Music Director at First Congregational Church of Haworth, Susan LaFever is a multi-faceted multi-instrumentalist and conductor. Ms. LaFever holds a Bachelor of Music Performance in French Horn and Piano, and while earning her Master of Music in Horn Performance, was awarded a full assistantship to serve as pianist in the vocal and instrumental studios.  Currently in her eighth season as director of The Ridgewood Singers, Ms. LaFever has been a past pianist with Ars Musica, The Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, The Lakeside Choraliers, New Jersey Opera, the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea, and the Teaneck Community Chorus. She is in her 17^th season as pianist with Ridgewood Choral.

Susan has accompanied Broadway stars in recital in New Jersey, area professionals in NJ and CT, and members of the New York Philharmonic in New Hampshire. She is an accompanist at Montclair State University and frequently accompanies students there and at Weill Recital Hall in NYC.

Ms. LaFever was reviewed by the New York Times, where her playing was called “bold and striking” with “a confident lyric quality”.  On horn, she is a recitalist and orchestral performer and has toured the U.S., Europe, Mexico and Asia. She has given master classes at the University of Iowa, Western Illinois University, and the University of California, Santa Barbara and has presented clinics and performances at several Northeast Horn Workshops, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the International Horn Symposium, and the National Flute Association Convention. She can be heard on Phoenix USA records and YouTube. Susan has degrees from Union College, University of Nebraska, and Manhattan School of Music.

Susan’s former students are currently enjoying careers in the performing and teaching arts, or are incorporating lessons learned through the study of music into the professions of their choice.