The Staff Parish Relations Committee is pleased to announce that Amanda Whaley has assumed the position of Director of Church Music, effective April 29, 2024. As we make this announcement, we express gratitude for the thoughtful, spirit-led work of the search committee, consisting of all SPRC members along with Nancy Chu, Dixie Pasciucco, Liz Schinella, and Pastor David. The congregation was broadly represented by the committee, whose tireless and forthright input led to this decision. We also thank the adult choir, who lent their time and talent to work with the finalists as part of their audition
Amanda has been a frequent substitute accompanist with us since Helen Kegerreis’s retirement in late 2023. She holds an BA in Music Education with a concentration in Choral Music and an MS in Music Education, both from Queens College. She also was a fellow at the Conservatorio di Musica di Perugia (Perugia, Italy), where she composed and performed original compositions and directed the chamber music ensemble.
Amanda is the founder, owner, and director of Long Island Music Lessons, LLC, which collaborates with a variety of professional musicians to offer lessons in the home and virtually for children, teens, and adults; organizes and stages recitals for students; and supports teachers across Long Island with referral services and arrangements for recitals.
Along with her expertise in choral music, Amanda brings more than ten years of experience as an educator. In addition to giving private lessons and mentoring other music teachers, Amanda currently designs curriculum for group piano study at The School House, an independent American Emergent Curriculum school in East Northport, and she is an accompanist for choral ensembles for Commack Public Schools. For two years she taught K-5th grade General Music, fourth and fifth grade Chorus, and High School Musical Theatre in Northport’s public schools.
A five-year resident of Northport, Amanda lives in Crab Meadow with her husband, Dan, a talented guitarist, bassist, and singer who owns a local landscaping company.
Amanda expresses a deep reverence for music as a conduit for worship. A creative and energetic collaborator, she is eager to work with the Worship Committee, the choir, our children and others in the congregation, and guest musicians to lead our music ministry forward.
We look forward to giving Amanda a warm, St. Paul’s welcome!
Blessings,
The Staff Parish Relations Committee
