Masterman Music
Instrumental Music:
Kim Kelter Neu
kkelter@philasd.org
(215) 588-0742 (cell)
Vocal Music:
David Shapiro
dashapiro@philasd.org
Itinerant Music Staff:
Kyle Almeida
Violin, Viola,
Mondays & Tuesday morning
kalmeida@philasd.org
Gozde Tiknaz
Cello, Bass – Wednesdays
gtiknaz@philasd.org
Josh Anderson
Brass- Tuesdays
janderson@philasd.org
Jordan Graef
Woodwinds-Fridays
jgraef@philasd.org
Jason Chuong
Percussion-Thursdays
jchuong@philasd.org
ALL-CITY INFORMATION
All City Middle School Information
Middle School Band & Orchestra
Congratulations to the 59 Masterman students who made all-city band, orchestra and jazz band for 2024/2025!
2025/2026 Audition info coming soon
Middle School Choir
Congrats to the 21 students who made All-City Middle school choir for 2024/2025!
2025/2026 Audition info coming soon
All City High School Information
High School Band, Orchestra
2025/2026 Audition info coming soon
Jazz Band
Congrats to Zoe C. and Luca V. for being selected to the 2024-25 All City All City Jazz band!
2025/2026 Audition info coming soon
Requirements for all of the All-City groups:
- Students must participate in their individual school’s instrumental music program and be a member in good standing.
- Students must maintain good academic, disciplinary, and attendance records to participate in All City ensembles.
SAVE THE DATES!
This years concerts have been tentatively scheduled as follows
WINTER CONCERTS
Middle school – December 11
High school – December 18
MUSICAL
TBD
SPRING CONCERTS
Middle school – May 14
High school- May 21
VIDEOS
2024 Middle School Winter Concert
2024 High School Winter Concert
2024 Spring Mega Concert (Middle and High)
2023 High School Spring Concert
Music Department Fun Little Intro
2021 Virtual Spring Concert Videos
2021 Virtual Winter Concert Videos:
Available on our Youtube channel
2020 Videos:
MUSIC LESSONS & ENSEMBLES
2025/2026 LESSON SCHEDULES
Coming soon
2025/2026 ENSEMBLE INFORMATION
Coming soon
Music Department News
Congratulations!
The All-City High School Music Festival was a huge success!
32 Masterman students performed in the choir, orchestra and band. In addition, as winner and runner-up in the annual concerto competition, Chris Ji performed the Grieg Piano Concerto and Alex Steketee performed the Dvorak Cello Concerto. As an added bonus, our very own Dr. Shapiro conducted the big finale featuring the orchestra, choir and band combined performing O Fortuna from Carmina Burana. It was a beautiful concert and a great night for our Masterman musicians!
Congratulations!
Masterman School received nominations for Best Supporting Actress (Maeve McNichol), Best Featured Actress (Windega Tarpaga), Best Orchestra and for Theater Educator of the Year(Kim Neu) from the The Philadelphia Independence Awards. This organization was established in 2017 by high school theater teachers and directors to share and award outstanding student theater performances and productions throughout the Philadelphia region.
Congratulations!
Congrats to Masterman student Maya for her acceptance to Curtis!!!! We couldn’t be prouder.
Congratulations!
Congrats to Jessica H. and Max S. for making PMEA Region Orchestra and Choir respectively. We are so proud!!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to the 37 students who made All-City middle school!!!! These 37 include many principal positions including Concertmaster. Also congrats to our very own woodwind teacher, Jordan Graef who conducted the band. The concert was spectacular!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Tristan Bouyer. Tristan won the All-City 17th annual concerto competition and performed as soloist at the Kimmel Center concert in March playing the Marimba, accompanied by the All-City Orchestra and conducted by our very own Percussion teacher, Jason Chong. Congrats to and all of you who played in the All-City High school Band & Orchestra. You were magnificent!!!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Eric Li, Chris Ji and Jessica Hou for making PMEA Districts!!!! Special shout out to Jessica who made FIRST CHAIR FIRST FLUTE!!!!!
Congratulations!
Congrats on a beautiful performance to the 15 Masterman students who participated in the All-City Middle school choir concert on December 7th.
Congratulations!
20 of our high school students have made All-City Orchestra/Band. Many have won first chair positions! We are very proud of you.
Congratulations!
Cyrano Rosentrater has been chosen as the recipient of the Philadelphia Ballet High School Music Fellowship. He will partner with composer John Hedges to compose a work for the All City Dance ensemble.
Congratulations!
Dr. Shapiro has been awarded the 2022 Lindback Distinguised Teacher Award
In Memoriam
Mr. Travis
I regret to inform everyone that former Masterman music teacher, Gary Travis has passed away. He was an incredible partner, mentor and friend that touched so many lives through his teaching. Here is a video made by Masterman alumni to honor him. It was played at our winter concert on December 19, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT06SCXBMlo
Mr. Nuissl
Growing up in an immigration family in Philadelphia, Mr. Nuissl began to play the violin at an early age as his mother had done. Listening to Beethoven in high school sparked his serious interest and led him to pursue a degree in Violin Performance at the New School of Music. Mr. Nuissl began his career as a freelance violinist with a part time job as a private school teacher but realized his greater love was for teaching and mentoring young people. He earned a Music Education degree at Immaculata University and has served The School District of Philadelphia as an itinerant strings teacher since 2010. Outside the classroom, Mr. Nuissl played in his church’s orchestra and was an active member of bible study. His kindness and dedication to his students is legendary, continuing throughout his illness and hospitalization. His loss is sadly felt by his many students, colleagues, and the School District of Philadelphia Music Education family. Sergei, we love you and will keep your tradition of excellence in music education alive.