Our Team

Our team is made up of skilled faculty, hardworking staff, and committed board members. Together, they form the backbone of The Music School of Delaware and ensure our mission thrives. Let’s introduce you to the faculty, staff, and board who make our school community so special.

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Faculty
Staff
Board of Directors

Faculty

Our faculty members are expert educators and accomplished artists. They inspire students with a balance of encouragement, discipline, and creativity.

Patrick Hoffman

  • Instructor
  • Trumpet

Patrick Hoffman

  • Instructor
  • Trumpet

Biography

Teaches in Milford | MASTER FACULTY. B.S., University of Illinois; M.M., Indiana University; D.M.A., University of Georgia, Athens. Principal teachers: Chris Jaudes, Ray Sasaki, Susan Slaughter, Bernard Adelstein, Fred Mills. Delaware State University: Associate Professor of Music, Applied Trumpet Instructor, Director of Brass Ensembles. Prior teaching experience: Minot State University, North Dakota. Former member: Rekkenze Brass Quintet, Hof Symphony (Assistant Principal Trumpet). CD: Puppet Dances.

Private Lessons

  • Trumpet
Inquire About Lessons

Paul Boris

  • Instructor
  • Piano
  • Piano (Jazz)
  • Piano
  • Piano (Jazz)

Paul Boris

  • Instructor
  • Piano
  • Piano (Jazz)
  • Piano
  • Piano (Jazz)

Biography

Teaches in Wilmington | B.M., Thomas Edison St. College of New Jersey. Performance experience: varied genre performances in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Teaching experience: Center for the Creative Arts.

Private Lessons

  • Piano
  • Piano (Jazz)
Inquire About Lessons

Paul Gray

  • Instructor
  • Bass Guitar
  • Guitar
  • Ukulele

Paul Gray

  • Instructor
  • Bass Guitar
  • Guitar
  • Ukulele

Biography

Teaches in Wilmington | B.A., guitar performance, Rowan University; M.M., University of Akron. Principal teachers: Doug James, Stephen Aron, Joseph Mayes, Perry Lopez, Joe Allegro. Performance experience: Freelance performer in various community establishments (vocal & guitar), pit orchestra in regional musical productions. Awards: grant recipient, Bank of America Excellence in Education; Graduate Teaching Assistantship Award; Second Prize Award, Delaware Contest for Young Musicians. Teaching Experience: Springer Middle School, Pencader Charter School, Christiana High School, Kirk Middle School, Holy Spirit School, Western Reserve Academy, University of Akron, private study.

Private Lessons

  • Bass Guitar
  • Guitar
  • Ukulele
Inquire About Lessons

Paula Nelson

  • Instructor
  • Flute
  • Musicianship

Paula Nelson

  • Instructor
  • Flute
  • Musicianship

Biography

Teaches in Wilmington | MASTER FACULTY WITH DISTINCTION. B.A. summa cum laude, University of Maryland; M.M., D.M.A., University of North Texas. Studied with: Mary Karen Clardy, William Montgomery, Kathleen Chastain, Jim Walker. Faculty: Elizabethtown College, Immaculata University. Orchestral experience: member, Irving (Texas) Symphony Orchestra; Allentown and Pottstown Symphony Orchestras; the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra; Bethlehem Bach Festival Orchestra. Soloist: Immaculata Symphony Orchestra, Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, Wilmington Community Orchestra. Additional performance experience: National Flute Association Convention, various solo and chamber music recitals in the greater Philadelphia area, Nelson-Sessler flute and classical guitar duo. Articles published in Flute Talk magazine.  Frequent adjudicator and clinician.

Private Lessons

  • Flute
  • Musicianship
Explore Private Lesson offerings in Wilmington

Group Classes

Pepron Pilibossian

  • Faculty
  • Piano

Pepron Pilibossian

  • Faculty
  • Piano

Biography

Teaches Piano in Wilmington | Recent appearances: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Walt Disney Hall, Zipper Hall, SOKA. Soloist: Varna Philharmonic, Shumen Symphony, LSU Symphony, Rapides Symphony, Saddleback Symphony. Performances with distinguished artists: Livia Sohn, Kenneth Grant, Emilio Colon. Master Class accompanist for: Boris Belkin, Charles Castelman, Fredell Lack, Benjamin Kamins, Midori, Yfrah Neaman, Charles Neidich, Gustav Rivinius, Sergiu Shwartz, Janos Starker, Camilla Wicks. Summer festivals: Varna Summer, Sarasota, Music Academy of the West, The Kapelle Trio, Round Top International Music Festivals. Official accompanist: DuCrest International Competition. Opera teaching assistant and studio accompanist: USC. Collaborative pianist-in-residence: Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Alberta, Canada; The Master Classes for Musical Improvement in Felechosa, Spain. Broadcasts: Radio Varna; Bulgarian National Radio and Television; Baton Rouge Local TV Channels, KLSU, KUSC, PBS; promotional DVD, Music Academy of the West. Lecturer of piano and collaborative pianist: Delaware State University. Teaching and collaborative pianist positions: Colburn School, Orange County School of the Arts, University of Southern California, University of California Los Angeles, Occidental College, East Los Angeles Community College, Idyllwild Arts Summer Program, Lincoln University.

Private Lessons

  • Piano
Explore Private Lesson offerings in Wilmington

Peyton Cole

  • Instructor
  • Suzuki Piano
  • Suzuki Piano

Peyton Cole

  • Instructor
  • Suzuki Piano
  • Suzuki Piano

Biography

Teaches Suzuki Piano in Wilmington | B.M., piano performance, West Chester University. Performance: Director of Music, Organist, Pianist, Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church. Experience: program development, choir preparation, accompaniment. Scholarship recipient: Viola Shay Voice Scholarship, AGO Next Scholarship, Michael Morochko Piano Scholarship. Suzuki registration: ECC, Suzuki Book 1. Teaching experience: private study.

Private Lessons

  • Suzuki Piano
Inquire About Lessons

Richard Gangwisch

  • Instructor
  • Piano

Richard Gangwisch

  • Instructor
  • Piano

Biography

Teaches in Wilmington | FACULTY WITH SPECIAL DISTINCTION. Suzuki Academy accompanist. B.S., music education, West Chester University; M.M., accompanying, Manhattan School of Music. Teaching experience: West Chester University, Gesamthochschule Kassel (Germany), Loire Valley Music Institute (France), Freie Waldorfschule Kassel, Eurhythmy pianist. Performance experience: piano soloist (Germany), chamber music concerts, faculty and student accompanist at West Chester University.

Private Lessons

  • Piano
Inquire About Lessons

Rick Barrantes Agüero

  • Instructor
  • Bassoon
  • Bassoon
  • Musicianship

Rick Barrantes Agüero

  • Instructor
  • Bassoon
  • Bassoon
  • Musicianship

Biography

Teaches in Wilmington | Degrees: National Music Institute of Costa Rica; Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto; D.M.A., Temple University. Competitions: 1st Prize, Püchner Competition COFCAM 2015; Quarterfinalist at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition 2021. Soloist: Wilmington Community Orchestra, Temple University Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Chamber Orchestra, Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Sinfonia, GGS Chamber Orchestra, Youth Orchestra of Guatemala. Guest bassoonist: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, York Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Symphony in C, the Second Ending Ensemble, APEX Ensemble, Berks Sinfonietta, Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, Toronto Concert Orchestra, Niagara Symphony Orchestra. Former principal positions: Lucern Festival Contemporary Orchestra (Switzerland), AIMS Festival Orchestra (Austria), Brevard Music Center Institute, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Youth Orchestra of Central America (Panama). Current affiliation: Principal Bassoon of the New Jersey Chamber Orchestra. Instructor: Temple University Community Music Scholars Program at Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, Millersville University, The Music School of Delaware, Philadelphia International Music Festival. Teaching experience: Interlochen Arts Camp, The Philadelphia Orchestra, All-City Fellowship, Temple Music Prep, SiNEM/El Sistema (Costa Rica), School of Symphonic Music of Pérez Zeledón, ANC Young Music Camp (Panama). Masterclasses: The Glenn Gould School (Canada), University of Delaware, University of the Pacific, Guaranda International Music Festival (Ecuador), National Conservatory of Tegucigalpa (Honduras), and Youth Symphony Orchestra of Nicaragua.

Private Lessons

  • Bassoon
  • Musicianship
Inquire About Lessons

Staff

Our staff ensures daily operations run smoothly – supporting families, programs, and events so students can focus on their music.

President & CEO

David J. Pacific

Administrative Staff

Business Office

Mary Jane Vanvestraut

Director of Community Engagements

Jenna Morris

Business/HR Manager

Program

Cheri Astolfi

Dean

Stephen Tipping

Program Associate

Registration

Maria Rusu

Senior Student Services Manager

Anna Hall

Billing and Student Services Associate

Felicia Tyrrell

Student Services Associate

Communications & Development

Jeana Beno

Director of Development

Madeline Perri

Grants & Stewardship Administrator

Seth Schilling

Development Associate

Jennifer Marang

Senior Manager, Digital Evolution and Special Projects

Front Desk & Office Staff

Laura Beasley

Lead Front Desk Associate
Milford

Creet Vogt

Lead Front Desk Associate
Wilmington

Caroline Schaffer Robin

Front Desk Associate
Wilmington

Yvette Rudolph

Front Desk Associate
Wilmington

Johannah Esi Siefe

Front Desk Associate
Wilmington

Mike Wadsworth

Front Desk Associate
Milford

Facilities

Patrick Durnan

Facilities Manager

Herbert Poe

Senior Security Officer

Jermaine Richardson

Security Officer

Board of Directors

Our board provides vision, leadership, and support to guide The Music School of Delaware’s mission and growth.

Christopher Stout, Board Chair
Jennifer Cresswell, Vice Chair
Lawrence A. Hamermesh, Esq., Treasurer
Elyse Poinsett, Secretary
Nina Anderson, DNP
Susan Booker
John G. Day
David L. DeVoll
Jennette Fennimore
Monica Joshi, MD
Kathy Nachbar
Robert Rinaldi
Jonathan H. Salvin, MD
Elizabeth Stout
Bruce I. Dittmar, PhD, Director
Emeritus (non-voting)
Marie Mauk Stewart, Director
Emerita (non-voting)

Centennial Council Members

Karen Ahramjian
Mary Jo Anderson
Michael W. Arrington
The Honorables Bernard and Helen* Balick
Glen D. Barbaras*
Vivian Barton
Thomas F. Bayard IV
Susan N. Booker
Kenneth O. Boulton
Larry and Linda* Breedlove
David Bromberg and Nancy Josephson
David Auldon Brown
K. Elizabeth Brown
Chris and Maria Buccini
David Burris
Michael Burris
Scott Burris
David G. and Ann* Burton
Thaddeus K. Bythewood, Jr.*
Sam and Mariah Calagione
Rudolph A. Carboni, M.D.*
The Honorable Thomas R. and Mrs. Martha S. Carper
Lotus Cheng
James and Kanako Clarke
Lynne M. Cooksey, DMA
Tatiana B. Copeland
Richard Corroon
Thomas L. Cover
John D’Agostino
Donna DeLaurentis and Richard A. Fisher, M.D.
Susan Detwiler
Bruce I. Dittmar, Ph.D.
Richard Diver*
Eleuthere du Pont
Irénée du Pont, Jr.*
Betty S. Duncan
Charles J. Durante
Dr. Lanny and Michelle Edelsohn
Veronica Eid
Dr. Clarence Faulcon* and Jacqueline Beach Faulcon
Clairmarie H. Field
Dorothy and Louis Finger*
Karen Flint
Peter Flint, Jr.
Nancy Frederick
Michelle Freeman
Sally M. Gakenheimer*
Anne S. Gallagher
Michele Rossi Gildea
Herman L.* and Charlotte K.* Glotzer
Barbara S. Govatos
Gary Graffman
Mary Graham
Rachel Grier-Reynolds
Lawrence A. Hamermesh
Michael Hanson
David and Teri Harwell
Thomas Herholdt
A. Clinton Hewes, M.D.
Eldon du Pont Homsey*
David M. Hudson
Catherine C. Hughes*
Mark Huntley
Kathryn M. Jakabcin
Naomi J. Jefferson*
Eric T. Johnson, M.D. and Amy W. Johnson
Terrence Johnson
John M. and Susan Kerns
David Kim
Maria T. Klocko
Martha Rhoads Kob
John T. and Inge D. Konther
David Krauss
David Kubacki
Kenneth J.* and Mary Louise Kubacki
Neal Kurz
Helen Kwalwasser*
Michael Larkin
The Honorable J. Travis and Rebecca G. Laster
Holly Lissner
Ivar A. “Bud” Lundgaard* and Susan R. Duer
Harvey W. and Austina T. Maclary
Michael Marinelli
Vincent Marinelli
Robert and Alice Martinelli
David F. Marvin
Robin Mayforth
Virginia S. Mayforth
Stephen Mazur, PhD
David C. McBride, Esq
Dr. Diana Metzger
Mable R. Morrison
C. David Murtagh
Parry M. and Nancy N. Norling*
Mary Ellen Northrop*
Rudy Nyhoff
Linda O’Connor
Richard Pack
Mark A. Parsells
Diane Pascal
Elayne Penn
Michelle A. Peters
Nancy Ransom*
Pauline Raughley
Robert Layton Reed*
Tracy Richardson
Gabrielle K. Rinaldi
Robert Rinaldi
Philip D. and Sandra Robers
C. Lawler Rogers, Sr.*
Michele Rossi
David W. Ryerson*
Bryan Shupe
Dennis Silicato
Nicole Silicato-Miller
Henry Smithies
Malcolm A. Smook*
Elizabeth Snyder
Wilson G. Somers
Joan R. Spiegelman
William J. Stegeman, Ph.D.*
Marka G. Stepper
Marie Mauk Stewart
Johanne C. Strahan*
Karleen C. Strayer
Evelyn Swensson
Maggie Thompson
Cynthia duPont Tobias
Steve Van Order and Anne Barney
John Weikart*
Philip B.* and Peggy Weymouth
Robert Wynn
Michael Yaffe
Wilmington Campus

4101 N Washington Street

Wilmington, DE 19802

302-762-1132

Milford Campus

23 N Walnut St,
Milford, DE 19963
302-422-2043

© 2026 The Music School of Delaware. All rights reserved.

This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.