Featured Conductors
Emerging Conductors 2026
Ira Cortes
Ira Cortes, Baritone is a sophomore music education student at Elmhurst University. He is a very accomplished musician with extensive experience in multiple disciplines including classical voice, musical theatre, barbershop music, string and symphony orchestras, and vocal jazz. Much of his time outside of his studies is spent as a freelance educator and performer. He has taught privately, directed and guest conducted various choirs and musicals. He is especially excited for this opportunity to work and hone his conducting skills through the Emerging Conductors Workshop!
Van Gamboa
Zchelynmer Van Narbaja Gamboa is a Filipino vocalist, percussionist, low brass musician, and student leader from Bacolod, Philippines, now based in the Chicago area. A student at Maine East High School, Van performs with the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Chamber Choir, A Cappella, Percussion Techniques, Drumline, the Maine East Blue Regiment, and the musical pit orchestra. As an instrumentalist, he plays tuba for Wind Ensemble, trombone and drumset for Jazz Band, and drumset for the musical pit, alongside marching in the Maine East Blue Regiment. As a tenor vocalist, Van was selected for the ILMEA District 7 Festival Chorus and All-State Honors Choir, and performs with several Chicago-area church and community ensembles. Van is dedicated to making music accessible to everyone, focusing on helping listeners and peers find deep personal meaning within the art. Through his performances and leadership, he strives to create an inclusive environment for shared connection and reflection.
Paul Owings
Paul is a rising third year music education student studying at Joliet junior college. He discovered his passion for music at a young age and since then it has been a driving force in his life. He currently sings with Cantores community choir based in Downer’s Grove. He hopes to foster an environment where both audience and performers are able to find some meaning in the music presented. Paul has little conducting experience so he is grateful for the opportunity to learn and work with an amazing clinician and choir.
Faith Rios
Faith Rios is a dedicated music educator at a public elementary school and serves as the music director at her church, Conexion 3:16. There, she offers private lessons in voice, guitar, bass, and piano for students ages 8 and up. She enjoys learning new instruments and is currently studying saxophone and violin with the goal of joining a community band someday. A returning member of the Treble Ensemble Giving Voice Collective, Faith is also preparing to audition for the Chicago Irish Singers in the coming week. She encourages everyone to audition for both ensembles and hopes to share their impact. Faith is honored to have the opportunity to conduct an ensemble again after spending the past two years working closely with elementary-level musicians. She looks forward to building lasting friendships with fellow musicians and music enthusiasts. Believing that music is a universal language that transcends all barriers, she encourages everyone to pursue their musical dreams and especially to consider joining ECW this summer.
Alex Amato
"Alexander J. Amato is a dynamic conductor, collaborative pianist, and emerging music leader dedicated to fostering community connection and artistic excellence. As the Founder and Artistic Director of Amatones NFP, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, he shapes seasonal narratives, curates diverse repertoires, and oversees large-scale instrumental productions and choral camps for youth. Alex currently serves as Music Director at the First Presbyterian Church of DuPage, where he conducts the choir and coordinates guest instrumentalists. He has stepped onto the podium to conduct and substitute direct for numerous ensembles, including the Lisle Park District’s Take Note Choir and the Young Naperville Singers’ advanced young men's chorus (Canto Vivo). Deeply invested in music education, he has facilitated comprehensive lessons for middle and high school choral ensembles, holds active memberships with ACDA, ILMEA, and NAfME, and serves his local community as a student representative on the City of Naperville’s Special Events and Community Arts (SECA) Commission."
Jack Birkner
"Jack Birkner is a rising junior at Elmhurst University studying Music Education with a focus in voice. He is involved in Elmhurst’s University singers, Collegiate Chorus, and Late Night Blues. His conducting experience includes two classes with Elmhurst University music educators, which also involved conducting rounds in middle and high school classrooms. Jack is excited to have the opportunity to work with an incredible clinician and ensemble, and he thanks the Emerging Artists staff and community for giving him this opportunity."
Andrew Fapp
"Andrew Fapp is a resident of Montgomery, Illinois, and is a proud and recent legacy graduate of Elmhurst University. He studied Music Education and Vocal Performance with a minor in Psychology at Elmhurst, and is currently in the process of applying and interviewing for middle and high school teaching positions. He has performed at statewide conferences with the Elmhurst University Singers and also been a part of the premier touring vocal jazz ensemble, Late Night Blues. Andrew has also had multiple years of private vocal study with various incredible instructors, and is a bi-disciplinary musician as a classically trained concert percussionist.
One of Andrew's greatest passions in music is conducting, in which he has participated in the Emerging Conductors Workshop for the previous two summers and is happy to be back for a third. Additionally, he served as Napervoice's Spring Conducting Intern and the inaugural student conducting intern with the
Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale. He hopes to continue his conducting and vocal studies post-grad, with hopes of one day receiving his doctorate in choral conducting. Looking forward to the summer, he is proud to share that he has been invited to the Atlanta Choral Conducting Institute and the Westchester University Choral Conducting Symposium, and previously attended the Illinois State University and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor Choral Conducting Symposiums. Outside of institute work, Andrew has directed small ensembles throughout his college journey, focusing on his craft whenever the chance presents itself."
Liana Guerrero
"Liana Guerrero is currently a Music Education major at Elmhurst University, where she is also pursuing a minor in Vocal Performance. She has performed with the university’s Chorale, University Singers, and Late Night Blues Vocal Jazz Ensemble, serving as soprano section leader for Late Night Blues and University Singers. In addition to her ensemble work, Liana has been recognized through numerous honors and solo performances, including being named the “Outstanding Performance” winner in the ECMEA Honors Solo Recital and winning the Elmhurst University Orchestra Concerto/Aria Competition in 2025.
As both a conductor and vocalist, Liana is passionate about creating meaningful musical experiences through collaboration, leadership, and expressive performance. She is excited to return to the Emerging Artists Conducting Workshop to continue refining her conducting technique, deepen her rehearsal leadership skills, and learn alongside a community of dedicated musicians."
Emerging Conductors 2025
Joanna Angumei
"Joanna Angumei is a Korean and Indian American music educator and vocalist who recently graduated from Elmhurst University, earning a Bachelor of Music Education and a certificate in vocal performance. While at Elmhurst, Joanna was honored with the Thaskala Student Teaching Award and named Outstanding Senior in Choir, recognizing her excellence in both teaching and performance.
She completed her student teaching at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, IL, and Scott School in Melrose Park, IL, where she conducted 7 ensembles in several concerts. A highlight of her teaching experience includes a collaborative performance of the Korean folk song Arirang alongside percussionists from the Korean Performing Arts Center in Chicago — a moment that was especially meaningful to Joanna as it allowed her to share part of her cultural heritage with her students. The performance was met with enthusiastic response from the audience, students, and guest performers alike.
Joanna currently teaches private voice lessons and remains active as both a solo and ensemble performer. She is passionate about creating inclusive, engaging choral spaces and is excited to begin her teaching career at any level. She hopes to grow her private studio, pursue graduate studies, and continue refining her conducting and rehearsal techniques. Joanna is deeply grateful to her friends and family for their unwavering support and looks forward to learning and growing alongside her colleagues through this workshop."
Andrew Fapp
“Andrew Fapp, a featured conductor for the 2025 Emerging Conductors Workshop, is a vocalist, educator, and conductor from Yorkville, IL. He is currently studying Music Education and Vocal Performance with a minor in Psychology at Elmhurst University. He has performed with the Elmhurst Concert Choir, Collegiate Choir, Wind Ensemble, and Late Night Blues Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Andrew also is a member of Napervoice and its select Chamber Ensemble and performs in multiple gigs across the Chicagoland area. In his campus life, he serves as the President of the music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia; President of the Aspiring Educators chapter at Elmhurst; a student worker for the Undergraduate Admissions office; and a leader across campus in music, education, and the student involvement program.
Andrew has been conducting since early in high school, leading a percussion ensemble, Men’s Choir, and being one of two drum majors for the Yorkville High School Marching Foxes. He has attended multiple leadership camps and seminars, additionally receiving the Most Improved Conductor in a top-level conducting course under Dr. Ricky Suk, Director of Marching Bands at Ohio University. In addition to joining the Emerging Conductors team this summer, he is grateful and beyond excited to have been a featured conductor at the Illinois State University Choral Conducting Camp and will soon be featured at the Westchester University Choral Conducting Symposium and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor Choral Conducting Symposium. Andrew is honored to be back with Emerging Conductors for another summer and is excited to continue his craft, musicality, and performance abilities in conducting.”
Liana Guerrero
"Liana Guerrero is a Music Education major at Elmhurst University, where she is also earning a certificate in Vocal Performance. She has performed in Elmhurst’s Concert Choir, Chamber Chorale, and Late Night Blues Vocal Jazz Ensemble, where she served as the soprano section leader. As both a conductor and vocalist, Liana is excited to bring her passion for choral music to the Emerging Conductors program. She looks forward to growing as a leader, refining her conducting style, and collaborating with other musicians who share her love for music and performance.”
Matt Smith
“Matt Smith (24) is an active composer, producer, and vocalist from the Chicago area. He graduated from Elmhurst University '23 with a major in music theory & composition plus a minor in audio production and a certificate in vocal performance. While studying for his major, he participated in various ensembles including the Elmhurst Concert choir, Chamber Singers, vocal jazz group Late Night Blues, and New Music Ensemble. Since graduation he has stayed active in his community working at School of Rock in Glen Ellyn as a private voice and keys instructor and season show director. Additionally he has performed with acclaimed Napervoice Singers and Elmhurst Choral Union. He promotes his skills through freelance work, filling in roles for composition, production, singing, and voice acting. In the future, Matt hopes to someday share his passion for all things music and sound, whether as a professor in music theory, or running his own production studio.”
Jeri-Ann Day
“Jeri-Ann Day is a graduate of Elmhurst University with a Degree in Music Education with a Choral Emphasis and a Certificate in Vocal Performance. She is currently working on improving her conducting skills while also continuing her classical vocal training.
Jeri-Ann is a member of the Illinois Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association, and she is a member of NaperVoice, an adult philanthropic choir.
Presently, Jeri-Ann is a general music teacher and choir director at Hinckley-Big Rock Middle School and High School. She is very excited to participate in her second Emerging Conductor’s Workshop and hopes you enjoy the music.”
Nazarii Mykhailenko
Born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, Nazarii Mykhailenko has been involved in music since the age of nine. He was accepted to the Kyiv Lysenko State Music Lyceum where he studied a range of disciplines including music theory, piano, choral conducting, and classical voice.
After immigrating to the United States in 2017, Nazarii became highly involved in his suburban Fenton High School’s music program. He won a place in the ILMEA All-State Choir in 2018. Outside of school he participated in the Chicago Master Singers Choir.
Nazarii lives in New Lenox, Illinois. He finished studies at Roosevelt University with a double major in Music Education and Classical Voice Performance and graduated with Franklin Honors and Summa Cum Laude.
Currently, Nazarii is teaching general music and choir at Grove Avenue Elementary School. He also continues performing regularly with his brother Myroslav Mykhailenko on piano, and jointly program Ukrainian music and art song in concert with a mission of support to their homeland - Ukraine.
In this period of life, Nazarii is enthusiastic about vocal performance and choral conducting. In the Summer 2023, he participated in the Green Lakes Festival of Music Choral Institute and was a chorister for a program at the Grant Park Music Festival. Notably, that Summer Nazarii was honored to take part in Ukrainian Art Song Project Summer Institute in Toronto, Canada. As an Artist in Performance, along with eight fellow singers, Nazarii took part in a week-long intensive preparation with final performance of solely Ukrainian Art Song concert.
Throughout 2024-2025 school year Nazarii took part in a few major music projects: Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra performance in New York, and the U.S. premiere of a Cantata by Myron Datsko in the Chicago area. Over the past three years, Nazarii cherished his conducting internship and participation in the NaperVoice Choir in Naperville.”
Ashley Silerio
“Ashley Silerio is an active vocalist and dedicated music educator. Most recently, she taught general music at Mackeben Elementary and Conley Elementary in Huntley Community School District 158. She graduated from Elmhurst University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Music Education and from College of DuPage in 2021 with an Associate of Fine Arts in Music. She completed her student teaching at Hadley Junior High in Glen Ellyn and Stuart R. Paddock Elementary School in Palatine, where she led both general music and choir classes. While at Elmhurst University, she also contributed to the Music Department through a valuable work-study position in Music Administration.
She performed in Elmhurst's Concert Choir, Collegiate Choir, Chamber Chorale, and the Vocal Jazz ensemble Blue. At College of DuPage, she performed in Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, and DuPage Choral. At Elgin Community College, she performed in their Concert Choir.
In addition to her vocal accomplishments, she branched into instrumental ensembles, participating in Elmhurst University's Varsity Strings and Hadley Junior High's Triple Fret during her student teaching. She is eager to refine her skills both as an educator and a musician, and continually seeks opportunities to grow. Ashley is honored to participate in Emerging Conductors, where she can develop her artistry further. She looks forward to learning from and making beautiful music with fantastic musicians throughout this workshop.”
Armani Smith
“Armani Smith is an incoming sophomore at Elmhurst University, pursuing degrees in Music Education and Voice Performance. He performs with the Late Night Blues Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the Elmhurst University Collegiate Choir. Armani is also the founder and director of The S#arp Four Quartet, with a focus in growing in his leadership and artistic vision. In April 2025, Armani was named a winner of the Elmhurst University Honors Recital.
His journey as a conductor began under the mentorship of Amanda Duran, directing a middle school choir. Since then, his passion for conducting has flourished through private studies with various educators across Aurora and the surrounding suburbs.
Armani extends his heartfelt thanks to his friends and family for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout his musical journey.”
