Painting courtesy Liz Ehrlichman  

SCHEDULE

8:30      Check-In and light breakfast 

9:00      Welcome Plenary
Pastor Matthew Means and Belle Voci Founding Director, Dr. Jennifer Scott Miceli

10:00-11:00 & 11:00-12:00 Concurrent Sessions I & II 

Session I:  Introduction to Two Holistic Modalities: Reiki and Aromatherapy and Their Benefits
Presenter: Denise Rafkind 

Session II:  Expressing Emotion Through Art
Presenter: Taylor LaPorta

12:00    Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 & 2:00 – 3:00  Concurrent Sessions III & IV 

Session III:  A Time For You: Self-Care for Wellness
Presenter: Dr. Jennifer Miceli

Session IV:  Palpable Percussion
Presenter: Kaitlyn Heal

3:00      Session V:  Sound Bath and Gentle Yoga for Relaxation
Presenters: Andrea Gonnella and Samantha Harris

4:00      Closing Plenary with Belle Voci Singers

PRESENTERS

Samantha Harris

INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS

In addition to the group sessions, attendees may request up to 20 minutes of private prayer time with Pastor Matthew Means, individual Chair Reiki or Aromatherapy sessions with Denise Rafkind, or personal consultation time with Oncology Social Worker, Susan Degnan.

PRESENTER BIOS

After losing both her parents 4 months apart, Denise needed to find ways to help with grief and deal with the tremendous and unexpected losses. That was how her holistic journey began. Grief counseling, Reiki, Aromatherapy and Acupuncture helped her tremendously with her own healing process. So, she decided to dive in headfirst and start studying Reiki and Aromatherapy and became a Certified Aromatherapist and Reiki Master Practitioner (Animal Reiki, as well). In addition, she completed a Crystal Certification Program and does Chakra Clearings. A few years ago, Denise opened her own business Monarch Nature and is currently studying Sound Healing. Prior to that life change, her career was working in the Advertising industry as a Graphic Designer and Photographer for over 25 years. Now, Denise’s focus and passion is to help people feel well, be happy and balanced and to assist others while they deal with life’s issues and illnesses that may arise. Denise hopes to make a small difference in supporting people’s body, mind and soul.

Taylor LaPorta is a longtime Belle Voci singer. She has sung with Belle Voci since she was a student at LIU Post, and has also been a part of the Women’s Choir and Long Island Sound Vocal Jazz, under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Scott Miceli. Taylor graduated from LIU Post in 2021 with a degree in Childhood Education and TESOL. During her time there, she found she could develop her art and music passions with the variety of art and music programs LIU Post had to offer. Her fondest memories of her time at LIU include those spent in the art and music department, whether going on tour or putting together her first gallery showing. Most recently, Taylor graduated from Adelphi University with her master’s degree in special education, and has been teaching part time as an ENL (English as a New Language) teacher. While Taylor is still looking for a full time position in a district that she can call her professional home, one thing is for sure regardless of where she lands–you will find her singing, dancing and sharing her love for learning with her students! She is thrilled to share her passions for art, music, and teaching at the retreat where she will be offer a session on how to convey emotions through art.  

Kaitlyn Heal is a dedicated General Music/Chorus teacher, enriching the lives of students from Nursery through Eighth grade in Rego Park, NY. Heal has been teaching for 10 years. Kaitlyn began her educational journey by earning her Bachelor’s Degree (B.M. in Music Education) from LIU Post in 2014. She then pursued her passion for music education further, attaining a Master of Arts Degree in Music from Stony Brook University. Notably, Kaitlyn was awarded a full scholarship to Manhattan College to study School Building Leadership. She successfully completed her studies in School Building Leadership at Manhattan College, earning her Advanced Certificate in May 2024.

Primarily, Kaitlyn is a clarinetist/saxophonist. She regularly performs with the Smithtown Community Band (SCB) as their Principal Third Clarinet. She also serves as the Assistant Director of the Community Band. When she’s not playing with the SCB, Kaitlyn enjoys marching proudly with the Long Beach Seaside Marching Band in the Long Island/Westchester area, often taking on a leadership role within the band.

Beyond instrumental music, Kaitlyn sings alto with the Huntington Choral Society and the Belle Voci Intergenerational Women’s Choir. Additionally, she holds the role of Membership Chair for the Huntington Choral Society, contributing her time and effort to the organization’s activities and events. In her spare time, Kaitlyn enjoys volunteering in her parish’s food pantry.   

Andrea Gonnella is a music teacher, chorus and mindfulness clinician. They studied jazz and jazz composition with renowned artists such as Conrad Herwig, Pete McGuinness and Jim McNeely. As a music teacher at the George A. Jackson Elementary School in Jericho, NY, Mx. Gonnella’s chorus won the nationwide Give-A-Note Foundation Grant for most inspiring music video which was featured in a Disney Channel promotional video for Music In Our School’s Month. Mx. Gonnella’s fifth grade chorus performs annually at the NYSSMA Majors Evaluation Festival where their group consistently receives a “gold” rating. Most recently, Mx. Gonnella participated in the Nassau Music Educators Association’s PEAK Festival as the chorus clinician conducting a group of over three hundred fourth graders.

As a yoga-certified mindfulness and sound bath clinician, Mx. Gonnella has presented for the Balanced Mind Curriculum Conference, the NYSSMA Winter Conference, the Art Supervisors Association, the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and the NYSCAME Superintendent Luncheon.

Samantha Harris has been a movement and mindfulness teacher for over 25 years and has a strong belief in the importance of cultivating joy, love and happiness within ourselves. She is passionate about following a spiritual path to share her knowledge through movement. Her mindfulness instruction brings her clients back home to their heart and gives them the ability to be fully present in gratitude. 

A 500 HR YACEP, Lululemon legacy ambassador, a United We Om (401K non profit trauma Yoga) teacher and co-owner in a pilates/yoga studio, Ms. Harris is also an instructor for Equinox and leads their Long Island Sonic Meditation program.

She has led many Karma projects and fundraisers for underprivileged communities here on Long Island and in Michigan. In addition, being a cancer survivor inspired her to help open the first meditation room at the Ronald McDonald House and lead weekly restorative and meditation classes for caregivers, families, and staff. Annually, she leads a team for Cycle for Survival for Memorial Sloan Kettering. 

One of Ms. Harris’s motivations is finding strength and community through love, honesty, and vulnerability. She encourages people to believe that change starts from within and to lead by example. Her goal is to throw light as far as she can to create ripples of illumination for others to continue to pass along.