Professional Musicians Join Upper School Students for Annual Music Retreat

Upper School student musicians and vocalists were joined by a number of music clinicians on March 3 for the annual Upper School Music Retreat. The six professionals included: Elaine Petrocino (Flute), John Lindner (Brass), Laura Camp (Choir), Shannon Merlino (Strings), Jerilyn Greenfield (Winds), and Ed Shea (Rhythm and Percussion). The students were excited and thankful to hone their crafts. 

Enjoy more photos from the day here. 

2023 Upper School Music Retreat Clinician Biographies: 

Elaine Petrosino Watson
Flute
M.S. Rosemont College, Nonprofit Management – Concentration in Arts & Culture
B.A.,Rowan University, Applied Flute Performance
Elaine Petrosino Watson has played the flute for over 40 years and taught for the last 30 years. Elaine performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City as well as for the former Bach Around the Clock Festival and the opening of the Bourse II building in Philadelphia, PA. She has been part of the pit orchestra for shows such as: Carousel, The Beggar’s Opera, Into the Woods, The Mikado, and others. She was the East Field Arts & Humanities Program Coordinator for the YMCA of the USA and provided training for YMCA professionals across the east coast with collaborators such as: the Smithsonian Institute, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and The Children’s Museum of Portland, ME. Over the past 30 years, Elaine has been on staff with Rowan University’s Community Arts Program, has maintained a private studio, taught for Conservatory Without Walls in Moorestown, NJ, and for the NJ School of Music. 

John Lindner
Brass
M.Ed. The College of New Jersey
B.A. The College of New Jersey
John Lindner is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and at Montclair State University. For 34 years, he served as the Director of Bands at Northern Burlington County Regional High School in Columbus, NJ. While tenured there he also served as Chairman of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, and directed the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band, Marching Band, and the Musical Show Orchestra. Under his direction, the Marching Band placed first three times at the USSBA Marching Band finals, the Jazz Ensemble placed First in the NJ-IAJE State Jazz Band Division Three Finals, and the Wind Ensemble was selected seven times to perform at the NBA/NJMEA New Jersey State Gala Band Concert. He was selected by the New Jersey Chapter of the International Association for Jazz Education as the 2003 New Jersey Jazz Educator of the Year, was honored as the 2007 New Jersey Master Music Educator of the Year by the New Jersey Music Educators Association, and received the New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education.

Laura Camp
Choir
M.M., Temple University – Voice Performance and Opera
B.M., Wheaton Conservatory – Voice Performance
Since 2008, Laura Camp has served as the Director of Worship and Arts at Bethel Church in Cherry Hill, NJ. As a soloist, Laura has performed such roles as Hansel in Hansel und Gretel; Consuela in the world premiere of Paul Epstein’s Chihuahua; and a wide variety of oratorio works. Laura served on Temple University’s adjunct voice faculty from 2012-2018 and continues to maintain a private voice studio from home. Laura is a passionate teacher and enjoys working with a variety of ages and musical genres.

Shannon Merlino
Strings
D.M.A. Temple University – Viola Performance
D.M.A. Rutgers University – Violin Performance
M.M. Mannes College of Music – Violin Performance
B.M. Rutgers University – Violin Performance
Shannon Merlino, a Philadelphia-area native, has performed and presented in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center, and the Library of Congress. She performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician, having most recently presented a series of solo unaccompanied recitals in Media, PA. She also performs regularly as a section and substitute violist with orchestras including: the Bay Atlantic Symphony, Opera Philadelphia, the Curtis Symphony, and Symphony in C. She is a strings coach for the Symphony in C Youth Orchestra, teaches strings classes for Symphony in C’s partnership with Catholic Partnership Schools in Camden, NJ, and maintains an active private teaching studio. 

Jerilyn Greenfield
Winds
B.M.P. Boston University – Clarinet Performance and Music Education
M.M. Wesleyan University
Following a childhood filled with music, Jerilyn studied the cIarinet in college as a double-major within a five-year program of clarinet performance and music education. During her college experience, she became a saxophone player, in addition to clarinet and piano. Her musical education degree led her to teach saxophone, vocal music, and a variety of other instruments which she continues to do today. Alongside of teaching, Jerilyn plays in classical orchestras, chamber groups, and opera and show orchestras. She is married to a bassoonist, who enjoys playing in the ensembles with her. The two musicians have four musical children, some of whom have made music their livelihood.

Edward Shea
Rhythm Section and Percussion
B.M.Ed. Philadelphia Musical Academy
Ed Shea is a 1972 graduate of the Philadelphia Music Academy in percussion and music education. His career includes highlights such as playing for hit Broadway productions including Elf, Newsies, Holiday Inn, Grease, Les Miserables, and more. His career also spans playing for national and international tours of shows that include Chicago, A Chorus Line and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and for performers who include Paul Anka and Debbie Reynolds. He has performed for numerous TV specials and movies; recorded with the Four Tops, Temptations, Lou Rawls, Loretta Lynn, Eubie Blake, Patti LaBelle, and many others; and backed Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis as well as other stars in live performances.