Faculty & Staff
Sean Patrick is a Fort Wayne native who is passionate about music education in Indiana. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Ball State University in 2008 and Master of Education in Teacher Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2014.
Mr. Patrick joined the Goshen Orchestra team in 2011. He is the podium director for the Goshen Junior High School Orchestras as well as the Goshen High School Crimson Concert Orchestra. Mr. Patrick also assists with the other GHS Orchestras and the GIS Orchestras. Mr. Patrick also holds weekly rehearsals with the GJH Cadenza Orchestra and the GHS Red Wire Jazz Strings. Prior to his position in the Goshen Community Schools, Sean taught for three years in the Elkhart Community Schools District with teaching responsibilities at West Side Middle School and Elkhart Memorial High School.
Mr. Patrick is very grateful for his professional development opportunities having wonderful mentors, Donna Sevcovic, Barry Ashton, and Susan Ellington to name a few. In his teaching, Mr. Patrick dedicates himself to providing high quality, varied, and comprehensive music education to his students by holding high expectations of music performance, encouraging enrollment in private lessons, and the integration of theory, history, and composition in the classroom curriculum.
Sean Patrick is an active performer on cello and double bass currently performing with small groups like the Generations Jazz Trio, Vibenation, French Quarter, and the Cory Hill Band. Mr. Patrick is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the American String Teacher’s Association, and the Indiana Jazz Educators Association. He is also an Indiana State School Music Association adjudicator for Solo & Ensemble, JME Organizational, and High School Organizational events.
Rachel Pellerito (Horning) is a native of Goshen, Indiana, and an orchestra teacher with Goshen Community Schools. She lead-directs the 5th and 6th grade orchestras at Goshen Intermediate School and assists with the 7th–12th grade orchestras at Goshen Junior High School and Goshen High School.
Mrs. Pellerito began teaching in 2020 after earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Anderson University, where she studied viola with Amy Kniffen of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She joined the Goshen Orchestras in 2021 and was honored in 2022 with the Indiana American String Teachers Association (INASTA) New String Teacher of the Year Award.
In addition to her classroom teaching, Mrs. Pellerito has led student ensembles at ISSMA, assistant-directs the Goshen High School Pit Orchestra, and serves as a staff member with Indiana Musicians Abroad. She has also coached viola sectionals for the North All-Region Orchestra and South Bend Youth Symphony. As an active performer, she is a violist with the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra and enjoys occasionally playing in string quartets and small ensembles for weddings and events.
Outside of school, Mrs. Pellerito enjoys running, crafting, spending time with her cat, and hiking with her husband. She is passionate about helping students develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.
Jason Pfeifer grew up in Rochester, NY. He earned a Bachelor in Music Education & Bachelor in Violin Performance from Baldwin-Wallace University (Baldwin-Wallace College) in 2005. His primary Violin studies were with Dr. Julian Ross. In 2007, Jason earned a Masters in Violin Performance with a concentration in conducting from Central Michigan University, where he was a Violin Teaching Assistant to Dr. Seunghee Lee and Conducting Student of Dr. Carlton Woods.
Jason joined the Goshen Orchestra team in 2014. He is the podium director for the Symphonic Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra & Camerata Chamber Orchestra. He is also assists with the Goshen Junior High and Intermediate School Orchestras. Jason has led the Symphonic Orchestra to multiple State Orchestra Finalist appearances. He was also a conductor of the Indiana American String Teachers Association Central All-Region Allegro Orchestra in 2019.
Prior to his position at GCS, Jason taught 7 years in the Saginaw Township Community Schools (Michigan) as the Orchestra Director for 5th-12th grade going to seven different schools each week. While in Michigan, he performed as a Violinist in the: Midland Symphony Orchestra, Midland Center Stage Pit Orchestra (Concertmaster), Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra and Traverse Symphony Orchestra. Here in Indiana, Mr. Pfeifer currently plays in the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra (Assistant Concertmaster) and Symphony of the Lakes (section violin).
Jason is also a member of National Association for Music Education and American String Teachers Association. He has also been an Indiana State School Music Association adjudicator for Solo & Ensemble. Jason is proud of the many students he has taught so far and is especially grateful to count his two sons among them.
Molly James: Molly James is our GHS Music Office Manager. Molly also serves as our 6th Grade Orchestra assistant each morning.
Tom Cox: Tom Cox is the Head Band Director for the Goshen High School bands. He also serves as an assistant director to our Goshen High School Symphonic Full Orchestra.
Stephen Snyder: Stephen Snyder is one of the Goshen High School Choir Directors. He also serves as the Pit Orchestra director for the Goshen High School Musical each year.