Artistic Director
Dr. Julie Pretzat • Artistic Director
Dr. Julie Pretzat began her conducting career as an undergraduate music major at Smith College, studying under Iva Dee Hiatt. She received her Master of Music in Conducting from the University of Michigan, and her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, where she studied under Elmer Thomas, John Leman, and Earl Rivers. She has held choral positions at Mount Holyoke College, Morehead State University in Minnesota, Syracuse University, and SUNY Oswego.
As Director of Choral Activities at SUNY Oswego, Julie conducted many major operas, musicals, and choral works with orchestra, from requiems by Brahms and Verdi, to the world premiere of Richard Einhorn’s Origin for the 50th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species. In addition to her work with collegiate choirs, she has had the opportunity to direct Kitka, Anonymous 4, the Syracuse Vocal Ensemble, and a massed choir for the international General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. She served as Music Director at Park Central Presbyterian Church for 20 years.
In 2014, Julie has moved into college administration, and away from her music career, partially due to shoulder injuries. She served as Associate, and Dean of the School of Communication, Media, and the Arts at SUNY Oswego and is a professor of Music Theory.
Julie previously served as the Artistic Director for the SVE from 1986 through 1990.
Board of Directors
CHRISTINE RICHARDSON • pRESDIENT
Alto Christine Richardson has been singing with SVE since 2016. She has sung in vocal ensembles in Syracuse, Cincinnati, Binghamton, Sioux Falls and South Bend. In 2021, Christine retired from a long and gratifying career serving colleges and universities directing career services offices. She is a member of Plymouth Congregational Church where she volunteers in the food pantry and assists with managing the growing music library. Christine began practicing yoga and was surprised to learn that Yoga helps one sing better!
Caryn Patterson • VICE pRESDIENT, Secretary
Caryn Patterson has been active in the Syracuse community as a music educator and singer/instrumentalist for more than 35 years, spending a significant part of her career as a choral director at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Caryn performed with the local rock band, TRYX for over 30 years and currently directs the LeMoyne College Singers and Test Kitchen Vocal Jazz. She provides music direction for the Cicero-North Syracuse High School Musicals. Caryn has been a singer with SVE since 2019.
Kimberly Panek-Edwards • media specialist
Kimberly is a graduate of Onondaga Community College where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Arts and Humanities (Magna Cum Laude). She is the resident director for the Cicero-North Syracuse High School Spring Musical and her productions have been nominated for over 20 Syracuse High School Theatre Awards (SHSTAs), winning in multiple categories including Best Overall Production and Best Ensemble. She is a recipient of the “Champions of Change Award” granted from the New York State School Boards Association for her work in creating “This Will Be Our Year,” an original musical written for the CNS Spring Musical Program during Covid. She is a cofounder of the Cicero Area Student Theatre program, which brought theatre education to teens in the Cicero area.
Paul Jutzeler • box office
Paul Jutzeler has been a member of several choral groups in the area for more than four decades, including Syracuse University Oratorio Society, Syracuse Pops Chorus, and the choirs at Dewitt Community Church, Park Central Presbyterian Church and the Cathedral Choir. A retired technology professional, Paul works part-time for Kerner and Merchant Pipe Organ Builders.
Ben Merchant • venues
Ben has been singing with the Syracuse Vocal Ensemble on and off for 40 years. He has served on the SVE board several times as an acting member and chair. He is a graduate of SUNY Albany and Syracuse University, with degrees in Music and Music History. Ben is a founding partner of Kerner and Merchant Pipe Organ Builders, and has been President of the company for over 40 years. He is now a consultant to the company and helps out on a part-time basis. Ben and his wife Julie Pretzat enjoy music making, traveling, cooking and the company of good friends.
THOMAS NAMI • PUBLICITY
Tom has been singing with the SVE since 2021 and was an elementary and high school vocal music teacher for 32 years, most recently the Fulton City School District. He holds an AAS Music degree from OCC, Bachelor of Music degree from The Crane School of Music and a Master of Science degree in Music Education from The College of St. Rose. Tom performed for many years with local theater groups and choirs most notably The Talent Company, Theatre 90, Oswego Summer Theater and Syracuse Civic Theatre as well as The Oswego Festival Chorus, The Mohawk Valley Choral Society and The SGLC. Tom volunteers with Meals on Wheels and enjoys taking care of his cats and traveling with his spouse whenever possible.
kelly wypych • development
Kelly Wypych is a strategist and problem solver with decades of experience leading teams in business, non-profits and sports organizations. She has worked hands-on in dozens of countries and has a passion for helping people turn ideas into reality. Kelly's professional roles included President/CEO at Cryomech, and leadership roles at Saab Sensis, ClearMark, Lockheed Martin and GE. Since retiring, Kelly has taken on multiple volunteer roles and is a business counselor supporting women entrepreneurs at the WISE women's business center.