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
Ben merchant • pRESidENT, 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.
Caryn Patterson • VICE pRESidENT, 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.
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.
Paul Jutzeler • treasurer • 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.
Mark Bostick • box office
In the early 1960s Mark and his mother attended a performance by the piano duo Ferrante & Teicher in Shreveport, La and he fell in love with live music. During the 1990s he was on the Board of Directors of the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana in Lafayette, La and currently serves on the entertainment committee of the Westcott Street Cultural Fair. His wife, Connie Walters, sings with the SVE. Mark co-hosts the radio show Top of the World on WAER radio, the only world music radio show in Syracuse.
Anne Jamison • PUBLICITY
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.
bruce ward • personnel• grants
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.
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.
Kevin Ammann • development
Kevin is a music educator with a passion for choral singing and composing. Kevin has been singing with SVE starting in their 2025 season. Music and helping others are at the core of who Kevin is. He has taught in Utica, Syracuse, and Star Lake, both in public and private capacities. Kevin loves to compose and arrange music for choral ensembles. When not singing, other instruments Kevin enjoys playing include French horn, clarinet, and piano. Outside of music and teaching, Kevin enjoys reading, learning new skills, travel, and spending quality time with loved ones.