The Cathyann Roding Auditorium

Cathyann Roding, daughter of Leonard and Gloria Vaccaro, started teaching, encouraging and leading students at Branford High School in 1985.  

After graduating from Elmont High School in Elmont, Long Island, Cathyann went on to do her undergraduate work at Long Island University.  She later went on to do her graduate work at the Hartt School of Music within the University of Hartford. Her summa cum laude degree in music education and her M.A. in choral conducting paved the way for her successful career.  She started her teaching career on Long Island and then taught in South Carolina where she was even a member of a bluegrass band.

While at Branford High School she taught music theory, guitar and keyboard. She directed the Freshmen Choir, Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, Braveheart Men, Mainstreet Singers and Music Makers.  Her students achieved individual/group honors and awards under her direction and tutelage.

Her choirs performed regularly throughout Branford and the surrounding communities.  In 2000 the choir got to perform for Dame Julie Andrews at The Woodwinds in Branford.  They sang in Carnegie Hall and in both the Avery Fisher and the Alice Tully Halls at the Lincoln Center.  Her choirs were heard at the Kennedy Center and traveled to Europe, singing in England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, the Czech Republic, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the cemetery at Normandy.  In 1996 while in Italy, Cathyann and her choir were honored by an audience with Pope John Paul II.  The experiences of these events created lifelong impressions and memories for all who were part of them and developed a sense of confidence in the individual and an awareness of the larger world.

In 1986, Cathyann alongside Director Adrian Goldman put on a production of Pippin at Branford High School. The following year the well-known partnership between Cathyann Roding and Toni Cartisano was formed.  Cathyann served as Musical Director and Choreographer, while Toni served as Director.  Together they lead 31 Spring Musical Productions through BHS Performing Arts.

Cathyann has been named Branford Citizen of the Year as well as New Haven Woman of the Year.  She has been selected Parade Marshall for Branford's Holiday Parade and has been Branford's Teacher of the Year.  Cathyann was inducted into the Branford’s Education Hall of Fame in 2008.  

After 38 years, Cathyann retired from full-time teaching, handing over the program to her former student Mike Martone Jr. in 2017.  

The auditorium at Branford High School was officially named after Cathyann on November 15, 2017.

Cathyann is the proud mother of Ashley Roding, and still resides in Branford with her husband Drake Smith.