SYC Staff

Michael Wu has  served as a guest conductor, adjudicator, presenter, organist and accompanist extensively in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania.  In 2016, he led the West Virginia All State Treble Chorus, the Delaware Men Only Aloud Festival, and the New York Zone 8 All State Chorus.

Michael is a full-time faculty member at Landon School, Bethesda, Maryland. His Landon choirs have been invited by audition to participate in the National Youth Choir Festival at Carnegie Hall three times; his ensembles have worked with notable musicians, including Maestro Leonard Slatkin, Charles Bruffy, the American Boy Choir, and the Land of Lakes Choir Boys. 

At Faith UMC, Rockville, Maryland, Michael is Director of Music, leading the church’s Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, and Women of Faith. He has initiated several community concerts hosted by Faith, notably featuring the M Street Brass Quintet.

From 2006–2014, Michael was conductor of the Bel Canto Chorus for the Children’s Chorus of Washington. His CCW ensembles sang for John Rutter in the North American premier of his Mass of the Children; were described as “clarion and focused” in the Washington Post singing Carmina Burana with Master Chorale at the Kennedy Center; and were lauded in the Washington Post for their “agility, precise German diction and balance in an intricate duet (“Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten”) from Bach’s BWV 78 Cantata” in their Strathmore debut.

His CCW ensembles also toured the US, including New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, and they have collaborated with many other choirs, including Anima Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus, Virginia Children’s Chorus, Princeton Girl Choir, Pennsylvania Girl Choir, and Boston Children’s Chorus.

A composer and arranger (ASCAP), Michael is published by Boosey & Hawkes. He holds Artist-Teacher Certification from the Choral Music Experience and has completed OAKE Kodaly Music Education courses at Westminster Choir College.

He is a doctoral candidate in choral conducting and a graduate music lecturer at George Mason University, and he earned the Victoria N. Salmon scholarship to help write his dissertation on best practices among children’s choruses in America. He has also conducted the University Chorale and taught undergraduate courses in person and on-line for Mason.

He earned degrees in Organ Performance and Church Music from the Peabody Conservatory, and from Northwestern University. This native Washingtonian has toured with American choirs and given organ recitals throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. He is currently a Children’s Choirs Repertoire and Resources Chair for the American Choral Directors Association (Maryland/DC Chapter). 

Mrs. Carla Wardell teaches choral and general music at Sequoyah Elementary School and has taught in Montgomery County Public Schools since 2005. Previously, she taught middle and high school chorus where her choirs earned superior ratings at both the county and state level. From 2011 to 2018, Mrs. Wardell served as Assistant Director of the Frederick Children’s Chorus where she developed their Kodály based-musicianship program and directed various ensembles of singers ranging in age from 5-18. She has served in MCPS as a member of the elementary music curriculum writing team and director of the Northwest County Elementary Honors Chorus from 2016-2022. Mrs. Wardell has an interest in teacher training and has presented workshops and reading sessions on elementary choirs for both the Maryland Music Educators Association and Maryland United Specialists in Kodály. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in Kodály music education from Loyola University Maryland.

Dr. Yee Von Ng, Malaysian pianist performs solo on both piano and harpsichord and is in demand to accompany choirs, singers, instrumentalists, ballet studios, opera choruses, and musicals. She graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree and a Master’s degree in the Collaborative Piano program at the University of Maryland and Bowling Green University, Ohio. Her many touring experiences accompanying several major choirs in both universities took her across the United States and she had the privilege to work with conductor Helmuth Rilling at the Kennedy Center. Ng participated in the Collaborative Artist Program at the Aspen Music Festival and School under the tutelage of Professor Rita Sloan. She joined Malaysia’s Dithyrambic Singers to perform works by composer Eric Whitacre at the Carnegie Hall. Previously an active classical and jazz singer in college choir groups, she has sung/accompanied and won several competitions held in Hong Kong and Singapore. Ng also currently serves as the church pianist and Summer Music Director at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria, Virginia. As the collaborative pianist and teaching administrative assistant at Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, MD, Ng collaborates with the choir ensembles, orchestra, and band.

An accomplished and versatile instrumentalist, Ann Bartlow continually seeks opportunities to follow her passions and refine her craft. With an indelible work ethic, she has dedicated much of her life to building and expanding upon her skills in accompaniment. Her career as a pianist and organist spans more than 20 years, and she is proud to leverage that experience in her current role as a Collaborative Pianist with Strathmore Children’s Chorus.

Ann has established a record of professional excellence by performing as the principal pianist and accompanist for weekly church congregations across Arizona and Maryland. She has cultivated a competitive repertoire with a wide selection of both classic and contemporary liturgical music. Since taking the initiative to learn the organ nearly 10 years ago, she has been certified by the American Guild of Organists (AGO) in Service Playing and practical mastery. 

While her evenings and weekends are devoted to her creative endeavors, Ann also manages a full-time job as an elementary school teacher. Her extensive background in education makes her uniquely qualified to support and engage young vocalists, and she finds immense joy in helping children gain confidence and reach their peak potential. This collaborative spirit shines through in her partnerships with artists of all ages, as she specializes in identifying the needs of each individual and adapting her accompaniment to complement their style.

Ann holds a Master of Arts in Education as well as undergraduate degrees in Piano Performance and Music Therapy. She has been an active member of the AGO since 2017, and she currently serves on the board for their Potomac Chapter. Ann shares her love for music with her two beautiful daughters and her husband, a member of The Washington Chorus. As a family, they spend much of their free time building connections with key organizations and thought leaders in the local music community.

Lauren Campbell is the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement at Strathmore, where she has worked since April of 2010. She is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery, class of 2016. In addition to her administration of the Strathmore Children’s Chorus, she runs Strathmore’s school partnerships, coordinates audience engagement and education for stage performances, runs a step outreach program, UkeFest, Summer Art Camp, Spring Break Camp @ Strathmore, and the Strathmore 5th-Grader Student Concerts, among other projects. She is a professional choral singer and recently held a staff alto position at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square in Washington, DC for four years. Ms. Campbell received her Bachelor’s in English from Oberlin College, and worked as an English teacher, leadership-program director, and non-profit manager at various terrific organizations before coming to Strathmore. 

Suzanne Bagheri is a small business owner and runs a website and e-commerce design business specializing in custom paint finishes and interior design solutions. Prior to starting her business, Suzanne was the Special Events Coordinator at The Brookings Institution and prior to that position, Office Manager at The Fred Ezra Company. Suzanne lives in North Bethesda with her husband and their three children. Her daughter, Sophie, has been a member of the Strathmore Children's Chorus for the past six years and is currently a member of the Treble ensemble.