About
FOUNDER
Nevart Zeronian was born in Bulgaria where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance at the Bulgarian National Conservatory in Sofia, Bulgaria (1981). In 1988 Nevart came to the United States and studied at the University of Central Arkansas where she received her Master’s Degree (1994).
From 1981 to the present, Nevart has been a pianist, opera singer, organist and, most importantly, piano teacher. Nevart has performed as a solo pianist with the Varna Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Conservatory in Sofia, Bulgaria. Nevart participated in recitals with Violinist Azaduhi Anmahian in New York City and Varna, Bulgaria in August, 2001. She has also participated in Chamber Music Recitals with flutist Patricia Michael and voice recitals with tenor Alexandro Olmedo in the New York Metropolitan area.
Nevart has been a piano teacher at Frank & Camille’s Fine Pianos in Melville, New York since 1994 where she has been teaching private and group lessons. Currently she teaches Piano at Faust Harrison Piano Store in Melville NY. Her students have been winners of several piano competitions, including the Young Artists Concert Festival, and have performed at Carnegie Hall, Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center and Symphony Space. Six of Nevart’s students have been accepted into the Manhattan School of Music. Nevart’s passion for teaching has been the moving force in her commitment to forming Life is Music, Music is Life.
Nevart is also on the faculty as a pianist at the Armenian Day School and as a singer and main organist at Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Bayside, New York.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Berenice Albrigh born and raised in the Dominican Republic. I came to the USA when I was 18 years old and became an accountant. While doing my master degree in education, I had the privilege to teach mathematics to 8th grade students in the NYC Department of education. One of my passions is to empower children in what they really love. I’m a Project Coordinator in the USA; for The Bienbenido Project – A Non-profit organization in the Dominican Republic that takes the children out of the dangerous streets to school – providing food and education. I have supported an orphanage campaign “foundation Ninos De Cristo” to raised over 100k to build a building for the girls in the orphanage Youth coach -The Excelerator Leadership Youth Program in Latin America. Music has been an important part of my life. Music is the soul of the people. I am passionate about health /wellness, Yoga meditation and breathing practices. Lastly, I am a stand for social justice reform.
Katerina Grein is the 7th grade orchestra director at Commack Middle School. Katerina studied at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education, summa cum laude (2019). Currently, Katerina serves on the board of directors for the Long Island String Festival Association (LISFA) as Suffolk County’s 9/10th grade chairperson. Additionally, Katerina is the principal violist of the Northport Symphony Orchestra. Katerina studied the viola under the tutelage of Mr. David Rose and Dr. Gregory K. Williams. Katerina is excited to be serving on the board of Life is Music, Music is Life, to help more children succeed in their musical journeys.
Shirley Grant Cornelious is a Substitute Teacher/ Teachers Assistant for Special needs and Autistic children located in Oakdale Long Island. She retired in 2020 as a Law Enforcement Officer after completing 34 years. In Law enforcement she became a General Topics instructor teaching newly appointed recruits, civilian and uniform personnel. She became a liaison at the Office of Emergency Management, worked as a supervisor in special units and received various awards and recognition. She has a Masters and a Bachelor of Arts degree. As an instructor after retiring, she decided to pursue her passion and enthusiasm for teaching. She is hardworking, empathetic, has a caring nature and approachability. She also has strong interpersonal and communication abilities. Her experiences in educational technology methods, group activities and effective classroom management are her strengths. She is furthering her education by pursuing a master’s degree in education. Her goal is to ensure each student develops to his/her maximum potential academically, socially, physically and achieves the highest level of independence.
ADVISORY MEMBERS
Ruthann Turekian Drewitz, soprano, has performed with various opera companies and concert venues across the country. Her musical journey began at the famed High School of Music & Art in Manhattan, continuing on to Queens College (Bachelor of Music) and then Manhattan School of Music (Masters of Music – Voice). Having begun private voice lessons at the age of 15, Ruthann is keenly aware of the value such training brings to a young student. She also understands the financial sacrifices that are necessary to some due to the loss of her father right before she entered high school thus leaving her mother to be the sole support of the family. She is grateful for the various scholarships that helped her along the way and is pleased to be an advisor to this deserving non profit organization.
Maria Misko is an art director and co-owner of digho, located in Huntington Village. She has a BFA in Digital Arts and Design from LIU and an MFA in Art Administration with a minor in Restoration from FIT. Maria completed her entire minor in Venice, Italy, with first hand experience on world famous art. She has certification as a Color Specialist and is frequently asked to sit on seminar panels as the branding expert. Maria is a co-chair of the Huntington Membership Committee and is an active ambassador for the chamber. She runs digho PAURA, a local art club, for over 12 years. She is blessed with an awesome husband for 14 years and is a mother of 2.
Lesli Malle has a B.A. in violin performance from Mannes College of Music in New York City. She studied piano as a second instrument and currently teaches piano privately around the Huntington area. Lesli also received her Suzuki violin certification from The School for Strings in NYC with Louise Behrend. She is a certified NYSSMA adjudicator for violin. Lesli was the director of Frank and Camille’s School of Music from 2004-2010.
We’re proud to announce a new partner in our fundraising efforts. We’ve joined TD Bank’s Affinity Membership Program, which provides our organization the opportunity to earn annual cash contributions. We’re thrilled with the ease of participating in this program and that there is no cost to our organization or our members. For additional information, visit your local TD Bank Store.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Financial statement available upon request.