Caryn Patterson

Caryn Patterson serves as an Adjunct Professor of Music at Le Moyne College and directs the Le Moyne College Singers, while also founding and leading Test Kitchen—a vocal jazz ensemble performing her original arrangements and compositions. With over 35 years of experience in the Syracuse community, she has established herself as a prominent music educator, singer, and instrumentalist across educational and professional theater settings.

Her professional focus centers on Music Education, Choral Music, Vocal Jazz, Music Composition, and Musical Theater. Patterson pioneered an innovative musical theater program at Cicero-North Syracuse High School that integrates performance excellence with student mental health support, particularly noted during pandemic-era adaptations. Her artistic approach emphasizes original vocal jazz composition and interdisciplinary theater education.

Patterson received significant recognition including the unsolicited "Champions of Change" award from the New York State Board of Superintendents for her CNS theater program's pandemic response. Her productions earned accolades from both the Syracuse Area Local Theater for Youth and Syracuse High School Theater Arts Awards for outstanding artistic achievement.

As an educator and ensemble director, she mentors students in choral performance and vocal jazz interpretation. Her creative output includes Test Kitchen's 2022 studio album "Wings of Dreams" featuring her original works, with a second album currently in production.