Eliza Lucyna, Director of Children's Music- Eliza joined the music staff at Sacred Hearts & St Stephen in 2026. She has served in Music Ministry as a cantor and professional ensemble singer for over a decade, and is a teacher of classical piano and voice. She is in-demand as a soprano soloist in Opera, Oratorio, and media events throughout the US and Europe.
Eliza served as an Apprentice Artist at Des Moines Metro Opera, where she performed the Soprano Chorus Solo in King Roger. Her recent credits include being a Finalist in the Vero Beach Vocal Competition, Featured Soloist in the televised Hyundai Air and Sea Show in Miami, Soloist in the U.S. Capitol and Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery for the Horatio Alger Association, Soloist and Soprano on Seraphic Fire’s Christmas Tour, Soloist at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum for the Horatio- Alger Association, the title role in Sarah Kirkland Snider’s HILDEGARD concert workshop with Beth Morrison Projects and Mannes Opera, Frog in Song of the Nightingale with Cedar Rapid Opera, Soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria in Nashville, Soprano Soloist in Saint-Säens Oratorio de Noël, Soprano Soloist in Poulenc’s Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, and La Fée Cover and Dancer in Massenet’s English adaptation of Cendrillon with Cedar Rapids Opera Theater.
Eliza was the only American Semi-Finalist at the premier season of the Sumi Jo International Singing Competition, Soprano Soloist in the Fallen Angels concert with Ars Lyrica Houston, the Producer and Soprano Soloist in Musical Meditations- an LED and Candlelight experience of sacred and secular songs for voice and theorbo in Manhattan, Music Director and Soloist with CirqueNoir Los Angeles, Soprano Soloist and Assistant Conductor of Autumn Concert at St. Thomas More in Manhattan, Soprano Soloist in the Bach St. John Passion with London City Orchestra, Soprano Soloist in Mozart’s Missa Brevis with St. Thomas More Schola in Manhattan, Madame Herz in Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor at the Verdi Theater in Busseto, and Lieder und Opern Arien concert at Christuskirche in Salzburg.
James Lake, Parish Organist & Director of Music
- Jim has been the organist and music director at Sacred Hearts & St Stephen since 2003. He earned his Master of Music degree as a scholarship student at Manhattan School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music at Rice University's prestigious Shepherd School of Music. Jim's continuing organ studies were at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ, and at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan. A frequent performer with symphony orchestras, Jim has performed at all of New York City's major concert venues, including Carnegie & David Geffen Halls, the Metropolitan Opera, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the Barclays Center. As a recording artist, Jim has performed for television and radio, and was heard on Broadway in the soundtrack to Lincoln Center's Tony-Award-winning production of War Horse.Eliza Lucyna, Director of Children's Music
- Eliza joined the music staff at Sacred Hearts & St Stephen in 2026. She has served in Music Ministry as a cantor and professional ensemble singer for over a decade, and is a teacher of classical piano and voice. She is in-demand as a soprano soloist in Opera, Oratorio, and media events throughout the US and Europe.
Eliza served as an Apprentice Artist at Des Moines Metro Opera, where she performed the Soprano Chorus Solo in King Roger. Her recent credits include being a Finalist in the Vero Beach Vocal Competition, Featured Soloist in the televised Hyundai Air and Sea Show in Miami, Soloist in the U.S. Capitol and Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery for the Horatio Alger Association, Soloist and Soprano on Seraphic Fire’s Christmas Tour, Soloist at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum for the Horatio- Alger Association, the title role in Sarah Kirkland Snider’s HILDEGARD concert workshop with Beth Morrison Projects and Mannes Opera, Frog in Song of the Nightingale with Cedar Rapid Opera, Soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria in Nashville, Soprano Soloist in Saint-Säens Oratorio de Noël, Soprano Soloist in Poulenc’s Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, and La Fée Cover and Dancer in Massenet’s English adaptation of Cendrillon with Cedar Rapids Opera Theater.
Eliza was the only American Semi-Finalist at the premier season of the Sumi Jo International Singing Competition, Soprano Soloist in the Fallen Angels concert with Ars Lyrica Houston, the Producer and Soprano Soloist in Musical Meditations- an LED and Candlelight experience of sacred and secular songs for voice and theorbo in Manhattan, Music Director and Soloist with CirqueNoir Los Angeles, Soprano Soloist and Assistant Conductor of Autumn Concert at St. Thomas More in Manhattan, Soprano Soloist in the Bach St. John Passion with London City Orchestra, Soprano Soloist in Mozart’s Missa Brevis with St. Thomas More Schola in Manhattan, Madame Herz in Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor at the Verdi Theater in Busseto, and Lieder und Opern Arien concert at Christuskirche in Salzburg.
As a music teacher, Jim is known for his ability to recognize the unique perspective of each student's own understanding, and his use of that perspective as an avenue to developing each individual's sense of music.
Evelyn Troester DeGraf, Choir Director Emerita
- Evelyn Troester DeGraf is an internationally accomplished musical director, choral conductor, and music educator, who directed our parish choirs from 2010-2020. Originally from Germany, Evelyn received her Masters degree with a dual concentration in performance and music education at the renowned University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich. She earned her Doctoral Degree at Columbia University’s prestigious Teachers College. Dr. DeGraf’s focus on pedagogy and psychology has led her to develop teacher training workshops on creativity development and leadership, the subject of which she was invited to lecture at The ECONOMIST Human Potential Conference in New York. An enthusiastic teacher, Evelyn has taught piano and voice for over two decades to all ages, and especially enjoys offering choral and jazz improvisation classes.
As a well-travelled, versatile musician, Evelyn finds herself equally at ease singing Strauss, Kurtág, de Falla, or Thelonious Monk. She has conducted choirs for several US performances with rock legends The Rolling Stones. Throughout her singing career, Dr. DeGraf has had the opportunity to work with master artists such as James Levine, Guiseppe Sinopoli, Candace Goetz, and Rhiannon. Evelyn is the founder and music director of the acclaimed professional a-capella choral group, Ghostlight Chorus. She is also an accomplished pianist, guitarist, and has studied organ with Andrew Henderson and Jim Lake. Evelyn is currently the organist & Director of Music at Christ's Church, Rye, NY.
Evelyn, or “Evi,” as she is known to her friends, is a lover of the written word, Yoga, the outdoors, and all things food-related. She marvels at the people that the arts have brought into her life and the invaluable gifts she receives from making music.
As a well-travelled, versatile musician, Evelyn finds herself equally at ease singing Strauss, Kurtág, de Falla, or Thelonious Monk. She has conducted choirs for several US performances with rock legends The Rolling Stones. Throughout her singing career, Dr. DeGraf has had the opportunity to work with master artists such as James Levine, Guiseppe Sinopoli, Candace Goetz, and Rhiannon. Evelyn is the founder and music director of the acclaimed professional a-capella choral group, Ghostlight Chorus. She is also an accomplished pianist, guitarist, and has studied organ with Andrew Henderson and Jim Lake. Evelyn is currently the organist & Director of Music at Christ's Church, Rye, NY.
Evelyn, or “Evi,” as she is known to her friends, is a lover of the written word, Yoga, the outdoors, and all things food-related. She marvels at the people that the arts have brought into her life and the invaluable gifts she receives from making music.
Annie Stulc (née Flood), former Director of Children's Music (2024-2026)
- Annie is a collaborative pianist and vocal coach who loves the challenge that vocal music presents of combining poetic and musical ideas in performance. Originally from Maryland, she worked extensively with musical organizations in the Baltimore and Annapolis areas before moving West to serve as staff accompanist for the Music Department at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. There, she rehearsed and performed with their choirs and vocal music students and was a sought-after musical theatre music director and keyboardist in the Pacific Northwest. Annie was honored to be interim Choir Director at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas for a year before relocating to Brooklyn, where she worked as an Executive Assistant with Justworks, accompanied the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and was a member of the BK Treble Choir.
As a church musician, Annie has held positions in Maryland and Washington, including the United States Naval Academy, the Baltimore Basilica, and St. Aloysius Church. She joined Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Church in Brooklyn as Children's Choir Director in 2024. Passionate about the impact of music within a community, Annie has also taught private piano and voice lessons and was active in initiatives that aim to spread classical music and positive change throughout Baltimore. Annie earned her Master of Music in Vocal Accompanying from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, and her Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Notre Dame. When not behind a keyboard, you can typically find her wandering farmer's markets, exploring breweries, and eating pizza!
Jennifer Wu, former Director of Choirs (2020-2024)
- Jen Wu is an accomplished singer in multiple genres, as well as a multi-instrumentalist and educator. Jen has taught singing and led young peoples' choirs for many years in both New York City and California. She has toured the world as lead soprano in numerous opera productions. She performs and records as a soloist and guest musician with many groups including the New York Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic, San Diego Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Beth Morrison Projects, Bang on a Can All-Stars, Musica Sacra, Cathedral Choir of St. John the Divine, La Jolla Symphony, the Apple Hill String Quartet, S.E.M. Ensemble, Ensemble Ipse, the Dessoff Choirs, and Ghostlight Chorus. Jen is fluent in six languages, and is a graduate (Magna cum laude) of Columbia University.
- Jen Wu is an accomplished singer in multiple genres, as well as a multi-instrumentalist and educator. Jen has taught singing and led young peoples' choirs for many years in both New York City and California. She has toured the world as lead soprano in numerous opera productions. She performs and records as a soloist and guest musician with many groups including the New York Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic, San Diego Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Beth Morrison Projects, Bang on a Can All-Stars, Musica Sacra, Cathedral Choir of St. John the Divine, La Jolla Symphony, the Apple Hill String Quartet, S.E.M. Ensemble, Ensemble Ipse, the Dessoff Choirs, and Ghostlight Chorus. Jen is fluent in six languages, and is a graduate (Magna cum laude) of Columbia University.
