Instructors

Our instructors are knowledgable and passionate about all things music and theater. We love sharing our knowledge and helping students learn to better improve their technical musical skills and gain confidence on the stage. 

Francesca DelSignore
Executive Director

Fran is a 30 year veteran music teacher and public school administrator. She has always wanted to have her own production company and is feeling really blessed to have the opportunity to see students develop an unbelievable amount of discipline and self-confidence. Her performing groups at school were and are as follows: Concert Band; Mixed Choir, Jazz Band, Select Choir, Marching Band, Dance Ensemble and Musical Theater. She has traveled all across the United State with them competing on the National level and bringing home Gold ratings. Fran is also an All State Judge for NYSSMA.

Fran left her previous position as Music Department Chair and Musical Director at the Academy of the Holy Names of 9 years to be the Choral Director at Hackett Middle School where her mixed choir numbers over 150 students.

Her vocal studio currently has over 50 of the NICEST AND MOST TALENTED KIDS EVER, and loves working with them.

Graham Doig
Sound Engineer and Music Director

Graham is a magna cum laude graduate of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has a masters degree in Electrical Engineering and Technology.

He began his musical career at the age of 9 when he begged his parents to buy him a piano. With Jazz being his favorite genre, he played in multiple bands in college. Due to his amazing piano skills, he was and still remains a much sought after pianist and musical director. You can hear him at Proctors as an orchestra member for National Musical Tours and behind the sound system for dozens of school musicals for Niskayuna, Bethlehem, Averill Park and the list goes on…

Graham is the brains behind our recitals and specialty performances such as “A Dinner With Character” (where all of your favorite characters come to life while  you are eating dinner)! He tailors each of our student’s songs especially for them and their strengths—he is truly an awesome asset to our studio. 

Last but not least, he has played with such greats as Aretha Franklin, The Rat Pack, Tommy Tune and if we mention any more he will tell us how embarrassing this bio is… But it is all true. We are so fortunate to have him as a part of our staff!

Kimberly Benkert
Artistic Director and Choreographer

Kimberly trained at the Rochester Association of the Performing Arts and studied English and Vocal Performance at SUNY Geneseo. She has been a Choreographer and Director at the Academy of the Holy Names for their Middle School and High School productions. Kim received her teaching credentials at the College of St. Rose and is a full –time general music and chorus teacher in the Schenectady City School District. Kim’s siblings are no stranger to the music world. Her sister is a member of the ensemble at the Met. Yes – the Met in NYC.