CHYS Mission Statement
Claflin Hill Youth Symphony is an accessible, high quality music education program that features two String Orchestras and Wind Ensemble. This new program is being reinvented by CHYS alumni who want to pay their experience with Claflin Hill forward to the next generation of musicians. Students will receive a well-rounded ensemble experience with opportunities to perform in a higher level ensemble, perform chamber music, work together with students across many different schools, and play alongside professional musicians in the Claflin Hill Symphony. Additionally, there will be opportunities for older students to mentor younger students and help them foster their love for music. As band and orchestra directors in our own school programs, we understand the value of programs like CHYS and how they are a great addition to a student’s in-school music education experience. We value connection with families, community, and local music educators to give our students a fulfilling music experience.
Anna Damigella ~ Wind Ensemble
Anna Damigella is an alumna of Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies and a 2023 graduate of Ithaca College with a B.M. Music Education and Trumpet Performance. During her time at IC, Anna studied with both Dr. Aaron Witek and Chris Coletti, a former member of Canadian Brass. Anna served as the Principal Trumpet in the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra and the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble. The biggest highlight of her undergraduate career was traveling to the National Trumpet Competition, placing in the semi-finals in both the Large Ensemble division in 2022 and the Small Ensemble division in 2023. Currently, she is a 2nd-year graduate candidate at American Band College of Central Washington University studying a M.M. Music Education with a projected graduation of Summer 2027.
Anna is a young, but experienced, teacher with a passion for accessible public music education. She has experience teaching students of all ages both in a private lesson setting and public school setting. In the Fall of 2022, Anna completed her student teaching placement at Franklin High School. Since August 2023, Anna has been serving as a Band and Music Teacher at Robert E. Melican Middle School in Northborough, MA. At this school, she oversees 200 band students as the 7th Grade Band Director, 8th Grade Band Director, 6th Grade Assistant Band Director, 6th Grade Stage Band Director, and Brass Chamber Coach. Additionally, she teaches 6th Grade General Music and pull-out lessons to flute, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba students in grades 6-8. Anna's goal for teaching young students is to instill a love and appreciation for music that will inspire them to become life long musicians.
Anna’s experience with Claflin Hill is one that she will cherish for her whole life. Through this program, she was connected with the Principal Trumpet of the Claflin Hill Symphony, Erich Ledebuhr, who became her trumpet teacher and life-long mentor. She feels fortunate that both Paul and Erich were able to push her to a higher level of musicianship and give her a life-long community of musicians. As an alumna of Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies and now a music educator, she feels it's her duty to pay her music education forward to the next generation of musicians.
Zachary Surapine ~ Orchestra
Zachary Surapine is a violinist, educator, and alumnus of the Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies, and is known for his unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians. Zachary holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He received guidance from mentors such as Etleva Hima-Buli, Angel Valchinov, and Elizabeth Chang, which profoundly shaped his musicality and teaching philosophy.
After graduating from UMass, Zachary returned to CHYS as an assistant director, and soon after became director of the Repertory string ensemble. Zachary is currently in his eighth year of teaching at Whitinsville Christian School in Northbridge, where he directs Elementary, Middle, and High school orchestras. Zachary is trained in the Suzuki method of string teaching and is a firm believer of the core principle that “Every Child Can”.
Zachary regularly collaborates with local musicians, chamber groups, and community choirs, in addition to being a section violinist and personnel manager in the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra.
Augustine Marzoratti ~ Logistics and Communications
Augustine Marzoratti played Clarinet in the Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies from 2014 to 2019 in ensembles and chamber groups. He began a journey with Paul Surapine and the Claflin Hill Youth wind ensembles in 8th grade, eager to advance his performing level and connect with students who loved music as much as he did. Under the study of Paul Surapine, Augustine was able to be a part of MA Central Districts, MA All-State Festival, Boston University's Tanglewood Institute, and many more esteemed performing groups.
Throughout Augustine’s youth music career, Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies gave him confidence to reach for new goals and opportunity to foster his talent. Augustine performed with Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies for 5 years, playing principal clarinet in the Wind Ensemble for 4 years, and performing in a woodwind trio for 2 years. Every weekend, Augustine looked forward to the comradery of CHYS rehearsals; seeing all his friends and pushing his musical capabilities became the highlight of his week. Augustine said the repertoire CHYS played was always exciting, and the mentorship helped him advance his level of playing from the first concert, to the very last.
After high school, Augustine graduated from Boston University with a degree in Business Administration. He never lost touch with music, performing with the elective wind ensemble at BU, and currently performing with the Claflin Hill Wind Ensemble. In college and post grad, he has been able to build a professional career in marketing, and is committed to your experience with CHYS. Augustine is passionate about connecting excited youth musicians to a program that will foster and advance their performing experience. With CHSO, his vision is to supplement school band/orchestra with a highly driven youth music program.