CCSUMC & Friends
After producing "Celebrate Ukraine" concert in 2025, Ü, the music director of Centenary Chenango Street United Methodist Church (CCSUMC), became more engaged to produce performances to raise awareness and support for important causes. Thus, "CCSUMC & Freinds" was formed. CCSUMC has provided a welcoming space for musicians to learn, rehearse, and perform. This concert features students who are learning music in CCSUMC and performers who have rehearsed or performed in CCSUMC.
Join us and celebrate the power of music
Time and Place
July 26 (Sun) 3PM
Centenary Chenango Street United Methodist Church (438 Chenango St, Binghamton, NY 13901)
Program
Do Re Mi from the Sound of the Music arranged by the Cliftons
Piano 4 hands: Perle Clifton and Ü Lee
Mozart Violin Concerto No. 8, Adélaïde, Mov 1
Violinist: Christine Lee
Pianist: Ü Lee
Burton's Sonata Mov 1
Flutist: Audrey Mileo
Pianist: Ü Lee
Black Key Improvisation
Pianist: Saphira Clifton
Pachebel’s Canon in D Major arranged by Nancy and Randall Faber
Pianist: Alexis Xiao
Clair de lune from Suite Bergamasque
By C. Debussy
Pianist: Nathan Bornfruend
Spring 0 and 1 from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons Recomposed by Max Richter
Violinist: Aaron Buck
Pianist: Ü Lee
5 Pieces for 2 Violins and Piano
By D. Shostakovich
Violinists: Christina Docenko and Aaron Buck
Pianist: Ü Lee
“The Bingbongs” presents
Clocks by Coldplay
Somewhere Only We Know by Keanu
Numb by Linkin park
Vocal and bass: Karabi
Rhythm Guitar: James
Electric Guitar: Casey
Piano: Nathan
Drums: Soumit
CCSUMC & Friends Special Ensemble
A Wilderness Wandering People
Celebrate Love
Unite!
Tom Blake, Carol Chandler, Robert Cotton, Elizabeth Duhr-Ramirez, Tom Egan, Marcia Focht, and Richard Shumaker
Lift Every Voice And Sing
Tutti
About the Performers
Nathan Bornfreund is a Southern California native who moved to the Binghamton area in 2021. He has been playing piano since elementary school, and is currently studying with U. He has done a mix of solo and ensemble performances, and even has played with a local band. Nathan’s favorite performances were the duets he did with his violinist brother. In his spare time, he loves to swim, read, and play video games.
Karabi Charkraborty started her musical journey with Ü in 2025. While Ü taught how to sing and how to play piano, Karabi taught Ü Bengali songs and poetry. Audience members in upstate NY have spotted Karabi performing Bengali or R&R songs!
Perle Clifton loves reading, drawing, and playing video games.
Saphira Clifton loves making up her own songs and stories.
Christina Docenko’s love of music has been highly influenced by her musical family. She works as an Electrical Engineer at Lockheed Martin in Owego, NY. She played in the Binghamton Community Orchestra for several years, and now enjoys going to open mics around the area to jam out to more modern music. She is a founding member of the group The Gritty Lowdown and plays for weddings, funerals, parties, etc. in her spare time.
Christine Lee is a pianist and a violinist. She started playing piano at seven, and has since performed in many places like Carnegie Hall in New York City and has been first in local competitions on two separate occasions. In addition, she has been to the NYSSMA Piano Showcase and has qualified for another chance this year. As for violin, Christine has participated in all-county festivals in Broome County and Area-All State events.
Audrey Mileo is an upcoming senior at Union-Endicott High School. She has been playing the flute since fourth grade, and loved it since. She also plays the violin, alto saxophone, and the piano. Audrey has participated in many musical activities, such as the STMTA competition, all county, area all-state, and being part of the Binghamton Youth Symphony Orchestra. Outside of school, Audrey enjoys swimming and being the drum major of marching band. Audrey would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her through her musical journey and hopes she can continue playing the flute in her future.
Anastasia Grosso Skopyk
Hello, my name is Ana! I have participated in six plays and have a fond passion for acting and singing. I have participated in three EPAC musicals: Frozen (I was young Elsa), Beetlejuice (I was Sky, the girl scout), and Beauty And The Beast (an ensemble role). I also had acting\singing roles in two school productions as I costared in the Jungle Book as Bagheera, and played a ‘mersister’ later in my first year of middle school for the play The Little Mermaid. In fifth grade, I co-directed Suessical. I have trained with Michaela Clark for private voice lessons, on three occasions. I also worked with Mrs. Christine Ryder who teaches at West Middle for chorus and who helped direct The Little Mermaid! I love singing and performing and look for different opportunities to grow as an artist.
Alexis Xiao is a rising 5th grader at African Road Elementary in Vestal. Her musical career started around age 3, when she first started taking violin lessons, using a cardboard replica of a violin before moving on to the smallest possible size. She later fell in love with the piano and has been taking weekly private lessons since she was 5. Someday, she hopes to resume violin and play in the school orchestra. Alexis also enjoys singing in her school’s Chorus. Aside from music, Alexis also loves to read, swim, solve Rubik’s cubes, do challenging math problems, and goof off with her two little brothers.
CCSUMC & Friends Special Ensemble Members
Tom Blake has a beautiful voice that's been heard in many churches in our area. After Marcia introduced Tom to Ü for the Christmas service in 2025, Ü has tried to get Tom to sing in every performance she produces in this area.
Carol Chandler has collaborated with Ü because of several non-profit organizations around town. After getting Carol to sing in one Christmas service in SJJ in 2016, Ü has invited Carol to sing alto, tenor, or baritone in every production she's producing in this area.
Robert Cotton is a fantastic and versatile drummer who is extremely active in this area.
Elizabeth Duhr-Ramirez is an amazing mezzo soprano, a wonderful teacher, a very important support to Ü's performing activities in the Southern Tier region, and a marvelous friend that always speaks with an incredibly calming tone Ü appreciates immensely.
Tom Egan is an affectionate singer, an energetic percussionist... and a business owner with a big heart raising quality of life for everyone. Tom crossed paths with Ü for the causes to support performing arts, Ukraine, and human rights.
Marcia Focht is a talented and strong human with determination. Besides working, singing, and preaching, Marcia plays disc golf and travels for tournaments. Marcia has an awesome organizational ability Ü admires very much!
Richard Shumaker was introduced to Ü by Tom Blake. Like Tom, Rick has a beautiful voice and a great sense of humor that has inspired uncontrollable laughter in rehearsals.
*CCSUMC & Friends is a growing ensemble group. There are more frequent collaborators that are not able to participate this performance because of other obligations. Check back later for more performances!