Born and raised in Cincinnati, Nicholas Pridonoff is a strategic business leader known for building high-performing teams, driving growth, and elevating operational excellence. As the son of world-renowned classical pianists, he grew up in the halls of CCM, with a strong upbringing in music performing in both a boys’ choir and the Wyoming school choir. These early experiences instilled in him a deep sense of discipline, creativity, and collaboration; qualities that continue to shape his leadership style today.
Nicholas has led talent, technology, and organizational development efforts across both corporate and nonprofit environments. In his professional services career, he launched and managed new business divisions, oversaw full P&L operations, and guided HR, sales, recruiting, and marketing teams. He introduced performance strategies that increased efficiency and scalability, earning multiple President’s Club honors along the way.
Having spent seven years leading a youth-focused nonprofit, Nicholas expanded services, elevated program quality, and built sustainable operational systems that strengthened long-term impact. His commitment to developing young people and supporting local communities continues today in his role as Board President of Anderson Youth Football & Cheer.
Outside of work, Nicholas enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, traveling, and coaching football.
Ryan Ellis is a distinguished educator and accomplished jazz pianist based in Miami, Florida, who has made significant contributions to the music community both locally and nationally. Ryan’s performance career is marked by versatility and breadth, having showcased his talents in renowned venues across Miami, New York, Hawaii, and throughout the Caribbean. His ability to engage with diverse musical traditions allows him to connect with audiences from various cultural backgrounds, making his performances both dynamic and enriching.
Ryan currently leads the high school vocal magnet at Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer, a Miami-Dade Public Magnet School, where he inspires students through his passion for music and commitment to excellence. Under his guidance, the choirs at Miami Arts Studio have flourished, earning national and international recognition for their artistry and professionalism. Ryan has led his choirs to perform at various prestigious events across the United States, bringing the joy of music to audiences far and wide. His dedication to choral music not only enhances the skills of his students but also cultivates a strong sense of community and teamwork among them.A visionary leader in the music community, he founded and serves on the board of MAS Records Inc, an independent, nonprofit student-led record label. This innovative initiative juxtaposes music students with local industry professionals; it provides students with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the music industry, from recording to marketing. The label serves as a platform for students to produce and distribute their music, promoting collaboration among peers and industry professionals who guide the students in the development of their craft. This practical experience not only enhances their musical skills but also equips them with valuable insights into the business side of the music industry.
Ryan Ellis continues to be a vital force in the music education landscape, blending his performance experiences with his teaching to create a rich learning environment for his students. His work not only shapes skilled musicians but also instills a lifelong love for the art of music.
Cindy Ellis is a Cuban-American choral conductor, jazz vocalist, and music educator serving as middle school and high school choral director at Miami Arts Studio in Miami, Florida. Her award-winning ensembles have performed at prestigious venues and events including Carnegie Hall, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) State, Regional, and National Conferences, and the 2022 Summit of the Americas. Her students regularly record for major television broadcasts, including the Latin Grammy Awards and American Music Awards, and have collaborated with renowned artists such as Gloria Estefan and Jacob Collier.
As a conductor, Ellis has led performances at The New World Symphony Center, Carnegie Hall, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. As a performer, she has appeared with the JMAX Singers on Saturday Night Live alongside Coldplay and at the 2024 BBC Proms Festival at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Her work has been published through GIA Publications, and she regularly contributes to music education journals. Ellis also serves as World Musics Coordinator for the Southern Region of ACDA.
A recognized leader in music education, Ellis was named Miami Arts Studio’s 2025 Teacher of the Year and was a 2025 and 2026 GRAMMY Music Educator Award semifinalist. Most recently, her advanced ensemble, Bellarmonia, performed at the TED International Conference and represented the United States on a multi-city tour at the 2026 Gyeongnam International Choral Festival in South Korea.
Caitlyn Lana McGlynn is the Managing Director of the Cincinnati Youth Choir and conductor of Con Brio. A CYC alumna and staff member since 2017, she has previously directed Vivace and Vivo Coro and now plays a key role in both artistic and administrative leadership, including coordination of the Queen City Choral Festival. With a background in general and instrumental music education and Level I Orff-Schulwerk Certification, Caitlyn remains deeply committed to empowering young musicians through excellence in choral education.
Read Caitlyn’s full bio HERE…
Melissa Surman, a Cincinnati native and mother of 5, has been involved in choral music since middle school in various capacities. She received her Bachelor’s in music education from Mount Saint Joseph University in 2002, and has been teaching private and group piano, voice, and general music lessons since 1999. With a passion for joyful music literacy, she completed her three levels of Kodaly training from 2018-2021 at the Chenaniah Summer Music Institute in Moscow, Idaho, during which time she wrote and self-published a music curriculum for elementary aged students entitled “The Joyful Grammar of Music”, which combines Kodaly philosophy with classical methods. One of her goals as an educator has been to start a homeschool choir, so she was thrilled to receive the opportunity to help direct the Vivo Coro homeschool group for CYC in 2023. When Melissa isn’t teaching or hanging out with her family, you will find her running marathons and trail races.
Jacquelyn Thompson has worked with singers of all ages and has a passion for choral education as a way to enrich lives through music. She currently conducts Vivace and serves as an administrative assistant for the Cincinnati Youth Choir.
As a versatile educator, Jacquelyn has taught general music, choir, and band for preschool through high school at public and private schools in Iowa. She has also led several community choirs, including a children’s choir, an adult women’s ensemble, and an active choir of senior adults. Her experience includes teaching methods courses at the collegiate level, conducting college choirs, and serving as a guest clinician for high school choirs in Iowa and Chicago.
She received her Master of Arts in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa and her Bachelor of Music Education: Choral K-12 from the University of Northern Iowa. During her training, she also studied voice and has performed as a vocal soloist.
Known for cultivating a supportive and engaging learning environment, Jacquelyn blends technical expertise with creativity to help each student grow musically, working together towards meaningful and inspiring choral experiences.
Gabriel Harley recently graduated with his Master’s of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he studied under Dr. Matthew Brady. He served as a graduate teaching assistant for choral studies, instructor for the EMC (Experiential Music Curriculum) program, Choir Director for Ocean Reef Protestant & Catholic denominations in Key Largo, and was the conductor of the Allegro (5-8th grade treble singers) ensemble for the Miami Children’s Chorus for two consecutive years. Prior to his time in Miami, Gabe was a middle school choral teacher in the Delaware public school system for five years.
As a passionate advocate for creating welcoming and inclusive choral classrooms, Gabe served as the membership chair for Delaware ACDA in 2023. In addition to teaching and conducting, Gabe is an active performer. Recent engagements include Wagner’s Tristan Und Isolde, Verdi Requiem, and Beethoven 9 with the Philadelphia Symphonic choir and Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as, performing with Grammy-Nominated ensemble Seraphic Fire as a Seraphic Fire scholar in October 2024. In 2026, Gabe will make his conducting debut with MidAmerica Productions at Carnegie Hall in New York City with Ola Gjeilo’s “Dreamweaver”. Gabe holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education Degree from Westminster Choir College. Starting this fall, Gabe will continue his studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting.
Kang Ning Yong is an accomplished pianist, educator, and collaborative artist based in Oxford, Ohio. She serves as Principal Accompanist for the Cincinnati Youth Choir and teaches at Miami University and Northern Kentucky University. With extensive experience working with choirs, vocalists, and instrumentalists, Kang Ning has performed in chamber and solo recitals throughout the region. She holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Miami University and is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). Dedicated to artistic excellence and creative pedagogy, she strives to inspire young voices and build meaningful musical partnerships through her work with CYC.
Read Kang Ning’s full bio HERE…
Dr. Anthony Trecek-King is a highly acclaimed choral conductor, scholar, pedagogue, and media personality with a career spanning over 20 years. He is an active guest conductor and serves as a Resident Conductor (chorus) with the Handel and Haydn Society. Recognized for his ability to create moving performances that exhibit a surprising range of dynamics and depth of expression, Dr. Trecek-King excels at cultivating vocal and instrumental musicians at all levels. Through his collaborative rehearsal style, he bridges the gap between high art and humanity, captivating audiences while maintaining exceptional sonic quality.
Rollo Dilworth is a highly esteemed figure in choral music, boasting a vast repertoire of over 150 compositions and arrangements, many of which are featured in prestigious choral series such as the Henry Leck Creating Artistry Choral Series by Hal Leonard Corporation. His works are published by prominent entities like Santa Barbara Music Publishing and Colla Voce Music, Inc. Dilworth’s influence extends beyond composition; he is a contributing author for educational materials like the Essential Elements for Choir and Experiencing Choral Music textbook series. Renowned as a clinician and conductor, he has led numerous choirs at all-state, regional, and national levels, as well as international festivals and masterclasses. Dilworth’s dedication to choral music is evident through his leadership roles in organizations like Chorus America and his numerous memberships, including the American Choral Directors Association. His contributions have earned him accolades such as the Temple University Faculty Award for Research and Creative Achievement in 2017.
Read Rollo’s full bio HERE…
Papoulis has made significant contributions to choral music by revitalizing the choral repertoire with songs whose roots are classical and world, with voicing that incorporates lead vocalists with choirs, vocal percussion, and world rhythms. His choral work often is sung from the perspective of the singer, and is constantly inspired by the work he does through the Foundation for Small Voices. He firmly believes that music can heal, educate, celebrate, and empower the lives of children. Through the Foundation for Small Voices he has conducted songwriting workshops with choirs from all over the world.
Robyn Reeves Lana is a distinguished choral conductor and educator, renowned for her 32-year tenure as Founding Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Youth Choir (CYC). She has led performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and internationally in Europe and Asia. Lana currently teaches at Miami University and has held faculty positions at CCM and Xavier University. A published author and editor with Santa Barbara Music Publishing, she’s received numerous honors, including The American Prize and Chorus America awards. Lana is also recognized in Imagineers • Impresarios • Inventors for her impact on Cincinnati’s arts scene.
Read Robyn’s full bio HERE…
Mary Okotie is a music education (voice) student at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music! She graduated from Lakota West High School in 2023 where she was an active member and leader in the choral and theatre departments. Upon the completion of her undergraduate program, Mary plans on obtaining her master’s in Choral Conducting. She will use her knowledge and passion to impact the lives of everyone she comes into contact with whether that be at the educational or professional level!
Zander Bryant is an arts administrator and researcher committed to making classical music more accessible through education, community involvement, and thoughtful programming. Hailing from Western North Carolina, he is currently pursuing both a Master of Arts in Arts Administration and a Master of Music in Musicology at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), along with graduate certificates in Business Foundations and Critical Theory. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, studying vocal performance (baritone), music education, and choral conducting. His work focuses on helping arts organizations connect with younger, more diverse audiences in ways that feel meaningful and relevant.
Zander has collaborated with organizations including Classical Tahoe, Asheville Symphony, Eastern Music Festival, and Blue Ridge Consort, and has served as a Choral Scholar at Shelby Presbyterian Church. He is excited to collaborate with the Cincinnati Youth Choir, a chance to give back to an organization like the one that first sparked his love for music. He currently works as a Graduate Assistant for CCM Talent for Hire, coordinating performance and professional opportunities for CCM students. His recent work explores institutional orientation and advocacy for the arts, examining how music organizations define their purpose, who they serve, and how they can continue to matter in people’s lives – grounded in a belief a mentor once shared with him: “Always keep a song in your heart.”
Ellie Naehring is a 3rd year pursuing a B.M. in Music Education at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). At CCM, she performs with Chamber Choir, Chamber Singers, and serves as president of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Outside of her academic studies, she teaches voice and piano at 3rd Street Music and serves as a section leader and soloist at Southminster Presbyterian Church. She is thrilled to be working with Voci this school year!
Carson School: Trinity Dumford
James P. Gamble Montessori Elementary School: Dennis Betz
Parker Woods Montessori School: Catherine Buckles
Roll Hill School: Grace Devoid
Roselawn Condon School: Denniz Betz
William H. Taft Elementary School: Dennis Betz & Alina Stroh
Winton Hills Academy: Rachel Kline
Woodford Academy: Melinda Wallace
Bel Canto: Kelsey DeMange
Con Brio: Caitlyn McGlynn
Piccolo Coro: Melissa Surman
Vivace: Jacquelyn Thompson
Voci: Kelsey DeMange
Covington (John G. Carlisle Elementary): Julie Brumback
Homeschool: Melissa Surman
Mason Elementary: Jacquelyn Thompson
Spencer Center for the Gifted: Matthew Jenkins
Dennis Betz
Zach Karp
Max Kreeger
Alyssa Soong
Stephan Variames
Mathew Zalusky
Your generosity helps the Cincinnati Youth Choir provide transformative musical experiences for young singers. Donations directly support essential program needs, such as hiring skilled accompanists and teaching artists, purchasing new music, and ensuring children have access to high-quality choral education. Contributions also help fund performance attire, transportation for engagement programs, and scholarships for young musicians. Larger gifts enable us to commission new choral works and bring in guest artists for residencies, enriching our singers’ education and expanding their artistic horizons. Every donation plays a vital role in sustaining our mission and creating lasting musical opportunities for youth in our community. ❤️🎶
