Sinfonia

Cynthia D. Longley is a string pedagogue, conductor, freelance cellist, and music therapist. Ms. Longley performs regularly with orchestras throughout the state. She made her orchestral debut at Carnegie Hall performing under composer and conductor, John Rutter. She has had cello performance studies with Andre Emelianoff, Colin Carr and Nicholas Tzavaras, among others. She received a Bachelor of Music in cello performance from James Madison University and a Performer’s Certificate from Montclair State University. Ms. Longley also completed her Master’s Degree in Music Therapy at Montclair State University. Her conducting studies were with Dr. Robert McCashin at James Madison University.

Ms. Longley has had the opportunity to play with such artists as violinists Robert McDuffie and Glen Dicterow and guitarist Pepe Romero. Ms. Longley has also performed and recorded with various pop acts and artists in styles ranging from Celtic and early music to bluegrass and rock. She recorded with Kobie Jackson whose song Ordinary won an ASCAP award for best songwriting. She also played with Joe Piscopo and the New Jersey Pops. Ms. Longley has performed in recital, and was featured as a soloist with the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra

Ms. Longley has worked with the New Jersey Youth Symphony Orchestras since 1999 as a cello and strings coach and has been the conductor of Sinfonia since 2006. She served as an adjunct professor teaching string technique at Montclair State University and an adjunct cello instructor at Caldwell College. She is very active in promoting musician’s wellness through body awareness and correct movement in playing positions, as well as neurological-musical connections.