Music Centre Faculty

Elyssa Gilmar (cello)
B.S. and her M. M. from Boston University. Elyssa is currently an active member of The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, as well as a clinician for high schools and colleges. Along with winning numerous awards, she has performed with Rod Stewart, Yanni, Josh Groban, Ronan Tynan, Robert Plant, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Beatlemania. Her teachers include members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Boston Symphony.

Krista Umile (piano, cello)
B.M. from West Chester University. Her teachers include Timothy Eddy, Jeffrey Solow and Sara Male. Krista has been teaching individual students and coaching string quartets and piano trios and quintets since 1995. She is the director and teacher of the String Program at West Chester Friends School in West Chester, PA. Krista performs with various chamber groups and artists. She was a member of the Belle Soiree Piano Trio and is currently playing with the Azrael String Quartet. In addition to playing classically, Krista also performs and works closely with WXPN artists such as Andrew Lipke and Missing Palmer West. Krista is an active studio musician, recording for local artists as well as musical scores for various projects.

Angela Giannantonio (violin, viola)
Angela graduated from Immaculata University with a B.M. in Music Education. She has been playing violin for over fifteen years, and began teaching violin lessons in 2005. Angela has studied with Ardath Belzer and Ann Fontanella. She teaches music at St. Patrick School in Malvern. Angela also plays with the St. Patrick Music Ministry, the Immaculata Symphony Orchestra, various pit orchestras and chamber groups.

Paul Klinefelter (double bass, electric bass)
Paul received a performance diploma from the University of the Arts where he studied with Neil Courtney, assistant principal bass with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Paul is also a member of the Harrisburg Symphony and an active chamber and solo recitalist in addition to his jazz and blues pursuits. He has studied with Tony D’Addono, Eligio Rossi and Lou Kosma.

Paul’s jazz students have gone on to college study and professional careers. In the 2008-9 season, two of the eight bassists in the Philadelphia/Chester County District Orchestra were Paul’s students. They, among others, have progressed to Regional, Pennsylvania All State and All Eastern Orchestras as well.

Students of Mr. Klinefelter have been accepted at the Peabody Conservatory, the Boyer College of Music at Temple University, and the Eastman School of Music.

Paul Vanderslice (saxophone, clarinet)
Paul has his B.S. in Music Education from West Chester University, M. A. from Colombia University and U.S. Navy School of Music. He served as a department head for the Tredyffrin/Easttown school district.

Frances Tate (flute)
Frances Tate is an active teacher and performer in the Philadelphia and Baltimore areas. She is currently second flutist with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, piccolo with the Lancaster Symphony, and coprincipal flute with the Endless Mountains Music Festival. In addition she has performed with the Baltimore Symphony, Philly Pops, Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, and the Delaware, Annapolis, Knoxville and Richmond Symphonies. In 2002 she was second place winner in the National Flute Association’s Piccolo Artist Competition.

Frances has a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Michigan and a Master’s from the Peabody Conservatory. Her principal teachers include Leone Buyse, Robert Willoughby and Laurie Sokoloff.

Philip Forlano (trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, flute, beginner oboe)
Philip holds Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Music Education from West Chester University. He studied keyboard harmony and jazz improvisation with Jimmie Amadie. Phil has played saxophone, clarinet and flute with the Reading Civic Opera, Fulton and Hershey Theatre Orchestras, and with show bands for Steve Allen, Al Martino, Red Skelton and Bobby Rydell.

David Thomas (piano)
David received his B. S. from West Chester University and a M.M. from Peabody Conservatory. He studied with Lukas Foss, Jacques Voois and Ron Thomas. He is currently a faculty member at the University of the Arts. Dave is extremely active as a composer, and frequently has his works performed internationally. He is also an accomplished jazz pianist with and active performance schedule. Visit www.davidbthomas.com

Susan B. Guyer (voice, piano)
Susan was classically trained at West Chester University as a Vocal Performance Major and studied voice under Alan Wagner and piano with Vincent Craig.

Susan has performed at Carnegie Hall with the MENC All-Eastern Honors Chorus. She has been Music Director of various churches since age 15, including Middletown    Baptist Church and, currently, Marple Presbyterian Church. She is an accomplished vocalist and pianist, currently active in professional musical theatre. Ms. Guyer brings much energy and expertise to her teaching studio, specializing in designing music programs to fit each student’s needs.

Darlene Poulicci (piano)
Darlene graduated the School of Music at West Chester University with BS in Music Education. Over 30 years experience teaching private piano and theory. Taught music at Garnet Valley and Octorara School districts. Served as Choir Director and organist/pianist in Chester and Delaware County churches.

Sean Townsend (guitar)
Sean received his B.M. from Berklee College of Music and his M.M. from the University of Miami. He performs in two rock bands and is an active composer/performer of jingles for commercials, video games and film soundtracks.

Stu Frederick (guitar)
Stu has been a performing musician and stage performer for nearly four decades. He has been a member of the Philadelphia area singer-songwriter community since his high school days, appearing in regional venues and festivals throughout the area. In the mid-seventies Stu was a figure in the growing Seattle, Washington rock music community after serving four years in the US Coast Guard. Stu is PA certified music teacher and graduate of the West Chester University School of Music.

Joe Mullen (drums, percussion)
Joe studies with Armand Santorelli & Carl Mottola. He performs clinics and concerts with Drum Squared, an innovative percussion duo, collaborations with Jerry Mulligan, Red Rodney, Manny Album, Steve Giordano, Abstract Truth; Joe is a sought-after clinician at the University level and performs as sideman for numerous recordings.

Glenn Ferracone (drums, percussion)
Grammy Nominated Glenn Ferracone is having a good year in 2011, with 4 albums residing in the Jazz Top 50 charts. He received credits for drums, production, recording, mixing and mastering, including Joey DeFrancesco’s Grammy Nominated “Never Can Say Goodbye”. Glenn’s drumming discography includes well over 100 titles. Performance credits include: Joe Cocker, Johnny- Joey- Papa John Defrancesco, Hunter Davis, Steve Allen, Chubby Checker, Robert Goulet. Glenn also leads his own progressive jazz group.

Clinician credits include: Berklee College of Music, The University of the Arts, West Chester University, Rowan University and Lehigh University. His favorite part of the week is teaching privately at The Music Centre, and is extremely proud the the success of his students. Many participate in local, district, regional and state academics, have been accepted in major university music programs, and gone on to fruitful professional careers.