top prize winners in regional, national, and international competitions, including first prize in the BSO Concerto Competition, Arthur Grumiaux Competition (Brussels, Belgium), Alexander and Buono (NYC), and all the categories of NEC Prep Concerto Competition. Her students also gained acceptances to undergraduate and graduate programs in conservatories, music colleges, liberal arts colleges, international music festivals, as well as top level youth orchestras. Ms. Joen holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University, an Artist Diploma from the Boston Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Music from the Conservatorio di Piacenza, Italy. Since 1996 she has been a member of the violin faculty at the Preparatory School of New England Conservatory. j.joen@rivers.org

John Guarino Violin John Guarino began his violin studies at the age of twelve, under the guidance of Edward Simons, founder of the Rockland Conservatory of Music. He furthered his studies with Joey Corpus and David Nadien in New York, and Malcolm Lowe in Boston. He has participated in master classes given by Colin Carr, Phoebe Carrai, Arturo Delmoni, Sidney Harth, Soovin Kim, Sherry Kloss, Joseph Silverstein, Elaine Skorodin, and Judy Tarling. He holds the Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and the Master of Music degree from the Longy School of Music. In recent seasons John has appeared as soloist with the Brookline Symphony, the New Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Rockland Symphony. As an orchestral musician he has performed with the Symphonies of Cape Cod, Portland, Cape Ann and the Orchestra of Indian Hill. Other notable performance experiences include a tour of Japan with Valery Gergiev and the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra, a concert with the Red Bull “Artsehcro” at Carnegie Hall, premiering the first-ever Concerto for Turntable, an appearance with Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks at the Iridium in New York, appearances with the “theatrical indie” band Zen for Primates, three tours of Mexico with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas and, with the same ensemble, a concert at the 2008 Gloria Estefan Tribute Concert hosted by the Latin GRAMMY Awards in Houston, Texas, accompanying Gloria Estefan, Patti LaBelle, Jose Feliciano, John Legend, and Carlos Santana. j.guarino@rivers.org

Zhongling Li Violin Zhongling Li has performed globally as a soloist and chamber musician in her native country, China, in the US, as well as Europe. She made her solo debut with the Boston Pops as the winner of the Boston University Soloists’ Competition. She is also the winner of the Arthur W. Foote Award from the Harvard Musical Association. Ms. Li also was awarded the Dan David Prize for Performing Arts in Israel, dedicated to only 20 people in the world for exceptional excellence in sciences, arts, and humanities. Ms. Li holds both a Doctoral and a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from Boston University. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Shanghai Conservatory. Ms. Li is a former member of the China National Symphony Orchestra, with whom she toured extensively throughout Europe and Asia. She previously taught at Northeastern University Music Department and is currently on faculty at Stonehill College. zhongling.li@rivers.org

Ethel Farny Flute, Wind Department Chair Ethel Farny is Chair of the Wind Department, Chair of the Annual Seminar on Contemporary Music for the Young, and has an active flute studio. As a member of the Lincoln Duo, she and Jim Meadors have been recording contemporary music for flute and guitar. They have recorded seven discs. Ethel earned her B.A. in humanities from Case Western Reserve University and her Masters of Music from Yale University. e.farny@rivers.org

Neil Godwin French Horn Neil Godwin is a native of Louisiana and holds degrees in horn performance and conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi. In 2001, he began studies at Boston University with Eric Ruske. In Boston, Neil has had a busy career as performer and teacher. As a new music specialist, he performs frequently with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and the Callithumpian Consort. At the other extreme, he has explored natural horn performance with Grand Harmonie. An enthusiastic chamber musician, Neil performs with the Boston Woodwind Society Octet and the Epic Brass Quintet. He is a member of the Plymouth Philharmonic and has played with the Discovery Ensemble, the Hillyer Festival Orchestra, the Simon Sinfonietta and the Gardner Museum Chamber Orchestra. Neil has performed with many of the region’s orchestras, including the Boston Philharmonic, the New Bedford Symphony, the Cape Cod Symphony, the Orchestra of Indian Hill, Symphony by the Sea, and the Claflin Hill Symphony. n.godwin@rivers.org

Steven Laven Chamber Music, cello Steven Laven, cellist, based in Boston, is a member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra (principal) and plays regularly with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, the Boston Lyric Opera and the Chamber Orchestra of Boston. He is on the faculty of the Rivers School Conservatory, has a large private studio of young cellists and is on the artistic faculty of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, serving as the main cello coach/guru. Mr. Laven is also an award winning composer whose music has been performed on the syndicated radio program, “From the Top” and by chamber groups across the country. In the summers he performs at the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson, Wyoming. s.laven@rivers.org

Justin Casinghino Theory/Composition Justin Casinghino, composer, is also a lecturer in the departments of composition and theory at Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Assistant Director of the Young Artists’ Composition Program at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and the Founder and Director of the Boston Composers’ Coalition. Casinghino holds a DMA in composition from Boston University, an MM in composition from the Longy School of Music, and a BM in composition and jazz performance from the Hartt School of Music. j.casinghino@rivers.org

Ryan O’Connell Trumpet Ryan O’Connell is a trumpet player, composer, and harmonium player originally from Western Massachusetts. Music has been a part of his life since the age of four, with formal trumpet training beginning nearly 16 years ago. His current work explores the intersection of improvisation, meditation, spoken word poetry, and electronics, seeking to challenge how listeners interact with art and to highlight the role sound can play in one’s spiritual journey. As a freelance trumpet player, Ryan’s performances span a wide range of styles. In 2025, he appeared at the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, India, with artists such as MC Yogi, Sivamani, and Runa Rizvi. In 2022, he performed in the world premiere of Esperanza Spalding and Wayne Shorter’s opera Iphigenia at the Majestic Theater in Boston, sharing the stage with Esperanza Spalding, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. That same year, he also performed in the premiere of Linda Chase’s oratorio For Our Common Home, which received praise from the Vatican. Beyond these highlights, Ryan has played with numerous orchestras, big bands, and pit ensembles at venues including the Palace Theater, the Grand Ole Opry, Jordan Hall, and Boston Symphony Hall. Ryan is also a dedicated educator. He has served on the faculty at the New England Conservatory Prep School and currently teaches at the River School Conservatory. His teaching philosophy blends creativity, mindfulness, and curiosity: he encourages students not only to refine their technical skills but also to approach their instruments with presence, awareness, and imagination. Drawing from both Western conservatory training and Eastern contemplative practices, Ryan invites students to explore music as a bridge between self-discipline and self-discovery. He holds a Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. r.oconnell@rivers.org

Mike Connors Jazz Percussion, Jazz Ensembles Mike Connors studied at Berklee College of music and has performed internationally with several groups, including Combustible Edison, John Funkhouser Trio, Charlie Kohlhasse, Jazz Composers Alliance, and The Sonic Explorers. He also teaches at Clark University and Worcester Polytechnic institute. m.connors@rivers.org

Tiffany Pomeroy Violin Tiffany Thompson Pomeroy received her Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Missouri Conservatory of Music. She has been a member of the RSC faculty since 1996 and was the former Director of Summer Music at Rivers. t.pomeroy@rivers.org

Soomi Lee Piano, Chamber Music Soomi Lee began studying piano at age five with her mother; by age nine she had appeared as soloist with the Korean Broadcasting Symphony. Shortly after giving a solo recital in Town Hall at age twelve, she became the youngest artist ever invited to perform at the Auckland Festival in New Zealand, where she gave two solo recitals. Immediately thereafter, Ms. Lee came to the United States as a full scholarship student at the Juilliard Pre-College Division. While a student there, she gave her New York debut recital at Carnegie Recital Hall at age sixteen. Later, Ms. Lee attended the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia; she was awarded a Bachelor of Music Degree from Indiana University and received her master’s degree in music from the New England Conservatory. Her teachers have included Mme. Iona Kabos, Georgy Sebok, James Tocco, Patricia Zander and Nadia Boulanger. Among Ms. Lee’s numerous awards are prizes in the Seoul National Philharmonic Competition, the Kankakee Piano Competition and the Midland Odessa Young Artists Competition. Her solo appearances include performances with the Boston Pops, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Harvard Chamber Orchestra, Sinfo Nova, Symphony by the Sea, New Philharmonia Orchestra, and the symphony orchestras of Seoul, Newton, Brookline, Nashua and Thayer. Ms. Lee is also an active chamber musician, having worked extensively with such masters as Felix Galimir, Joseph Gingold, Janos Starker, Franco Gulli and Leon Kirchner. Ms. Lee has performed in concerts with many members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and with members of the Muir, Hawthorne and Emerson String Quartets. A frequent live guest pianist at WGBH in Boston, Ms. Lee has also appeared on the Cambridge Cable TV Networks. She has given recitals throughout the New England area in such venues as the French Library, Gardner Museum, Mechanic’s Hall, Worcester Art Museum, Jordan Hall and Sanders Theatre. In Europe, Ms.Lee has concertized in France, Switzerland and England at the Fontainbleau, Tivor-Varga, Ernen Musikdorf and Dartington Festivals. A member of the Harvard Chamber Orchestra, Ms. Lee is also an active teacher. She has been on the faculty at the Walnut Hill School, Performing Arts School of Worcester and the Extension Division of the New England Conservatory. s.lee@rivers.org

Sarah Tenney Chair, Percussion Department & Director, Marimba Magic Ensembles Sarah Tenney serves as Chair of the Percussion Department at Rivers. Sarah founded Marimba Magic, a program she has taught at the Rivers School Conservatory since 1986, introducing children as young as 5 years old to keyboard skills, singing, drumming, improvising, and playing together in an ensemble, giving them a solid foundation for future music lessons on any instrument. Some students choose to continue in the Marimba Magic program, enjoying playing on a marimba team. Sarah’s students are regularly accepted to perform in the District and All State festivals. Sarah has led Marimba Magic in concerts at many National and International conferences, including two Percussive Arts Society International Conventions, MENC Eastern District in both Baltimore and Springfield, several MMEA All State Conferences, the AOSA National Conference, The MTNA National Conference, The European Piano Conference, and The Brussels Marimba Week. Sarah is a certified improvisation teacher for the organization Music for People. Sarah received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. s.tenney@rivers.org

Lauren Cless Violin, Suzuki Programs director Lauren Cless is an experienced pedagogue, orchestral violinist, and chamber musician. At the Rivers School Conservatory, she teaches Suzuki Violin and Chamber Music. In 2017, Lauren received the Certificate of Achievement from the Suzuki Association of the Americas, an award that recognizes teachers for their commitment to excellence, life-long learning, and self-improvement. Previously, Ms. Cless was a member of the faculty at the Western Springs School of Talent Education. She is a graduate of long-term teacher training in the Suzuki violin method with Kimberly Meier-Sims at the Cleveland Institute of Music Sato Center for Suzuki studies. Her complete Suzuki method training includes units 1-10, practicum, and Suzuki Principles in Action. In the summer, Lauren can be found teaching at the Colorado Suzuki Institute, and she previously served as faculty at Point CounterPoint Chamber Music Camp, where she taught violin and coached chamber ensembles. In addition to being an enthusiastic pedagogue, Ms. Cless is an active freelance performer in the greater Boston area. Together with her husband, a violinist/composer, Lauren owns a thriving business that performs live string music for weddings all over New England. She lives in Acton, MA with her three young children and is also a Suzuki parent. Lauren Cless earned a Master of Music in Violin Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Northwestern University. Major teachers and mentors include Kenneth Goldsmith, Gerardo Ribeiro, David Updegraff, Stephen Rose, and Kimberly Meier-Sims. l.cless@rivers.org

Kirstin Seitz Peltz Cello Kirstin Seitz Peltz is an award-winning cellist, educator and conductor. She has performed as a cellist with several American orchestras and was a cello instructor at the summer festival, Luzerne Music Center, for ten years. Kirstin has earned music degrees in cello performance and music education from Southern Methodist University and from the Eastman School of Music. Kirstin currently teaches cello and is a member of The Glens Falls Symphony (NY). k.peltz@rivers.org

Vytas J. Baksys Accompanist Accompanist Vytas J. Baksys is a frequent keyboardist with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops orchestras, and has worked with other area ensembles such as the Concord Chamber Music Society, Boston Musica Viva, Boston Secession, and the Boston Symphony Chamber Players. Since 1989 he has been the faculty pianist with the Fellowship Conducting Program at Tanglewood. Of Lithuanian descent, Vytas is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and State University of New York at Stony Brook. His principal teachers include Angel Ramon Rivera, Victor Rosenbaum, and Gilbert Kalish. v.baksys@rivers.org