Rockland
Youth Symphony
Everhard Paredes
Everhard Paredes has appeared as a soloist with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, Venezuelan Chamber Orchestra, Chacao Symphony, Pan American Symphony, Orchestra Celebrate, and others. He is a product of the renowned Venezuelan music program El Sistema.
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In November 2008, he was one of two performers chosen to represent El Sistema in a performance for the Quincy Jones Prize. He was also featured multiple times in the “Strad for Lunch” concert series at the WMP Concert Hall, performing on a Stradivarius violin.
As a chamber musician, Mr. Paredes actively gives recitals and workshops aimed at inspiring young artists. He served as concertmaster of both the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra and the Youth Orchestra of the Americas.
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Mr. Paredes has held positions as a faculty member, chamber musician, orchestra coach, and conductor with the El Sistema music program, including work with the Youth Orchestra of the Simón Bolívar Conservatory in Venezuela, Simanof Program and the Manhattan School of Music Summer Program.
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He currently teaches at The Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood, New Jersey, and has participated in the New York Philharmonic’s educational program, contributing to their first Youth Orchestra under the Baton of Maestro Dietrich Paredes and Gustavo Dudamel.
Mr. Paredes performs on a Jean-François Aldric violin, which has been on loan to him since 2005.
Katie Allen
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Katie Allen has taught elementary strings in the North Rockland Central School District since 2017. She holds Bachelor of Music degrees in music education and viola performance from SUNY Fredonia. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Curriculum Design and Instructional Technology from University at Albany, SUNY. Ms. Allen has performed with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Rockland Symphony Orchestra, Hudson Lyric Opera, and the National Music Festival (Chestertown, MD). Driven by the experiences that shaped her as a student, Ms. Allen is committed to supporting community music initiatives and youth orchestras. She leads with an understanding of the profound impact that participating in musical ensembles can have on students' development, not just as musicians, but as individuals.
Michael Roth
Michael Roth has been the North Jersey Concert Band's Artistic Director and Principal Conductor since 2009. Mike has a varied musical background as a trombonist, vocalist, and conductor. He received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Crane School of Music, where he studied conducting under Anthony Maiello. While an undergraduate, he served as director of the Disney All-American College Band in Orlando. The Disney Company also employed him as a singer as well as a voice-over artist for promotional productions at the Florida site. Mike served as a freelance musical artist for many years, performing with numerous jazz and popular artists in the metropolitan New York/New Jersey area, both as a trombonist and as a vocalist. He was for many years the director and/or soloist for a variety of local and regional choruses associated with communities and houses of worship. He currently holds the position of Chancel Choir Director at the Upper Ridgewood Community Church in Ridgewood, NJ. Mike taught band, chorus, and drama for 24 years in the North Rockland School District in NewYork. His bands consistently were awarded high honors in competitions and were featured in several regional promotional media campaigns. As creative director of theatrical activities for North Rockland throughout his tenure there, he also produced over 45 stage productions with his high school students. With a strong interest in technology, Mike developed and taught courses in acoustics and sound engineering for North Rockland and also served as a consultant to school districts in auditorium and music suite development and construction. Beginning in 2007, Mike became a school administrator. A passionate supporter of public education, Mike continues to lead professional development for teachers and programs for students, emphasizing civics in all areas of the K-12 curriculum as well as the efficacy of project-based learning. In 2021, after 40 years in public education, Mike retired from his position as principal of Willow Grove Elementary School inThiells, NY. Mike continues to accept guest conducting opportunities throughout the tri-state area. He also represents many accomplished musical artists through Third Stream Arts Management, his agency that focuses on promoting excellence in jazz and classical performance. An avid horticulturist and carpenter, Mike can often be found either in his greenhouse tending to a wide variety of plants, or in his woodshop completing projects large and small.
