Curious Parents Class Resources

The Salicandro name has been associated with excellence in music education in South Jersey for almost five decades. Frank and Angelina Salicandro founded the Medford School of Music in 1958, which later became the New Jersey School of Music. Frank and Angelina's children Gia and Anthony always found time to be involved with the family music school along with their careers as professional musicians.

The Ventnor School of Music (a branch of New Jersey School of Music) was established by Gia and buddy Walton in 1979. in 1984 Anthony began a private teaching practice in Haddonfield which has since evolved into the New Jersey School of Music --Haddonfield, now the Conservatory of Musical Arts (CMA).

CMA students have been successful in attaining competition awards and excellent positions in the area regional ensembles. Some of their creadits include: The NJ Piano Competition; NJ Teachers Association Piano Competition; The Bartok, Prokofiev, and Kabelefsy International Piano Competition; All South Jersey Band and Orchestra; All Eastern Band; All South Jazz Ensemble; The Regional Grammy Band; The National Grammy Band. Also, many of our students have received scholarships to the finest music colleges in the country and have pursued their musical careers, establishing themselves as fine musicians and educatiors within the music community.

We offer 1/2 hour, 45-minute, and hourly private lessons for the following instruments:
Clarinet
Drums
Flute
Guitar
Bass Guitar
Oboe
Piano
Jazz Piano
Suzuki Piano
Saxaphone
Trombone
Trumpet
Violin
Suzuki Violin
Viola
Voice

We also offer Guitar and Woodwind ensembles.

Weekends     Before School     After School     Evenings     Summer     

We offer twelve studios, fully equipped with all the resources necessary to provide excellent quality instruction for our students.

Woodwinds

Anthony Salicandro, Director
Saxaphone, Flute, Clarinet
Tony has performed with such celebrity musicians as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, Sammy Davis Jr, Burt Bacharach, Cher, Steve & Eydie Gormé, Barry Manilow, and Doc Severnson. His radio and television credits include “The Tonight Show” (1978), “Mel Torme Live” (1988), “The Miss America Pagent” (1979-1985), and the soundtrack for “Dick Clark’s Freedom Festival ’89”. Tony has also toured with Ben Vereen (1978-79) and Lou Rawls (1978), and his playing can be heard on CDs featuring Bobby Rydell and Lou Rawls. Tony holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute from the University of the Arts. He is an adjunct professor at the University of the Arts and Rowan University. Tony performs with the Atlantic City casino orchestras and The Philly Pops, and he currently performs and records with the Brazilian jazz group Minas.

Gia Walton, Assistant Director
Clarinet
Gia received her Bachelor of Music from the University of the Arts and her Master of Music Performance from Temple University. Gia is presently on the education faculty of the University of the Arts as well as Instrumental Music Director at Cherry Hill East High School. She has performed with the Ocean City Pops Orchestra, the Bay Atlantic Symphony, the Atlantic Chamber Ensemble and in various theatres and showrooms in the Philadelphia and South Jersey region, such as The Walnut Street Theater.

Barbara Benedett
Clarinet, Flute, Saxaphone
Barbara is a graduate of the University of Delaware. She earned undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Art History as well as a Masters in Clarinet Performance. Her teachers include past and present members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera, and NYC Ballet. Barbara has appeared with the Delaware, Lancaster, and Reading Symphony Orchestras, the Curtis Institute of Music and the International Opera Theater in Citta Delle Pieve, Italy. Barbara is the Assistant Director of Early Childhood Programs at Settlement Music School, Philadelphia, PA. She teaches privately at Settlement’s Germantown Branch and the Conservatory of Musical Arts.

Mike Cemprola
Saxophone
Mike earned his Bachelor of Music from University of the Arts in Philadelphia and is pursuing a Master of Music in Jazz Performance. He is an active teacher and performer in the Philadelphia area, playing with his own quartet and other artists. He is also on the faculty of the Westminster College Choir Community Music School in Princeton, NJ.

Chris Farr
Saxophone
Chris received his Bachelor in Jazz Performance and a Master in Arts and Teaching from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He has performed and toured with various internationally renowned artists and has performed and recorded all genres of music. He is currently under a recording contract with TMP Records. His debut release Common Ground has received national acclaim. His second release Not Enough Space again displays his talent as a writer, arranger, performer, and producer.

Regina Gunning
Oboe
Regina is a freelance oboist in the Philadelphia area where she plays in shows, weddings, and chamber ensembles. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education with an oboe concentration from Temple University’s Esther Boyer College of Music. While at Temple, she studied oboe and English horn performance under Mr. Louis Rosenblatt. Regina has performed at The Kimmel Center, The Academy of Music and Vatican City. She is a certified music teacher in both PA and NJ and is currently teaching music in the Moorestown Township Public Schools.

Kathy Mitchell
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute
Kathy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Music Performance from Temple University and a Master of Music Performance in Saxophone from Northwestern University. She has performed with many different orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Curtis Institute of Music Symphony. Kathy is an adjunct music professor at both the University of the Arts and The College of New Jersey where she teaches studio saxophone to undergraduate saxophone majors, coaches quartets, and instructs master classes. She has taught privately for thirteen years.

Frances Tate
Flute
Frances Tate is an active teacher and performer in the Philadelphia and Baltimore areas. She is currently second flutist with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and plays piccolo with the Lancaster Symphony. She has also performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra and the Baltimore, Delaware, Richmond, and Knoxville Symphonies. In 2002 she was second-place winner in the National Flute Association's Piccolo Artist Competition. Frances has a Bachelor of Music from University of Michigan and a Master of Music from the Peabody Conservatory. Her principle teachers include Leone Buyse, Robert Willoughby, and Laurie Sokoloff.

Brass

Jon Botbyl
Trombone
Jon is a freelance trombone player in the Philadelphia area. He has played with bands of all different styles including jazz, Latin, soul, funk, classical, and rock. He has also recorded on albums with the likes of Will Smith, Gerald Levert, R. Kelly, and John Legend. Jon received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of the Arts. Upon graduation, he went on to play with the Disney All-Star Band in Los Angeles and then for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines before returning to the Philadelphia area. Recently he has completed the teacher certification program at Rowan University and is now a certified teacher in New Jersey.

Matt Cappy
Trumpet
Matt is a graduate of the University of the Arts where he received a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance and a Master of Arts and Teaching. Matt has performed with many different artists and performers, and he recorded the theme for the Philadelphia Flyers, which is played during home games. Matt has been teaching trumpet privately for five years.

Bill Pusey
Trumpet
Bill is a 1974 Bachelor of Music graduate of the University of the Arts. Since graduating, Mr. Pusey has toured the world with such performers as Glenn Miller, Dizzy Gillespie, and Burt Bacharach. His performances on Broadway and in Philadelphia theaters include Grand Hotel, Cats, and A Chorus Line. Bill has been first trumpet in Philadelphia, New York, and Atlantic City performing for Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Doc Severinsen, BB King and Aretha Franklin. For three years, he was first trumpet with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Along with teaching at the Conservatory, Bill is currently on the faculty at the University of Arts, and the NJ School of Music.

Nick Corvino
Trumpet
Nick received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of the Arts and has been teaching and playing professionally for ten years. He currently serves as Brass Instructor and Jazz Band Director at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield, PA. Nick is also a member of local jazz groups Big Swing Face and the Lars Halle Jazz Orchestra. Nick has played in orchestra pits, many area performance venues and he has performed with such well-known artists as The Four Tops and The Temptations.

Percussion

Jim Schade
Drums
Jim Schade has his Bachelor of Music from Shenandoah University and has over ten years experience teaching drums and percussion. After gaining experience working at various resorts, hotels, and restaurants, Jim returned to teach drumline for high schools in central Pennsylvania and to teach privately in the Philadelphia area. His students have participated in local and regional competitions and have been accepted into such music programs as West Chester University, Indiana University, and the University of the Arts. Jim has been a fixture on the Philadelphia jazz scene for over a decade, playing with local legends such as Larry McKenna, Bootsie Barnes, and John Swanna. His performance experience includes national radio shows, commercial jingles, local television broadcasts, and several jazz recordings.

Piano

Alla Fabrikant
With over twenty years of teaching expierence, Alla is qualified to teach all levels of piano. She holds a Bachelor in Piano Pedagogy and Theory of Music from the School of Music Molodechno, USSR. She also recieved her Master in Piano Pedagogy and Theory of Music from the Latvian State Conservatory, The University of Latvia. Alla has performed as a piano accompanist at The Ballet School of Latvia as well as Botsford School of Dance and Monroe Community College, and she has taught piano at School of Music Number One and Romlen School of Music. Many of her students have won state, national, and international piano competitions.

Inhae Goodman
Inhae has 25 years of professional teaching experience. She has had great success working with students of all ages and ability levels. Her gentle demeanor along with her dedication to excellence has helped many of her students prepare for various auditions and competitions. Inhae graduated from Seoul University in Korea where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performace.

Matt Hyzer
Classical, Jazz
Matt is an active pianist and arranger in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Piano Performance in 2005 and a Master of Arts in Teaching in 2006 from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He has performed with many world renowned musicians including Chris Vadal, Bill Watrous, Jeff Jarvis, Rick Lawn, Jamar Jones, R&B artist Vivian Green, and Tower of Power’s Dave Garibaldi. As a freelance writer/arranger, Matt has musical arrangements published with Alfred Publishing, The Lorenz Company, Shawnee Press, and Word Music. He has been teaching piano since 2004 and is the organist/accompanist at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cinnaminson, NJ.

Anna Sakoian
Anna is a graduate of Yerevan State Conservatory with a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy, Performance, and Accompaniment. She also attended Yerevan Special Music School for Gifted Children. Anna taught piano for ten years in Yerevan in the USSR, and she is the founder of the Performing Arts Association of Armenia, a school for aspiring young musicians. She was accompanist for the annual music competitions at the Armenian Philharmonic. Arriving in the US in 1995, Anna has offered private piano lessons to students of varying ages. She is currently a member of The National Music Association, and her students perform in the Association’s concert every spring.

Strings

Brian Betz
Guitar
Brian is a local jazz guitarist, composer, and educator. He currently performs throughout the East Coast. He holds both his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and Master of Music in Jazz Studies. He currently has three CDs released on the Dreambox/Media label. In addition to teaching at CMA, he also teaches at both Rowan and Monmouth Universities.

Frank Butrey
Guitar
Frank graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance and Studio Teaching. He has studied classical guitar with Dimitri Erdeley and jazz improvisation, composition, and arranging with Basil Ronzitti, Ed Flanagan, and Steve Giordano. He has years of experience performing jazz, rock, funk, blues, and classical music. Frank has appeared on TV and radio programs and has backed such headliners as Bobby Vinton, Englebert Humperdink, and Marvin Hamlisch. Currently Frank has an active career performing at many well-known events and venues with noted musicians. He has released a critically acclaimed CD and has been featured on a number of other recordings. For a more detailed biography, please visit our website www.musicalconservatory.com.

Matt Engle
Bass
Matt received his Bachelor of Music from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He currently works as a freelance musician and can be seen playing in and around the Philadelphia area at many of the jazz clubs as well as private parties, weddings, theatres, and restaurants. He also performs and composes for several local original bands.

Marco Lucci
Violin
Marco earned his Artists Diploma from Conservatorio Arrigo Boito in Italy, and later earned his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Rowan University and his Master of Music in Violin Performance, from Temple University. He was past a member of the Arcangelo Corelli Chamber Orchestra and has studied with Grazia Serradimigni, Enzo Porta, Lenuta Ciulei, and Hirono Oka. Marco currently plays with the Haddonfield Symphony, the Bay Atlantic Symphony, and the Pottstown Symphony and he freelances regularly.

Mary Lucci
Violin
Mary earned her Master of Music in Violin Performance from Temple University, and her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and Music Education from Rowan University, where she was the recipient of the Clarke W. Pfleeger Music Medallion Award. Her teachers include Leslie Webster, Gerald Beal, and Hirono Oka. Currently she is a member of the Bay Atlantic Symphony and the Pottstown Symphony and is also an active freelance performer.

Gabriela Mandescau
Violin
Gabriela attended The Academy of Music in Bucharest, Romania where she received her Master in Violin Performance. After coming to America she received another Master in Violin Performance from Temple University. She also taught violin privately in Romania and participated in several international music festivals. She has performed as first violin with the Haddonfield Symphony and several other local orchestras.

Jack Prucella
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano
Jack holds a Bachelor of Music and Communication from LaSalle University and a Master of Music Theory from Temple University. He also holds his Music Education Certification from Chestnut Hill College. Jack has been teaching guitar, bass guitar, and piano for 24 years and Kindergarten through 8th grade general music for 19 years. His experience as a performer includes solo guitar work, both acoustic and jazz, and appearances with numerous bands, both original and cover. He currently performs in the duo Jack and Lore (acoustic guitar/flute), playing classical, jazz, pop, Broadway, and original music at private functions, clubs and festivals.

Jeffrey Russ
Cello
Jeffrey Russ has established himself as a sought-after cello teacher and performer in New Jersey. Jeffrey is a graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts where he studied cello with Zara Nelsova and Jonathan Spitz. He has worked with musicians such as Andrea Quinn, David Hayes, and Rossen Milanov, with performances at Carnegie Hall and NJPAC. As a teacher, he has gathered a studio of cellists with many going on to admittance with Regional and All-State Orchestras. He has worked as a coach for The New Jersey Youth Symphony and is the Assistant Director of the Rutgers Youth Orchestra.

Greg Snyder
Guitar, Bass
Greg received his Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Performance from Temple University where he studied under Tom Giacabetti and Terell Stafford. He also has a background in classical guitar which he studied intently for six years. Greg has performed at such venues as The Kennedy Center, The Kimmel Center, The Lincoln Center, and the July 4th Welcome America Festival, and he has played with such local musicians as Patrick Hughes, Justin Leigh, Chris Beck, and Yoichi Uzecki. He currently teaches at Paul VI Catholic High School, Bishop Shanahan Catholic High Scool, and Bucks County Piano, and he is signed with BRP Entertainment.

Voice

Laurissa Backlin
Laurissa has taught voice at CMA since 2000. She has performed in scenes from Don Pasquale and Le Nozze di Figaro. As an oratorio soloist, she has sung Bach cantatas, Fauré's Requiem and Vivaldi's Gloria. Laurissa studied in Germany at the International Handel Academy with acclaimed Baroque specialist, Jeffrey Gall. In 2006, she was a semi-finalist with the Bach Festival of Philadelphia Vocal Competition. She is a professional member of the Philadelphia Singers and is a frequent church soloist. Laurissa is also the spring Musical Director at Haddonfield Middle School. She graduated from Wheaton College with her Bachelor of Music and from Temple University with her Master of Music.

Kaylé Brecher
Jazz, Contemporary, Classical, Musical Theater, Improvisation, Composition and Lyric Writing
Kaylé is an active recording artist/performer with twenty years of teaching experience, four CDs with airplay across the US, Europe, Australia, South America, Russia, and the Philippines, and a career that has included concerts, festivals, live radio, a TV documentary soundtrack, clubs and other fine venues. Kaylé graduated summa cum laude with a double major Bachelor of Music from Temple University in Jazz Comp/Arranging and Jazz Performance, where she also studied classical voice with Dr. Christine Anderson. Additionally, Kaylé’s educational training has included private study with acclaimed composers Michael Abene and Jim McNeely, as well as several semesters of Speech Pathology from West Chester University.

Bill Deal
As a Columbia recording artist, Bill has performed worldwide with his songstress wife Ro Muziani Deal as a headliner and opening act for Rodney Dangerfield, London Lee, and Henny Youngman. His TV credits include Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and the National Juvenile Diabetes telethon. As a record producer, Bill worked with the “Kinleys”—Grammy Award winners in 2000. Bill holds a Master of Music and was trained at Julliard School of Music. He is a certified voice and piano teacher and has been teaching for over 30 years to students of all ages.

Music Together: Every Child Is Musical!

Music and movement classes for children ages birth through four years old…
AND the adults who love them!

•Locations:
Haddonfield
Voorhees
Medford
•Days:
Tuesday-Saturday
•Times:
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
•Contact:
The Conservatory of Musical Arts
856.354.1432
office@musicalconservatory.com
www.conservatorymusictogether.com

Spring Classes Forming Now!
Spring Session runs April 10-June 17