Faculty
Violin, cello, guitar, ukulele and bass — taught privately and in ensembles by performing musicians and certified educators.
Private string lessons run weekly year-round in 30, 45 or 60 minute sessions, and students are encouraged to join one of our ensembles — Wednesday Morning Strings, Summer Symphony, the guitar ensembles, Jazz Ensemble or the Rock Performance Workshop.
Executive Director · Founder
Dr. Schlosberg holds a B.A. and an M.M. from Trenton State College and an Ed.D. in Creative Arts from Rutgers University. His expertise is teaching and performing on most band and orchestral instruments and conducting band, orchestra and choral groups. Dr. Schlosberg began his career teaching music in the Plainfield Public School District in 1960. In 1967 he joined the Westfield Public School District and remained there until 1996, when he retired to devote full time to the growth and development of New Jersey Workshop for the Arts. In addition, he has studied jazz improvisation, French Horn, trumpet, woodwinds, percussion, strings, voice, guitar and conducted with top professionals.
Violin
Janet Lyman has been teaching since 1967. She studied at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, receiving a B.M. and an M.M. Ed. She is Director of Music at Zion Lutheran Church in Clark where she established a brass and string ensemble and conducts the Adult and Youth Choir. Ms. Lyman was string advisor to WYACT/NJPAC Summer Musicals and has conducted the North Jersey Junior Regional Orchestra. In 2003 she started and directed a Hand Bell Choir at Zion Lutheran Church in Clark, NJ. She currently conducts the Wednesday Morning Strings and Summer Symphony.
Violin
Rosemary Topar, violin instructor, is a former Music Studio student, having begun her study of the violin in 1989 under the tutelage of Executive Director Dr. Ted Schlosberg. She went on to graduate summa cum laude from Montclair State University (MSU) in 2006 with a Music Performance degree, and later that year participated in the International Scholar Laureate Program's Delegation on Music to Eastern Europe. She has been teaching students of all ages how to play the violin since 2002, at the MSU Preparatory Center for the Arts, Stokes Forest Music Camp, and currently at the Music Studio. Ms. Topar, an American String Teachers Association member, has studied under some of the best in their field, including several members of the NJ Symphony Orchestra. She also has an extensive performance background, having played with many notable orchestras and at a variety of important venues, including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, NJ Performing Arts Center and the National Concert Hall of Ireland.
Guitar
Michele Fiorindo has been active as a performing artist and music educator for over 30 years. After studying classical guitar with Chris Kenniff and earning his teaching certification, Michele has taught music in NJ public schools since 2006. He has performed with several bands and recorded in many styles, including jazz, Latin, reggae and rock. A member of the Dr. Barry Harris Workshop since 1998, he focuses his musical language around the be-bop based improvisation method of the great American jazz pianist and educator. As a member of the NJ guitar orchestra he has performed at William Paterson University and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, and he is featured on the first NYC Guitar Orchestra recording, released in September 2024. The guitar ensembles under his direction have performed at music festivals including Kean University and the Long Island Guitar Festival.
Guitar · Strings · Rhythm Section
An established music teacher in the Westfield area with more than 20 years of experience, Mr. Brown graduated Rutgers College with a B.A. in 2000 and has studied many instruments under notable teachers including Alice Artzt and William Pierce. Glen Brown has been on the faculty of NJ Workshop for the Arts for close to two decades where he teaches private and group lessons, directs ensembles, and serves as a general administrator. He is Director of the NJWA Jazz Ensemble as well as Director of the NJWA Rock Performance Workshop. He currently teaches K-8 music at Trivium & Redeemer schools, and was previously a guitar specialist at Westminster Conservatory, where he started the group ukulele program.
Violin · Guitar
David Hilton, a graduate of Montclair State University with a major in violin, also holds New Jersey State music teacher certification. He has performed in numerous string ensembles, musicals, operas, choirs and barbershop quartets. Presently a music teacher in the Springfield Public Schools, he also worked with the Summit Marching Band and enjoys playing electric bass and electric violin. In the summer of 2004, Mr. Hilton taught strings and guitar at the Westfield Summer Workshop.
Tell our office the student's age, experience and goals and we'll recommend a teacher with matching availability.