Thomas Avakian
Thomas Avakian (Trombone), earned a BFA from Lehigh University in voice, instrumental theory and composition, music history and performance. He teaches Tenor and Bass Trombone, and Music on the Computer. Mr. Avakian's professional appearances include Monmouth Symphony Orchestra; First Presbyterian Church- adult choir; Brookdale Big Band, Shore Ballet, Wayside Singers; Shore Brass Band; Garden State Philharmonic Orchestra Collegium Cantorium- Renaissance literature; Myth of Progress; Metro LyricOpera and NJ Chambers singers- Baritone vocalist.

Jenny Cline
Jenny Cline (Flute) holds a Bachelor of Music in flute performance from Northwestern University, where she studied with Walfrid Kujala.  She is the principal flutist of the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, piccoloist with the Summit Symphony, and performs regularly with the Plainfield Symphony.  In addition to her orchestral performing, she is also active as a chamber musician.  As a member of FLUTATIOUS!, a professional flute ensemble, she performed at the 2009 National Flute Association convention in New York City.  Her woodwind quintet, the Monmouth Winds, recently performed a concerto with the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, and is busy commissioning new works to expand the repertoire.  She has been a guest performer with the Uptown Flutes, and is in demand as a freelance musician around the state.  On the faculty at NJWA since 1996, her students regularly achieve honors at the local, regional, state, and national level. 

Bryan Murray
Bryan Murray (Saxophone, Composer) was born and raised in Nitro, West Virginia, and he pursued his musical studies at the University of Kentucky. He was a member of the Downbeat award winning ensemble Mega Sax, which made several recordings on the Seabreeze Jazz label and the Disney All-American College Band. Upon completion of his Bachelors of Music, he continued his education by obtaining a Masters in Jazz Studies at DePaul University in Chicago. While attending DePaul, Bryan performed with Joe Lovano, Kenny Werner, Nicholas Payton, and recorded a live CD with Tom Harrell. Bryan spent four years teaching private woodwind lessons at Near North Montessori School and working as a freelance musician in Chicago. He is currently living in New York City and teaching private lessons and playing professional engagements with his own quartet as well as with other ensembles. Bryan teaches saxophones, flute and clarinet and has performed with: Ray Charles, Mary Wilson, The Temptations, Louie Belson, Ralph Lalama, Michael Lerich Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra.

Howard Toplansky
Howard Toplansky holds a B.Mus.Ed and an MM from the University of Michigan. He has been an instrumental music instructor for over 30 years and is currently a teacher in the Kenilworth school district. Mr. Toplansky is the author of Essentials of Bassoon Technique , which is considered the “Bassoonist's Bible”. This textbook is used in orchestras and universities around the world. He directs The Music Studio Concert Band.

Wayne Trager
Wayne Trager (Brass) has a B.A. in Music Education from Jersey City State College with certification in music education. He has written many articles on trumpet, embouchure and various playing techniques. Mr. Trager hosts a website entitled “Trager Trumpet Talk”. He is a full time K-8 th grade general/instrumental teacher at Monmouth Beach School, Monmouth Beach, NJ. He was selected Monmouth Beach's Teacher of the Year 2004. This was the first time a teacher was awarded this honor during his first eligible year. He was also awarded a $2,500 Grant through the Education Foundation of Monmouth Beach to establish a computer music technology lab at his school. Due to the numerous performances of his choruses and bands at various community events, Mr. Trager is well known and highly respected in the community. Many of his students have been members of NJ Allstate, and have gone on to pursue careers in Music at such institutions as Rutgers University, NYU, and New England Conservatory of Music.




Adam Garnys
Adam Garnys, a graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, is proficient in clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, baritone and percussion instruments. His background includes giving  private music lessons for students, from beginner to advanced levels, and working as an instrumental music teacher and band director in area school systems.

The multi-talented musician also plays in various jazz combos and  wind, jazz, and classical saxophone ensembles.  He has performed on flute, alto saxophone and baritone saxophone for Atlantic Records, while touring in the United States and Canada.  His credits include recording an album on the Atlantic Records label at the Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood, California. 

Phil Rinaldi
“Cadillac” Phil draws his inspiration from jazz, as well as rock, funk and R&B.  He  has taught music lessons, both nationally and internationally,  with master classes in more than  50 different venues, including Sherbrooke University in Canada. 

In addition to his private teaching and clinics, Rinaldi, a graduate of New Jersey City University with a BA in Music, performs increasingly in the New York metropolitan area.  He has appeared with  outstanding groups such as  the New Jersey Pops, the Staten Island Philharmonic, Ocean Pops, Ryles Jazz Orchestra in Boston  and the  Billy Carrion Jazz Orquestra, which has been recognized as one of the most acclaimed in Latin Music.   He   has performed with such notables as Connie Francis, Joe Piscipo, The Duprees and The Temptations. 

His performing  experience includes over 100 different runs of more than 80 various shows at numerous professional, semi-professional and community theaters, in addition to  recording several albums. His band Watson can often be heard in the Sweet Sounds Downtown Jazz Festival in Westfield, as well as at other local events. 

Rinaldi’s music organization memberships include  the Music Educators’  National Conference, the Musician’s Union and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc.