Adirondacks

German-American baritone, Dennis Chmelensky (he/him), was born in Berlin, Germany, and now resides in New York. He opened his 2025/26 season with the Metropolitan Opera singing the Rescue Planner in The Mothers of Kherson as part of a workshop. Recent highlights include debuts at Oper Frankfurt (Don Polidoro in Cimarosa’s L’Italiana in Londra), Tiroler Festspiele Erl (Marquis de Corcy in Le postillon de Lonjumeau by Adolphe Adam and Orlik in Tchaikovsky’s Mazeppa), Philharmonie Berlin (with the Berliner Oratorienchor), Phillips Collection (An die ferne Geliebte by Beethoven), Verbier Festival (Peter in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel and Tom in Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera), and Opera Philadelphia (the title role in Mozart’s Don Giovanni). Chmelensky has received numerous awards. He was a National Semifinalist in the 2022 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and is a recipient of the Verbier Festival’s Prix Thierry Mermod. He is a member of the voice faculty at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School and the Music Conservatory of Westchester and a former member of the Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artist program. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music. His debut album, DENNIS, was released in 2009 by Sony Classical.

Mentoring Philosophy

I am deeply committed to sharing the transformative power of music beyond the stage. With over a decade of experience teaching private voice lessons, masterclasses, and leading community outreach initiatives, I’ve had the privilege of working with students of all ages and abilities. Whether bringing music education to public school classrooms and local conservatories, mentoring aspiring vocalists, or collaborating with Sirius Music Communications GmbH to expand global access to music education, I’ve witnessed the profound impact music can have on individuals and communities alike. Music was a gift to me growing up—a source of solace, expression, meaning, and infinite possibility—and I am passionate about giving back helping others discover their own voice. Whether you’re preparing for auditions, professional engagements, or diving into serious vocal study, I bring a personalized approach rooted in experience with real-world insights of a working performer. I’ve performed internationally and focus on building a strong classical foundation, with a specialization in opera, German Lied, and oratorio.

Dr. Brian Dunbar (he/him) is the Assistant Professor of Flute at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. Before joining Crane, he held teaching positions at Southern University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and Louisiana State University. Originally from St. Augustine, FL, Dr. Dunbar earned degrees from Louisiana State University, the University of Michigan, and Stetson University. He began his work as a Teaching Artist in 2024.

Currently, Dr. Dunbar serves as the co-principal flute of the Orchestra of Northern New York. He has also performed with several distinguished ensembles, including the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Phoenix Orchestra, Boston Festival Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic, Battle Creek Symphony, and the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, to name just a few.

Dr. Dunbar is deeply committed to community engagement and music education. He is a faculty member at the Saarburg International Music Festival and co-founder of the Umoja Flute Institute. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Directors for the National Flute Association (NFA) and was a member of the NFA’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

“As an international performer and pedagogue, I specialize in providing high-level music instruction for musicians of all ages and levels with an emphasis on highlighting the works and efforts of musicians from historically marginalized communities. I believe in making music education accessible and inclusive for all, while providing a nurturing environment focused on artistic excellence and belonging.”

Favorite Quote:

“You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” — Stephen King

Robert “Bob” Halek (he/him) is a much sought after drummer, percussionist, clinician, teacher, and conductor from upstate New York. In addition to teaching as a public school band teacher. He is an adjunct music professor at Skidmore College and Schenectady County College School of Music. Bob keeps a very busy performance schedule, performing many diverse styles with diverse legendary and regional musicians. His current schedule includes performances with The Empire Jazz Orchestra, Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble, and The Capitol Region Wind Ensemble. Bob was named District-wide Teacher of the Year in the East Greenbush School District where he teaches instrumental music.

Mentoring Philosophy
A good mentor is someone that loves helping others, will take the time to understand how each student understands and will teach to the student’s understanding level. The mentor will take time to patiently explain why, how, where, and when symbols appear in the music and how to respond to it. The mentor will also take the time to find appropriate music and materials to teach with but also to slowly expand a student out of their musical comfort zone to grow.

“It’s not hard; it’s new. It takes time to get used to something new. This is what growth is.”

Adam Hutcheson (he/him) has been proudly teaching saxophone and clarinet students for ArtSmart in the Adirondack, NY program since 2022. An active teacher and performer, Adam has performed in some of the New York City’s staple venues such as the Blue Note, Apollo Theater, 55 Bar, Fat Cat, and Jazz at Kitano since relocating to NYC in 2013.

Adam has earned both his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Jazz Saxophone Performance from the University of North Texas, where he played lead alto in the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band and taught jazz saxophone lessons. While in Texas, he was named a finalist in the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) jazz saxophone competitions in 2010 and 2012. Recently, he performed as a featured jazz soloist with the Oklahoma State University Jazz Orchestra at NASA 2024 and judged the NASA Collegiate Jazz Competition in 2021. Adam is an active clinician, having taught at jazz festivals and camps nationwide, and was the featured jazz clinician at the 2024 U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium. He currently serves on faculty at Skidmore College and Ocean County College, where he teaches jazz improvisation-based courses. Adam is an artist for Conn-Selmer and D’Addario Woodwinds, playing exclusively on Yanagisawa saxophones and D’Addario Venn reeds.

Mentoring Philosophy
A good mentor encourages, motivates, and helps students grow in their musicianship. A good mentor also reminds students of the value of learning music as a powerful tool for self-expression and promoting creativity.

“All art is disguising work!” — Jerry Seinfeld

“Life is short, but art is long. Leave a legacy behind that will speak for you.” — Don Cheadle

Michael Lewandowski (he/him) began playing a drum set at age seventeen. After two years of playing rock-and-roll by ear, he started taking lessons and learned how to read music. His musical style is incredibly diverse, spanning rock, blues, jazz, funk, classical, world music, and beyond. He is originally from Worcester, MA and now based in the Adirondacks.

In 2001, Michael earned a writing degree with a music minor from SUNY Plattsburgh, where he also participated in the SUNY Plattsburgh Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Dr. Rick Davies’ first incarnation of the Mambo Combo. His experience managing the Adirondack Youth Orchestra from 2001–2003 sparked his interest in teaching.

In 2006, Michael completed his music degree at Ohio University and began teaching across schools in the North Country area. He has taught general music from pre-K to 12th grade, as well as choral, orchestra, wind band, and jazz ensemble. In 2020, he earned his Master of Music degree at SUNY Buffalo State.

An active performer, Michael plays with the Adirondack Jazz Orchestra, Adirondack Wind Ensemble, The Thugtet, and numerous pit orchestras and small combos. He is currently the band director at Chazy Central Rural School and an adjunct lecturer at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Mentoring Philosophy

A good mentor is someone who builds a connection with students, works with them on their goals, and knows what materials and resources will be good to succeed.

Favorite Idiom

“Practice makes better, not perfect.”

Evan Mack (he/him), winner of the 2024 American Prize in composition, has devoted much of his compositional life to opera and song. His first major operatic composition Angel of the Amazon premiered in 2011 by Encompass New Opera Theatre at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City. Two years later, Fresno State Opera premiered The Secret of Luca, the first of several collaborations between Mack and librettist Joshua McGuire. In August 2016, Mack and McGuire’s American grand opera Roscoe premiered at Seagle Music Festival and received its orchestral world premiere with the Albany Symphony starring Metropolitan Opera star Deborah Voigt. Their multicultural Christmas show for children Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena is quickly becoming a holiday standard. Other works include Beach and Moan, #IsOperaDead, The Ghosts of Gatsby, and Dragon’s Breath. Mack was named 2018 Professional of the Year by Musical America, and is a Senior Teaching Professor at Skidmore College. In 2020, Mack founded We Are Instrumental, an organization that supports better access to music in K-12 public schools in the Adirondacks. He lives in Ticonderoga, NY with his wife Kristin and two sons Carter and Henry.

Mentoring Philosophy

Meeting students where they are at and connecting them more and more to music and themselves

“Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.”– Leonard Bernstein

Patrice Malatenistic (she/her), French horn Instructor and Brass Ensemble Coach at Skidmore College, began teaching with ArtSmart in 2022. She is a free lance French hornist in New York’s capital region, and a member of the Glens Falls and Schenectady Symphonies, and Hubbard Hall Opera Theater Orchestra. Ms Malatestinic is a founding member of fünf woodwind quintet, she sings with the Choir of Historic St Peter’s Protestant Episcopal Church, she directs the St Peter’s Horn Choir, and has been a member of North Winds, On Cor, and Saratoga Brass. Active in the International Horn Society, she hosted the 2008 regional Northeast Horn Workshop at Skidmore College.
Her Masters degree in Performance and Pedagogy culminates from graduate work at Northern Illinois University, where she studied with Virginia Culpepper, Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie – Detmold, Die Hochschule fur Musik ‘Mozarteum’ Salzberg, and work at the College of St Rose. She has been adjunct faculty at Bennington College, SUNY Schenectady and The College of St Rose. She currently maintains an active private teaching studio on line, through We Are Instrumental, and in person, in Albany, NY and at her home in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Mentoring Philosophy

A compassionate individual, great listener, with strong musical, diagnostic skills and communication skills.

Matthew Pray (he/him) is the trumpet instructor for We Are Instrumental in New York. He is the founder and music director for the Adirondack Jazz Orchestra and Adirondack Jazz Repertoire Ensemble.

Matt, originally from Keeseville NY, graduated from Schenectady County Community College in 2002 and from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in 2004. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education and a jazz studies minor. In 2008, he graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum instruction. Matt has been teaching all levels of instrumental music since 2005, and is currently employed at Ausable Valley Central School as the instrumental music director.

As a freelance musician, Matt has performed in a variety of local musicals, local bands and ensembles, and occasionally travels to perform. In 2019, Matt was invited to perform with the first Schenectady County Community College Alumni Band for the college’s 50th Anniversary.

Matt is also a licensed amateur radio operator and second vice president of the Champlain Valley Amateur Radio Club.

Mentoring Philosophy

Patience, understanding, and positivity are what make a good mentor.

“When I was twelve years old, I received my first trumpet as a gift. It was my favorite toy. To this day, it still is.” — Maynard Ferguson (age 74)