Phyllis Fay Farmer - Mezzo-Soprano
Phyllis Fay Farmer, (AGMA, PWSA), “beautifully melodious and powerful mezzo soprano” (The Times and Democrat), sings with Music Before 1800/the Choir of Corpus Christi (www.mb1800.org). In 2009 she recorded "Monongahela Rising" for Waddy Thompson. She premiered “U.N. Resolution” by Charley Girard (Greenwich House Arts North River Music Series), created the role of Vera for Patrick Byers’ “Incident at San Bajo” (Riverside Opera Ensemble), sang the Narrator in Aaron Copland’s “In the Beginning” with the Westport Madrigal Singers and the title role in “Carmen” for the Jersey Shore Arts Center. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
Jill Sokol - Flute
Flutist Jill Sokol is a freelance musician and private instructor in the New York City region. Ms. Sokol holds positions with the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra and Garden State Philharmonic, and also freelances with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Hudson Valley Philharmonic, and New Haven Symphony. Ms. Sokol has substituted with other regional orchestras, including the Albany Symphony and the Westchester Philharmonic. In May of 2004, she gave her solo debut at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall as winner of the Artist International Competition. Ms. Sokol completed her Doctorate degree at Stony Brook University, under the tutelage of Carol Wincenc. She received her Master’s degree at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and her Bachelor’s degree at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Ms. Sokol is on the faculty of Kean University and the Skidmore Summer Flute Institute.
Emily Olin - Piano
Emily Olin is an educator, pianist, and voice coach. In additing to having her own studio in Manhattan where she works with singers from the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Bolshoi, Kirov, Munich and Prague Operas, Ms. Olin is a Lecturer at the Yale University School of Music (Yale Opera). From 1996-2001, she taught a seminar on Russian diction at the Mannes College of Music. Prior to coming to the United States from Russia in 1992, Ms. Olin taught vocal style, interpretation, ensemble, and stage psychology at the Ufa Academy of Arts. Many of her students have become winners of various international competitions.
Ms. Olin has toured extensively worldwide. She is a frequent presenter and writer on the subjects performance expression, analysis of style, song and aria interpretation and has been called upon to be a judge for the International Art Song Competition. She holds M.A and B.A. degrees in Music.