Visual & Performing Arts Center Staff

Chris Farrell, Piano Technician

(p) 203-837-8309 (e) farrellcj@wcsu.edu

Chris Farrell has been tuning and servicing pianos for over 45 years. He has extensive experience in all aspects of piano-related repair and maintenance including full concert and recording studio session preparation. Chris has worked on some of the finest instruments in the world and with many major artists. His client list includes: Phil Ramone, Alan Menken, Misha Dichter, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Marian Anderson and Paul McCartney. As a composer and pianist Chris is the founder of “Sounds of Peace,” a record label dedicated to creating music for healing and wellness. Through the restorative power of music, meditation and awareness he gives voice to the deep connections that unite us as a human family. He has performed original works at the United Nations General Assembly as part of World Interfaith Harmony Week. Chris recently garnered national attention as the composer for Michelle Obama’s Grammy-nominated audiobook, American Grown: How the White House Kitchen Garden Inspires Families, Schools and Communities.

Eric Gomez, Events Coordinator

(p) 203-837-3266 (e) gomeze@wcsu.edu

Eric Gomez is the Events Coordinator for the Visual and Performing Arts Center. He serves as the publicist for all major events in the Visual and Performing Arts Center, oversees the VPAC Box Office and front-of-house operations, and supports a variety of campaigns and functions for the School of Visual and Performing Arts. Eric graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BA in Musical Theatre in 2017. He worked as a professional actor, appearing in multiple television series, commercials, and theatre productions. He previously worked as the Box Office Manager for Transport Group Theatre Company in New York City, and as a University Assistant for the Department of Theatre at WCSU.

Kori Hansen, Technical Coordinator

(p) 203-837-3981 (e) hansenk@wcsu.edu

Kori Hansen obtained her BFA in Design Technology from SUNY at Purchase. Kori is the Technical Coordinator for the Visual and Performing Arts Center at WCSU and is responsible for the training and maintenance of the equipment for the art, music and theatre departments in the building. She is also an adjunct professor for the Theatre Department. Kori has spent 30 plus years in live entertainment production and management in a wide variety of areas throughout her career. Her early work included touring as an electrician for the Big Apple Circus, and working on the lighting crew at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City. From there, she went on to work for Kliegl Bros Lighting in the marketing department and was exposed to lighting equipment from the manufacturing of fixtures to the design of some of the first computer and digital lighting systems. Before coming to WCSU, Kori worked for a production company doing technical direction for corporate clients and most recently spent 12 years as the production manager for the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill NY where she managed over 500 shows including children’s shows, dance and countless rock and roll performances.

Susan Kelley, Administrative Assistant to the Dean

(p) 203-837-3222 (e) kelleys@wcsu.edu

Susan Kelley joined Dean Vernon’s staff as Administrative Assistant after serving in a similar capacity to the Director of Visual and Performing Arts of a Fairfield County K-12 public school district. Following a rewarding career as a marketing and communications creative, Susan appreciates the opportunity to translate her professional skills, experience, and interests in support of the Dean’s Office and School of Visual and Performing Arts. Ms. Kelley holds a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Connecticut.

Chip Machokas, Audio Specialist & Sound Coordinator

(p) 203-837-3972 (e) machokasc@wcsu.edu

Charles Machokas (Chip) has spent sixteen years as the Technical Director at the Waterbury Arts Magnet School, twenty two years as a Sports and Entertainment Technician at Mohegan Sun Casino, the WNBA Connecticut Sun Stats Technical Coordinator and almost forty years as a freelance live sound engineer, monitor operator and sound designer with extensive video, multi-media and large-scale entertainment credits.

Chip is no stranger to Western Connecticut State University. Chip has supported the WCSU Music Department working the annual Jazz fest and other events in White Hall as a freelance sound engineer and designer for fourteen years that led him to work with musicians such as Chic Corea, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Band, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Diane Schuur, Dave Brubeck, the John Scofield Quartet and the Dave Holland Nonet.

Chip has also supported the WCSU Theater Department in the roles of Part time Adjunct Instructor for Sound Design, Faculty Advisor, Assistant Technical Director, and freelance sound designer. Chip’s Berkshire Hall production credits include: Chicago, Spring Awakening, Into the Woods, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, City of Angels, Cabaret, and The Who’s Tommy. He was also called in to help support the musical Parade held the Inaugural year of the WCSU Visual and Performing Arts Center.