ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Paul Marchese is a music educator, conductor, and performer with diverse experiences and interests. He has taught at every level, from elementary to college, with an emphasis in vocal music. He has served as the director of music for a number of churches, and currently teaches Chorus and General Music at Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn District 41. Since his hiring in 2011, the Hadley Junior High Choral Program has grown from an extra-curricular club of 15 students to a thriving curricular program involving 230 students. In addition to developing the choral curriculum, he has created a Music Technology course, a Ukulele Class, and a Fretted Orchestra.

As a performer, Paul has been fortunate to perform in a number of operas and musicals, as well as with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia. Locally, he has sung with the DeKalb Municipal Band many times, and has performed with the Children’s Community Theatre in DeKalb, in addition to directing music for a number of their productions. He discovered the joys of the Ukulele several years ago, and now plays during the summer with the NIUkulele Ensemble, and arranges music for Ukulele and Fretted Ensembles. Paul also builds cigar box guitars, and can occasionally be caught playing one of them in the Hadley Jr. High Faculty Garage Band.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carthage College, and a Master of Music from the University of Nebraska. He is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association and the National Association for Music Education. He lives in DeKalb with his wife, Nicole, and their four children.