Faculty (Voice)

Andrea Bargabos holds a Master of Music, cum laude, from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Her teaching experience began in her undergraduate when asked to teach violin, viola and voice to local students in Duluth, reaching at her pinnacle, 40 students. She was later appointed as Voice Adjunct Faculty at UMD. After receiving her Masters from CIM, she taught voice at Lakeland Community College and GArfield Heights High School in Cleveland, Ohio until her appointment as faculty in the Distance Learning Department at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Ms. Bargabos performance credits include the Governess in Britten's "Turn of the Screw", Queen of the night in Mozart's "The MAgic Flute", Rosalinda in Strauss' "Die Fledermaus", Fiordiligi in Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte", Rosina in Rossini's "Barber of Seville" and Countess Almaviva in Mozart's "Marriage od Figaro". She has performed numerous opera galas featuring works by Verdi, Donizetti, Bizet, Lehar, Richard Strauss, Puccini and Johann Strauss. Her affiliations include Opera Roanoke, Cleveland Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland and has been asked to return to the University of Minnesota Duluth for Alumni performances. She also frequently performs new music, performing two One Act Operas by Milton Granger, compositions by Margaret Griebling-Haigh, Orianna Webb, Peter Gilbert and others. Ms. Bargabos is under the management of Dietsch Internationale Associates.

Elaine holds a BA from Shaw College in Detroit, Michigan and City College of New York. In Detroit, she sang at Edison Plaza, The Black Orchid and Joe's Super Club. She was the assistant coordinator and singer at the Afro-American Festival. In New York, she produced and was the opening singer for Milira, at the "Blue Angel". Ms. Kennerly studied and recorded with Billy Shepherd. She also sang with Jazz Samaritans. Ms. Kennerly presented a tribute to Ron Carter (Emmy Award Winner).

George holds a MM from Manhattan School of Music and currently is the Music Director of Saint Claire Church. Mr. Poppe is also the music teacher for St. Claire school. George composed music for Daniel Rodriguez(the singing police officer) for his latest recording. George has composed three operas: "The Christmas Carol"(1994), "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"(1998), "The Green Knight"(2001). George has composed works for the Metro Chamber Orchestra: "Overture"(2003) and "L'Vita Nuova"(2004). George has taught in the New Jersey and New York school systems. Mr. Poppe started teaching at the Staten Island Conservatory of Music in 1996.

Valeda Zaage-Bell received her Bachelor of Music Degree from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She attended Manhattan School of Music, Temple University, Brooklyn College and Hunter College for graduate work. She studied piano with Charles Fischer and orchestral and choral conducting with Elizabeth A.H. Green and John Sinclair. On July 29, 2009 she conducted a 120 voice choir and a 30 piece orchestra for a performance at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. Recently Valeda recorded a CD of 20th century piano music for Patrice Editions. Valeda has taught music classes at Curtis High School, New Dorp High School, Port Richmond High School and Wagner High School. She was the music director for local productions of “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Marat/Sade,” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” In 2005 she performed an original art song she composed for the New Music Collective at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. She has been the organist, pianist and choir director for the Vanderbilt Moravian Church for the past 23 years.