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
bruce ward • pRESidENT, Development
Bruce was a founding member of SVE at its beginnings in 1973 and has been a regular singer with the group every year since 2002. He served as Board President from 2015-2021, and has written over 15 grant applications for the group. Outside of SVE Bruce has served as Board President of the non-profit Earlville Opera House for 9 years, and enjoys playing guitar and bass in folk music ensembles as well as serving as sound technician for the Opera House. Bruce is a residential architect in private practice.
Beth langley • treasurer
Beth Bio
Beth Spencer • secretary
Beth Bio
peter allen • programs, box office
Peter Bio
MAri Ukena • PUBLICITY
Mari has been singing with SVE since 2000 and served as personnel manager for SVE in 2012-2014. Mari has been spent her career in education working with adult students for the past 20-year, most recently as the Director of Adult Education at OCM BOCES. She holds a BA in English Literature and Elementary Education with an MS in Reading and a CAS in Educational Leadership. Mari enjoys singing at local Open Mics and coaching and teaching swimming at a local YMCA, as well as walking her two dogs.
Anne Jamison • PUBLICITY• personnel
Anne taught choral and general music for thirty-three years, most recently at Bishop Ludden Junior-Senior High School in Syracuse, where she directed the musicals and choruses, and taught piano and theory classes. A native of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Anne earned her bachelor’s degree in music from Kenyon College, followed by a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a master’s in music education from Syracuse University. Her teaching experience includes collegiate, school, and community choirs in the Northeast, Midwest, and in CNY. Anne has sung with the Syracuse Vocal Ensemble since 2008. She’s glad to return to the SVE board and looks forward to a great 2025 - 2026 season.
anthony impellizeri • marketing and audience outreach
Anthony Bio
kelly wypych • development
Kelly 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.