Tenor and College Vocal Arts faculty Paul Sperry passed away on June 13, 2024 at the age of 90. A legend as an accomplished recitalist, Paul joined MSM in 1995 to share his passion for teaching, expertise and experiences as a recitalist, and love for Art Song with our students.
As an immensely respected recitalist, more than 50 songs were written for Paul by composers ranging from Karl Stockhausen to William (Bill) Bolcom, to Libby Larsen and Bernard Rands. Paul was heard on numerous discographies, and one work by Rands, CRI, was selected for the 1984 Pulitzer Prize in Music. Committed to preserving and sharing art songs, he recorded the complete set of Charles Ives’ songs and compiled and published a collection of works in the book American Encores (Oxford University Press, 2002). A complete biography for Paul is available on the MSM website.
Faculty Emerita Nina Svetlanova passed away on July 24, 2024. Nina was a cherished colleague with a renowned reputation as a pianist and pedagogue and served on MSM’s piano faculty for nearly 40 years prior to retiring in December 2022. More information about a memorial will be shared as information is available.
Nina’s performance career spanned the world, with concerts in Europe, Australia, North America, Russia, and Asia. In addition, she joined the jury for major international competitions and can be heard on several recordings. MSM’s initial announcement of Nina’s passing is shared on our website, here, and tributes from several members of MSM’s community follow.
Renowned classical music producer Adam Abeshouse (MM ’85), of Westchester, New York, passed away on October 10, 2024. Born on Long Island in 1961, Adam began his life in music as a violinist, earning his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees at New York University and Manhattan School of Music, respectively. A student of Stanley Bednar while at MSM, Adam performed for years with such groups as the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the Metropolitan String Quartet, before and after he began producing other musicians. He began his career as a producer recording friends’ audition tapes in a small basement studio. Over the next 30 years, Adam went on to make hundreds of records with some of classical music’s biggest stars. He won two Grammy awards, including Classical Producer of the Year in 1999. When he was struck with an aggressive, fatal illness this year, twelve of his celebrity clients came together to perform for him one last time in a private concert at his home studio, a reflection of the great love and loyalty he inspired in the artists he worked with.
Click HERE to read Adam’s full obituary.
Angela Bofill (BM ’76), a celebrated R&B and Jazz singer known for hits such as “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” and “I Try,” passed away on June 13, 2024 in Vallejo, California at the age of 70. Born into a culturally rich environment in the Bronx, New York in 1954, her father, a Cuban percussionist, and her mother, a social worker, encouraged her to pursue her passion for music. She attended Hunter College High School and studied classical voice with Rose Bampton at Manhattan School of Music. Angela’s recording career launched in the late 1970s, continuing to release successful albums and give performances worldwide throughout the 1980s. While her singing career was halted by two strokes in 2006 and 2007, she stayed connected with her fans, making public appearances and participating in benefit concerts to raise awareness about stroke prevention. She is survived by her daughter.
Click HERE to read Angela’s full obituary.
John “Jack” W. Coe (MM ’61), of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away on August 28, 2024 at the age of 88. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1935, Jack grew up on Long Island, displaying talent in physics and music. He graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Music degree (1958) and a Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music (1961, with Edward Herman), both in trombone performance, later earning a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Indiana University. Jack began his career by teaching music at universities in Ohio, Kentucky, and Colarado. In 1976, he was hired by the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) as a Higher Education Consultant, eventually serving as a Legislative Consultant. While at WEAC he met his life partner Mary Pitassi, who shared his deep love of music, travel and lifelong learning. Jack was a licensed pilot, a member of the Wisconsin Civil Air Patrol, a member of Rotary Club of Madison West Middleton, and an emeritus member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.
Click HERE to read Jack’s full obituary.
Baritone Dominic Cossa, former Manhattan School of Music Voice faculty member, passed away on October 6, 2024 at the age of 89. Born in Jessup, Pennsylvania in 1935, Cossa made his debut in 1961 with New York City Opera. He won the American Opera Auditions in 1964 and debuted at both the Teatro Nuovo and Teatro della Pergola in Italy that year. Later debuts included San Francisco Opera (1967) and the Metropolitan Opera (1970). He was best known for his work with the MET throughout the 1970’s. Cossa also originated the role of David Murphy in the world premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Hero (1976) with Opera Company of Philadelphia, commissioned to celebrate the United States’ Bicentennial. He appeared as soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Israel Philharmonic, and the National Symphony (United States). Retiring from the stage, Cossa taught at Manhattan School of Music, later accepting a professorship at the University of Maryland College Park, where he became Chair of Voice/Opera. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great American Singers at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia in 1993, and was chosen by legendary soprano Licia Albanese to be the recipient of the Puccini Foundation’s Bacccarat Award in 2004.
Click HERE to read Professor Cossa’s obituary in OperaWire.
Pianist and music educator Carol Eaton Elowe (’52), of Brunswick, Maine, passed away on June 4, 2024 at the age of 91. Born in Portland, Maine in 1933, Carol began her piano studies at age four, eventually studying at Manhattan School of Music with Dora Zaslavsky-Koch (’22, HonDMA ’86). She went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from New England Conservatory and a Master of Music from Syracuse University. She served as a piano faculty member at recitalist at Phillips Andover Academy for nearly 20 years. Later on, Carol cofounded the Portland Conservatory of Music, where she was not only the inaugural executive director but also taught and chaired the piano department. She became chair of the piano department, a member of the Conservatory’s Board of Directors and of its Advisory Council. Carol was married to Edmond Nasir Elowe for 49 years until his passing in 2002. She is survived by her five children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Click HERE to read Carol’s full obituary.
Longtime member of New York Financial Writers’ Association (NYFWA) Alan J. Goldsand (’62), of Old Bethpage, New York, passed away on June 29, 2024 at the age of 82. Born in 1942, Alan studied with violinist Rachmael Weinstock (BM ’57, MM ’58) at Manhattan School of Music, turning to a career as a financial writer but retaining an interest in violin. Over five decades, Alan held countless roles within NYFWA and served as the organization’s president from 1984-1985. Click HERE to watch Alan recollect his experiences with NYFWA.
Click HERE to read Alan’s obituary.
Robert E. (Bob) Jackson (MM ’73), of Matthews, North Carolina, passed away on January 30, 2024, at the age of 69. He was born in 1944 in Brooklyn, New York and started playing trumpet at age 9 in Salvation Army brass bands. He was the cornet soloist for the New Jersey Youth band’s tour of Scandinavia in 1964. Bob received a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music in 1973, where he studied with William Vacchiano. In 1968, Bob joined the Davidson College music faculty and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO), where he and was the Principal Trumpet for thirty-four years until his retirement in 2002 while serving as a member of CSO’s Board of Directors from 1992-2002. He also served on CSO’s Arts and Science Task Force. Bob is survived by his daughter, granddaughter, two sisters and extended family.
Click HERE to read Bob’s full obituary.
Yizhak Schotten (’68) passed away on September 23, 2024. Born in Haifa, Israel in 1943, Schotten was a renowned violist and student of William Primrose as well as Lillian Fuchs. He performed as a member of the Pittsburgh, Boston, Cincinnati and Houston Symphony Orchestras. Schotten was a revered professor at the University of Michigan, shaping countless students’ careers. He also served as music director of several festivals, such as the Maui Classical Music Festival. As a soloist and chamber musician, he recorded numerous viola works, garnering critical acclaim. Schotten’s artistry, teaching, and recordings have left an enduring legacy in the classical music world.
Click HERE to read Yizhak’s full obituary in The Strad.
Pianist and music educator Thomas A. (Tom) Schumacher (BM ’58), of La Jolla, California, passed away on May 31, 2024 at the age of 88. Tom performed extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia in recitals and with major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Washington DC National Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Warsaw Philharmonic and Tokyo Philharmonic. He gave the world premiere of David Diamond’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with the New York Philharmonic in 1967.
Born in Butte, Montana in 1935, Tom went on to study with Robert Goldsand at Manhattan School of Music and at The Julliard School with Beveridge Webster and Adele Marcus. Tom served on the faculty of the University of Maryland from 1969-1995, chairing the piano department his last two years. He joined the Eastman School of Music faculty in 1995, earning professor emeritus distinction. Tom is survived by two brothers, two sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law.
Click HERE to read Tom’s full obituary.
Martin L. (Marty) Stromsten (MM ’58), of Albany, New York, passed away on July 16, 2024 at the age of 88. He was born in Port Jefferson, New York in 1936 and began playing trumpet at age 14, eventually earning his Bachelor of Music degree studying with Joe Alessi at MSM. After a two-year stint in the U.S. Army Band, Marty embarked on his career as an elementary school band director throughout New York State. He remained active as a performer throughout various styles and enjoyed a fulfilling family life. He is survived by his life partner, former wife, two daughters, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Click HERE to read Marty’s full obituary.
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