Strings Faculty
Carmen Montero
Associate Faculty of Violin, Viola, Cello and Piano
Carmen Montero, violinist/violist, started her musical studies at the age of 7. A graduate of Staten Island’s Curtis High School, she was a participant in the Inter-School Orchestra, conducted by Jonathan Strasser; under auspices of this organization, she performed in the five boroughs and at Lincoln Center.
Ms. Montero obtained her B.S. in Music from the College of Staten Island, where she studied viola, violin and chamber ensemble with Dr. Olivier Fluchaire. Upon graduating, she was a recipient of a CSI Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music Performance. Ms. Montero holds a Master’s in Music Education from Hunter College. Carmen Montero is also an alumna of the Staten Island Conservatory of Music.
She continues to perform in the tri-state area, and due to her extensive qualifications teaches piano and other instruments.
Vincent Mantia
Associate Faculty of Cello, Violin, and Viola
Mr. Mantia, is a graduate of the High School of Music and Art, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. His major cello teachers were, Samuel Reiner, Benar Heifetz, and Mrs Ardyth Alton.
He has taught on the faculties of Brooklyn College, The 92nd Street Y Music School, USDAN, and The School for Strings, where he received a certificate in Suzuki Cello (Julliard).
He has performed as soloist, studio, chamber, and orchestral musician, in Mexico, and the United States, and with the Chautauqua Festival Symphony and Opera.
WILLIAM BARNEY STEVENS
Associate Faculty of Violin
William Barney Stevens received a Bachelor’s Degree from Kansas State University, studying there with Professor Ralph Winkler and performing with the Kansas State University Faculty String Quartet. He then studied with Burton Kaplan for two years at the Manhattan School of Music, and furthered his education with another year at Julliard and Brooklyn College, while also studying privately with Raphael Sobolevski.
He taught for five years at the Bronx Conservatory of Music, located at the Bronx Community College.
Mr. Stevens has played with almost thirty symphonies, philharmonic orchestras and opera companies, including the Bel Canto Opera, Bronx Opera, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Bach Festival Orchestra, Montclair Chamber Ensemble, Riverside Symphony (New Jersey,) Pennsylvania Sinfonia, and many others.
Since the 1980’s, Mr. Stevens has toured nationally, including an east coast tour of Fiddler on the Roof and a national tour of Ziegfield – a Night at the Follies, and internationally including performing in The Sound of Music in China, The Phantom of the Opera in Spain and Portugal, My Fair Lady in Canada, and Porgy and Bess in Japan.