PCS Music Alumni
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2014
Throughout the years, many students have graduated from PCS and continued in the field of music. If you are a Portville Graduate who is currently in the field of music (professional or collegiate) please submit an email to Mr. Archer to fill out a brief questionairre. We'd love to hear from you and add you to our list! Simply put "Music Alumni" in the subject and you will recieve a response shortly.
PCS MUSIC ALUMNI
Robert Alcocer, class of 2007
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
- Concert Band & Jazz Band (trumpet)
- Marching Band (trumpet & tuba),
- Solo festivals
- All-County Band
After PCS:
Robert attended the College of Saint Rose (Albany, NY) and received a degree in Music Industry. He currently works for Indian Ledge Music Group - a New York-based collective that deals with releasing, producing, publishing, and managing music. He plans to eventually start his own company and help further the career of independent jazz, orchestral, and symphonic organizations.
Charity Ann Barron, class of 1992
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
- Concert Band (flute), Marching Band, Jazz Band, Music Theory
- Keynote Chorus
- Solo festivals
- All-County,
After PCS:
Charity received a Bachelor of Music Education from
Alexa Campbell, class of 2011
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
- Solo Festival
- All-County Chorus
- Area All-State Chorus
- All-State Chorus (twice)
- All-East Chorus
- CCMTA scholarship winner, 2010
Danielle Campbell, class of 2008
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
- Band, Chorus, Marching Band, Jazz Band
- Solo Festival Participant (Saxophone and Vocal)
- All-County
- Area All-State
- Member of National Champions Voices of Harmony, 2005 and 2006
After PCS:Danielle is currently in her senior year at
Jessica Campbell, class of 2005
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
- Band, Chorus, Marching Band
- Solo festivals (clarinet and voice)
- Area All-State (chorus)
- All-County (chorus and band)
- All-State (chorus, selected as a soloist in All-State mixed chorus)
- CCMTA Scholarship Winner, 2005
- Member of NYS Champions Voices of Harmony, 2005
After PCS:
Jessica attended
Comments: "I am so thankful for teachers who challenged me (especially the Archers). Mrs. Archer saw our potential as an acapella group and made it possible for us to have that wonderful experience! What a great opportunity! Thank you so much!”
Kelly Campbell, class of 2004
Mary (Molly) Caya, class of 2003
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:- Chorus (6th – 12th grade)
- Solo Festivals (6 th – 12th grade)
- All-County Chorus (6 th – 12th grade)
- Area All-State (12 th grade)
- Keynote Chorus member (community chorus)
After PCS:Molly received a Bachelor of Music Education with vocal emphasis from SUNY Fredonia, and then continued as a professional intern with The Orlando Chorale and The Orlando Chamber Singers. She currently a Choir director and Music Appreciation teacher for grades 6-8 at Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred (
Comments:My musical career was jump started by Dave and Peg Dunbar who both coached and inspired me through every song, solo, rehearsal, concert and audition until I started my professional career at SUNY Fredonia. With such great mentors I was able to explore more than choral music and my own voice as I was able to be part of the American Music Abroad Empire tour, Keynote Community Chorus and other area music events. Being part of various musical theater productions at Portville, directed by Bill Stefan, was also a highlight of my PCS experience.
Todd Chadwick, class of 1976
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
- Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, Marching Band
After PCS:
After attending Houghton College (Bachelor's) and St. Bonaventure (Master's), Todd has taught public school music in North Dakota, Arizona, and New York State (Richburg, Randolph, and Friendship Central School, where he currently teaches music). Todd directed the Keynote Chorus (a community chorus based in Portville) from 2004 - 2011. In addition to teaching public school music, he maintains a busy career as a composer, arranger, and performer.
Joe Chilcott, class of 2008
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
- Band (french horn), Chorus, Jazz Band (trombone and piano)
- Music Theory
- All-County Band & Chorus
- Area All-State Chorus
After PCS:
Joe graduated from the University of Duquesne with a major in music composition. He is currently living in Pittsburgh and working at a non-profit, called Center of Life, that works towards community and youth development. Joe's position there is Technical and Multimedia Coordinator, which involves filming and editing video of events and programs, running sound for live performances, and working with students to write original music that promotes mental and physical health.
He's also been teaching private music lessons for guitar, voice, recording, and song-writing, and working Freelance doing A/V, audio post-production, and composition work. For audio post-production Joe worked on several corporate videos, and recently finished work on the documentary film LIGO, about the LIGO scientific facility. He has composed music for Monitor Gray, (a sci-fi short film), the introduction video for Mars One, and for the Pittsburgh video-game company Schell Games.
Vinnie Costanza, class of 2011
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
- Concert Band & Jazz Band (trombone)
- Music Theory
- All-County Band
After PCS:
Currently attending SUNY Fredonia, majoring in Sound Recording Technology.
Comments:"PCS definitely prepared me well for college music. My advice for current students: take band AND chorus, music theory, private lessons, AND piano classes if you plan to pursue a career in music. It'll make your college life that much easier. The PCS music program is led by some of the best directors in the area, use your resources!”
Bill Fancher, class of 1985
- Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band (trumpet)
- All-County Band
- Area All-State Band
After PCS:
Bill graduated in 3½ years from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and began teaching at Allegany Central School. After directing the high school band, marching band, and jazz band, Mr. Fancher is currently the elementary band director at Allegany-Limestone. He has directed numerous All-County festivals throughout the years, and has also inspired many other students from our area to pursue a career in music.
Heidi Giberson, class of 2006
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
- band, chorus, jazz band, and music theory
- student accompanist for elementary and junior high choruses
- solo festivals (vocal and instrumental)
- All-County band and chorus
- Area All-State band and chorus
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- Member of National Champions Voices of Harmony, 2005 and 2006
After PCS:
Heidi attended
Comments: "The band and chorus were a place of refuge for me during school. No matter how much stress I was dealing with in the classroom, it all would disappear with the music. Playing my alto saxophone in band is something that was very special to me that I often miss. There's nothing like playing in a band where the swirling, gushing music surrounds you from all sides. It was, at times, emotionally overwhelming for me because the music was so beautiful. I will never forget my Voices of Harmony girls as we shared a love for singing, performing, and most importantly friendship. Our teamwork, guidance from our music teachers, and passion for music were all instrumental to our success as National Champions of High School a Cappella.”
Laura Giberson, class of 2009
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
-Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, Music Theory
- Solo Festivals (vocal and instrumental)
- All-County (vocal and instrumental)
- Area All-State, All-State, All-Eastern
- Member of National Champions Voices of Harmony, 2005 and 2006
After PCS:
Laura is studying Music Education with a voice concentration at State University of New York at Fredonia. She will graduate in the Spring of 2013, and she plans to attend graduate school and find a job as a Chorus and/or General Music teacher. While uncertain of the age level that she would like to teach, she is intrigued to explore any possibility.
Comments: "I am very grateful to the teachers that I had throughout my schooling at Portville Central. I am certain that it was their guidance, encouragement, and passion for music that led me to chose a future in Music Education.”
Briana Lawall, class of 2011
Musical involvement while a student at PCS:
- Chorus, 5th – 12th grade
- All-County Chorus
- Area All-State Chorus
- All-State alternate
After PCS:
Briana is currently a freshmen at SUNY Fredonia as an applied music major, with plans to get a degree in vocal performance.
Dawn Pierce, class of 1993
Musical involvement while a student at PCS
- Chorus
- Musicals: Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress and Nellie in South Pacific,
- Solo festivals
- All-County
- Area All-State
- All-State
- All-East
After PCS:
Dawn graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance and a Bachelor's of Music Education from Ithaca College; Summa Cum Laude Master's of Music in Vocal Performance from North Carolina School of the Arts;
Summa Cum Laude Artists Diploma in Opera from AJ Fletcher Opera Institute.
Dawn is currently performing professionally as a mezzo soprano, singing internationally with opera companies and symphonies. She is Assistant Professor of Voice at Ithaca College
Website
www.dawnpierce.com
http://faculty.ithaca.edu/dpierce/