Our Team

BA, Music Education, St. Olaf College
MS, Choral Music Education, University of Illinois
DMA, Choral and Orchestral Conducting, Eastman School of Music
Additional study, Business, Pace University
Current residence: Jersey City, NJ

Celebrated conductor and entrepreneur Craig Arnold is the Founder, Artistic Director, and President of Manhattan Concert Productions and conductor of Manhattan Chorale and Chamber Orchestra.  He has music ministry and teaching experience at all levels, including Professor and  Director of Choral Activities positions at Luther College (2008 Emmy Award), Western Michigan University, and Capital University.  Arnold has served as guest conductor of concert performances, music festivals, and all-state choirs in most of the United States and a dozen countries abroad.  He also has been featured guest lecturer on topics of music, business, and leadership on college campuses, conferences, and seminars.  Arnold is from Brainerd, MN where he was recently inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. He is the father of two, grandfather of two, husband of one.  Not so guilty pleasure:  he is a water nut.

PET: Cooper (third Sheltie).

BS, Business Management, Wittenberg University
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Current residence: Bloomfield, NJ

Dan attended Wittenberg University in Ohio where he majored in business management and played lacrosse and rugby. During his summers in college, he interned at multiple hotels in New York City which led to his hiring at Hilton Hotels through its management training program working in catering and group sales at the Hilton Chicago, Hilton New York, and Hilton Washington, D.C. He then transitioned into project management working for multiple general contractors in Manhattan building out corporate and retail interior spaces. Dan joined the MCP family in 2015 as Managing Director of CODA Concerts and has since focused on development and operations.

Dan has and ear and affinity for concert performance having played oboe and violin, in addition to attending hundreds of concerts under ‘family leadership’.  Not so guilty pleasures: hiking and fly fishing at the Delaware Water Gap, and boating on the Jersey Shore.

PET: Dexter, Westie and office greeter

BA, Luther College, Music Education
MM, Northern Arizona University, Vocal Performance
Hometown: Brainerd, MN
Current residence: Jersey City, NJ

Maggie has been a vital part of the MCP team since 2013. Beginning her tenure in ensemble services, she quickly advanced into operations and now production, overseeing the logistical and artistic coordination of MCP’s large-scale performances.

With a background rooted in performance and a deep commitment to the ensembles that join MCP, Maggie ensures that each concert is a seamless and exceptional experience, creating an environment where musicians can thrive and deliver unforgettable performances.

Husband Craig and Maggie are avid sports fans, particularly when it comes to baseball—cheering on the Minnesota Twins whenever they can.

BM, Western Michigan University, Music Education
MM, Butler University, Conducting
Hometown: Marshall, MI
Current residence: Hightstown, NJ

An accomplished conductor, Brian Clissold has had great success specializing in community-based choirs throughout the Midwest. He was recently appointed as Artistic Director of the Hopewell Valley Chorus (Hopewell, NJ) and previously served as the Artistic Director of The Celebration Singers (Cranford, NJ). As a baritone, he is a founding member of the professional New York based ensemble, Manhattan Chorale. He performs regularly in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall and has sung numerous roles in oratorios, masses, and operas.  He has also been a frequent clinician and adjudicator in Michigan, Indiana, New Jersey, and New York.

Prior to moving to the Northeast, Brian led the Vivace Youth Singers of Fort Wayne (IN), the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, and the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony. From 2008 to 2010, Brian worked with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, establishing and conducting the Lebanon (IN) Regional Satellite Choir and working closely with Henry Leck and Ruth Dwyer. For 11 years, he served the Music Center of South Central Michigan as conductor of both the Battle Creek Girls’ Chorus and Community Chorus where he prepared numerous choral-orchestral works for performance.

Hometown:, Morristown, NJ
Current residence: Allamuchy, NJ
BA, Music, York College of PA
Additional study, Communications, Montclair State University

With a great passion for theater,  Nancy has played in the pit of 1776, Cabaret, Evita, and Jesus Christ, Superstar. On stage, her favorite roles have included The Incomparable Rosalie in Carnival! Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, WWW in the Wizard of Oz (still asked to ‘do the laugh’ from time to time) and most recently, Ouiser Boudreaux in Steel Magnolias.   Her previous corporate background includes positions at Elevance Health, Atlantic Healthcare, and the Cablevision and Gannet Media Corporation.

Nancy’s passion for the arts moved her to Manhattan Concert Productions, “a job where I am privileged to speak with directors and teachers who serve others through their gift of music. On residency weekends, observing the arc of rehearsal to performance never gets old. Choristers arrive as strangers and leave as friends, having just had a once in a lifetime experience.”

PET: 2 cats, Murphy and Betty.

BFA, Western Michigan University, Trombone Performance
MM, Northwestern University, Voice/Opera Performance
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Current residence: Greenwood Lake, NY

David Garry is a multidisciplinary singer, actor, and musician whose career spans more than two decades across stage, screen, and concert hall. He has appeared in eight Broadway productions, including Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera, Carousel!, and The Last Ship, among others. Regionally, David has performed in over 20 major venues, from The Kennedy Center to the Ahmanson Theatre and beyond.  On screen, his work ranges from film appearances in Disney’s Better Nate Than Ever to television roles on Blue Bloods, Jessica Jones, Elementary, Person of Interest, and others.

David currently plays horn, trumpet, and tuba with the Hell’s Kitchen Laboratory Orchestra, a not-for-profit ensemble of actors, musicians, composers, and music directors who perform on instruments other than their primary. He also serves on the ensemble’s board as Treasurer and brass contractor. Career highlights include working with and performing for legends such as Stephen Sondheim, Renée Fleming, Robert De Niro, and Sting.

In addition to his artistic career, David spent nearly a decade working with the American Hospital Association in Chicago as a corporate trainer. There, he led a call center team in supporting healthcare administrators across the country—providing fee-based research, legislative guidance, and insight on special interest initiatives. This experience deepened his skills in communication, leadership, and public service.

PETS:  Fritz (a gentle 3-year-old Staffordshire terrier) and Barley (cat).

BFA Music Theatre, University at Buffalo
Hometown: Dover, NY
Current Residence: Brooklyn

Thom Henke is a versatile artist and creative professional with a passion for storytelling on stage, on screen, and behind the scenes. He has performed in national tours, acclaimed regional productions, and television programs. In addition to his performance work, Thom has assisted multiple Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning directors both on set and in production offices.

Thom began his journey with Manhattan Concert Productions performing in their production of Anastasia at Lincoln Center David Geffen Hall in February of 2025. After connecting with the students and seeing the value of his collaboration with them, Thom decided to jump behind the table at MCP to continue bringing valuable experiences and performance opportunities to young pre-professionals, passionate community members, and musical theater enthusiasts around the world.

Thom is an active performer and can be seen in upcoming productions across the United States.

BM, University of Miami, Music Business & Entertainment Industries
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Current Residence: Brooklyn, NY

While at the University of Miami, Eva studied vocal jazz and gained experience in radio promotion and artist management.  She join the Manhattan Concert Productions team in 2024, bringing a detail-oriented and collaborative approach to MCP logistics.  Eva is an avid concertgoer and music curator with a love for movie soundtracks, vintage fashion, and Thai food.  She is passionate about bringing artists and audiences together through well-executed live events with hopes to continue shaping meaningful musical experiences throughout her career.

BM, Clarinet Performance, Eastman School of Music
Graduate studies, Manhattan School of Music
Hometown: Burnsville, MN
Current residence: Manhattan, NY

BA, Music Education, SUNY Fredonia University
MA, Opera Performance, Boston Conservatory
Hometown: Westbury, NY
Current residence: Bronx, NY

Kristen brings to MCP a diverse background in the performing arts, both on stage and behind the scenes. She has years of experience in directing and choreographing theatre productions for public schools.  She then shifted her focus to the role of artistic administrator of opera and chamber music programs in the non-profit sector. She has also served as artistic producer and company manager for Off-Broadway productions while assisting in the development of new theatrical works.

As a performer, Kristen most recently appeared in Music Lessons by Ed Napier, as “Soprano” in the United Solo Festival directed by Robert LuPone and awarded Best Non-Fiction Show.  Her other performance credits include: Miss Jessel, The Turn of the Screw; Magda, La Rondine, Fiordiligi, Così fan tutte; Mimi, La Bohème, Alice Ford, Falstaff; Countess Almaviva, Le Nozze di Figaro; Camila, In The Heights; Morticia, The Addams Family; and Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady.

In addition to her significant contributions to MCP, Kristen continues to teach private voice and acting:.

PET: Molly Mia, Boston Terrier.

BA, German and Music Performance, Bethel College
MM, Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music, Eastman School of Music
DMA, Collaborative Piano, Arizona State University
Hometown: Freeman SD
Current residence: Manhattan, NY

Dr. Mory Ortman works as a Music Director and freelance musician in New York City, where his work includes accompanying and performing in prestigious venues with high level professionals. He frequently accompanies auditions, and coaches main stage opera and Broadway performers. Additionally, he is on the coaching faculty at Montclair State University.

Mory brings to MCP a breadth of musical styles, equally comfortable in the classical, cabaret, and musical theatre realms. His versatility keeps him in high demand as a recitalist and accompanist throughout the greater New York City area and beyond. Summer finds him at Quisisana Resort in Maine where he serves as the Music Director of their operatic program and accompanist to their musical theatre programs.

BM, Violin Performance, SUNY Purchase
MM, Violin Performance, Manhattan School of Music
Hometown: Carmel, NY
Current residence: Brewster, NY and Hell’s Kitchen

Robert is a member of the American Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Lumos, and the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra. He has performed as Concertmaster for Encores! at City Center, the New York Choral Society, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. He also performs in the orchestra for American Ballet Theater at Lincoln Center, and at the 92nd Street Y’s Lyrics and Lyricists series. He has won an Emmy Award for his musical contribution to the documentary, The Curse of the Bambino.  Robert is also an active chamber musician, touring and recording artist, and veteran of dozens of Broadway shows. He is currently in the orchestra at Disney’s Aladdin.