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Music Director Jason Throne

Jason Throne is a conductor and music educator who believes in the transformative power of music to build connection, elevate voices, and shape communities. Beginning July 1, 2025, Jason serves as Director of Performing Arts at the Waynflete School, Maine’s premiere private day school in Portland, Maine, where he leads the school’s vibrant music, theater, and dance programs. 

Prior to joining Waynflete, Jason served as Director of Choral Activities and Music Department Chair at Unionville High School in Kennett Square, PA, where he taught from 2003 to 2025. Under his leadership, Unionville’s choral program flourished, featuring five dynamic ensembles that performed everything from Renaissance motets to newly commissioned works—many of which received regional and national recognition. His ensembles have been featured in numerous outstanding performance opportunities including participation in a concert featuring a premiere of a major work with Eric Whitacre at Carnegie Hall and most recently performing at Lincoln Center in a performance of the NYC premiere of Dan Forrest’s Creation. They have also collaborated with some of the world’s premiere vocal ensembles including Voces8 and Chanticleer.  Jason also developed and taught a wide range of courses including Music Theory and Guitar while mentoring dozens of student teachers and future music educators.

Jason is a dedicated advocate for living composers, having worked closely with artists like Ola Gjeilo, Kim André Arnesen, and Will Todd. He frequently commissions and premieres new choral works, bringing fresh, relevant repertoire to his ensembles and audiences.

As Founder and Artistic Director of the Brandywine Valley Chorale (BVC), he has built a thriving community ensemble known for bold, collaborative programming and artistic excellence. With BVC and his school ensembles, Jason has led performances of major works including Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Requiem (Robert Levin edition), The Armed Man (staged) by Karl Jenkins, Requiem for the Living & Jubilate Deo by Dan Forrest, often uniting singers from different generations and communities in shared musical experiences.  He also prepared the BVC for a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Jason holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Temple University. While in Baltimore, he studied conducting under Edward Polochick and performed with the Baltimore Symphony Chorus and Chamber Chorus. He has also served as an Apprentice Conductor and Program Editor with Berkshire Choral International, collaborating with renowned conductors and singers from across the globe.

As a guest clinician and conductor, Jason has led workshops, masterclasses, and honor choirs throughout the region, and remains an active member of ACDA & MMEA. 

Justin McCarthy has worked as a pianist & educator in the greater Boston area for over 30 years. A faculty member atPlymouth State University since 2009, Justin currently serves as Coordinator of Collaborative Piano in the Department of Music, Theatre, & Dance. 

Justin has given recitals in New York, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Ireland, and the Czech Republic. As conductor, his recent productions have included Into the Woods, The Addams Family, Mary Poppins, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Wedding Singer, Jacques Brel, Sister Act, Godspell, Little Women, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. Dr. McCarthy’s “Piano Meditations” is published by GIA Publications, Inc.  

Recently, Justin has appeared in recital with violinist Elliott Markow, clarinetist Stephanie Ratte Jenkins, and sopranos Hannah Murray & Emily Jaworski. 

Justin received his Bachelor & Master’s degrees from Rice University, and his Doctorate from Boston University. His teachers have included Paul Cooper, Robert Roux, Phyllis Moss, Ellsworth Milburn, Bruce MacCombie, and Lukas Foss. Dr. McCarthy has performed in master classes with Richard Goode & Abbey Simon and coached with John Perry. 

Justin is currently the Music Director & Organist at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Bedford, NH. Justin also maintains an active teaching studio at the Manchester Community Music School. Justin formerly served as Pianist for the Nashua Choral Society. He lives in Southern NH with his wife and 3 children.ahamas.