BHMC 2011 CAMP STAFF

Scott Kelley - Camp Director, Senior Band Director, Senior Jazz Ensemble Director

Jill Kelley - Camp Registrar

Joseph Buckle - Chamber/String Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra Director

Robert Dumas - Vocal Sight Reading, Accompanist, Small Vocal Ensembles

Betsy Gengo - Junior Band Director

Kyle Gengo - Camp Coordinator, Senior Band Director

Mary Gleason - Camp Nurse

Shawn Hebert - Senior Chorus Director, Vocal Ensemble Director, Vocal Techniques

Shayne Knight - Camp Accompanist

Phil Pandori - Junior Band Director, Junior Jazz Ensemble Director

Jeffrey Mathews - Theater Appreciation, Camp Accompanist

Brett Ransom - Junior Chorus Director, Vocal Techniques

Rich Resig - Counselor Supervisor, Pool Director

Dan Skidmore - Guitar Appreciation and Lessons

MEET OUR MUSIC STAFF

Scott D. Kelley’s love for music was developed at an early age by his father, Marvin Fred Kelley Jr., who owned Custom Recording Studio in Binghamton, NY. As a child growing up, Mr. Kelley was surrounded by world class musicians and often tagged along on his father’s recording sessions. Inspired by his father, Mr. Kelley began playing the trumpet at nine years of age. He has studied trumpet with Bernard Shifrin, Dr. James Ode, Herb Mueller, Ben Aldridge and Frank Kaderabach. Mr. Kelley holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and a Masters of Music Degree in Music Performance from SUNY Binghamton. He has studied conducting with Edward Gobrecht, Pam Gearhart, Brian Rosen and Dr. Timothy Perry. Mr. Kelley has played trumpet in the Binghamton Symphony, Elmira Symphony, Corning Philharmonic and currently with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. He began his teaching career in Troy, PA directing the junior and senior high instrumental music program and leading the band to first place honors at the Laurel Festival Parade, a first in the school’s history. After one year in Troy, Scott became the director of the Roy C. Ketcham Marching Band in Wappingers Falls, NY. Since 1987 Mr. Kelley has been Director of Bands at Elmira Free Academy where he conducts the EFA Concert and Symphonic Bands, Marching Band, and the award winning EFA Jazz Ensemble. He is also the founding and current director of the Elmira College Concert Ensemble and is the Instrumental Music Director at First Presbyterian Church in Elmira, NY. Mr. Kelley is a regular guest conductor of Area All-State and All-County Bands in New York and Pennsylvania and a frequent soloist throughout the area.

Mr. Kelley began conducting at Bristol Hills Music Camp in the summer of 2004 and became the camp director in 2007. He resides in Elmira, NY with his wife, Jill (BHMC registrar) and two children Matt and Megan (BHMC past campers and present counselors). He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, his church, the outdoors, boating and skiing.

Robert Dumas is a suma cum laude graduate of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam (2007) with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Performer’s Certificate in Voice. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Music Education from Ithaca College (2011). For the last four years, Mr. Dumas has been the Director of Choirs at Southside High School in Elmira, NY where he conducts four vocal ensembles, teaches music theory, and theater. In addition to school teaching, Mr. Dumas is active in community theater, and also serves as the Director of Music at the First Presbyterian Church of Elmira.

It was during the Summer of 1999 that Robert first attended Bristol Hills Music Camp – as a camper; he has been at camp all but one year since. Following high school gradation he came on board as a counselor in 2004 and five years later Mr. Dumas joined the BHMC Faculty as the accompanist for the Junior High Chorus and the sight-singing instructor. BHMC is a second home for Robert and he looks forward to camp week each and every year!

Betsy Gengo is an Elementary Band Director in the Williamsville Central School District where she conducts two bands and teaches group lessons. Mrs. Gengo is a Williamsville Mentor Teacher, Music Curriculum Committee Member, and Supervisor for student teachers. In addition to her school duties, she maintains a private bassoon studio. Her students consistently perform in All-County and All-State ensembles. Mrs. Gengo is a bassoonist with the National Award Winning American Legion Band of the Tonawandas - Post 264, the Amherst Chamber Ensembles, and a substitute for the Amherst Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. Gengo received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education with a performance certificate from the Fredonia School of Music, SUNY at Fredonia and the Master of Music Education in Arts Administration from The Florida State University. Mrs. Gengo was the coordinator for the Chautauqua Institution School of Dance and Education/Program Director for Young Audiences of Virginia.

Mrs. Gengo began attending Bristol Hills Music Camp when she was in 7th grade. She was a counselor and then became the Junior High Band Director. When not making music, Betsy enjoys rooting for her alma mater – the Seminoles of Florida State and spending time with her husband, Kyle, and son, Elliott.

Kyle Gengo received his Bachelor of Music Education and Trumpet Performance degrees from the State University College at Fredonia in 1989 and earned his Master of Music Education degree from the Florida State University in 1994.  While a graduate assistant at Florida State University, Mr. Gengo studied conducting under Dr. James Croft, assisted with the Marching Chiefs, and was assistant director of both the New Music Festival and the FSU Summer Music Camps.  Mr. Gengo began his career at Southwestern High School in Jamestown, NY directing the concert and marching bands and serving as band director at Olean High School in Olean, NY where his ensembles earned superior ratings and gold awards for their performances.  Mr. Gengo is currently in his tenth year at Casey Middle School in Williamsville, NY where he teaches students in grades five through eight and conducts the 7/8 grade concert and jazz bands. 

During the summer Kyle continues to conduct the Senior High Band at Bristol Hills Music Camp and maintains a large trumpet studio year round.  He resides in Williamsville with his wife, Betsy (also a band director) and their son, Elliiott.

Shawn Hebert holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from the Crane School of Music, where he studied with renowned voice teacher Patricia Misslin, and a Master of Music in Music Performance from Miami University where he studied with Dr. Clayton Parr. Mr. Hebert is on the vocal faculty at East Syracuse-Minoa High School where he directs the high school mixed choir, women’s choir, and the extracurricular show choir, East Side Express. He also is the vocal music director for ES-M’s spring musical. From 1997-2009 he was part of the music faculty at Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School, teaching 7th and 8th grade General Music and Chorus. His select 7th and 8th grade chorus, Good Time Singers, performed as a featured ensemble at the 2003 New York State School Music Association Winter Conference. GTS also won 1st place prizes in New York City and Toronto at both Heritage Festivals and Festivals of Music under Mr. Hebert's direction.  Mr. Hebert has been a guest conductor for Zone 15’s Area All-State choir, as well as Nassau, Sullivan, Wayne, Cortland, Chenango, Jefferson and Lewis Counties. He served for four years on the Onondaga County Executive Board, first as vice-president, then as the OCMEA president.

For the past 14 summers, Mr. Hebert has been the Senior High Chorus director, vocal ensemble director, vocal techniques instructor, and voice teacher at Bristol Hills Music Camp. This year also marked his fourth stint on the music faculty at Crane Youth Music at Potsdam College. He is the Choirmaster at Christ Episcopal Church in Manlius, New York.

In addition to his numerous musical theater performing credits, Shawn has directed, music directed, and/or produced over 30 musicals, including shows for ES-M High School, J-D Middle School, The Wits End Players, Theater 90, and the Town of Manlius Rec. Department. He resides in Manlius, NY with his wife and three children.

Shayne Knight is back for her 7th year as Bristol Hills Music Camp accompanist. She teaches Band, general and vocal music at Donlin Drive Elementary School in Liverpool, NY and is the accompanist and a cantor for the contemporary mass at All Saints Church in Syracuse. Ms. Knight plays keyboards and sings with the Syracuse-based band "Brass Exchange" with BHMC guitar instructor, Dan Skidmore. She has been the musical director, accompanist, and director for many school, community and children's theater productions. Shayne has two 'Bristol Brats', Zack and Sam.

Phil Pandori teaches in the Niskayuna Central School District outside of the capital region of New York State. He conducts the 6th Grade Concert Band and teaches Brass and Percussion lessons at Iroquois and Van Antwerp Middle Schools. He also teaches the full band programs at Birchwood and Craig Elementary Schools in the district. Phil earned his undergraduate degree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music, where he minored in Jazz Studies and also earned a certificate in Trombone Performance. He currently holds the Principal Trombone Seat in the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra and gigs around the Capital Region. Mr. Pandori is currently taking a leave of absence at Niskayuna to obtain a Masters Degree in trombone performance from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford (Connecticut).

Phil was a camper at Bristol Hills Music Camp all through high school, became a counselor, and is thrilled to be working on staff directing the Junior Band with Betsy Gengo, and directing the Junior Jazz Ensemble.

Allison (Witz) Payne graduated from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford and is currently in her 5th year at Fairport Central School District. Mrs. Payne teaches violin lessons district wide (grades 4-12), string orchestra (grades 6-8) and beginning 4th grade orchestra at Fairport. She is currently working on her masters from the Eastman School of Music and will be completed the summer of 2011. Mrs. Payne is also the director/choreographer of the Fairport Spring Musical.

Ali has been at Bristol Hills Music Camp for 12 years as a camper, counselor and staff member and can not picture a summer without it.

Brett Ransom, origianally from Williamsville, NY, holds his Master of Music degree from Ithaca College and his Bachelor of Music degree from Ohio University. Mr. ransom is the director of choral and general music at Wise Middle School and the drama club director at Medina High School in Medina, NY. He also keeps very busy as the artistic director of the Amherst Men’s Glee Club. Mr. Ransom is a member of the Orleans County Music Educators Association, the Erie County Music Educators Association, the New York State School Music Association, and Music Educators National Conference.

For one great week in August, Brett is the Junior High Chorus director at Bristol Hills Music Camp, which he has been a part of for fifteen years.

Dr. Dan Skidmore has been a professional guitarist for more than twenty years, playing events, venues, and services throughout New York, Maryland, and Connecticut. In addition to regular and "special guest" engagements.  Dr. Skidmore is the staff guitarist at All Saints Catholic Church in Syracuse and operates a private instructional studio.

Dan joined the Bristol Hills Music Camp staff a few summers ago. His talent, leadership and musicality is a wonderful addition as shown by his work with our jazz ensembles, teaching beginner and advanced guitar appreciation classes and private guitar lessons.

BHMC COUNSELORS

All of the counselors at BHMC have previously been campers, many since they were in Junior High School.  Because of this, they understand the daily operations of the camp, but most importantly, they understand issues that campers may have - especially first-time campers and potential homesickness, campers following the schedule, making new friends, camp traditions that 'everyone else seems to know", meal-time rules, etc.  They also musically mentor the campers as they are all very talented musicians.  Most aspire to be music educators and we encourage them to help wherever appropriate.  Our counselors' top priorities are the safety and happiness of the campers assigned to their care.

Note: A custom at many camps is to tip the counselor at the end of the week.  This is optional and very much appreciated by the counselors as they all return to college within days of the end of camp.

We also offer a great CIT (counselor-in-training) program for campers who are seniors in high school, have attended BHMC for at least one year and would like to be considered for employment as future counselors.  They are campers who are given an opportunity to show their leadership in various situations during the camp week.  A camper who is a senior does not have to participate in the CIT program.  The CIT program does not assure job placement.