Collaborative Artistic Facilitators
Collaborative Artistic Facilitators
Meet Shanelle
Shanelle Stoker is an enthusiastic, passionate, and detailed music teacher, accompanist, and lover of music and
the arts. Her goal is to help children become life-long learners, musicians, and socially conscious human
beings. She loves working with children, teaching, and sharing the joy of music. As a music teacher in
Corning, she has the best job in the world, and delights in the eagerness and playfulness of children in grades
kindergarten through fifth grade.
Shanelle has been playing the piano, singing, and performing since she was about eight years old, and has
always found peace and joy from melodies, lyrics, and connections that can be made with others through music.
She has directed and accompanied various choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists for over 30 years. She has
performed with several community vocal groups, including The Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes,
Harmonious Chorus, and Vocal Essence of the Southern Tier.
Shanelle lives in Corning with her husband, four children, and two cats. She loves to read books, play games,
coach and watch her kids play sports, attend musicals, walk and hike, and spend time with family and friends.
Meet Brian
Brian Ellison is a dedicated music educator with over two decades of experience teaching and designing programs that center on creativity, accessibility, and student voice. His work spans a wide range of disciplines—including music production, modern band, electronic music, and guitar—and reflects a commitment to making music education relevant, inclusive, and empowering for all learners.
Brian’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves a place in music, regardless of their prior experience or background. He fosters learning environments where students are encouraged to take creative risks, collaborate authentically, and explore music as both a personal and communal expression. His programs have included student-run recording studios, original composition projects, and live performance opportunities that highlight contemporary musical forms and diverse cultural perspectives.
A passionate advocate for equity in the arts, Brian has led initiatives that expand access to high-quality music education and celebrate the richness of each participant’s unique voice. His work continues to evolve with a focus on innovation, community connection, and lifelong musical engagement.
What Sets Us Apart
People-First Approach
Everything we do is built around understanding our ensemble members’ needs and helping them succeed—because when they thrive, so does our community.
All members of our team have been vetted, not only for the safety and comfort of our ensembles, but also for musical excellence, inter-personal skills and traits, and the ability to teach and inspire the musicians that are entrusted to our care.
Be the Change.
Long-Term Relationships
We’re not just here for the now. We love creating lasting relationships with our ensemble members and growing with them over time.
We are long-time educators who are invested in our ensemble members’ success with our careers as music educators, service to the community with like-minded organizations that serve, and commitment to providing skills and passion for life-long musicianship. We celebrate all who reside in the Southern Tier and are dedicated to honoring the cultural traditions of this region and beyond.
Meet our Community Where they Are and Take them on a Journey.
They will also take us on a journey, and we will all be better for it.
Proven Growth-minded Process
We each bring structure where it counts with sound pedagogy and decades of musical and educational experience. However, we all know that healthy things grow - and so do we! We are adaptable where it matters - in responding the the human beings in front of us.
Our rehearsal and ensemble facilitation methods are clear, but always responsive. We never rest on our laurels, and are always working to be the most effective musical leaders that we can be with professional development and collaborations.
Semper Gumby (Always Flexible!)
