Our Teachers
Eugene Posniewski
Our Director
Eugene Posniewski is the founder and program director of Eugene’s Music & Learning Studio, where he combines a lifelong love of music with over a decade of teaching experience. A summa cum laude graduate of the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase College, Eugene holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and Opera Studies, and has studied with respected mentors including Mina Kim, Joan Krueger, Hugh Murphy, and Jacque Trussel.
Eugene has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, and venues throughout Westchester County, Greenwich, and Europe. He is also a classically trained pianist in the Russian method, an accompanist, baritone soloist, and a Kindermusik-certified educator specializing in early childhood music.
From babies discovering their first rhythms to advanced students preparing for international competitions, Eugene is committed to helping every learner grow in skill, confidence, and creativity. His students have gone on to perform and place in events such as the Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition and the International Bach Competition.
Under Eugene’s leadership, the studio has grown to a faculty of more than seventy dedicated teachers, all sharing his belief that music education should inspire joy, foster discipline, and encourage lifelong learning.
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"Sophie loved her first lesson! The second we walked out of the building she asked, “Can I do that every day?”! She especially loved the rhythm sticks, and she immediately came home to our piano and started doing the lesson Eugene taught her. She's hooked!" - Studio Mom
Anneke Honor
Assistant Director of Voice
Piano & Voice
Soprano and pianist Anneke Honor earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory (NEC). Anneke received her Master's degree in Opera Performance from the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College. While at NEC, she made her Jordan Hall debut as a soloist in the contemporary work The Awakening, under the direction of Maestro Simon Carrington. She also performed the role of Second Woman in Dido and Aeneas and participated in various ensemble roles with the undergraduate opera studio. She was a soloist in Bach Cantatas 199 and 202 with her Baroque Chamber Ensemble as part of the NEC's Chamber Music Gala.
Anneke holds a certificate in Baroque performance from Barock Vokal at the Hochschule für Musik, Mainz, where she worked with early music specialists Konrad Junghanel, Dr. Claudia Eder, Emma Kirkby and Andreas Scholl. Her performance of "Ombre Piante" from Rodelinda was described as “evoking a profound and somber introspection” by the Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz. A lover of chamber music, Anneke has participated in Baroque chamber music ensembles at the New England Conservatory, Amherst Early Music Festival, Vancouver Early Music Festival, and the Sommerakademie Neuburg.
An avid chorister, Anneke has also traveled to Canada, Germany, England, The Netherlands, Austria, and South Africa, and has sung under renowned directors such as Dr. William Weinert, Simon Carrington, Erica Washburn, Dr. Joel Navarro and Dr. Pearl Shangkuan. This past summer, she participated in the Westchester Summer Vocal Institute, where she performed as Susanna in scenes from Le nozze di Figaro and as Second Lady in scenes from Die Zauberflöte.
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"Lessons with Anneke are enjoyable and progressing well. We have nothing but good things to say about Anneke! She is encouraging a love of music that will last forever." - Noel Petriello
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"Our lessons are going great! Anneke always has great energy - she keeps the kids focused, motivated, and happy." - Studio Mom
Barbara Rosenthal
Piano, Viola, & Violin
Barbara Rosenthal is a Westchester-based violinist, teacher, arts administrator, and orchestra founder. She studied at the University of Rochester with Eastman School of Music violinist Abram Boone and with Elliot Magaziner at Manhattanville College, where she was a Music Education student. As a young person, after falling in love with the piano, her dream was to play all the instruments in the orchestra. She has been lucky to have played viola, cello, and flute throughout her life!
Her passion for music has led to a long career inspiring young musicians and adults alike to pursue their instruments, whether they are beginners or returning to music after a long hiatus. This led to her founding the Westchester Community Orchestra in 2008, which welcomes adult amateur musicians at all levels. She was also the founder of the strings program for Irvington Public Schools and briefly ran its elementary school orchestra program. As Finance Manager of the Bronx Arts Ensemble, she had the opportunity to shape policy for both its concert series and its
arts-in-education program.
Barbara tremendously enjoys supporting her students to grow and mature as they develop their musicianship and discover how music enhances their lives!
Bobby Durante
Double Bass, Guitar, & Piano
Robert Durante is a piano and guitar instructor classically trained in double bass and music composition. A native of Westchester, he received his undergraduate degree in Music and History from Binghamton University. He then received his Master's in Education from Lehman College. Bobby currently works as a middle school teacher at the Windward School in White Plains. He is trained in numerous musical styles including classical, jazz, and pop. In his free time, he enjoys composing original pieces and performing in the Saint Thomas Community Orchestra in Rye, New York.
Bobby believes that music lessons should be a fun and meaningful experience for both the student and teacher. By developing an individual plan for each student based on their interests and goals, he encourages his students to be the best musicians they can be!
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"My son is loving his lessons with Bobby and making remarkable strides in his piano skills!" ~ Studio Parent
Chris Nardelli
Bass Guitar, Drums, Guitar, Piano, Studio Composition, & Voice
New York City–based musician, educator, and producer Chris Nardelli holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Engineering from Berklee College of Music, magna cum laude. At Berklee, he served as a Peer Trainer in the Creative Technology Center, mentoring classmates in recording, mixing, and production.
Chris has taught for several years and served as a music instructor and band director at Burn Brae Day Camp, arranging repertoire and leading student concert ensembles for ages 7–17. An actively performing musician, he plays in a live band and works professionally as a producer and audio engineer; he also engineers live sound at Euphoria Studios. A member of the Audio Engineering Society, Chris is comfortable in Pro Tools, Ableton Live, and Logic Pro.
In lessons, Chris focuses on healthy technique, rhythm and theory foundations, and creative confidence—meeting each student where they are. He offers a songwriting and recording pathway for interested learners (home-studio basics, mic technique, and session workflow) and coaches practical performance skills—from soundcheck etiquette to stage presence—so young musicians can express themselves and create meaningful art.
Chris Nicolo
Drums & Piano
Chris Nicolo is a professional freelance drummer, percussionist, and private music instructor. He began playing drums at the age of 9 and piano at age 13. At age 16, he began performing professionally and has amassed a wealth of experience in many different musical styles, including rock, jazz, Latin, classical, and more.
Chris graduated from New Jersey City University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a Concentration in Jazz and Classical Performance. While in school, he was fortunate enough to perform with the great Randy Brecker as part of a program presenting the music of Miles Davis. He studied the drums with Dave Ratajczak, Akira Tana, Tim Horner. He also studied classical percussion with Jim Neglia. Additionally, Chris has studied privately with Keith Carlock and Cliff Almond.
He has since performed locally, nationally, and globally in many different settings.
Chris has been teaching for almost twenty years. He enjoys teaching the art of making music and helping his students find their unique voice and confidence, regardless of playing experience.
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"Chris is the best!" - Johnny
Erika Lieberman
Celtic Harp
Harpist Erika Lieberman has worked as a musician and composer for over twenty years. As a teacher of beginner-level lever harp, also known as the "folk harp" or the "Celtic harp," she lays the foundation for students to move over to pedal harp (or "orchestral harp") if they so desire.
Erika plays in a variety of musical styles, but specializes in Celtic folk music, Renaissance/early music, and film and video game scores. She performs at Renaissance and folk festivals all over the East Coast, as well as theatrical productions, the circus, weddings, Victorian high teas, restaurants, corporate events, gallery openings, nursing homes, and more! In addition to her robust career as a soloist, Erika is an accomplished ensemble and folk band musician, as well as a recording artist. She has also worked as a music director for various theatre companies and festivals in New York and New Jersey.
Erika holds degrees in Film Scoring and Music Technology from New York University. She is currently working toward a CMC (Clinical Music Certification) to play bedside healing harp at hospitals and hospices. Erika likes to incorporate stories about the harp into lessons, particularly with young students. Adults often find these myths and histories fascinating, as well! She teaches a variety of musical styles on the harp, focusing on standards, traditional Celtic music, and light classical music, as well as Disney and pop!
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Evan Palmer
Bass Guitar, Double Bass, Drums, English Horn, Oboe, and Piano.
Evan Palmer (they/them) is an improviser, bassist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn. They specialize in avant-garde and improvised music. Raised in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Evan moved to Boston in 2018 to attend Berklee College of Music, where they studied with John Lockwood, Francisco Mela, Bob Gullotti, Bruce Gertz, Bruno Räberg, and Linda May Han Oh. They graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Music in Bass Performance.
Evan's music draws from a wide variety of influences. These include jazz, Latin, European classical, and folk, but with a focus on improvisation, avant-garde music and experimentation. Their music comes from a place of freedom and exploration, with a desire to create sounds that have never been heard before!
Evan is a frequent feature of the New York and New England improvised music and jazz scenes. They have performed and recorded with many artists including Francisco Mela, Tony Malaby, Phil Grenadier, Nat Mugavero, and Greg Kelley, and have performed at the New York Forward Festival and the Arts for Art InGardens festival. Evan has also given performance and composition masterclasses with John Dalton's Spheres of Influence and the Jim Robitaille Group at UMass Dartmouth, Springfield College, and the West Medford Community Center. Evan is also an up-and-coming bandleader, performing with their group all over the Northeast.
Evan believes that music has the power to lift all of us, change our thinking, and make us into better people. They see education as a crucial and central part of helping students discover the joy of creating!
Gavin Maguda
Bass Guitar, Drums, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone, & Voice
Gavin Maguda is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer from Rochester, New York. He began studying music at 4 years old and is a graduate of SUNY Purchase, where he graduated summa cum laude from the Studio Production program. As a pianist, guitarist, bassist, drummer, saxophonist and vocalist, he is well-versed in a variety of different music styles and genres.
Gavin has nearly two decades of performing experience. He has played with local bands in Rochester and White Plains. Gavin also writes, produces and records original music and has released several albums, EPs, and singles as a solo artist. He releases new music every Friday the 13th!
Gavin has taught private music lessons to students of all ages and now brings his experience to Eugene’s Music and Learning Studio. He strives to help his students develop their love for music the way his own teachers did for him!
Grace Boniello
Flute, Piano, & Voice
Grace Boniello is a flutist, pianist, and vocalist from Larchmont, New York. She is a graduate of Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, where she received her Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and Music Education. During her time there, she has participated in the Hartt Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, as well as its mixed ensemble, Foot in the Door, where she became well-versed in contemporary music.
Grace began playing flute at the age of 9 and piano at age 12. An accomplished performer, she has played in pit orchestras for Hansel and Gretel, Les Misérables, Into the Woods, Mamma Mia!, and Singin’ in the Rain. As a vocalist, Grace has performed in the Hartt Treble Choir, as well as open mic performances. She enjoys covering songs in the indie, R&B, and folk genres and writing her own songs with piano and guitar accompaniment. She is interested in all genres of music and in turn hopes to inspire her students to approach music with the same open-mindedness.
Grace has been teaching music for several years. She believes that every student has creativity within and she loves to teach students how to express themselves through music and have fun!
Jake Albi
Drums, Guitar, Piano, & Songwriting
Jake Albi is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and audio engineer originally from Mount Pleasant, New York. He has been performing for over two decades across various genres and projects, including recent concert appearances at the Pleasantville Music Festival, The Paramount Theatre in Peekskill, The Viper Room in Los Angeles, and many more. He is drummer and vocalist for his professional rock band, The Bluechips, and provides guitar, piano, and lead vocals for his other band, Imposters.
Jake graduated from Mercy University in 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Production and Recording Arts. He is in demand as an audio engineer and mixer, producing albums of many artists. Jake loves getting his students excited about learning the guitar, piano, and drums! As a teacher to students of all ages, his goal is for every student to tap into their creative side in every piece they learn.
Julian Slavin
Bass Guitar, Composition, & Guitar
Julian Slavin is a composer and classical guitarist from Port Chester, New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition, he studied with Phyllis Chen, Christiana Fortune-Reader, and Mark Dziuba, and collaborated with artists-in-residence including Nathan Davis and the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York. While at New Paltz, he also served as a teaching assistant for music theory.
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Equally at home in classical, blues, metal, and rock, Julian performs and teaches across styles—helping students build strong technique, expressive tone, and confident musicianship on both nylon- and steel-string guitar. As a composer, he has written string quartets, orchestral works, and sonatas for violin, viola, and guitar; his senior project was a multi-movement sonata for viola and piano. His debut album, A Portrait of a Young Artist (January 2025), features the music of J. S. Bach, jazz standards, and two improvisations; his current project adapts Bach’s Six Sonatas and Partitas for Violin for guitar.
Julian believes lessons should be personal, encouraging, and musically rich. He meets each student where they are, blending ear training and theory with repertoire they love, so players of all ages can grow skill, creativity, and a lifelong love of music!
Maura Lefèvre
Acting & Voice
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Maura Lefevre is a New York City-based classically trained soprano and actress. She made her Feinstein’s/54 Below debut in June 2018 under the direction of Lindsay Mendez and Ryan Scott Oliver. She has returned twice as a soloist since.
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Recent NYC credits include Cosette in Les Misérables, Annelle in Steel Magnolias, Bielke in Fiddler on the Roof, and Laverna in the world premiere of Into the Beyond, presented at The Shakespeare Forum’s Summer Festival.
Maura graduated summa cum laude from the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase College with a Bachelor of Music degree in Opera/Vocal Performance. While at SUNY Purchase she performed as Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Gretel in Hansel and Gretel.
After graduating, Maura continued her vocal studies in Paris, France at The Conservatoire de Saint Nom La Bretèche.
Maura believes first and foremost in cultivating and expanding her students’ love of music. She strives to instill confidence in her students and provide a nurturing space for exploring their instrument. She is equally dedicated to helping her students be the best musicians they can be and taking the time to understand their individual needs!
Melissa Neyer
Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Viola, & Violin
Melissa Neyer is a double bassist and music educator based in the greater New York City area. She is also the Orchestra Director at Port Chester High School.
As an active bass player, Melissa has participated in ensembles such as the String Orchestra of Brooklyn, Chelsea Symphony, and Richmond County Opera. She has also played in pit orchestras for Legally Blonde, Mamma Mia!, High School Musical and more. In the summer, Melissa can be found at the box office at the Caramoor Center for Music and Arts.
Melissa graduated from NYU Steinhardt with a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance and a Master of Arts in Music Education. Her previous bass teachers include Joseph Bongiorno, Jiri Slavik, Kenneth Schwartzman, and Eugene Levinson.
Melissa believes that music lessons foster creativity, critical thinking, and emotional expression, providing students with the lifelong skills that enrich both their academic and personal lives!
Michael McAvoy
Assistant Director of Strings
Assistant Director of Early Childhood Music
Cello, Piano, & Voice
Acclaimed by Naples Daily News for his range, resonance, and interpretive skill, baritone Michael McAvoy has been singing and teaching for decades. Recently, he sang in Josh Groban’s backup quartet at Radio City Music Hall, Nassau Coliseum, Madison Square Garden, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, and on PBS.
Michael's various accolades include the New York Classical Music Society’s Gold Prize, a certificate of achievement in The Progressive Musicians Online Classics Competition, Grand Finalist in the International Talents of the World Competition, second place winner of the American Prize Competition (men in art song and oratorio category), and first prize in the oratorio division of the Lyra New York International Vocal Competition.
Michael has performed nationally with opera companies and orchestras, most notably Connecticut Concert Opera, Connecticut Lyric Opera, the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Opera Theater, Opera Naples, The Naples Philharmonic Chorale, The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, Bronx Opera, and Light Opera of New York. Following winning the Opera Theater of Connecticut’s Amici Vocal Competition, Michael performed several roles in their opera productions, including Peter in Hansel and Gretel, Le Dancaïre in Carmen, Barone Douphol in La traviata, and Figaro in The Barber of Seville.
Michael holds a degree in Vocal Performance from The University of Connecticut. He continues to study voice with Dr. Constance Rock from the UConn faculty. He is the baritone soloist and bass section leader at Rye Presbyterian Church.
Michael loves seeing his students grow as musicians and performers! He enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels and nurturing their individual strengths.
Raphaella Medina
Piano & Voice
Mezzo-soprano Raphaella Medina is a graduate of the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston and the College of Music at Florida State University. This season, she will make her title role debut as Béatrice in a double bill of Berlioz’ Béatrice et Bénédict and Mascangi’s Cavalleria rusticana. Last season, she made her Winter Opera St. Louis debut as Zerlina (Don Giovanni), reprised her role as Diana (Cruzar la Cara de la Luna) with Opera Santa Barbara, and appeared as a guest soloist with the Villages Philharmonic Orchestra. Raphi has also performed with Opera Orlando, Opera Saratoga, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, as well as made concert and recital appearances with Orlando Ballet, The Villages Philharmonic, Florentine Opera, and the Leipzig Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Germany. She was praised by Orlando Sentinel for her ability to "exquisitely set the scene" and by The Villages Daily Sun for her "vibrant voice and ability to entrance."
Raphi has experience teaching voice to students of all ages and levels! Using her years of university-level study, she uses her classical training to create healthy, sustainable technique that can be applied to any style of singing. Raphi takes immense pride in giving her students all the tools they need to express themselves!
Susan Leiter
Early Childhood, Guitar, & Piano
Susan Leiter joins us as a retiree from the bird department of the Bronx Zoo. Her lifelong love of music was fostered from an early age by her family. Susan has played various instruments all her life, including piano, harp, tenor recorder, guitar, ukulele, and voice. When she isn’t teaching, she performs recorder in a quartet, and sings in a barbershop quartet and chorus.
Susan spent many years educating children about animals and the natural world, and now applies that experience to awakening children's love and excitement for creating music. She knows the value of early musical experiences in creating an interest that can enrich your entire life, no matter your chosen profession. Her many years’ experience with teaching behavior through positive reinforcement has enabled her to create a learning environment that is responsive to the unique learning styles of early childhood.
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Susan believes that early childhood is a time to cultivate feelings, a sense of the beautiful, and excitement about the new and unknown. She knows that children have a natural love for animals and for music, and she has discovered that children's emotional response to these subjects enables a passionate teacher to foster the courage to try out new skills and discover a love of learning!