2026-2027 Collegiate Officers
President: Samantha Mason, she/her
Samantha Mason is a Senior Music Education and Performance Major at the State University of New York at Fredonia, where she studies flute under Professor Barry Crawford. Samantha is actively involved in the School of Music’s organizations, currently serving as President of Fredonia’s NAfME Chapter and Secretary of Fredonia’s Sigma Alpha Iota Chapter, Delta Lambda. She is also a member of Fredonia’s NYSBDA Chapter, Flute Association, and Conductor’s Guild. In addition, she works as the School of Music’s Head Band Librarian and as one of their Music Tutors. For the past three years, she has helped facilitate the audition days for prospective Fredonia students and is excited to continue creating more professional development opportunities for her fellow music education students, as well as assisting underclassmen in their musicianship courses. Samantha is from Long Island, and during her summers she spends her time working at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts. Samantha is looking forward to continuing her involvement in Collegiate NYSSMA, having previously served as Province 6 Representative and President-Elect, she hopes to take the skills and knowledge she has obtained over the past two years and increase professional networking opportunities and create a stronger community for collegiate music education students across New York State.
President-Elect: Cade Wyles
Cade Wyles is a cellist from Buffalo, New York, pursuing degrees in Music Education and Cello Performance at the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he studies with Dr. Natasha Farny. Beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year, he will join Mercyhurst University as an Adjunct Instructor of Music, teaching both cello and double bass. He has taught at the Philadelphia International Music Festival, the Bravo International Chamber Music Institute, and summer music programs at Baldwin Wallace University and SUNY Fredonia. As a performer, Cade appeared as a soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra after winning the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Young Artists Competition and has received awards from the Amherst Symphony Orchestra and the Buffalo Chamber Music Society. Recent summer festival experiences include the Encore Chamber Music Institute, the ARIA Academy, and the Addicott Chamber Music Festival. In addition to his teaching and performance activities, Cade completed three summers as an intern with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, focusing on youth engagement and community outreach. Cade is looking forward to continuing his involvement with Collegiate NYSSMA as President-Elect and to representing and supporting music education students throughout the region.
Secretary-Treasurer: Julia Wachsmuth
Julia Wachsmuth is a Junior Music Education Major at Hofstra University. Her primary instrument is Voice. Julia is currently serving as the Secretary for the Hofstra Collegiate NAfME chapter and is an active member in the collegiate chapter ACDA at the University. At Hofstra, Julia is a part of the University’s Chorale and Chamber Choir. She is a member of the a Capella group, “Makin’ Treble,” as the Music Director. Outside of Julia’s activities at Hofstra, she teaches private music lessons for voice, piano, and violin. She also teaches a Voice-Prep class and an a Capella class alongside the private lessons. Julia is beyond grateful for the opportunity to work with the Collegiate NYSSMA State E-Board and to be pursuing her role as the Secretary/Treasurer!
Web Editor: Gillian Gates, she/her
Gillian Gates is a senior Music Education major at Nazareth University, where she studies violin under Dr. Margaret Leenhouts and percussion under Professor Kristen Shiner McGuire. Gillian is a member of the Nazareth University Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Strings and is an active member of Rochester ensembles Center Stage Pops Symphony Orchestra, Nazareth University Night Flyers, and Greater Rochester Women’s Philharmonic Orchestra. At Nazareth, Gillian serves as President of Nazareth’s ASTA Chapter, and has previously served on boards such as NAfME, Naz Impact Percussion Club, and the Nazareth School of Music Student Advisory Board as the Undergraduate Music Education Representative. She also works as an Aural Skills tutor, an audition day facilitator, and is the Website Editor & Social Media Manager for the School of Music. Outside of Nazareth, Gillian has been involved in many community ensembles and has helped facilitate NYSSMA Major’s festivals, NYSSMA All-State performances, and local high school concerts and performances. She is looking forward to continuing her role on the State C-NYSSMA Executive Board, previously serving as Province 2 Representative, and continuing in her second year as Web Editor!
Province Representatives
Province 1: Sophia Arcuri, she/her
Sophia Arcuri is a Junior Music Education Major at the State University of New York at Fredonia, where she studies Saxophone under Dr. Wildy Zumwalt. Sophia is originally from Syracuse, NY where she previously studied saxophone under Sarah Midgley-Scuderi. Prior to Fredonia, Sophia was actively involved in NYSSMA, Oswego County Music Educators Association, New York State Field Band Conference, and more. At Fredonia, Sophia serves as the Publicity Chair for the School of Music’s NAfME Chapter and Vice President of the NYSBDA Chapter. Sophia values leadership roles and consistent involvement in our Music Education community throughout the state. Sophia is honored and excited to serve as Province 1 Representative for C-NYSSMA and is thankful for the opportunities and connections this position will provide!
Province 2: Abigail Hoerbelt, she/her
Abigail Hoerbelt is a senior Music Education major at Nazareth University where she studies voice and choral music education. She served as the secretary of Nazareth University’s NAfME chapter in the 2025-2026 school year. At Nazareth, she is a part of the Treble Choir and Opera Workshop. As a high school student in Batavia, NY she was part of many NYSSMA and county festivals. Outside of Nazareth, she has been involved in many community musical theatre productions. Abigail is excited to co-represent Province 2 with Keenan Smith!
Province 2: Keenan Smith, he/him
Keenan Smith is a senior music education major at Nazareth University where he studies cello as his primary instrument under Zachary Sweet. Originally from Baldwinsville, NY, Keenan studied privately with Aliza Stoll, a teacher at Baldwinsville Central School District. He took part in the Syracuse Young Artists Orchestra, formerly known as Symphoria, where he was an active member for eight consecutive years. Since transferring from Onondaga Community College in 2025, Keenan works as a part of Nazareth’s Team Wilmot, where he helps set up and facilitate student and faculty recitals and coordinate School of Music audition days for his peers. At Nazareth, Keenan is the secretary of Nazareth’s ASTA chapter and performs in Nazareth University Symphony Orchestra, currently serving as the assistant principal cellist. Keenan is honored and excited to represent Province 2 with his peer Abi Hoerbelt and looks forward to connecting with musicians from around the state!
Province 3: Stephen Buff
Stephen Buff is a junior at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, studying Music Education and Flute Performance under Dr. Brian Dunbar. He currently serves as the President of Crane’s Collegiate NAfME chapter and previously served as the Treasurer last year. He has held both flute and piccolo positions in the Crane Wind Ensemble and Crane Symphony Orchestra. Stephen works as a Stage Manager, helping students and faculty have seamless recitals, and as a Music Theory Tutor, supporting students who need additional assistance in their studies. Stephen is thrilled to represent Province 3 on the Collegiate NYSSMA E-Board this year and is very excited to collaborate and create opportunities for collegiate music education students!
Province 4/5: Mia Remeika, she/her
Mia Remeika is a sophomore Music Education major at Hofstra University studying voice with Tammy Hensrud. Mia currently serves as Public Relations Chair for Hofstra’s ACDA chapter and is an active member of Hofstra NAfME, as well. At Hofstra, she performs in opera productions and Chorale. At home in Rhode Island, she teaches classes at a children’s conservatory and is starting her journey of teaching beginner voice lessons. Mia is extremely grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to collaborating with the other incredible musicians on this board.
Province 6: Juni Bae, they/them
Junie Bae is a junior flute performance and education major at the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens! As a collegiate, they have had brilliant opportunities to teach individual lessons, go to conferences such as the NYSSMA Conference and the All-Eastern NAfME Conference. Junie has played in the Queens College Orchestra, Queens College Wind Ensemble, and they serve as the President-Elect of Queens College’s NAfME Chapter, as well as the Secretary of the Aaron Copland Student Faculty Committee. Junie is from Flushing, Queens, has lived in New York City their entire life, and they are excited to be representing Province 6!
Province 7: Michael Lawless
Michael Lawless is a sophomore studying Music Education at Hofstra University. His primary instruments are Voice and French Horn. He participates in Hofstra’s Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, University Chorale, Chamber Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Opera Scenes, and Jazz Combos. Michael is also the Freshmen Representative for Hofstra’s NAfME chapter and is an active member across all of Hofstra’s Music Education Clubs. Michael also currently is marching with the Boston Crusaders, the 2025 Drum Corp International World Champions playing the mellophone. Michael says he is extremely excited to continue on learning to become an ever-growing educator. He is also very thankful to be a Collegiate NYSSMA Province 7 Representative!