Artistic Team


  • Artistic Director

    Dr. Louise Chernosky has over twenty years of experience with choral ensembles–as a director, collaborative pianist, and singer–which has resulted in a deep love of choral repertoire and passion for community singing. She has performed as a vocalist with the Rochester Oratorio Society, the Eastman Repertory Singers, Eastman/Rochester Chorale, and Sladki Doumi, a Bulgarian women’s choir. As a collaborative keyboard player, she has worked with the Shrewsbury Chorale, Charites (harpsichord for concerts through NYC’s Music at St. Paul’s and Artek’s Midtown concert series), Ossia (a Rochester-based contemporary music group), the Eastman Percussion Ensemble (soloist and section player), Columbia University’s Collegium Musicum (organ and harpsichord continuo), The Eastman Women’s Chorale (piano accompaniment), as well as conducting and accompanying for school, festival, and community choirs in PA, NY, and NJ. Louise studied choral conducting with Dr. Susan Conkling, and has performed under conductors including Yuri Temirkanov (celeste for Ravel’s Ma mère l'Oye and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition), Robert Shaw (Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis), Brad Lubman (Varèse’s Ionisation), Alan Pierson (keyboard instruments for the inaugural group that is now NYC’s “Alarm Will Sound”), Dr. William Weinert (Britten’s War Requiem), and John Balme. She is delighted to have the opportunity to make music with the Celebration Singers. 

    Louise is currently Assistant Professor of Vocal Music at Bard High School Early College in Newark, NJ. She holds a BM from the Eastman School of Music, an MA in Musicology from SUNY Buffalo, and a PhD in Musicology from Columbia University. She lives in Cranford with her wonderful family, her crazy dog Rosie, an evil holland lop named Flip-Flop, and a tangled jungle of houseplants.

  • Youth Director

    Samantha Gordon is an accomplished conductor, music educator, and choral singer based in Central New Jersey. Her diverse career reflects her commitment to fostering a love for the arts in young people that extends beyond the classroom and into the community. 

    As a professional choral singer, Samantha’s performance experience includes collaborations with the Philadelphia and Juilliard Orchestras and recording with the Grammy-nominated Westminster Williamson Voices on albums such as “Aurora” and “A Scattered Light in Winter”. Samantha has toured nationally and internationally, including a choral residency at Oxford University and performances in renowned venues like Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center, Lincoln Center, and the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Since 2018, Samantha has been a dedicated staff singer at the United Reformed Church in Somerville, NJ. 

    As the Youth Director for the Celebration Singers of New Jersey in Westfield, NJ, Samantha leads two distinct groups: the Youth Choir and the Middle C’s. She inspires and guides young singers ranging from 4th grade to high school seniors. She emphasizes leading by example, creating a supportive and role-model-driven environment within the choir. In May 2025, Samantha was the Guest Conductor for the CJMEA Treble Honors Chorus. Additionally, Samantha is the Music Director for Hillside Avenue School's drama program in Cranford and Community Actor Student Theatre (C.A.S.T.), a summer community theatre program, where she also serves as a board member. 

    Samantha started her career as a K-5 Music Teacher in Clifton Public Schools where she was honored with the Governor's Educator of the Year Award for the school year of ‘24-’25. Now, she is a K-8 Music Teacher at Jerome Dunn Academy No. 9 and William F. Halloran School No. 22 in Elizabeth Public Schools. 

    Samantha earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education, summa cum laude, from Westminster Choir College. There, she studied voice with Mark Moliterno and conducting with Dr. James Jordan and Prof. Tom Shelton..

  • Assistant Director and Collaborative Pianist

    James Lubrano is an accomplished Collaborative Pianist and Vocal Coach. He has prepared ensembles and performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kimmel Center, and NJPAC. Highlight performances include the Carnegie Hall premiere of Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo conducted by Henry Leck, UNICEF / Steinway "Peace Piano" World Tour Showcase, ACDA National Conference, ACDA Eastern Region Conference, The Midwest Clinic, and Colorado College Summer Music Festival. International engagements include Mass at As an experienced choral pianist, Mr. Lubrano has collaborated with Anton Armstrong, Jerry Blackstone, Rollo Dilworth, Marques L. A. Garrett, Lynnel Joy Jenkins, Jake Runestad, John Rutter, Jennifer Sengin, and A. Jan Taylor. He has worked with ACDA Eastern Region, CT & NJ All-State Choirs, NJ-ACDA Honor Choirs, NJMEA Region Choirs, Princeton Girlchoir, and Monmouth Civic Chorus. He also served as a staff pianist at The College of New Jersey for over 20 years, collaborating on student, faculty, choral, and opera performances.

    Mr. Lubrano has performed with the Eastern Wind Symphony, Encore Orchestra of NJ, Grammy-nominated Rutgers Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Rutgers Symphony Orchestra. He can be heard on the Eastern Wind Symphony’s album, Elements (2019), featuring Julie Giroux’s Symphony No. 5. 

    Currently, Mr. Lubrano is the collaborative pianist for Ridge HS Choirs, Assistant Director for Celebration Singers, and Music Director at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New Providence, NJ. He holds a Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano Performance from Rutgers University, where he studied with Barbara Gonzalez-Palmer.

  • Youth Choir Collaborative Pianist

    Rodney Briscoe has been a New Jersey music educator since 1996. After completing graduate studies at Westminster Choir College, Rodney taught voice and piano at the Pingry School and Roxbury High School.

    In 1999, Rodney became a theater specialist at Willow Lake Day Camp, where he is music director for three shows every summer. He served as music director at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oldwick from 1998 to 2023, where he conducted the parish choir and handbell choir.

    Since 2001, Rodney has taught piano in the Gifted and Talented Schools of Elizabeth. He has helped prepare choirs for the New Jersey Symphony, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway, and A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. He plays keyboard in the pit band for the musicals at Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy.

    In 2020, Rodney began collaborating with Gas Lamp Kids Workshop in Glen Ridge. He is music director for two shows each year. Rodney is thrilled to be a part of the Celebration Choir team and looks forward to collaborating with Samantha Gordon and the Youth Choir.