New Musicians Joining Riverside

We have several new musicians joining us this fall. If you see them please extend a warm Riverside welcome!

Carillon: Sunday morning 10:30am service prelude, Sunday afternoon 3:00pm concerts

Carla Staffaroni, Assistant Carillonneur, began playing the carillon during her time at Wellesley College. Following her graduation from Wellesley, she served as Associate Carillonneur at Norwich University in Vermont. Carla currently serves on two committees of the Guild of carillonneurs in North America. When she is not playing the carillon, Carla teaches high school Spanish and enjoys baking sourdough bread.

Lynnli Wang, Assistant Carillonneur, completed her M. M. degree in Organ Performance at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music where she also taught as their inaugural Carillon Instructor. Upon graduating, she relocated to New York City with her husband. An advocate for diversity in the arts, Lynnli has commissioned numerous works from underrepresented composers, serves on the board of the Guild of Carillonneurs of North America, and performs a wide range of music for all to enjoy. When not playing heavy metal on the bells, Lynnli loves exploring the city, hiking, and tending her bonsai tree.

Limitless Family Service: Sunday mornings 11:00am in room 9T

Clifford Smith, bass vocalist, vocal coach, and conductor, is the Pianist and Song Leader for the Limitless family service. He debuted at The Metropolitan Opera with Kathleen Battle’s URRG Project. He has conducted and concertized on hundreds of stages around the world.  Cliff currently holds a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance, a Master of Music in Education, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership.  He is scheduled to complete his doctorate in Educational Leadership at St. Peter’s University in May 2023.

Space for Grace and Grace Notes: Wednesday nights 7:00pm

Walker Jermaine Jackson, Praise Team Leader for Space for Grace, is a multi-versed musician and singer in NYC. Classically trained as a tenor having performed operas throughout Europe and North America, he wears many musical hats working as a Choral Educator, Private Vocal Coach, Church Musician, and Cabaret Pianist.  As a pianist, he has served as an off-Broadway Music Director at the Castillo Theater on 42nd street, and appears regularly as a pianist and singer at The Monster NYC. He serves as Director of Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Paterson, NJ, is Music Director with the Brooklyn Children’s Theater, runs a private voice studio in the Bronx, and a music studio through Westchester Home Music.