FASHION WEEK ROCHESTER PROGRAM: October 24, 2024

Vocal Score Arrangement: Alison Cuchiarale

ROC CITY SINGERS CAST

ROC CITY SINGERS BIO

DANIEL GWIRTZMAN’S BIO

ROC CITY SINGERS STAFF

ROC CITY SINGERS CAST

Manny Boadu, Paige Blonsky, DeNeri Brooks-Rivera, Ellie Brown, Lucy Buermann, Evan Burdick, Ella Collazo, Thomas Crane, Ava Cuchiarale, Fiona Culhane, John Dean, Giada De Marco, Katelin Disalvo, Viveka Frisk, Ryan Hinks, Vasilios Koupas, Stella Lecce, Reginald Leslie, Lexi Lopez, Nate Lynch, Thomas Lynch, Rowan Murphy, Aaliyah Nicholas, Eden Salisbury, Isaiah Salisbury, Rylynn Schrader, Marcus Shelley, Camryn St. John, Katarina Szulgit, Rebel Van Slyke

ROC CITY SINGERS BIO

ROC CITY SINGERS is a Regional Performance Group, Founded and Directed by Judith A. Ranaletta, in 2011. This year’s dynamic and highly diverse group represents some of the BEST high school talent in the Greater Rochester Area. Its 28 members, most of whom are aspiring to careers in the Performing Arts, come from 19 different schools and 5 Counties. This group is the perfect vehicle to not only develop and hone your skills as a triple threat, but also to perform throughout the community. In addition, the group provides an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with other highly motivated and talented performers, and to work with a highly skilled, experienced and professional staff.

Since its inception in 2011, people have recognized the uniqueness of this group. In 2011, ROC CITY SINGERS were invited to perform for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Performance highlights include 9 highly acclaimed, Sold-Out, Rochester FRINGE FESTIVAL appearances, The Rochester TOP 100 CHAMBER AWARDS, The Rochester ATHENA Awards, The Lilac Festival, Rochester FASHION WEEK, the Rochester INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL , and the 2013 PGA guest concerts with Lou Gramm and FOREIGNER.

They have also shared numerous concerts with the U of R Yellow Jackets. Averaging about 20 performances per year, other performance opportunities have included numerous Benefit Galas , including HITTS for ENDLESS HIGHWAYS, The Ukraine, Buffalo Survivors, and Puerto Rican Relief Funds, Angels of Mercy, The Center for Youth, SMILES, The Episcopal Senior Living Facilities, Monroe Community Hospital, the Italian American Civic Center, The Rochester Oratorio Society, and Greece Performing Arts. Additional performance venues include numerous Country Clubs, Churches, and Senior Living Facilities. The group has also recently enjoyed 2 performance tours throughout Italy, and is preparing for their third tour in the Spring of 2025.

Founder and Director, Ranaletta, has been on the cutting edge of the Show Choir Art Form for over 4 decades, having led the 2 time NATIONAL CHAMPION, Greece Athena High School Show Choir, to numerous Championships and International Acclaim. Her show choir was the feature of the 2010 British Documentary, “GLEEFUL”. Ranaletta is a professional singer, actress, director and teacher. She received her Masters Degree in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College, with an undergraduate minor in Theatre, and did her post-graduate, Doctoral work, in Vocal Performance at the Eastman School of Music. She has performed throughout the United States, and in Europe, and has sung with an Opera Company in Spoleto, Italy.

In addition, Judith has built an outstanding reputation, over the years, for inspiring young performers and cultivating careers for those interested in pursuing the arts beyond high school. Since retiring from Greece Athena High School, this TONY AWARD NOMINATED EDUCATOR in THEATRE, continues to teach and direct throughout the community and nationally, as well. In addition to directing numerous shows for OFC Creations, Judith was also the Artistic Director and long-time Resident Director for Rochester Association of the Performing Arts, (RAPA), as well as long-time Resident Stage Director for the Rochester Lyric Opera, and a Guest Director for Rochester Screen Plays, as well as for the Roberts Wesleyan College and Community Theatre and Opera Programs.

Judith also maintains a Private Voice and Acting Studio. Her students have appeared in 44 different BROADWAY SHOWS and numerous others are seen in National Tours, on International Recording Labels, in film and television, on Cruise Ships, and in Opera houses world-wide. Obie Award-Winning Actress, Film and TV Star, Donna Lynne Champlin, Broadway Superstar Kara Lindsay, and SONY recording Artist Robin McKelle, are among her dozens of highly successful voice and acting students. Judith has also twice been honored with the PRESIDENTIAL ARTS SCHOLAR OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD by both Presidents George H. Bush and Barack Obama. Most recently, Judith has started her own highly innovative Production Company, thrilling audiences at The Century Club of Rochester, with Innovative, Interactive and Immersive Theatre, where Judith also serves as the Arts Program Director.

DANIEL GWIRTZMAN’S BIO

Dancer, educator, and filmmaker Daniel Gwirtzman celebrates thirty years as a New York City choreographer and company director in 2025. Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company (DGDC), the modern dance company he directs, is known for its vibrant and optimistic ethos. The Company has been committed to education since its inception, operating with the philosophy, pedagogy, and programming that everyone can join the dance. The repertory is known for its invention, humor, musicality, stylistic diversity, charismatic performances, and accessibility. “Mr. Gwirtzman does know that in dance less can be more” writes The New York Times, “he can evoke strong feelings with a few gestures.” The New Yorker describes him as a choreographer of “high spirits and skill.” The Village Voice has written, “an abundantly inventive artist with a subtle defiance of gender roles.” Daniel has enjoyed residencies and fellowships throughout the U.S. and abroad. Collaborations that erode boundaries, take risks, blend genres and disciplines, involve disparate communities, promote accessibility, and celebrate performers’ individuality and humanity are areas of focus. Dance With Us, an online educational resource created with leadership support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, is designed to demystify choreography, and to increase the public’s knowledge of, and comfort viewing and speaking about, dance. The free platform showcases his practice as a filmmaker working in the dance for camera genre for over a decade and his commitment to making dance available to all. DGDC’s 2024 residencies include the Dora Maar Cultural Center in Provence, France, and the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC.

VISIT DANIEL’S FULL BIO PAGE HERE!

ROC CITY SINGERS STAFF

JUDITH RANALETTA: Founder/ Artistic & Musical Director
FRED DICESARE: Instrumental Director/Pianist & Arranger
ALISON CUCHIARALE: Recital & Rehearsal Pianist/Arranger
PATTI DIPASQUALE: Treasurer/ Wardrobe/Group Coordinator
ANNEMARIE VIAVATTINE: Principal Choreographer
JONATHAN BENN: Choreographer
BRIAN KOVACH: Sound Engineer
SHELLY STAM: Costume Consultant
WENDY & DAN NOVELLIN: Alumnae Parent Staff
LINDA & DAVID SCHIFFHAUER: Parent Coordinator/Group Photographer
JAMIE DISALVO: Assistant Parent Coordinator
ERIN CULHANE: Costume Assistant
HON. JOHN C. NINFO ll: HOUSE MANAGER