CAMPANELLA'S GREAT PEOPLE
LEADERSHIP
Campanella Founder & Choir Director since 2001,
Campanella Educational Center President,
Illinois American Choral Directors' Association ​Children's Choir Repertory Chair
Marianna Kosaya
Marianna Kosaya, Campanella Children's Choir Director, was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. Her passion for choral music stems largely from her participation in the world-renowned Ukrainian children’s choir Shchedrik. Marianna studied at Kyiv State Pedagogical University, where she earned an M.A. in Music Education and Choir Conducting.
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After immigrating to the United States, she continued to pursue her music career.
Upon arriving in Chicago, Marianna formed a children's choir that began as a small group of toddlers and eventually developed into what is now the Campanella Children’s Choir. Under Marianna’s leadership, the choir has become a competitive ensemble that performs widely throughout Chicago. The choir's success also led to the creation of the Campanella Children's Educational Center, where Marianna serves as the Artistic Director. She also maintains an active voice and piano studio and collaborates with several musical ensembles in Chicago.
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In October 2023, the Campanella Children's Choir was invited to perform at the American Choir Directors Association Fall Convention at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, highlighting their dedication to musical excellence and cultural exchange. Additionally, in 2023, Marianna was appointed as the Children's Choir Repertory Chair for the Illinois American Choral Directors' Association, reinforcing her commitment to the advancement of choral music education and performance.
MUSICIANS
Accompanist
Steven Greene
Steven Greene, pianist, organist, and conductor, is Music Director at Highland Park (IL) Presbyterian Church and accompanist for the Campanella Children’s Choir since September 2024.
A graduate of Amherst College and the Yale School of Music, he performs with Steinway Artist Susan Merdinger as the award-winning Merdinger–Greene Piano Duo, recipients of top honors including First Prizes in the Bradshaw & Buono and Westchester Chamber Music Competitions, and a Global Music Award Gold Medal.
Also an experienced music director and collaborative pianist, Greene is active throughout Chicagoland schools and theaters. He is Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch, President of the Northbrook Symphony, and proud father of three professional musicians.
INSTRUCTORS
Spanish Class Instructor
Rodrigo Herrera
Rodrigo Herrera is a native Spanish speaker from Colombia with over 20 years of experience teaching Spanish in both private and group settings. He has worked extensively in after-school programs throughout Chicago and Illinois, providing personalized language instruction to students of all ages. His approach emphasizes interactive learning, making the process of acquiring Spanish engaging and accessible for children.
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In addition to his work with school-aged students, Rodrigo has also tutored professionals, ensuring they develop practical communication skills for corporate environments. His teaching methods focus on immersion and building conversational confidence, tailored to each student's needs and learning style. Passionate about language and education, Rodrigo enjoys nurturing his students' language abilities, helping them develop a deep appreciation for the Spanish language and culture.