BERNARD KAPLAN (b. 1949) of Sherman, Connecticut, and Queens, New York, is a retired educator and school administrator and an active musician. A songwriter and poet, he is also the vice-president and treasurer of the Jewish Community Center in Sherman. He serves as chairperson of the board of the non-profit Samaritan Daytop Village, which provides behavioral health, housing, educational, and rehabilitative services to the most challenged New Yorkers.

ROGER AMES (1944–2022) was an American composer, conductor, and educator known for large-scale vocal works, including the Pulitzer Prize-nominated Requiem for Our Time and the musical Martin Guerre. His diverse portfolio spanned operas, choral music, and musical theater, often characterized by collaborations with librettists and a focus on poignant, dramatic storytelling.