Wendy Hellyer

Board Member

Wendy Hellyer is a life-long resident of Bucks County. From a 'show-biz' family she attended George School in Newtown and then the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York While studying Voice at Julliard. She holds an A.B.A. in Music from Bucks County Community College, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Temple with her B.A. and M.A. in Music and Voice Performance. Ms. Hellyer has toured the country doing musical theatre, banquet and club dates, industrial shows and commercials.

Ms. Hellyer was on the voice faculty of the University of the Arts and the Community College of Philadelphia. She began teaching singers in Bucks County in 1985 and opened the Hellyer Performing Arts Center, Inc. in 1993 with the addition instrumental teachers. In 2001, she founded the Bucks County Performing Arts Institute, which raises scholarship funds for local musical talent and subsidizes VOICES of Bucks and other community performing arts programs. 
Always community-minded, while still a George school student, Ms Hellyer created  a “Teacher-Mom” volunteer program utilizing George School students to mentor children under treatment at Eastern State School and Hospital. Active in her church, she has served on the board of directors of the Christian Science Churches in Jenkintown, Bensalem and Philadelphia.She’s been a member of the Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years, a member of its board of directors for 9 of them. In 2024 received their “Shing Star” award for service to the community and promoting performing arts education for area youths.
Ms. Hellyer also provides entertainment & creative services for corporations ranging from string quartets to original scripts and productions for safety programs, management training and holiday fetes.  The BCPAI Holiday productions , “Mrs. Fezziwig’s Feast”, “ A Norman Rockwell Holiday” and Henry’s Holiday Feast” are examples and she continues to sing as a concert soloist and in occasional industrial or theatrical shows.

Jeff Schnitzer

Board Member

Jeffery Schnitzer, B.A., M.A. Music & Music Education from Temple University. Mr. Schnitzer is a freelance percussionist who has performed with the Mostovoy Soloists, Philadelphia Pops, Academy of Vocal Arts Opera Company, Ocean City Pops, Walnut Street Theater plus several name artists, bib bands and club dates. He has recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia and other studios in New York, composed and arranged band and ensemble music for college, professional and elementary ensembles and taught percussion for Neshaminy School District and privately for many years.

A man of great warmth and spirituality, his music is now an advocation as he ministers to Teferith Israel Synagogue as its Rabbi.

Sonya Robinson

Board Member

Sonya Robinson is a Realtor with Keller Williams, Inc. of Langhorne, PA.  She earned her Associate of Science degree in Chemical Technology at Bucks County Community College. Always growing, she is currently taking classes in non-profit fundraising and non-profit management.  Born and raised in Bucks County, Sonya discovered a love for music at a young age, singing in school and community choirs and playing violin through middle and high school. 

 As she raised her daughter, Shaina, (now a professional dancer and instructor), she kept her involved in dancing, playing violin, singing and performing in school, local musical theater and performing with the VOICES of Bucks County (FKA: Bucks County Choir) and private voice lessons at the Hellyer Performing Arts Center. 

Sonya has been an active member of several non-profit Boards for performing arts groups such as the Parents Association of the Knecht Dance Academy’s competition dance team, Neshaminy High School Music Boosters and now the Bucks County Performing Arts Institute. Additionally, Sonya now serves on the Board for the Center for Independent Living of Bucks County and the Bucks County Council for Individuals with Disabilities.

Anne Leibowitz

Board Member

Anne Leibowitz grew up in Northeast Philadelphia, but now resides in Bensalem, Bucks County. She graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Special Education degrees. Ms. Leibowitz taught special education in the Bensalem public schools for 35 years and flute/piccolo at the Hellyer Performing Arts Center. She has attended chamber music workshops at Wellesley College in Massachusetts and at Apple Hill in New Hampshire. Ms. Leibowitz continues to play flute/piccolo as a freelance artist in the Philadelphia region and with the Ambler Symphony Orchestra and Tri-County Band.

Dimitri Kauriga

Board Member

Dimitri Kauriga is a well-known musician, teacher and director in the Philadelphia area.

As the music director for Girls High, he was awarded teacher of the year and several commendations for outstanding musical teaching. He has taught and/or conducted for the Kimmel Center Chamber Orchestra, the Settlement Summer Music Camp, Community College of Philadelphia, All-City Philadelphia Jass  Band, All-City Band and Al-City Orchestra.

Mr. Kauriga has also performed as an instrumentalist or vocalist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, Ocean City Pops, Lyric Opera Co. of Phila., Grand Opera Co. of Phila., Philadelphia Singers, Bryan Pastor Big Band, William Douglas Orchestra and the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra.

An expert in Slavik music, he conducts the South River New Jersey Balalaika Orchestra and is the Kauriga Balalaika Orchestra.