Our Leadership

Kelly Wyszomierski

Artistic Director

Kelly Wyszomierski was appointed Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Chorale in 2017, although she first joined the PYC in 2015 as Director of the Junior Choir. Mrs. Wyszomierski holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Penn State University and a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University. She spent several years teaching middle school choir and general music in West Hartford, CT, and she now teaches choral music and music theory to students in grades 6-12 at Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School. She is the incoming Artistic Director of The Choristers, a semi-professional adult choir based in Lansdale, PA with whom she has worked since 2014. In her spare time, Kelly is pursuing her black belt in karate, and she enjoys cooking and baking, skiing, reading, Penn State football, and spending time with her husband Steve, sons Travis and Connor, and cat Cocoa.

Julie Maragos

Associate Director

Julie Maragos is an Elementary General Music Educator in the Abington School District where she fosters children’s achievement with movement, music literacy, beautiful singing, and audiation. She earned a Master of Music Education degree with level IV Kodály certification from Loyola University (MD) as part of the American Kodály Institute. Also, she has a Master of Education with Administrative Certification from Cabrini College. Ms. Maragos is currently in her twenty-fourth year of teaching. In 2014, Ms. Maragos presented at the NAfME National Conference in Nashville. She earned the PMEA Citation of Excellence Award and presented at the PMEA In-Service Conference in 2016, additionally Ms. Maragos has also had articles published in the PMEA journal and M.U.S.I.K journal. Ms. Maragos has maintained a private piano studio over the years and is a member of the American Choral Directors Association.

Ms. Maragos has been tied to the PYC family for over 15 years. She has been recommending students for membership, has participated in the BuxMont Festivals, and has been a PYC parent for the past 5 years. Ms. Maragos lives with her husband and 2 children in Abington. Julie also serves on the PYC Board was President for the past three years. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, going to concerts, and entertaining with friends.

Andrea Martin

Choir Manager

Andrea Martin joined the PYC family as a parent in 2013 and when her daughter graduated PYC in 2019 she stayed on as choir manager. Andrea lives in Southampton with her husband Bill and daughter Abigail. Andrew has been a volunteer rescue squad/fire company member for over 28 years. In her “spare” time she enjoys teaching, baking, crafting, hiking, and sharing adventures with Abigail. Watching the students’ personalities grow both musically and personally through the years is an honor to be part of. Continuing with The PYC is a privilege. Andrea shares, “Seeing everything my daughter experienced and how it both challenged her and made her into the amazing person she is, made me want to give that opportunity to many future generations of PYC!”

Margin Tianya Zheng

Senior Choir Accompanist

Margin Tianya Zheng is an emerging performer-composer, creative writer, and interdisciplinary artist based in the Philadelphia region. Their works explore the intersection of the personal, political, and philosophical, engaging with such topics as identity, mental health, and collective liberation. At New Music Gathering in June 2023, a series of misfortunes led Margin to transform their piano-based work fluxing, quivering, transforming into a work of performance art in which they cut their hair while reflecting upon their gender identity struggle. They are also an alum of Nief Norf Summer Festival and Wildflower Composers. Margin has performed piano for various ensembles since high school, including the PMEA All-State Choir. Mildly quaint, massively quirky, and madly queer, they are a proud owner of emotional support stuffed animals and high-fidelity earplugs. Margin has a BA in music (with honors) and in mathematics from Haverford College. Check out their work on philosopherartistawakener.com.

Irina Bakis

Junior Choir Accompanist

Irina Bakis has proudly served as the accompanist for the Pennsylvania Youth Chorale Junior Choir since 2021.

She has performed regularly and worked with several children’s choirs, including Commonwealth Youthchoirs, Sister Cities Girlchoir, and the Find Your Instrument! organization. Irina is the Music Director and Organist at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, accompanist for the adult choir at Keneseth Israel Synagogue, and a dedicated piano teacher.

Coming from a family of distinguished classical musicians and educators, Irina earned her M.A. in Piano Performance and Teaching from the Prokofiev Conservatoire in Donetsk, Ukraine.

In addition to music, Irina is passionate about visual art. She holds a B.A. in Design from Pratt Institute in New York, and her selected works have been exhibited in museums and galleries in New York City and Philadelphia.

Irina lives in Cheltenham with her husband Doug, their son Henri, and a few fluffy cats.

Eileen Finley

Founding Director, the PYC

Eileen Finley, founding director of the PYC, has studied music and choral conducting at the Kodaly Institute in Keschemet, Hungary, at Southeaster Massachusetts University; and at the Royal School of Church Music at Princeton University. She received her Masters of Music Education at the College of New Jersey and her Kodaly Certification from the Kodaly Center of America in Massachusetts.

Ms. Finley has considerable teaching experience on the graduate and undergraduate levels, as well as 36 years experience teaching music in the public schools. She has taught courses and workshops at College Misericordia, College of New Jersey, Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, University of Pennsylvania, University of West Texas, and Westminster Choir College.

Ms. Finley is the recipient of the “Citation of Excellence” from the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, “Recognition of Excellence” from the Neshaminy School Board, “Citation of Appreciation” from the Pennsylvani House of Representatives and the College of Misericordia Alumni Award presented by the Music Department. She has been listed as an “Accomplished Teacher” by the Music Educator’s National Conference.