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

    As a Collaborative Pianist and Vocal Coach in the US and abroad, James Lubrano 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, under the direction of Henry Leck, the UNICEF / Steinway "Peace Piano" World Tour Showcase, the 2023 ACDA National Conference (John P. Stevens High School), 2016 ACDA Eastern Division Conference (NJ Youth Chorus), the 2015 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic (Eastern Wind Symphony) and the Colorado College Summer Music Festival. International engagements include Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica (Celebration Singers), Lied Austria International, and international tours to England, Scotland, and Italy.

    Regionally, Mr. Lubrano has performed with the Eastern Wind Symphony, Encore Orchestra of New Jersey, Grammy-nominated Rutgers Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Winds, Rutgers Symphony Orchestra and the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra. He can be heard on the Eastern Wind Symphony’s album, Elements (2019), featuring music of composer Julie Giroux.

    Mr. Lubrano has accompanied Connecticut & New Jersey All-State Choirs, NJ-ACDA, NJMEA & CJMEA Honor Choirs, Princeton Girlchoir, Monmouth Civic Chorus, and Manhattan Concert Productions. At Wagner College, he served as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach for Opera Workshop and the college choirs. As an experienced choral pianist, Mr. Lubrano has worked with many distinguished conductors including Anton Armstrong, Jerry Blackstone, Rollo Dilworth, Lynnel Joy Jenkins, Jennifer Sengin, Sandra Snow, and Brandon Williams. Mr. Lubrano has coached Broadway performers and soloists of the Metropolitan Opera, and has served as Music Director/Accompanist for over 150 musical theater productions. Currently, Mr. Lubrano is a collaborative pianist for the Ridge High School Choirs, The College of New Jersey Chorale, Celebration Singers Adult Chorus, Rise Up Adult Chorus, and the Music Director at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New Providence, NJ.

    James Lubrano holds a Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano Performance from Rutgers University, where he studied with Barbara Gonzalez-Palmer. He is in high demand as an active freelance pianist and coach throughout the NJ, NY, CT, & PA area.