He is an active member of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) as both a certified brass judge and attending educator. He directed the Elementary Concert Band, Junior High Concert Winds, Senior High Symphonic Band, and the Senior High Jazz Big Band. During his tenure at Alfred-Almond, his teaching responsibilities included lessons for grades 5-12. Before joining the Hornell Music Department, Todd spent 28 years as the Director of Bands for the Alfred-Almond School District. TODD BIALECKI is in his second year as a 7-12 Instrumental Director at Hornell High School. He currently serves as the NYSSMA Zone 15 Representative, sits on the board of directors and is a regular vocalist/actor for the Hornell Community Theatre (HCT), is a past President of the Steuben County Music Teachers Association (SCMTA), served as the Junior High Area All-State Festival Chairman.Ĭhris currently lives in Hornell with his girlfriend Danielle, their daughter Shea and dog Mia, and is obsessed with baseball and the New York Mets. He serves as a vocal adjudicator and has guest lectured on the social and psychological benefits of music education at Alfred University. He has guest conducted honors festivals for various organizations including the Cortland County Music Teachers Association and Genesee Valley School Music Association. van Leeuwen has received multiple Outstanding and Excellence in Music Direction Awards from the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS) for the school musical productions. His auditioned choirs regularly give 25+ performances a year including gigs for the Elmira Jackals, Rochester Red Wings, and with the rock band FOREIGNER in 2010. Hornell choirs have received prestigious performance invitations to the Segerstrom Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Carnegie Hall in New York City, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, and to Normandy, France for the 73rd anniversary of the D-Day landing. Under his direction, Hornell ensembles have competed in choral competitions in New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, The District of Colombia, and Virginia receiving 32 Gold Awards in 11 years. He also teaches music electives in theory, history, film, and the cognitive neuroscience of music. van Leeuwen directs the Junior High Choir, Treble Choir, Senior High Choir, Show Choir, and Jazz Choir. CHRIS VAN LEEUWEN, K-12 Music Department Chairperson has been the 7-12 Director of Vocal Music the last 13 years.