Valerie Siciliano, director & Piano Instructor
Valerie Siciliano completed her musical studies in Piano Performance at the Manhattan School of Music and the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers. She served as an adjudicator for various competitions including the the Bart Pitman Piano Competition, and was a founder and co-director of Morning Star Music in New Hope, Pennsylvania. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Arts Administration from New York University, and has served on the board of Concordia Chamber Players. She has participated in various competitions, performances and masterclasses as a guest accompanist with NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), University of the Arts, University of Delaware and Delaware Classical Showcase.
She enjoys working with students to advance their technique and help solve technical problems, so that they can become more musical and overcome what they think are their musical and physical limitations. "I like to help students push things to a new level, expand their listening skills and develop their 'musical ear' to help bring out their innate musicianship. I love to hear my students express themselves through their music. I also advocate for and support students who wish to compose and create their own music."
Ben Siciliano, Piano Instructor & Piano Technician
Ben Siciliano has studied at the Manhattan School of Music under Ernest Ulmer. He enjoys working with intermediate through advanced level students of all ages, and has a special interest in helping his students develop their ability to sight read and perform the more challenging classical repertoire. He makes extensive use of the Taubman approach to minimize the possibility of injury, meanwhile imparting greater ease and flexibility to one's playing.
He is also a certified piano technician offering tuning, repairs, restorations, and purchase consultations in Chester county and the surrounding areas. View his offerings at harmoniapiano.com.
Celeste Siciliano, VoIce & piano Instructor
Celeste Siciliano holds a Bachelors of Music from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and a Masters of Music from the University of Delaware. In addition to studying vocal performance, vocal pedagogy, music theory, conducting and piano, she also studied the oboe. She received her advanced vocal training in New York City under the esteemed tutelage of voice pedagogue and music critic, Conrad L. Osborne. She has studied music and German language in programs such as AIMS in Graz and at Salzburg College. She also received a certificate in Arts Administration from New York University.
As an operatic soprano of international repute she has performed in Germany, Austria, South Korea, Australia and the United States. She has been heard in title roles such as Norma, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly as well as in lead roles in La Bohéme, Un Ballo in Maschera, Il Trovatore, Die Walküre and Elektra. She has made several appearances at Carnegie Hall as a winner of both the Liederkranz Foundation Competition and as first place winner in the Barry Alexander International Competition. Other honors include a grant from The Wagner Society of New York, the Distinction Award from The Metropolitan International Vocal Competition and the Lynne Cushman Career Development Award presented by Opera Project of New Jersey.
More information about Celeste can be found at www.celestesiciliano.com