Marina Cherepinsky 

Now in her 7th season as the Artistic Director and Conductor of Kol HaNeshama, the Harrisburg Jewish Chorus, Ms. Cherepinsky has established an exciting career in both choral and operatic repertoire, and is recognized as a highly regarded vocal teacher, piano teacher and vocal coach. A native of Russia, Ms. Cherepinsky graduated from the Voronezh Conservatory with a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting. Before coming to the United States, she performed extensively for five years with one of  Russia’s finest professional choruses – the Voronezh Chamber Chorus. She pursued additional postgraduate studies and research in the field of musical curricula at the Pennsylvania State University (State College). 

Among the highlights of her career is her four-year tenure as the Chorus Master for the Harrisburg Opera Association. Ms. Cherepinsky prepared the Harrisburg Opera Youth Chorus and the Harrisburg Opera Ensemble for their participation in seven HOA mainstage productions. For 10 seasons, Ms. Cherepinsky conducted the Youth Chorus in the Harrisburg Dance Conservatory’s and the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet’s performances of The Nutcracker. She also prepared the Youth Chorus and the Harrisburg Opera Ensemble for their collaboration with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra in concert performances of Carmina Burana and Hansel and Gretel. In addition, Ms. Cherepinsky conducted the critically acclaimed Pennsylvania premiere of Benjamin Britten’s children opera The Little Sweep. Other appearances included conducting engagements at the National Conferences Opera for Youth and at the National Theater in Washington D.C. 

For 11 seasons, Ms. Cherepinsky served as the Music Director and Conductor for the JCC Drama Department. She was the Founder and Music Director of the Capitol Youth Chorale and the Harrisburg Jewish Youth Chorus. 

Ms. Cherepinsky served as an adjunct professor at the Penn State Harrisburg School of Humanities where she taught choral, vocal and music history classes. She directed and music directed summer music camps at the Penn State Kids College, Susquehanna Township Recreation Department, and the JCC. For 2 seasons, she was the vocal instructor for the Gamut Summer Theatre Academy.

In 2013, Ms. Cherepinsky joined the Silver Academy’s faculty as the music teacher. Her responsibilities include teaching General Music for Grades K – 8th, conducting the Silver Academy chorus, advising Musical Theatre Club, and directing and music directing school’s musicals.

Ms. Cherepinsky is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Chorus America.