Leadership
Music Director & Executive Director
Nicole Becker
As a pianist, soprano, and conductor, Nicole Becker has performed in concerts and recitals throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan. Dr. Becker received an undergraduate degree in Biology from Yale University, a Masters of Music in Piano from Indiana University and a Doctorate of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She also studied piano and solfege at the École Normale de Musique de Paris. Dr. Becker is the Music Director of the Teachers College Choir and teaches applied piano and conducting in the Program in Music and Music Education at Teachers College. Dr. Becker has spoken internationally about student-centered approaches in ensemble settings, calling for a reconceptualization of children’s choirs so that they might become sites dedicated to promoting growth and flourishing for young people. Her current research examines approaches to developing racial literacy in music education.
Associate Directors / Graduate Interns
Margaret Blair
Margaret Blair is a second year M.A. student in International and Transcultural Studies, Anthropology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She enjoys singing contemporary, classical and gospel music. Margaret has performed choral music for many years in mulitple genres at Brooklyn College, Barclays Center, Carnegie Hall and other venues with the Brooklyn College Symphonic Choir under the direction of Maestro Malcom J. Merriweather. She recently performed with Classical Italian Opera Ensemble in Italy. A dance instructor and children's choral music director in her community, Margaret continues to enjoy the performing arts by working with Every Voice Youth Choir and singing with the TC Community Choir and TC Ensemble under the mentorship of Professors Nicole Becker and Jeanne Goffi-Fynne.
Natalie Fabian
Natalie Fabian is a classical/jazz/musical theatre vocalist, pianist, composer, and teaching artist. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Music & Music Education with a specialization in Vocal Pedagogy at Teachers College, Columbia University. Natalie holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Hofstra University, where she was the recipient of the Herbert A. Deutsch Award for Excellence in Music Education and the William Rosencrans Honors Recital Award. Currently, Natalie is an Adjunct Instructor at Hofstra University, directing the Vocal Jazz Choir. She also teaches Voice and Musical Theatre at Five Towns College on Long Island. As a solo performer, Natalie has appeared on New York stages such as Birdland, Rockwood Music Hall, and The Metropolitan Room.
Lebab Fallin
Lebab Fallin is a Masters student in the Music & Music Education Program at Teachers College and earned a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts from The City College of New York. Ms. Lebab started singing professionally at the age of 15 and learned music by singing in vocal ensembles and choirs and by providing background vocals for local artists. Ms. Lebab is excited to work with The Every Voice Kids Choir; she hopes its young singers are able to learn from her and she can learn from them.
Isabella Leão Gaviglia
Isabella Leão Gaviglia holds a Master of Arts degree in Music and Music Education from Teachers College and is currently pursuing is Master of Education. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2012 from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, under the mentorship of Dr. Carlos Abril and Dr. Susan Williams. While in Miami, Isabella worked in various capacities with Seraphic Fire’s Miami Choral Academy, Miami Children’s Chorus, Guitars Over Guns, and taught full-time middle school band, orchestra, chorus, and guitar in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system. Currently, Isabella teaches voice & choir, and directs music theater productions at Hunter College Elementary School.
Nesli Kohen
Nesli Kohen is a singer-songwriter from Istanbul, Turkey who enjoys singing Pop, Pop-Rock, Jazz, World Folk music, and R&B. In Turkey she competed in international competitions with the pop rock band, B Yuzu and with a professional Sephardic Jewish ensemble. Her Musical Theatre credits in Turkey include Fame, Across the Universe, Chicago, and Lukus Hayat (Turkish). Nesli is currently a graduate student in Music and Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her undergraduate studies at Wheaton College, with a double major in Music and Psychology, where she sang in vocal ensembles including the Balkan & Middle Eastern Ensemble and the Musical Theater Ensemble. She has taught as a Music Instructor and Voice Instructor in several children's programs in Massachusetts.
Morganne McClement
Morganne McClement is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Music and Music Education from Teachers College. She is a recent graduate of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where she received a B.M. in Music Education with concentrations in choral education and vocal performance. While in Potsdam, she took on roles as a singer, soloist, and student conductor with the Crane Concert Choir, and toured NYC with both the Crane Chorus and Concert Choir. She especially loves to sing classically-based art song and musical theater repertoire, having performed in productions such as: The Secret Garden, Next to Normal, West Side Story, The Tenderland, and Annie. As an educator, Morganne has a special interest in culturally relevant pedagogy, strengthening students’ musical understandings and enjoyment through a multicultural perspective. She is excited to be working with Every Voice Choirs and cannot wait to see what the next year has in store!
Hairuo Mo
Hairuo Mo earned her Master in Music and Music Education degree at Teachers College in 2018 and is currently pursuing an Ed.M. in the program. She earned a Master of Engineering degree in Biology Engineering from South China Agricultural University in 2015. As a classical-trained violinist, she also holds a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in violin performance. Hairuo has been singing in choirs since she was 5 years old. In university, she attended several international choir competitions in Europe and Asia. Hairuo is passionate about looking for choral repertoire in diverse styles and languages. She enjoys working with children, guiding them as they explore their world through music.
Accompanist
Drew X Coles
Drew X Coles is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator, as well as an applied lessons instructor, ensemble facilitator, and adjunct professor of music entrepreneurship at Teachers College, Columbia University. His scholarly interests include; the construct of success as it applies to post-secondary music students, culturally responsive pedagogy in the music classroom, the use of technology in the applied studio, Jazz pedagogy, improvisation pedagogy, comprehensive musicianship coursework and curricula, and quantitative research methods in music education. Drew earned his Doctorate in Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University after defending his dissertation on the perceptions among musicians on the construct of career success as it applies to them as well as their peers.
Administration
Robin McIntyre, Director of Community Engagement
As Director of Community Engagement for EVC, Robin McIntyre builds on her experience creating networks among families in New York City. For the past decade, since leaving a career in corporate finance, she has served on the Parent Association boards of her children’s schools in capacities including Board Chair, Treasurer, and Community Service Chair. Throughout her board tenures, Robin has focused on giving voice to underrepresented people, particularly families with children of color and children with learning differences. She co-founded and co-chairs a resource and support group for parents of children with learning differences and disabilities. Robin is a proud graduate of Howard University with a BBA in Finance.
Laila Dreidame, Director of Communications and Philanthropy
Laila Dreidame is a communications and development leader with over a decade of experience building and implementing effective communications and fundraising strategies. Mrs. Dreidame writes from a global-minded perspective. She works within all digital and print media and is eager to create communication plans in new and emerging platforms. She has a Master’s of Science in Professional Writing from New York University’s School of Professional Studies and was awarded the University’s 2019 Writing Impact Award.
Brent Morden, Program Manager
Brent A. Morden is a New York-based composer, arranger, conductor, and vocalist.
Brent earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music (magna cum laude) from Columbia University, where he actively served Columbia’s performing arts community. Brent has conducted his award-winning band works with the Columbia University Wind Ensemble, including a world premiere at Carnegie Hall, has composed and music directed two original comedy musicals, and has arranged numerous jazz standards for Columbia a cappella group Uptown Vocal. Nowadays, Brent is thrilled to serve as Program Manager for Every Voice Choirs. In addition to his work with EVC, Brent assists conductor Rob Fisher, freelances as a singer and actor, and composes. Brent hopes to continue championing his creative voice in the world and inspiring others to realize their potential.
Brent earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music (magna cum laude) from Columbia University, where he actively served Columbia’s performing arts community. Brent has conducted his award-winning band works with the Columbia University Wind Ensemble, including a world premiere at Carnegie Hall, has composed and music directed two original comedy musicals, and has arranged numerous jazz standards for Columbia a cappella group Uptown Vocal. Nowadays, Brent is thrilled to serve as Program Manager for Every Voice Choirs. In addition to his work with EVC, Brent assists conductor Rob Fisher, freelances as a singer and actor, and composes. Brent hopes to continue championing his creative voice in the world and inspiring others to realize their potential.
Michelle Mantia, Business Manager
Michelle Mantia, EVC Business Manager, earned her B.A. in Actuarial Science from Baruch College and has over 5 years experience working with both corporate and arts non-profit organizations. Having studied saxophone for many years and coming from a music background, Michelle enjoys sharing her time spent working with both growing arts organizations and innovative biotechnologies. She is currently the Operations Manager of two specialty biopharmaceutical companies located in New York and also serves on the MICHIYAYA Dance Company’s Board of Directors. Ms. Mantia also teaches yoga classes with a focus on increasing the accessibility of yoga to everyone.