Our Team

Julio Vaquero, Artistic Director

Artistic Director Julio Vaquero Ramos, originally from Madrid, is an award-winning composer with extensive experience as a choral conductor, music director, and music educator. He has taught music theory, piano, and oboe in schools including the Mater Salvatoris Conservatory in Madrid. In addition to writing and music directing dozens of musical theater productions, he has contributed to the spread of choral music as the conductor of choirs including Dimension Vocal. Julio holds an MFA in Musical Theater Writing from NYU, and has studied composition at the Royal Music School of Madrid and the Chopin University in Warsaw, with additional studies in Great Britain and Italy.

Sam Westley, Executive Director

Executive Director Sam Westley has been with WHCS since the year of its founding, starting as a volunteer in 2011, joining the staff as piano teacher and accompanist in 2013, and becoming Executive Director in 2019. In additon to his work at WHCS, Sam is Organist and Music Director of the Church of the Mediator in the Bronx, maintains an active piano studio, and works in the fundraising department of The Metropolitan Opera.

Amaranta Viera, Vocal Coordinator

Vocal Coordinator Amaranta Viera is a sought-after ensemble singer frequently engaged by the Choir of Trinity Church Wall Street, the NY Philharmonic, Voices of Ascension, Musica Sacra, and the Choirs of St. John the Divine and St. Ignatius Loyola, among others, for their concert series’. Amaranta is also a deeply committed music educator. She has been WHCS’ voice instructor since 2013 and was Interim Director from 2016-2017; taught voice at Highbridge Voices from 2006 to 2017; provided voice instruction to the Boys at St. Thomas Choir School; and leads vocal clinics for children’s and adult choirs throughout New York City.

Louise Crowley, Piano Instructor

Piano Instructor Louise Crowley graduated from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Yale School of Music with degrees in education and performance. She has worked as a professional musician for nearly five decades. Louise performed in the orchestras of ten Broadway shows, and many freelance orchestras in the New York area. She also worked as a teaching artist for six years in Connecticut public schools. Louise enjoys providing children with a foundation in music literacy and keyboard skills. A dedicated educator, she has shared her love of music with many devoted students and has served in the Washington Heights Choir School since 2013.

Luka Marinkovic, Piano Instructor

Piano instructor Luka Marinkovic, a native of France, is a pianist and composer active in classical music and musical theatre. He studied composition and piano at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Luka recently performed aboard the Zaandam ship (Holland America), and served as the Associate Music Director of the 2022 national double tour of An American in Paris and South Pacific.

Thalia Ranjbar, Dance teacher

Classroom Assistant and Dance Instructor Thalia Ranjbar is a Persian-Salvadoran-Canadian multidisciplinary artist. With her focus being in theatre and film, Thalia is a screenwriter, librettist, director, and choreographer with a passion for elevating voices of queer and BIPOC communities. She earned the distinction of Master of Fine Art from the "Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program” at NYU. Thalia’s theatrical writing has been developed and presented by Feinstein’s 54 Below, Rattlestick Playwright’s Theatre, and Lincoln Centre. Her recent directing/choreography credits include Then She Ran at the New Studio on Broadway and Notes From Now with Prospect Theatre Company.

Kenneth Laboy, Classroom Assistant

Classroom Assistant Kenneth Laboy Vazquez came from Puerto Rico at 18 to study theater. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Rutgers, and is currently working towards getting his Masters in Translation Studies in NYU. He has performed around the tri-state area in places like Montclair, Pelham, Nyack, and South Orange.

David Lanticua, Classroom Assistant

Classroom Assistant David Lantigua immigrated from Dominican Republic at 17 years old. He has experience as a security guard, he obtained his NYS license in 2022. He also has a great interest in music and philosophy. He supports the children of WHCS through supervision, also in their studies and above all creating a fun environment for children.

Berta Moreno, Woodwind instructor

S’cool Sounds instructor Berta Moreno is an award-winning jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader from Spain most known for her original work blending Jazz, World and Afro-Latin music. Critics define her as “Driven and Determined” -Downbeat. She has performed internationally in leading jazz festivals, venues and theatres, TV and radio, and has shared the stages with some of the most established jazz musicians. Berta’s album “Little Steps” won a Global Music Awards 2017. Her album “Tumaini” is in the TOP 20 Albums 2021 by NPR, and a Lennon Award winner. She performs weekly at Birdlandwith Grammy-winning Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

The Washington Heights Choir School aims to be an important piece in the cultural life of Washington Heights, and offer their students opportunities outside the program. That is why we love to connect with other organizations that have a similar mission and collaborate in a huge variety of ways.