Chapter Officers
Audrey Rome, President
 Audrey Rome is a music education major in her senior year at C.W. Post under the pianistic instruction of Professor Stephanie D. Watt. Audrey has played piano at local venues, including the Sterling Glen in Roslyn and the Marquis Center in Glen Cove. She has also performed at Steinway Hall with members of the C.W. Post Keyboard Club, and at the Tilles Center as a percussionist and a pianist for the University Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra. In addition, Audrey plays Renaissance Harp in the early music based Merriweather Consort and trumpet in the Pep Band. Even above performing and dedicating time to these ensembles, Audrey takes the most pride in teaching her devoted piano and flute students. In addition, Audrey has had experience working with students in marching band and general music settings. Audrey’s passion for teaching and sharing music has led to her position as president of the Long Island University Chapter of the Music Educator’s National Conference, as well as working with Professor Elise Sobol as her mentor for her honors thesis entitled "Creative Methods for Teaching Concepts of Musical Form". Audrey is elated to announce that before her upcoming graduation and semester of student teaching, she will co-present a session on Teaching Special Learners using Boomwhackers, Frog Guiros, and Drum Buckets with her colleagues. Audrey is proud of her co-creation in activities such as “Music: Home and Beyond” (teaching general music to home-schooled students at the Holtsville Ecology Center) and “The School Music Alive Drive” (a collection of useful items for music students donated to Roosevelt School District). She looks forward to her senior recital in the spring, followed by performances by her own students in the “Perfect Harmony” recital held by CMENC each year.
Seth Dowling, Treasurer
 Seth Dowling graduated from Patchogue-Medford H.S. in 2002. He then attended Suffolk County Community College to pursue a career in electrical engineering. After spending some time at SCCC, he found a love for teaching after tutoring some of his peers. He also desired the need to be more creative and not restricted to specific plans. Because of these two things, he decided to go to his old love of music. Seth started playing trombone in 4th grade as most students do. When he reached middle school, he joined the jazz band and the pit for the play Anne. By the time he hit 8th grade, he had picked up the guitar as well. He continued to play the trombone in both band and jazz band when he reached H.S. but also picked up marching band. The guitar he played on his leisure time with friends joining a garage band and playing whenever he could. After H.S., Seth dropped his music studies and pursued a career in electrical engineering. After spending some time in the field, he felt restricted in his creative thinking from being forced to follow specific plans, and was interested in something more. He also found that he enjoyed teaching others when he tutored a couple of his peers when they were struggling through one of the classes. It was at this time that he decided to go back to his old love of music after being out of it for 4 years straight. In the late winter of 2006, Seth began taking piano lessons and working hard to progress faster than the typical student so that he could use it as a teaching tool. In the fall of 2006, he started the music program as SCCC. After three semesters at SCCC in the music program he felt he was ready for a better musical environment and transferred to C.W. Post to finish his Bachelor’s degree in music education. Seth joined the C.W. Post music education program in the spring of 2008, joining CMENC and was voted in as CMENC treasurer. He is now a junior and looking forward to the upcoming semesters as each education class he takes introduces new and interesting ways of teaching to all different types of groups.
Justan Dakes, Secretary
 Justan Dakes graduated from C.W. Post in 2006 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Instrumental Performance from the School of Visual and Performing Arts. In his undergraduate career, he was involved in many ensembles including the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Pep Band, and Chorus. At C.W. Post, he has studied trumpet with Rodger Lee, Chris Jaudes, and Peter Deschler. As a freelance musician, he has played lead trumpet in several pit orchestras in New Jersey for shows such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, South Pacific, The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie, Brigadoon, Anything Goes, Crazy for You, Hello Dolly!, and Kiss Me Kate. In 2005, Justan had the honor of performing with the Eighth Annual National Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, under the direction of H. Robert Reynolds. Currently, Justan is the Graduate Assistant Conductor for the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra at C.W. Post. He is working towards a Master of Science degree in Music Education.
Mike Baratelli, President-Elect
Mike Baratelli is currently a sophomore pursuing a B.M of Music Education and Instrumental Performance at the C.W Post Campus of Long Island University. He currently studies saxophone with Professor Tim Ruedeman and Professor T.K Blue. Mr. Baratelli is the principle alto saxophonist in the Symphonic Band and the principle tenor saxophonist in the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo.
Kristina Allocco, Program Coordinator
 Kristina Allocco is a music education major currently in her senior year at C.W. Post Long Island University. Her major instrument if flute (from the studio of Karla Moe) though you will often find her playing piccolo in most ensembles. Currently Kristina is the co-principal flautist for the C.W. Post Orchestra, and is the piccolo player for both the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. In addition, she plays with the C.W. Post pep band, and plays in the pit for several theater houses across Long Island. Kristina has also toured Europe, performing in nine countries, including venues such as the Mozartium in Salzburg, the Vienna Palace, and was a member of the first youth chamber ensemble to ever perform a memorial concert in Auschwitz. She is looking forward to her senior recital later this semester. Kristina believes in the highest standards of music education, and is devoted to all of her current students. She is thrilled to be co-creator of the program “Music: Home and Beyond” which brings music theory, history, and instrumental opportunities to home-schooled children ages 5-15 living in Suffolk County. As an active member of CMENC Kristina has also co-taught at YELA (Young Entrepreneurs Leadership Academy) which specializes in at risk high school students. Kristina is also looking forward to presenting in this year’s NYSSMA conference with her esteemed colleagues.
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