Head Coach & Owner

Olympic legacy, early life, and the two tracks that shaped him

Born in St. Ignace, Michigan (March 24, 1962), István is the son of István Hernek, a Hungarian-born Olympic silver medalist in canoeing who famously defected at the 1956 Melbourne Games to seek freedom in the United States, and Mary Ann, a racing kayaker. His parents instilled a reverence for freedom, tradition, sport, and the rich musical culture of Hungary—age-old folk music, czardas, and masterworks by the great Hungarian composers.

From the start, horses and music developed in parallel. He took his first solo ride at age three, and at the same age began composing: before he could formally read music, he used graph paper to invent a visual notation system akin to player-piano rolls—eerily similar to modern computer sequencing. This multi-sensory way of shaping sound and motion now underpins his equestrian coaching style: clear mental pictures, precise timing, and tactful aids.

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Equestrian foundations → modern coaching

By nine, István was an assistant wilderness guide at Dune Shores Resort in Michigan’s Hiawatha National Forest. At eleven, he became Head Trail Boss, managing the entire riding program, including trail rides, stagecoach, and covered-wagon tours across hundreds of acres. Early responsibility for people, horses, safety, and logistics shaped his calm, leaderly presence in today’s arena.

A family rekindling—through his daughters Christiana and Skylar—brought horses roaring back into the center of his life. In 2015, together with colleague Anthony Kunz, he purchased QuakerField Equestrian (Orchard Park, NY), refurbishing and landscaping the historic ranch. That project grew into today’s Orchard Park Equestrian, a show-horse program dedicated to Hunter/Jumper, dressage foundations, and connection-first horsemanship for the next generation.

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A distinctive method (and a new sport)

István’s training blends Native American horse-handling wisdom with cavalry precision, contemporary dressage, and Hunter/Jumper technique. He has also invented a new discipline: tack-free mounted archery and cavalry—a synthesis that showcases balance, trust, and invisible aids. He is currently authoring a book and producing a video series  to codify these methods for riders and coaches.

“A student’s propensity to learn is proportionate to the teacher’s belief in what the student can learn.”
This has guided his teaching for decades—at the keyboard, in the choir loft, and now in the arena.

 

Musical virtuosity and ministry (the other engine of his coaching)

Largely self-taught, István’s rapid development on the cathedral pipe organ began around age 11. Within a year he was performing advanced repertoire from the French Romantic school, most notably Widor’s Toccata in F from Symphony No. 5. In 1973 he composed a symphony dedicated to his mother, and in the same year transcribed Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee for organ pedals.

His talent drew the attention of theater guru Randy Piazza, who offered a $75,000/year touring contract to improvise live soundtracks to silent films. István declined—committed to elite classical composition and performance. His father took him to be adjudicated by Dr. Robert Quade, President of the Royal School of Church Musicians, who recommended him to concert organist James Bighamat Holy Trinity Lutheran, Buffalo—a lineage tracing back to Franz Liszt.

At age 12 he became organist at St. Mary’s Church (Langford, NY), and also took up guitar, forming a rock band with classmates at St. Bernadette’s School (Orchard Park). High-school studies included voice with Helen Rupp, MS, and conducting under Dr. Harry John Brown (SUNY Fredonia).​

In 1981, at 19, István began touring as lead guitarist, vocalist, and road manager for the rock band Majesty, displaying a Paganini-like flair on guitar. Several major labels showed interest, but he declined to protect creative freedom and family life with Edna Rose Lee (Perrysburg, NY). After 6,000+ live performances, he retired from the road in 1995, settling in Lawtons, NY. He taught piano, voice, and guitar; served as organist/choirmaster; and honed sound design, engineering, and production at Squire Recording Studio (Buffalo).

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Touring years and studio craft

In 1981, at 19, István began touring as lead guitarist, vocalist, and road manager for the rock band Majesty, displaying a Paganini-like flair on guitar. Several major labels showed interest, but he declined to protect creative freedom and family life with Edna Rose Lee (Perrysburg, NY). After 6,000+ live performances, he retired from the road in 1995, settling in Lawtons, NY. He taught piano, voice, and guitar; served as organist/choirmaster; and honed sound design, engineering, and production at Squire Recording Studio (Buffalo).

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Paraclete Conservatory—building culture in the church

With Tracy Tremblay and Marge Awald, István founded Paraclete Conservatory in 1999 (a 501(c)(3)), initially in the former school at Holy Spirit Church (North Collins). The mission: return cultural focus to the local church. Programs include Mozart Munchkins, Supervised Group Rehearsals, and progress-accelerated curricula that brought hundreds of students to genuine mastery.

The program’s early-morning 6:00–8:00 AM supervised rehearsals began at Nativity School (Orchard Park); in 2004 István became Director of Music at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, later moving to Full Gospel Tabernacle (the sanctuary welcomed a Kawai concert grand and three-manual Johannus classical organ). A recording/teaching facility was added at the former Butterwood Bakery location (West Falls, NY).

Performances & ensembles. He founded the Corpus Christi Chamber Orchestra at Corpus Christi Church (Buffalo) and produced the In the Light concert series, featuring local and international artists—including Mozart’s Flute Concerto with flute virtuoso Emma Resmini and guest conductor/radio host John Landis. In 2010, after only two months of post-formation training, the Paraclete Schola Cantorum performed César Franck’s Panis Angelicus at Christ the King Seminary and later released a Christmas CD.

Commissions & output. He was commissioned to compose a cycle of works for the 75th Anniversary of the Town of Orchard Park, culminating in the Orchard Park Piano Concerto. His catalog includes 2,000+ piano vignettes/études and sonatas for piano and organ; he is also composing two Flute Concertos for Emma Resmini. Selections include:
— Floor Music for Gymnast Mia Fowler
— Étude in C Minor, Baroque Organ Prelude in C, Amazing Grace (organ variations), Two-Part Invention in A
— Film score excerpts for Greg Robbins (My Dream Beside Me, City of Dreams)
— Buffalo pipe-organ demos: Trinity Visit, Westminster Visit, Whoever Walks Without Fault

Broadcasts & leadership. István and the Paraclete choirs were featured on Tri-State Christian Television. He served on the Executive Board of the Church Musicians’ Guild of Buffalo, chaired the Msgr. Kawalec Organ Scholarship and Msgr. Gernatt Vocal Scholarship, and presented workshops on technology in music, voice, and pastoral role of choirs. He has served regularly as a substitute organist/choir director at St. Joseph Cathedral (Buffalo) and directed music annually for the Pro-Life Mass in Washington, D.C. for Bishop Mansell and Bishop Kmiec (since 1999). Additional seminars include a “Tribute to My Father” interview with Stephanie E. Mateczun (Buffalo Jills coach, owner, and TV anchor), plus the “My Dad the Olympian I–III” video series.​

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Teaching & coaching philosophy (applied to riders)

• Belief drives ability. “A student’s propensity to learn is proportionate to the teacher’s belief…”

• Daily reps and feedback. The same supervised rehearsal model that produced advanced musicians maps to horses: short, consistent reps; precise feedback; pressure-and-release timing; relaxation before progression.

• Connection before collection. Trust, softness, and clarity precede technique—then dressage basics, gridwork and courses flourish.

• Two paths, one idea. Whether preparing Bach or a bending line, students learn feel, phrasing, and timing—all anchored in leadership and kindness

 

Professional timeline (selected roles)

• Founder & Executive Director, Paraclete Conservatory paraclete (1998–Present)

• Organist & Director of Music, Corpus Christi Church (2012–Present)

• Ordination & Auxiliary Organist (Summer Sub), St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Buffalo (2007–2010)

• Director of Music / Organist, Orchard Park Presbyterian Church (2004–2009)

• Music Director / Organist, St. John’s Church (Olean) (2003–2004)

• Organist / Vocalist & Accompanist / Liturgy, Sacred Heart of Jesus (Batavia) (2002–2003)

• Organist / Choirmaster / Vocalist, St. John the Baptist (Lockport) (2001–2002)

• Organist / Choirmaster / Vocalist, St. Francis of Assisi (Athol Springs) (1999–2001)

• Organist / Choirmaster / Vocalist, St. Barbara (Lackawanna) (2000–2001)

• Organist / Choirmaster / Vocalist, Holy Spirit (North Collins) (1995–2000)

• Music Director / Tour Manager, “Majesty” (Interstate Corporation / Marriott Hotels) (1983–1995) — 6,000+ concerts in the US & abroad

• Sound Design / Audio Engineering / Production, Squire Recording Studio, Buffalo (1981–1983)

 

Education & studies (highlights)

• Independent curriculum aligned with [SUNY Fredonia][sunyf] (theory, conducting, voice, piano, composition, orchestration/arranging)

• Voice studies with Marylyn Barber and Kristen Gregory; workshops with Frank Scinta and James Diat

• Courses at [Christ the King Seminary][cks]: Music in Catholic Worship, Liturgical Music Today, Directory for Masses with Children

• Organ under James Bigham (Holy Trinity Lutheran, Buffalo); consultations with Dr. Robert Quade (Royal School of Church Musicians)

• Contemporary guitar with Robert Zabowa, Greg Sowerda (jazz, rock, country, blues, fusion)

• Trumpet with Craig Fattey

• Conventions: NPM Convention (Rochester, 2003); Church Musicians’ Guild Convocations(annually since 1998)

 

Today at Orchard Park Equestrian

• Lesson Program (Hunter/Jumper & Dressage foundations)

• Tack-Free Mounted Archery & Cavalry (original discipline by Coach Steve)

• Clinics & Camps (leadership, connection, and safe performance for riders of all ages)

• Coach Steve’s Book & Video Series (in preparation—innovative training translated for riders, parents, and coaches)

 

Selected credits & community projects

• Commissioned cycle for the Town of Orchard Park 75th Anniversary → Orchard Park Piano Concerto

• Two Flute Concertos (in progress) for Emma Resmini

• In the Light Concert Series at Corpus Christi Church (with Corpus Christi Chamber Orchestra)

• Pentecost Concert Choir & Orchestra, (with Corpus Christi Chamber Orchestra) Christ the King Seminary

• Jubilee 2000 Solemn Eucharist (Cathedral of Marquette, MI) with Cardinal Edmund Szoka

• Summer Camp 2000: “Spirituality in Pastoral Musicianship” (Director Alan Lukas, Fr. Steven Frenier)

• Regular leadership as liturgy planner, choir trainer, and program consultant for parishes across Western New York

 

Why this matters to riders and families

Your child’s riding journey deserves a coach who understands timing, phrasing, leadership, and grace under pressure. From orchestral scores to tack-free cavalry work, István’s lifetime of high-level performance and teaching informs a coaching style that is calm, precise, safe, and confidence-building—so riders and horses can perform beautifully and bravely together.