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.

Musical involvement while a student at PCS:

• 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.

Musical involvement while a student at PCS:

• Concert Band (flute), Marching Band, Jazz Band, Music Theory
• Keynote Chorus
• Solo festivals
• All-County, All State

After PCS:

Charity received a Bachelor of Music Education from James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA) in 1996. She joined the United States Navy in 1997. After Boot Camp, she attended the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, VA. After a stint on the west coast playing flute with the Navy Band Northwest (Seattle WA 1997-2000) and Navy Band Southwest (San Diego, CA 2000-2004), she came back east with the Fleet Forces Band (Little Creek, VA 2004-2007). Currently she is a Chief Musician with the Navy Band Southeast, based in Jacksonville, Florida.

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

• Dawn Pierce page
• ​​​​​​​Faculty | Ithaca College

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 (Florida).

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.

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 Point Park University in Pittsburgh, majoring in musical theater. Currently, she’s a performer (singer/dancer) on Holland America Line world cruises. She is under recording contract in Jakarta, Indonesia, and is recording, performing, and song-writing with the band Sparrow Bear (Portland, OR).

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!”

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
• All State Chorus (chorus, selected as a soloist in All-State mixed chorus)
• Member of National Champions Voices of Harmony, 2005 and 2006

After PCS:

Heidi attended Wright State University in Dayton, OH, and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting with a Musical Theatre Emphasis. After college she toured with three different shows including The Sound of Music, Cats, and Fiddler on the Roof. She is currently living in New York City and auditioning for various productions. She plans to continue my work as an actor/singer/dancer in musicals and one day direct or choreograph them herself.

• Heidi Giberson page

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.”

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.

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 Western Michigan University, majoring in Musical Theater Performance. She recently performed on stage in Cats, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Like You Like It. She will soon be going to showcase in New York City with her senior class to perform for agents and casting directors.

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.

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.

• SUNY Fredonia

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.”

Musical involvement while a student at PCS:

• Band (french horn) Chorus, Jazz Band (trumpet)
• Solo Festival
• All-County Chorus
• Area All-State Chorus
• All-State Chorus (twice)
• All-East Chorus
• CCMTA scholarship winner, 2010

After PCS: Alexa is currently a freshman at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music (Berea, OH), majoring in Vocal Music Performance.

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.

• SUNY Fredonia

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!”

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.