Ted, an arts administrator, performing instrumental and vocalist, teacher, conductor, and adjudicator, received his BA & MA from The College of New Jersey in 1960 & 61, emphasizing performing with orchestral and band instruments. He received his Ed.D in Creative Arts at Rutgers University in 1983.
His teaching career began in the Plainfield School District, where he created the Plainfield School of Music and the Summer Workshop, teaching band and orchestral instruments to students from age 4 to senior citizens. He joined the Westfield School District in 1967, teaching band and orchestral instruments to middle and elementary school students. In 1972 he founded the Westfield Summer Workshop, a 5 week program in the Arts for children in grades K through 12. The enrollment grew to 975 students during the next 15 years. In response to parent requests, The New Jersey Workshop for the Arts was born in 1993. The total program is now 47 years old. New programs such as The Music Connection, for students with developmental issues, and Music Fun Time, a pre-school program, etc., were added. Ted is also self taught on the Alphorn, the national instrument of Switzerland. He has performed at the UN, PNC Art Center, TV Nickelodeon, the TV Food Channel, Ellis Island, Swiss Celebrations, an Amstel Beer promotional, Ricola commercials and events, Quest and Kimbal Centers for the Arts, World Financial Center in New York, TV Nightly News on Channel 11 and an Alphorn concert tour in Switzerland. He has been featured in many news papers such as the Star Ledger, NY Times, and the Asbury Park press. He was a featured Alphorn soloist at Dr. Ruth’s 80th birthday party in New York.
Ted’s imagination, dedication and achievements have led him to many accomplishments and awards, among them: Adjunct Professor at TCNJ, 32nd degree Mason, The Town of Westfield Chamber of Commerce Faith in Westfield, NJ State Senate and General Assembly Proclamations, Westfield Downtown Corp, Master student at the Alphorn Academy of Switzerland, Rotary Foundation International Paul Harris Fellow, Westfield Rotary H.Emerson Thomas award, Optimist International Friend of Youth, Distinguished Music Alumnus, TCNJ, International Templar’s Medal of Achievement, and the Union County Achievement in Education.
His professional accomplishments include initiating and directing the first NJ Region II Intermediate Symphony Orchestra, ’71, Concert Band,’72 and Viola Orchestra; as well as being a former Trustee on many boards, Founder/Director International Alphorn Ensemble, and Westfield Community Band Director, which he changed from just summer to a year round ensemble. Ted is on the faculty of the Sundance School in N. Plainfield as Director of Instrumental music.
Ted teaches and performs on most band and orchestral soloist instruments. He has been featured on French horn, euphonium, Tuba, and alphorn with the Majestic Winds, Union Municipal Band, and Chatham Community Band. He is known for performing taps as a soloist and with his echo taps ensemble since 1960.
Ted lives in Westfield, NJ with his wife of 37 years, Kitty. They are guardians of three of their 10 grandchildren: Christina, a college sophomore, Rachel, a senior, and Stephen a freshman, both at Westfield High School.