President: Aidan Carney

Aidan Carney (He/Him/His) is a Sophomore Music Education major at the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he studies Tuba under Dr. Christoper Hotaling. Aidan is incredibly dedicated to the growth and continuity of the music education community in New York State. At Fredonia, Aidan has played with the Fredonia Wind Ensemble, Fredonia Brass Choir, Fredonia Trombone Choir, Fredonia Video Game Orchestra, and the Fredonia Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble; he has also sung with the Fredonia Masterworks and University Choruses. Aidan is a member of the Fredonia Chapters of NAfME and ACDA, serves as the President of Collegiate-NYSBDA, Historian of the Friends of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Chair of the Mason Hall Student Leadership Council, Music and Arts Director of the Fredonia Video Game Orchestra, and Director of the Lancaster Handbell Choir. Aidan has also guest-conducted the Fredonia Trombone Choir and Fredonia Tuba-Euphonium ensembles. In his free time, Aidan enjoys singing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, playing with the Lancaster Town Band, composing, and hiking local trails across New York. Aidan is excited to serve Collegiate-NYSBDA in the years to come!

Vice-President: Samantha Tirino 

Samantha Tirino (She/Her) is a Music Education major at SUNY Fredonia’s School of Music, with a concentration in Flute. Originally from Long Island, New York, Samantha has had the pleasure of performing with amazing groups, such as the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, the Long Island Flute Club Student Honors Choir, and the Atlantic Wind Symphony, where she performed as a winner of their High School Solo Competition. Samantha’s summer of 2023 was spent traveling and performing throughout Europe with the American Music Abroad Organization, which combined her passion for performing and exploring the world. At Fredonia, Samantha has performed as a member of the Fredonia Wind Ensemble, Fredonia Flute Ensemble, University Chorus, and Video Game Orchestra. She is also a member of the Conductor’s Guild, Fredonia Flute Association, Ushering Corps, NAfME, NYSBDA, and is currently serving as the Secretary of Fredonia’s NYSBDA Chapter. With plans to travel, perform, and educate in the future, Samantha is very excited to hold this position as she hopes to spread the joy of music, education, and inclusivity across the state level.

Treasurer/Secretary: Lindsay Williams 

Lindsay Williams (She/Her) is a junior Music Education major, with a minor in Dance at Hofstra University. Her primary instrument is alto saxophone and she actively participates in the Hofstra Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, as well as various chamber and local ensembles. At Hofstra, she serves as the Secretary of Hofstra’s NYSBDA Chapter, and stays involved with the ACDA, JEN, ASTA, and NAFME chapters to expand her knowledge in multiple fields of music education. Outside of music, Lindsay is a dance teacher at her childhood studio on Long Island, NY. She finds joy in being able to help students explore their passions for music and dance. She also loves to try new things and go to new places! She is eager to work with C-NYSBDA in the years to come!

Zone 1 Representative: Michael Gallagher

Michael J. Gallagher is a woodwind doubler majoring in Music Education and Composition at the Fredonia School of Music, where he studies bassoon under Ms. Laura Koepke and saxophone under Dr. Wildy Zumwalt.  Born and raised on Long Island, NY, Michael has performed with groups such as the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York (MYO), the NAME All-National Concert Band and numerous county and state-level ensembles. Michael also performs with the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, the Northport Community Band, and his saxophone quartet, Four of a Kind. Michael maintains active memberships with Fredonia’s collegiate chapters of NAME, as well as NYSBDA, where he serves as the Zone 1 Representative for the state. Michael is also a member of the school’s Conductor’s Guild. In the summer of 2023, Michael traveled Europe with the tours of American Music Abroad, performing in countries such as Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and the Czech Republic.  He is currently serving as an instrument repair intern under Michael Cordaro in the Family Melody music store in Patchogue, NY.

Zone 2 Representative: Molly Collins 

Molly Collins (she/her) is a Presidential Scholar at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. She is a junior Music Education and Music Performance double major with a concentration in trumpet.  She has played in ensembles such as the Crane Wind Ensemble, Crane Jazz Ensemble, Crane Latin Ensemble, Crane Trumpet Ensemble, and the Crane International Trumpet Guild Prelude Ensemble. She was the president of Crane’s NYSBDA chapter during the 2023-24 academic year and now serves as President of the Crane Student Association. In Rochester, her hometown, she is a member of the Eastman Educators Wind Ensemble and teaches trumpet lessons to local students. She looks forward to working with C-NYSBDA and cannot wait to connect with music educators across New York State.

Zone 3 Representative: Noah Merseburg

Noah Merseburg is a senior Music Education major at Hofstra University. His primary instrument is Euphonium. He actively participates in many of the ensembles at Hofstra including the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra, and brass ensembles. On campus, he serves as the President of Hofstra’s NYSBDA Chapter, and stays involved with Hofstra’s NAFME chapters and other music organizations. Outside of music, Noah is passionate about food, and loves trying all sorts of cuisines. He looks forward to working with C-NYSBDA and connecting music educators together.