Meet CVSM

Please share a bit about yourself and your background: Are you a Chambersburg native? What is your role in our community (now or previously if retired)? Were/are you a musician?
Neither of us is originally from Chambersburg.  Mark grew up in the Pittsburgh area and Karen is from Trinidad.  Karen is a local family doctor and Mark teaches physics labs at Gettysburg College (as well as teaching guitar for CVSM).

Tell us about your family.
We have four sons, three of whom have taken lessons at CVSM.  Isaac, Jonathan, and Nate all started with the piano.  After a while Isaac fell in love with guitar and switched to that.  Isaac and Jonathan both decided to continue to pursue music in college, and Isaac recently graduated from Geneva College.  Nate is a freshman at Read More

When did you attend CVSM and who were your teachers?
I attended CVSM from 2017-2019, and my teachers were Jaranell Fritts, Brian Helman, Mark Miller, Devin Fields, Michael Quinlivan, and Candice Mowbray.

Where do you currently live and what do you do?
I recently moved to Nashville, TN to pursue a career as a freelance audio/lighting tech.

Do you still participate in music activities?
Yep! I play guitar and sing in restaurants occasionally and write my own music, as well as just playing for fun in my free time.

What is your best/favorite memory of your time a CVSM?
My favorite memory has got to be the rock camp I attended when I was in high school. It really got my interested in playing in a band and improvisation. Read More

Nathaniel is the 2023 Maj Britt Kaal First Place Instrumental and the Third Place Piano Merit Award recipient

For how long have you attended CVSM and which teachers have you studied with?
I’ve attended CVSM for 10 years, and I’ve studied with Susan Matson for piano and Heather McEndree for flute.

Where do you attend school and what grade are you in?
I attend Saint Maria Goretti Catholic High School and I’m in 9^th grade.

What are your favorite music activities?
Choir, band, and piano.

What is your best/favorite memory of your time at CVSM?
That one time the power went out during Read More

When did you attend CVSM and who were your teachers?

My first class at CVSM was Musikgarten with Susan Whitelock when I about was 4.  Afterward, my parents enrolled me in piano lessons with Bob Parini. Marie Hershey and Brian Helman then became my teachers.

Where do you currently live and what do you do?

I’m back in Franklin County teaching at CVSM and Dickinson College. I’ve undertaken a recording project of the complete piano sonatas of William Bland (a former CVSM instructor) which has one CD out so far on Bridge Records. I am also the church musician at St. Andrew’s Episcopal in Shippensburg.

Do you still participate in music activities?

That’s literally my life!

What is your best/favorite memory of your time at CVSM?

In my senior year of Read More

Gene is originally from the Williamsport, PA, area with a BS in Education from Clarion and an MEd in Reading from Shippensburg. Sally was born and raised in Chambersburg, then moved to Shippensburg when they got married. They have a daughter, Andi, and a grandson, Lyric. Sally retired as Executive Director of Chambersburg Community Theatre (CCT) after 25 years but continues to volunteer & perform with the group.

Sally is a singer, having studied voice with Peg Weeks as a teenager, and with Marjorie Hirsch at Juniata College. She continues to perform in her church choir and, when available, with the Mercersburg Area Community Chorus, as well as being an independent performer.

Sally knew Meagan Boozer from Read More

For how long have you attended CVSM and which teachers have you studied with?

I have studied for about 4 years with Brian Helman and Kevin Gorman.  However, I have also eavesdropped during my children’s lessons for many years, on Richard Overcash, Valerie. Merriman, Geoff Weeks, and Deb Stotelmyer!

Where do you attend school and what grade are you in? 

I am not in school at the moment, but I have taken music classes recently at Gettysburg College and Messiah University.

What are your favorite music activities?

I love to sit at the piano and play for myself in the evenings, but also enjoy concerts and listening to music. 

What is your best/favorite memory of your time at CVSM? 

Playing with Read More

The staff of CVSM are so thankful for all of our instructors, families and community!! We love hearing the beautiful music created by our students. We decided to share some Thanksgiving memories and recipes with all of you.

RECIPES

Pumpkin Dip – shared by CVSM Co-Founder Paula Hepfer

Stuffing – shared by CVSM Bookkeeper Sharon Eshleman

Baked Corn – shared by CVSM Store Manager Sheryl Gudgeon

Creamed Mushrooms – shared by CVSM Marketing & Communications Steph Allee

Squash Casserole – shared by CVSM Program Manager Heather Kline

Buttermilk Pecan Pie – shared by CVSM Marketing & Communications Steph Allee

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake – shared by CVSM Executive Director Heather McEndree

MEMORIES

“2008: My grandfather was in the final days of his life, at a personal care home.  He was hospitalized on my birthday, which is always very near Thanksgiving.  He was released from the hospital and put on hospice at the home.  On Thanksgiving Day, I went to visit him.  He wasn’t really talking any more by that day.  I chattered on for a little while, letting him know that it was Thanksgiving Day and I was so thankful for having him in my life. He passed away the next day.  I’m so glad that I got to tell him that.” ~Valerie Merriman, CVSM Registrar

“I grew up with a large extended family. Each Thanksgiving, we would descend on my Aunt Patricia’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone brought a dish to share, either appetizer, dinner, or dessert. My Aunt & Uncle made a HUGE turkey to feed the ravenous clan. I remember the warmth, the sounds, the people, the energy, and feeling so absolutely stuffed by the end of the evening that I felt I would not need to eat for another month – at least until it was time for Christmas dinner, LOL!” ~Heather McEndree, CVSM Executive Director

“The year I found out I was pregnant I kept it a secret until we had our Thanksgiving meal. I knew I wanted to share it during our annual “What I’m thankful for” go around the table. My brother had been (what I like to call) lovingly harassing me about having kids, and I kept telling him I might never have kids just to annoy him. So, as we went around the table on Thanksgiving I ended up being right after my brother and just happened to be the last one to go. He said his thought and then made a joke about how no one could top him. Honestly, I don’t even remember what he said. I followed and said I was “thankful for my unborn baby.” I wish I could share the look on his face, because his eyes got huge in disbelief and excitement at the same time. He shouted, “Are you for real?” He couldn’t believe it and kept asking me over and over if it was for real. He was so excited when he realized I was telling the truth. Ever since then we have joked about the year that I topped my brother and practically knocked him off his chair.” ~Heather Kline, CVSM Program Manager

Meet Jane

Jane performing with Marlin at Chefs Walk

Jane Peatling is a cellist and has been an instructor with CVSM since it was founded in 1990. She took a break from teaching in the 2000’s and has now been back teaching for 5 years. What she likes most about teaching at CVSM is being part of a vibrant musical community. She was originally drawn to teaching at CVSM for the energy of a new venture and the ease of the administrative side of arranging lessons.

Jane would use these three words to describe CVSM: Vibrant, Musical, and Community.

She enjoys listening to any music performed Read More

Jeff Noll, CVSM Instructor and Parent

L-R: Joshua, Jordan, Caleb, Careth, Jeff

CVSM has been my musical family for going on 27 years.  I continue to teach piano, CVSM Children’s Choir (formerly Cumberbunds), and Voice Camp.  It has been a pleasure to work with such gifted colleagues and to share the wonderful gift of music with hundreds of children over the years.  I feel like CVSM has offered me a place to not just teach music, but see students grow in discipline, character and love for what is beautiful.  To me, CVSM is about investing in the whole person.  I have been there long enough now to say that I have Read More