Meet the Music Team
Daniel Dunninger
Mr. Dunninger is the instrumental music teacher for 6th grade through 12th grade in the Millbrook Central School District. Mr. Dunninger is the director of the 6th grade band, 7th and 8th grade band, the high school band, and the high school jazz ensemble.
Previously Mr. Dunninger was a music teacher on Long Island where he assisted several school districts in their music endeavors.
Mr. Dunninger received his BS in Music Education from Hofstra University, and a Master of Wind Conducting from Hofstra University. Mr. Dunninger has also been a private tutor for the past 8 years, specializing in brass performance and coaching students to several all-county festivals.
Mr. Dunninger performs with community bands and serves as a NYSSMA judge for solo festivals. He also enjoys running the Pit Orchestra for Millbrook High School.
Band Website: https://sites.google.com/a/millbrookcsd.org/millbrook-bands/home
daniel.dunninger@
Kristen Skovan
Kristen Skovan is the General Music and Choral Teacher for 6th through 12th grades in the Millbrook Central School District.
Kristen received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Crane School of Music where she studied with Anna Hendrickson. While at Crane, she performed at Carnegie Hall with the Crane Chorus under the direction of maestro Duain Wolfe.
Kristen was awarded a full scholarship to UMass Amherst and received her Master of Music with distinction. Kristen was the first student to be awarded a graduate certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy, and was a winner of the 2019 UMass Concerto Competition.
Kristen has studied exclusively with oboists of the Tabuteau method and enjoys teaching all ages using the Tabuteau System. Kristen has previously taught 7th through 12th grade band and chorus and undergraduate post-tonal music theory. Her favorite experience by far has been teaching here at Millbrook!
kristen.skovan@
Kathrine Donaghey
Kathrine Donaghey is the General Music and Choral Teacher for Pre-K through 5th grades in the Millbrook Central School District.
Katie received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the Fredonia School of Music where she studied French horn with Dr. Marc Guy. While at Fredonia, she performed with a variety of ensembles including band, chorus, jazz band, and orchestra. Katie also studied jazz piano for four years at Poughkeepsie Day School with Peter Tomlinson.
Katie was awarded a graduate assistantship within the musicology and music library departments at SUNY Fredonia. She completed her Master's degree with a focus on pedagogy for elementary general music, and completed a Master's thesis and research study on the use of technology in music education.
Katie has moved back to the Hudson Valley and enjoys being a part of the Millbrook community. She continues to study and teach private lessons for piano and French horn.
kathrine.donaghey@
Samala Rubin
Samala Rubin is the Band Director for 4th and 5th grade in the Millbrook Central School District.
Samala received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Flute Performance Certificate from the Crane School of Music where she studied flute with Dr. Brian Dunbar and piano with Dr. Young-Ah Tak. While at Crane, she performed at the College Band Directors National Association Conference with the Crane Wind Ensemble as well as at the National Flute Association Conference with the Crane Flute Ensemble.
Samala has previously taught Pre-K through 6th grade General Music, 3rd through 5th grade Chorus, 6th through 12th grade Band, and 7th through 12th grade Chorus. She strives to provide students with a meaningful and positive music learning experience through instrumental and ensemble teaching.
Samala has enjoyed living back in the Hudson Valley where she grew up, and getting to know the Millbrook community.