Maria Nestle – Director
Maria manages the international band FLAME, an amazing group of musicians who happen to have disabilities and has been around music most of her life. As the manager, she oversees concert tours, which spans across the United States and internationally and has been seen by over a million people. She has been involved with the productions of 7 CD recordings and several music video projects. She has a vast knowledge of band promotion and marketing and has been a consultant in the development of a proposed national musical reality show for television. As a keynote speaker she has presented to crowds as large as 5,000 people explaining the importance of focusing on someone’s ability/gift in order to assist them in living their best life. Maria has a marketing background and resides with her husband in Palatine Bridge, NY.
In 2017, Maria mixed for Chris Jamison, well known for his appearance on Season 7 of NBC’s The Voice where he finished in 3rd place, at a local event in Caroga Lake. Maria has mixed for Flame and other local artist, as well.
She is a volunteer firefighter, Certified First Responder (CFR), Member of the Montgomery County Emergency Management Rehab Team and Treasurer for the Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Department. She is also on the Board of Director for The Arts Factory of Montgomery County.
Maria enjoys spending time with her family and helping her community during her time off.
Flame’s home base is in the Nigra Arts Center, where Maria also the Director. Contact Maria at (518) 661-9932 or at nestlem@thearclexington.org.
Hailey Lozier – Music Coordinator
Hailey is the Music Coordinator, a Job Trainer Specialist, and a Community Habilitation Staff for the members of the band Flame.
She assists the band members to broaden and improve life skills through different experiences in the community. Hailey travels with the band across the country to run sound and mix for audiences to enjoy.
Hailey started with the band as a Music Business Intern while attending the Schenectady County Community College School (SCCC) of Music. During this time, Hailey had the opportunity to produce, mix, and master Flame’s album titled ‘Christmas Classics’ at SCCC’s music studio. Hailey soon graduated from SCCC with a degree in Music Audio Technology and was hired to work with the band as an Assistant Music Coordinator. Hailey was quickly promoted to the band’s Music Coordinator.
Since being with the band, Hailey has also had several opportunities to mix for other very successful musicians, including Chris Jamison of NBC’s ‘The Voice,’ and most recently, Svetlana and the Delancey Five – a very talented group of Jazz musicians based out of NYC.
Hailey has been a music lover her entire life and a musician from a very young age, writing her first song at 8 years old. Hailey started as a singer, then studied flute, tenor saxophone, piano, guitar, and ukulele. Hailey regularly writes and records original music, and enjoys spending her days off with her family in Fultonville, NY.
Michaela Staie – Music Coordinator
Michaela is a Music Coordinator, a Job Trainer Specialist, and a Sound Specialist for the members of the band Flame.
She assists the band members to broaden and improve life skills through different experiences in the community. Michaela travels with the band across the country to run sound and mix for audiences to enjoy.
Michaela started with the band as a Music Audio Technology Intern while attending the SUNY Schenectady School of Music. During this time, Michaela had the opportunity to produce, mix, and master Flame’s original song “I Am Me” at SCCC’s music studio. She also had the opportunity to run the soundboard for Flame at a few gigs. Michaela soon graduated from SUNY Schenectady with a degree in Music Audio Technology and was hired to work with the band as a Music Coordinator.
Michaela has run the sound department of many theater productions for her alma mater, Broadalbin-Perth Central School District since the age of 13. She also had the opportunity to perform the Sisters’ arrangement of the National Anthem at a Mohawk’s game in high school. Michaela also wrote an original song for her high school graduation and performed it at the ceremony.
Michaela has been a music lover her entire life and a musician from a very young age, singing at church from the age of 3 and starting euphonium at age 10. Michaela is a professional euphoniumist and also sings and plays electric bass, upright bass, piano, trombone, and tuba. Michaela regularly writes and records original music with her partner and assists him with arranging pieces for video games. She enjoys spending her days off with her family and friends in Broadalbin, NY.
…and all the staff members at Lexington that support Flame and the band members in all of their endeavors.