Joan Seigle
President of the Board

Erin Mistele
Secretary

Janine Murtha
Treasurer

Pamela Nardone
Chair of Events

Ferrill Roll
Chair of Finance

Joanne Borek

Gloria Chu

Brian Harlow

Catherine Pane

Jennifer Pierson, In Memoriam

Kristin Sands

Richard Somerset Ward

Frederica von Stade, Honorary Artistic Advisor

Past TRUSTEES

Richard B. McGlynn, Esq.

Clementina Gardner

Linda Walker, Esq.

Stephen Sands, a GRAMMY-nominated “crystalline tenor” (Backstage) and acclaimed by the New York Times as “a tenor with a focused, powerful tone,” possesses a vocal artistry marked by subtlety and poignancy. With Bachelors and Masters degrees from Westminster Choir College, he is a recipient of the NJ Excellence in the Arts award.

In demand as a soloist, conductor, music educator, and ensemble member, Stephen is sought after by prestigious institutions and conductors across the United States. A distinguished conductor, he is set to lead performances at Carnegie Hall in February 2024 with Downtown Voices and in May 2025 with Mid-America Productions, conducting Ola Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass.

As the conductor of Downtown Voices, a key component of the Trinity Wall Street music program, now in its ninth season, Stephen brings together volunteer and professional singers for high-level performances. Notable among his conducting achievements is the New York Times’ praise for his work on Britten’s St. Nicholas, stating, “Stephen Sands beautifully balanced the sound and maintained order.” The choir was featured at Carnegie Hall as part of the Buffalo Philharmonic’s Lukas Foss Celebration in 2022. “Through it all the combined choirs, superbly prepared by Stephen Sands, were a marvel of well-supported tone, lucid diction, and (when called for) smart, détaché articulation.” -New York Classical Review.

In addition to his role at Trinity Wall Street, Stephen serves as the managing director of Ensemble Veritas, the professional choral ensemble at Harvard University, collaborating with the Harvard New Music Initiative Project and the Harvard Choruses. Ensemble Veritas has graced stages at Sanders Hall at Harvard, Carnegie Hall, and Alice Tully Hall in New York City.

A founding member and Executive Director of the internationally acclaimed Antioch Chamber Ensemble, Stephen has overseen the ensemble’s international tours, commercial recordings, and self-funded performances. Recent highlights include residencies and masterclasses at Harvard University, Washington and Lee University, and Vassar College. Antioch’s latest recording, In Praise of Music, features works by the renowned choral composer Robert Kyr.

In his capacity as Artistic Director, Stephen founded and secured funding for Music in the Somerset Hills, an organization dedicated to music education and performance in northern New Jersey. As conductor of The Somerset Hills Chorus, Stephen has led many notable events including a concert of Music of the Movies featuring actor Peter Dinklage, a concert of Mozart’s Requiem and collaborations with world-renowned choirs like Chanticleer and The King’s Singers.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Stephen is a respected music educator, having taught choral music to thousands of students in grades 3-12 in the Somerset Hills School District.

As a versatile performer, Stephen has excelled as the Evangelist and tenor soloist in numerous performances of Bach’s and Handel’s oratorios. He is a full-time member of the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, and his ensemble experience includes collaborations with the Carmel Bach Festival Chorale, TENET, Clarion Music Society, and Pomerium.

Stephen Sands, with his multifaceted career and unwavering commitment to musical excellence, continues to captivate audiences and contribute significantly to the American cultural landscape.

Joan Seigle, President of the Board, is a native of the Somerset Hills. Raised by two music enthusiasts, both proficient pianists, she was exposed to concerts and theater at a very young age. As a child, she took piano lessons and played in a recorder quartet and handbell choir, further nurturing her love for the performing arts. She graduated from the University of the South, Sewanee with a degree in English literature and a minor in French. Today, with three grown children out of the nest, she combines her appreciation for excellent music with the gift of time by working to promote the mission of Music in the Somerset Hills throughout the greater community. A passionate advocate for music as a form of therapy and healing, she believes that all genres, performed at their highest level, hold the unique power to transport us out of the ordinary into the otherworldly and profound

Erin Mistele, Secretary, has been serving as a board member since 2020. Her passion for the arts is deeply rooted in her own experience as a member of the Somerset Hills Chorus, a community ensemble under Music in the Somerset Hills. Her commitment to the organization stems from her belief in the transformative power of music, especially in education. Erin received her bachelor’s and master's degrees from Duke University, where she studied English and Art History. As a former high school English Teacher and parent whose children have benefited from the outstanding music programs offered by the Somerset Hills School District, Erin understands the importance of access to quality music education—an area that is increasingly vulnerable to cost-cutting initiatives by school districts, colleges, and universities across the country. She believes that organizations like Music in the Somerset Hills play a vital role in filling the gaps left by dwindling funding for the arts in our educational system.

Janine Murtha, Treasurer, has extensive work experience in the financial services industry. Janine began their career at JPMorgan Chase (formerly Chemical Bank) as a Financial Planning Consultant in 1985. In 1991, they joined PNC Wealth Management (formerly Princeton Bank and Trust Company) as a Business Development Officer, where they worked until 1997. In 2013, they joined Peapack-Gladstone Bank as the Vice President, Assistant Branch Manager, a role they held until August 2015. Janine then transitioned to their current position as Vice President, Wealth Management at Peapack-Gladstone Bank in September 2015. Janine Murtha completed their Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Biochemistry and Biology from Mount Holyoke College from 1978 to 1982. Janine then pursued a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Neurobiology and Neurosciences at McGill University from 1982 to 1985. In 1987, they obtained a Certificate in Financial Planning from Adelphi University. Janine also attended Northern Highlands Regional HS, although the specific years and degree information are not provided.

Pamela L. Nardone, Chair of Events, has been a part of Music in the Somerset Hills, almost from the beginning, as a member of its Community Chorus. Her singing and performing go all the way back to her early school years and have never stopped, simply for the pure joy it brings her. In addition to the Somerset Hills Chorus, she also sings in the choir of St. Luke's, Gladstone, and rings in their Bell Choir. Pam has a day job, too. She owns and operates Hibernate Bedding in Bernardsville. Pamela brings her love and passion for music and this organization along with her many years of experience chairing fundraising events to her role with Music in the Somerset Hills.

Ferrill Roll, Chair of Finance, is chief investment officer of Harding Loevner, an investment firm managing global, international, and emerging market equity portfolios built of high-quality, growing businesses. He has sung with various groups from an early age, including the Singing Youth of Denver, the Oratorio Society of New York, and currently, the Somerset Hills Chorus. He is a graduate of Stanford University.

Joanne Borek is a creative, technology-savvy, strategic, results oriented, cost-minded Digital Marketing, Creative, and User Experience Leader offering 18+ years experience with a proven track record in integrated marketing, social media marketing, video, and content marketing solutions. Her entrepreneurial approach to business and dynamic skill set makes her an expert at problem solving and teaching best practices to bridge gaps between development teams, designers, vendors, and clients. By lecturing all over the world, she stays on top of current trends for her clients. After the past decade leading digital departments in large public agencies, she formed her own private group, Exposure.

Gloria Chu has been a solo pianist, chamber musician and piano pedagogue in New  Jersey for the past 30 years. She received her bachelor degree, cum laude, from Mount Holyoke College and her Master of Music in Piano Performance at the Yale School of  Music. In the last three decades, her piano studios in Basking Ridge and Peapack  Gladstone have trained many young pianists, from beginner to advanced college level.  Her students have won major awards and top prizes at competitions and performed at venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Kimmel  Center and NJPAC. Additionally, some of her advanced students have been selected  to perform in masterclasses conducted by world class pianists and have continued  their piano studies at prestigious universities such as Yale University, Dartmouth  College, Brown University and Princeton University. In addition to teaching students  privately, she is also actively involved as a member of the New Jersey Music Teachers  Association and the Music Educator Association of New Jersey. She is currently serving as a board member of Music in the Somerset Hills to promote knowledge, excellence and the love for music in the communities in the area.

Brian Preston Harlow is an active choir director, teacher, organist and composer in northern New Jersey. He serves as Director of the Rutgers University Chorus, Newark Campus, the Director of the Apprentice Chorus and music theory teacher at the Newark Boys Chorus School and Organist and Choirmaster of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Gladstone, NJ. Dr. Harlow frequently performs throughout the United States and Europe, often collaboratively with choirs, instrumentalists, and with Christopher Jennings as Duo Organists. Performance venues have included Kawaiaha'o Church in Honolulu, Hawaii, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, NY; St. Philip's Cathedral, Atlanta, GA; Trinity Church, Boston, MA; and a number of Cathedrals in the United Kingdom. In 2019 he led the Rutgers-Newark Chorus on a highly successful tour to Hungary. He previously held positions at the Somerset Hills School District, St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Morristown, NJ, and as Assistant Organist at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.

Dr. Harlow holds the degrees of Doctor of Musical Arts, Master of Musical Arts and Master of Music from Yale University School of Music, where he studied with Martin Jean and Thomas Murray, as well as the Bachelor of Music degree with High Distinction from Indiana University School of Music, where he was a student of Marilyn Keiser. At Yale he also studied harpsichord with Richard Rephann and Improvisation with Gerre Hancock, William Porter, and Jeffrey Brillhart. Dr. Harlow received a number of prestigious awards and scholarships at both schools, including the Faculty Prize for exemplifying the ideals of the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University. From the American Guild of Organists he earned the Associate Diploma and received two examination awards, including the S. Lewis Elmer award for the highest grade on an upper level exam. Dr. Harlow is a member of the board of Music in the Somerset Hills and Opera Magnifico and is the Instrumental Music Reviewer for the Journal of The Association of Anglican Musicians.

Catherine Pane has been with Music in the Somerset Hills since its inception. Her full time employment is with the USET Foundation as Director of Accounting & Office Manager but she keeps busy volunteering with a few local organizations. Cathy also owns CP Business Management where she works part-time for several local companies assisting with records management and various projects.

Soprano Kristin Sands, a co-founding member of the internationally award winning and critically-acclaimed Antioch Chamber Ensemble, has left an indelible mark on the world of classical music through performances in some of the most esteemed concert halls and cathedrals. As a soloist and choral soprano, she has also graced the stage with renowned ensembles such as the Westminster Choir, Westminster Symphonic Choir, The Choir of Trinity Church, Wall St., The New York Philharmonic Chorus, and The Bach Choir of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New York City for Bach Vespers. Kristin has had the privilege of working under the baton of many distinguished conductors showcasing her versatility in performing a diverse repertoire spanning from the early Renaissance to world premieres of modern compositions.  She finds it most fulfilling to bring authenticity and spirituality to the intricate and emotive music of the Baroque era. Kristin's performances have been shared through live broadcasts on radio and television, and her recorded works, available on labels such as Bridge Records, Naxos, Teldec, MSR Classics, and Delos, continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. Graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Kristin is committed to nurturing the next generation of vocal talent as a member of the Voice Faculty of Drew University, and continues to maintain a successful private voice and piano studio in her family's home.  She is very proud to serve on the Board of Trustees for Music in the Somerset Hills (MISH).

Richard Somerset-Ward made his career in the British Broadcasting Corporation.  He was Head of the BBC in America (1975-78) and Head of Music & Arts Programming for BBC Television in London (1978-84).  Since 1984 he has lived in the United States and is now a resident of Bedminster, New Jersey.  He is a former President of Music in the Somerset Hills and has written extensively about the performing arts – in particular, opera and theater.  His books include: The Story of Opera (Harry N. Abrams, 1998), which was reissued in paperback in March, 2006; Angels and Monsters: Male and Female Sopranos in the Story of Opera (Yale University Press, 2004); and An American Theatre: The Story of Westport Country Playhouse: with a Foreword by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward (Yale University Press, 2005).