Our Staff
Meet Our Soloists
Ashley Arsenault
Soprano
Ashley holds a degree in Music Education from Rowan University. She studied vocal music for four years with Professor Karen Huffstodt and sang with the Rowan University Concert Choir. Ashley is currently the Music Teacher at Hammonton Middle School. She also offers private vocal and piano lessons. In her “free time”, she enjoys hiking and baking. Ashley has sung with Masterworks for five years and is excited to expand her contribution as a soprano soloist.
Ellen Junggren
Alto
Ellen Junggren is a recent transplant to South Jersey having moved here in December of 2022. Ellen is a graduate of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey and holds a Bachelor of Music Degree In Music Education. Her organ professor was Robert Carwithen and her voice teacher was Helen Kemp. She also holds a Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance from Manhattan School of Music and studied with Paul-Martin Maki. She also took classes with Frederick Swann. Ellen also holds two post-graduate certificates in the Orff-Schulwerk method of teaching Music and has taken many professional development classes over the years. Prior to her move, Ellen was the K-3 Vocal Music teacher for twenty-three years in the Ringwood School District and also served for twenty-six years as Director of Music at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Pompton Plains, NJ as well as other churches. She currently serves as Director of Music at St. Mark and All Saints Episcopal Church in Galloway, NJ. Ellen also sings with Cape Shore Chorale in Ocean City, NJ. She lives with her husband Peter, In Mays Landing, NJ. In her spare time, Ellen is an avid knitter and loves to travel with her husband.
Erik Wagner
Tenor
Erik is a Senior at Rowan University, majoring in Vocal Music Education and Spanish. He is currently studying with Professor Lauren Athey-Janka and sings with the Rowan University Concert Choir and Rowan Vocals. He is also a member of the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association. Erik is the current recipient of the Masterworks College Music Scholarship award for his commitment and vocal contribution to the choir.
Robert A. Snodgrass
Baritone
Bob Snodgrass has been a vocal music director for the past 53 years. He spent 32 years at Woodbury High School where he took his choirs to 15 national and international concert tours. He directed the All-South Jersey Senior High Chorus three times and the New Jersey All-State Chorus in 1985. Mr Snodgrass has also been the musical and vocal coach for the Ocean City and Mainland High Schools for several years. Although “retired”, Mr. Snodgrass continues to offer voice lessons to a number of students. Over the past several years, Bob has served Masterworks as a baritone soloist.
Our venue
Masterworks Choir has been welcomed by St Peter’s to rehearse and perform in their music room and sanctuary for over 35 years.
The facility can accommodate the size of the choir as well as their audiences and orchestral performers. In addition to the favorability of the acoustics in the sanctuary, the pipe organ at St. Peter’s provides the sound needed to support and accompany the choral works performed by the Choir. The organ , an Opus #9516, was built by M.P. Moller of Hagerstown, MD and installed in 1961.
In 1990, the original console was replaced by Moller. However, in 2002, the Church contracted with R.J. Brunner and Co. of Silver Spring, PA to rebuild the organ. Deterioration from years of dirt and salt air had damaged the leather components and pipes. A re-evaluation of the tonal makeup resulted in the addition of several “voices” and vast improvement in the clarity, volume and balance of sound.
At performances of choral pieces requiring orchestral enhancement beyond the organ’s “voices”, Masterworks enjoys a collaborative relationship with Bay Atlantic Symphony members, benefiting from their orchestral musical talents.
How to Find Us
St. Peter’s United Methodist Church is located in the center of downtown Ocean City, New Jersey at the corner of 8th Street and Central Avenue.
Driving Directions
Upon entering Ocean City via Route 52 and the 9th Street Bridge, continue on 9th Street to Central Avenue and turn left. The church is at the intersection of 8th Street and Central Avenue.
Parking
Parking is available on Central Avenue in the lot next to the church. There is also a lot behind the church on Wesley Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets. Handicapped parking and elevators are accessible from the parking
lot behind the church.
Ocean City, NJ 08226
501 E 8th St.
Phone:
609-399-2988
Email:
masterworkschoir@gmail.com
Get in touch
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