Stephen Castaneda

6134 Bramble Ct. Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648

(609) 498 - 2657 Stephen.Castaneda40@gmail.com
EDUCATION

Hampton University Hampton, Virginia

May, 2012
Bachelor of Arts in Music,
Cumulative Grade Point Average: 2.9
Conducting with Royzell Dillard; Music Recording Technology with Emidio
Tomasetti and Harvey Stokes; Music Theory with Harvey Stokes; Opera
Workshop with Charlene Marchant; Music History with Lori Shipley
Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Princeton, NJ.
Masters of Music in Music Education,
May, 2015 (anticipated)
Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.661
Music Education with Janet Cape, Sharon Murrow, Al Holcomb,
Frank Abrahams and James Maher; Brass and Woodwind
instruments with Janet Cape; Music Technology with Janet Cape;
String instruments with Robert Loughran; Music Theory with Stefan
Young; Music of South East Asia with Eric Hung

TEACHING

Senaca High School, Tabernacle, New Jersey

Winter, 2014
Taught choral music, concert band, orchestra, and music theory classes
for grades 9-12 in a supervised practicum. Conducted three separate
vocal groups: Mixed Choir (Beginner), Chamber Singers (Advanced), and
Show Choir. Developed choral warm ups that addressed choral and vocal
issues in the repertoire while encouraging good vocal technique and
strong choral habits. Constructed student-centered lessons that fostered
a higher level of musicality in students. Incorporated an adequate use of
technology to improve the classroom experience. Implemented
Understanding by Design lesson plans. Honored the world of students by
engaging them in analysis of music they enjoyed. Conducted and
accompanied orchestra on piano. Conducted concert band. Conducted
and accompanied groups on piano for Winter Concert.
Hunterdon Academy of the Arts, Flemington, New Jersey
2014-present
Currently teaching private lessons in Piano. Providing student-centered
instruction to engage students. Using Howard Gardners theory of Multiply
Intelligences to teach according to students personal learning styles.
Accompany the True Voice Project ensemble on piano. Group sings a
repertoire that they choose themselves that consists mostly of pop music.
I use technology like Logic Pro to play layered instruments to enhance
the performance experience. I also teach some rehearsals and implement
warm-ups that will address issues the ensemble may have.

First Hopewell Baptist Church, Newark, New Jersey

2014-present
Director for the Youth Choir and Adult Choir. Accompany both choirs on
piano and organ. Teach choir hymns and contemporary gospel music.
Create warm-ups that will maximize the potential of singers with little
singing experience. Simplify song arrangements to be more suitable for
less experienced group.
Ewing High School, Ewing, New Jersey
Spring, 2014
Taught Music Appreciation and conducted choir for children grades 9-12
in a supervised practicum. Developed choral warm-ups that addressed
choral and vocal issues in the repertoire while encouraging good vocal
technique and strong choral habits. Accompanied choir on piano. Created
lessons plans for Music Appreciation that focused on music the students
liked to better engage students. Lessons were aligned with the National
Standards for Music Education.
West Windsor-Plainsboro Elementary School, Plainsboro,
New Jersey
Fall, 2013
Taught general music for grades 4-5 in a supervised practicum. Lessons
implemented Kodly and Orff strategies to aid in music literacy and
creativity. Created listening lessons that engaged students in active music
listening. Lesson content was correlated to meet the benchmarks of the
National Standards for Music Education. Differentiated instruction to meet
individual student learning styles and special education students
mainstreamed into the classroom. Assisted in teaching a self-contained
special education class weekly.
Calvary Revival Church of Chesapeake, Chesapeake, Virginia
2011-2012
Pianist. Organized band and lead band rehearsals. Taught choir parts.
Worked with Youth Choir, Mass Choir and Praise Team. Wrote and
arranged songs for the Praise Team that we performed regularly.
Hampton University Gospel Choir, Hampton Virginia
2010-2012
Served as the Music Director and pianist for Gospel Choir. Responsible
for organizing band and leading band rehearsals. Also responsible for
teaching choir parts for some songs.
RELATED
EXPERIENCE

Coastal Stewards Education Program Leader Summers 2009-2011

Responsible for leading a group of 12 that ranged in ages from 13-25.
Educated visitors of Assateague Island on environmental restoration.

PERFORMING
EXPERIENCE

Westminster Symphonic Choir - Joe Miller, conductor

2013-2014
Performances with the New York Philharmonic; Philadelphia Symphony
Westminster Jubilee Singers - Brandon Waddles, conductor
2013-2014

Hampton University Concert Choir - Royzell Dillard, conductor

2011-2012
Accompanied choir on piano for gospel pieces and sung bass on others.
Toured with choir during Spring Tour.
Hampton University Gospel Choir - Royzell Dillard, conductor
2007-2012
Accompanied gospel choir on piano. Performed in various church venues
on East Coast.
Opera Workshop Recital - Charlene Marchant, director
2011
Solo performer of Vecchi Zi Mara Senti (from Puccinis La Bohme)
SPECIAL
INTERESTS

Songwriting (Wrote, produced and arranged my own album)

Piano
Music Production

AWARDS AND
HONORS

Gospel Music Association (GMA) Songwriting Competition

Nashville, Tennessee
(Top 10 Finalist out of 225 Applicants)
Hampton University Ministers Conference Music Academy

MEMBERSHIPS

National Association for Music Education (NAfME)

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

CERTIFICATIONS

New Jersey Teachers Certification (Anticipated)

REFERENCES

Dr. Frank Abrahams - Professor of Music Education

Westminster Choir College of Rider University
101 Walnut Lane Princeton, New Jersey 08540
(609) 924-7146 Abrahams@rider.edu
Dr. Shane Morrow - Assistant Professor of Music Education
Westminster Choir College of Rider University
101 Walnut Lane Princeton, New Jersey 08540
(609) 921-7100, ext. 8238 Smorrow@rider.edu
Mr. Robert DiLauro - Choral Director
Senaca High School
101 Carranza Rd. Tabernacle, New Jersey 08088
(609) 268-4600 ext. 6676 RDILAURO@lrhsd.org
Additional references and confidential career dossier available upon
request from:
Career Services - Westminster Choir College of Rider University
101 Walnut Lane - Princeton, New Jersey 08540
(609)92107100 ext. 8217