Born and raised in Maine, Thea Hollman (she/they) has had a connection with NEMC since 2017 when she began working as a counselor. She graduated from Ithaca College with a B.M. in Music Education in 2019 and is the DEI Coordinator of the Snow Pond Music Festival and Associate Camp Director at New England Music Camp. Thea brings experience in music education, nonprofit development, summer camp leadership, and DEI organizing.

They are passionate about creating equitable policies, spaces, and training for the purpose of providing all kids with the opportunity to experience the magic of camp.

(He/Him)

Dean of Faculty, ext. 107

Michael McCarthy has spent the last twenty-eight summers teaching at the New England Music Camp. He is a freelance choral conductor, adjudicator, clinician and accompanist in the New England/New York area. Choral groups under his direction have been invited to perform at MENC Eastern Division conferences and ACDA state conferences. 

A church organist for over forty-six years, Mr. McCarthy has just retired after thirty years as Director of Music and Organist at Saint Joseph Church in Willimantic, Connecticut, where he presided over the historic 37-rank Steer & Turner/Maier organ (built in 1874).  He continues to serve as Pontifical Organist for the Diocesan Choir of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich. He is a former Dean of the Northeast Connecticut Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and is currently the chapter’s Sub-Dean and Placement Officer. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society. He has been inducted into such honorary and professional fraternities as Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Kappa Phi, and Alpha Chi.  Mr. McCarthy holds Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Applied Bassoon from the Hartt School of Music and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from The University of Connecticut. He has spent the last forty years working with numerous school and community choirs and theaters.

(She/Her)

Recruitment Coordinator, ext. 106

Marian Murphy Powell is an accomplished singer and theatrical artist who brings a versatile background to her work on stage and into the teaching studio.  A veteran of national Broadway tours and regional theatre productions, her favorite roles include: Cosette in Les Misérables, Christine in Phantom, Mother in Bright Lights, Big City, Marian in The Music Man, Fleur in Esmeralda (world premiere), Mary Jane Wilkes in Big River and Fiona in Brigadoon.

Most recently, she performed the role of Miss Foley to critical acclaim, in the world premiere of Something Wicked This Way Comes. She has been featured with several orchestras around the world, including the Shanghai Symphony and the Concordia Orchestra at New York’s Lincoln Center.   She has three solo recordings: “This Must Be Love”, a jazz CD “Live at the Saturday Club” with renowned jazz pianist Bill Schmearer, and, “Amazed By You” written by pianist/composer Matthew Quayle.  She can also be heard as a guest artist on Gail Levinsky’s recently released “Tipping Point”.  Marian holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Performer’s Certificate of Merit from the School of Music at the State University of New York in Fredonia and earned her Actor’s Equity Association membership with the Tennessee Repertory Theatre’s Young Artist Program. As a member of NATS, she is a private voice teacher, is an adjunct vocal instructor at The George School and is a freelancing artist in the greater Philadelphia area. Marian is an alumna of NEMC and has been a member of the faculty for twenty-two years.

(She/Her)

Registrar, Prelude Coordinator ext. 105

Bethany Niedbala serves as Program Coordinator of Prelude Strings Orchestra Camp and the Registrar for NEMC, where she facilitates student admissions and creates schedules for faculty and campers. Her other roles at NEMC since 2002 have included camper, counselor, and music librarian. 

Currently, Bethany is the Elementary Strings Specialist for the Marlborough Public Schools in Massachusetts. She also performs with Symphony Pro Musica as a section violist. Bethany earned a Bachelor's Degree from Ithaca College, where she studied with Debra Moree, and received a Master's Degree from Boston University. In addition to teaching and performing, Bethany can be seen on the ski slopes in the winter months. She is excited to return to NEMC for her 23rd summer!

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, awarded violinist Santiago Salazar has developed a career as an orchestra musician, concertmaster, chamber musician, and soloist. Praised for his leadership capabilities and colorful sound, Santiago has performed in acclaimed venues around South America, Europe, Russia, and the United States. As an educator Santiago has been part of projects such as the Classical Music Institute in San Antonio Texas, the String Project at Missouri State University, and the Aruba Symphony Festival as well as teaching at Missouri State University, the University of Kansas, and maintaining an active private studio. Santiago holds degrees from New Mexico State University, Missouri State University, and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Kansas School of Music.

Simón Gollo (He/Him)

Chamber Music Intensive Coordinator

Simón Gollo is recognized as a multifaceted and charismatic musician who enjoys a successful international career as a chamber musician, pedagogue, soloist, and conductor. He is also a recording artist for the international recording label IBS Classical, and is represented, alongside the Reverón Piano Trio, by HALAC Artists and Meluk Kultur Management.

The compositions of Venezuelan-born Ricardo Lorenz have garnered praise for their fiery orchestrations, and rhythmic vitality as well as for raising awareness about global societal challenges that concern the composer. These impressions have earned him two Latin Grammy Award nominations, multiple commissions, including a recent one by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for their 2021-22 season, and performances of his works at prestigious international festivals such as Carnegie Hall’s Sonidos de las Américas, Ravinia Festival, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, France’s Berlioz Festival, Spain’s Festival Internacional de Música Contemporanea de Alicante, the Festival Cervantino in Mexico, Turkey’s Uluslararasi Summer Festival and South Korea’s PAN Music Festival, among others.

Aaron Henry is a saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer, specializing in modern and contemporary improvisation. He has performed at venues including Lincoln Center, The North Sea Jazz Festival, and the Istanbul Jazz Festival, and recorded with artists including Dave Liebman, Miguel Zanon, Anat Cohen, Antonio Sanchez, Matthew Stevens, Esperanza Spalding, and Tiger Okoshi. As a composer he has written and produced music for Fox International, National Geographic, and Elias Music, and has placed tracks in international catalogs, libraries, and commercial streaming markets. Selected recording and production credits include Grammy-nominated NEC faculty member Mehmet Ali Sanlikol’s large ensemble What’sNext?, Louis Cato (Jon Batiste and Stay Human of The Tonight Show) and guitarist Matt Stevens, and Maine-grown artists Adam Agati (Corey Henry, Marcus Miller), Lyle Divinsky (The Motet, Model Airplane), Nick Falk (Hiss Golden Messenger), and Anna Lombard.

Blayne Salerni studied Trumpet Performance at the University of Delaware. There, he studied with NFL Films trumpet player Rob Skoniczin. He also received a Jazz Studies minor where he studied with Broadway Saxophone great Todd Groves, and local jazz artist Tom Palmer.  

Kaitlin Hopkins is an award-winning actress, director, producer, and educator and has
performed on and off Broadway, on national and international tours, and in film and
television for more than 30 years. In 2009, she created the BFA musical theatre program at
Texas State University. Hopkins is the proud creator and CEO of Fontus Dry Mouth
Lozenges. In addition, she is the Co-Founder of Living Mental Wellness, a holistic,
evidence-based company that offers educational programs to enhance mental wellness for
performing artists through an integrated scientific life skills model.

(She/Her)

Office Manager, ext 101

(He/Him)

Co-Head Counselor

David Morris will join us as the head counselor after four years as an NEMC counselor, having worked is each of the bowl end cabins during that time! During the unusual summer of 2020, David was responsible for the social and recreational activities for the NEMC virtual camp, and was the acting head counselor for the Chamber Music Intensive resident camp. David will also begin the transition to be the NEMC administrator for the BYSO camps in August each year. David graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in music education, and moved back to his hometown of Hallowell, Maine and started teaching at his alma mater. He currently is the High School music teacher at Hall Dale High School in Farmingdale, where he teaches chorus, jazz choir, band, jazz band, and modern band. He cannot wait to return to camp and is excited to continue his counseling work at NEMC.

Jessica Walck currently holds the position of Associate Artistic Director and acting Director of Education at The Naples Players in Naples, FL.  As an educator, Jessica has led several acting intensives for students of all ages.  In addition to teaching acting she has also led classes in playwriting, stage combat, improv, musical theatre and movement. 

Snow Pond Director of Development, ext. 203

Christa brings a wealth of experience in the areas of marketing, public relations and event planning. She has worked for over 25 years in the field, including 9 years as the Vice President of Marketing for Sotheby’s Chicago. Christa is a visible and active participant in the events and culture of NEMC and Snow Pond and her responsibilities include: implementing annual campaigns; assisting with the cultivation of new prospective donors; overseeing marketing/communication efforts including website/social media; managing special events/fundraisers, and supervising the submission of grant request. She currently sits on the Board of the Reed Trust Fund and was recently nominated to the Board of the Viles Arboretum, in Augusta, Maine.