Woodwind Teachers
Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon
Christopher Balas
Flute • Clarinet • Saxophone
Christopher Balas
Flute • Clarinet • Saxophone
Christopher Balas hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Trombone Performance from Carnegie Mellon University, he won the trombone position with Tales & Scales Incorporated. While performing with Tales & Scales, Chris toured around the United States and performed with the with the St. Louis Symphony, the Kalamazoo Symphony as well as in many Performing Arts Centers and schools. As a freelance artist, Chris has performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Symphony Hall in Boston, and The Kennedy Center. He also has performed with the legendary Ray Charles.
In 2000, Chris moved to New Jersey to attend Rutgers University. After his graduate studies, he began his career as an educator with Future Musicians Incorporated teaching Instrumental Music in parochial schools around northern New Jersey. In 2009, Chris took a position as Director of 6th Grade Bands in the South Orange-Maplewood School District. He is currently Director of Bands at Maplewood Middle School. Chris lives in Bernardsville, New Jersey with his wife Kim and their rescue dogs Lulu and Moe.
Suzanne Delonas
Flute • Clarinet • Saxophone • Piano • Voice
Suzanne Delonas
Flute • Clarinet • Saxophone • Piano • Voice
Suzanne Delonas is a licensed K-12 music educator with over a decade of experience teaching music in New Jersey’s public schools and as a private lessons teacher. Suzanne studied flute and voice at Kean University and has expertise in teaching vocal and instrumental music to diverse student populations including students with special needs. Beyond her teaching role at Elefante, Suzanne connects with learners and music educators globally through her online music classes and Magic of Music Ed business where she blogs about music education and designs digital music lessons and resources for music teachers and classrooms around the world.
VIDEO: Suzanne Delonas intro
Al Elefante
Clarinet • Saxophone
Al Elefante
Clarinet • Saxophone
Al Elefante, founder of Elefante Music, studied at Kings College and the Manhattan School of Music. He studied clarinet with Charles Passhaus, Charles Russo, and Leon Russianoff. He is a fixture of the local jazz community and performs regularly with his band Elefante & Green. He opened Elefante Music in 1996 where he continues to teach private lessons in New Providence. He founded and assists with Elefante’s New Jersey Jazz Academy and co-wrote and assists in the production of It’s Christmas, Cara, an original musical.
Kyle Moffatt
Saxophone • Clarinet • Flute • Piano
Kyle Moffatt
Saxophone • Clarinet • Flute • Piano
Kyle studied at the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory, earning a Master’s in Jazz Composition. In addition to private instruction, he was instructor at Camp Encore-Coda, a summer music program in Brookline, Maine. Kyle performed with Bob Brookmeyer, Joe Lovano, Don Byron, Andy McGhee, and Max Weinberg. He performed as a member of groups the Rainbow Band (Berklee College of Music), the Jazz Composers’ Workshop Orchestra, the Jazz Composers’ Ensemble (New England Conservatory), and with the Brian Lewis Big Band, Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra, Beantown Swing Orchestra, and Joe Pino Sextet. He appeared at clubs and festivals including Somethin’ Jazz, The Garage, Silvana, Small’s, Caffe Vivaldi, North Shore jazz Festival, Chianti, Opal Room, Real Bar and All Asia Café. Kyle teaches all styles including jazz and classical, and can also incorporate theory and composition as primary or supplementary instruction.
Andrew Morrison
Saxophone • Clarinet
Andrew Morrison
Saxophone • Clarinet
Andrew E. Morrison is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, and creative leader dedicated to evolving music education. He teaches students of all ages in private lessons, ensembles, masterclasses, and innovative music programs throughout various organizations on the east coast. He emphasizes creativity, melody, harmony, rhythm, ear training, history, and personal expression throughout all of his music teaching. He believes music is more than performance—it is a pathway to social-emotional growth, cultural understanding, and lifelong learning.
Morrison’s primary instrument is the saxophone. He has studied with world-class saxophonists including Allen Won, Bruce Williams, Jonathan Ragonese, and Sherman Irby. He earned his undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies from Montclair State University and has performed for numerous masterclasses and in diverse ensembles. As a composer and arranger, his saxophone choir settings of contemporary music showcase his versatility across classical, jazz, and pop.
A former drum major, Morrison draws on formative experiences in drum corps, K–12 classrooms, higher education, and private mentorship to shape both his teaching and writing. He is passionate about cultivating leadership through music education and introducing these skills at a young age to inspire the next generation of creative leaders.
Bob Pispecky
Saxophone • Clarinet • Flute
Bob Pispecky
Saxophone • Clarinet • Flute
Bob earned a BA Music Education, an MA in Instrumental Conducting, he has a Masters of Education and certification as a music teacher, supervisor and principal, all contributing to 35+ years of experience in music education. He served as Supervisor of Music, Visual Arts and Dance for the Edison School District and previously as Supervisor of Music, Art, Tech and Drama for the North Plainfield School District. He taught and directed Elementary classroom and instrumental music, middle school instrumental music, and high school band. Groups under Bob’s direction have traveled through the U.S. performing in various festivals and competitions, winning first place and superior ratings. He performed as a freelance woodwind specialist, throughout the tri-state area with a variety of music ensembles, shows and headliners including Bobby Rydell, The Captain and Tennille and many more. Bob currently serves on the Executive Board of the NJ Music Administrators Association (NJMAA) and served as President of the Organization.
Diana Charos Reilly
Flute
Diana Charos Reilly
Flute
Diana Charos Reilly is the Director and Conductor of the Flute Ensemble at Drew University. Additionally, Professor Reilly teaches woodwind classes as well as private flute lessons for university credit. Ms. Reilly is the founder of New Jersey Youth Symphony’s Flute Forum, Flute Choir and Fortissimo Flutes and has taught at Skidmore College, Farleigh Dickinson University at Florham and Westminster Choir College and maintains a private music studio. A vast majority of Ms. Reilly’s students have gone on to win concerto competitions and placed first and second in All State and Regionals in both Orchestra and Band. Ms. Reilly is a graduate of the Juilliard pre-college division and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Hartt School of Music where she studied under John Wion of the New York City Ballet. She continued graduate studies at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Additionally, she furthered her training at Ithaca College and Oberlin College. Ms. Reilly has recorded numerous CDs including “Jack the Ripper”, “Sleeping Beauty” and “Rapunzel”, which premiered in 1999 at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Ms. Reilly has been selected to perform at the master classes of Jean-Pierre Rampal, James Galway and Jeffrey Khaner.
Stefanie Santoro-Buesing
Voice • Flute • Piano
Stefanie Santoro-Buesing
Voice • Flute • Piano
Flautist Stefanie Santoro-Buesing is a graduate of the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. Stefanie holds her Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance. Stefanie studied under Dr. Susan Palma-Nidel, Tanya Witek and Judith Mendenhall. Other instructors include Gary Schocker, Keith Underwood, Paula Robinson, and Robert Dick.
Stefanie is part of the East Brunswick Symphony Orchestra and performs in various chamber ensembles along with solo performances across New York and New Jersey. Stefanie also plays
in a Brazilian flute and guitar duo performing classic Pixinguinha Choros. Stefanie’s performances have brought her to some of the most prestigious venues in the world including Carnegie Hall.
Stefanie is the director of the Kean University Flute ensemble and has been working closely with Dr. Lynann Schraer-Joiner at Kean University. Stefanie presents master classes at Kean and performs with the University’s Chamber Winds Ensemble along with their Flute Ensemble.
Stefanie is an instructor of flute, piano and voice at Elefante Music and School for the Performing Arts. At Elefante Music, Stefanie created their advanced flute ensemble program and music for preschoolers program. Stefanie is also an instructor for Elefante’s theater department.
Stefanie connects with her students on a different level as she truly cares about them and their success. When Stefanie teaches it goes far beyond the lesson, creating a safe space for her students to open up musically and personally. Stefanie considers herself to be an inspiration and mentor to her students. She ensures confidence grows with their skills, and she encourages her students to pursue their passions. Stefanie’s lessons are very effective and her students progress and improve quickly. Stefanie’s students have won competitions and placed in Region and All State Band as well as the New Jersey Youth Symphony and Princeton Youth Symphony. Many of Stefanie’s students have gone on to study music in college.
VIDEO: Stefanie Santoro Introduction
Howard Toplansky
Oboe • Bassoon • Clarinet • Trumpet • Trombone
Howard Toplansky
Oboe • Bassoon • Clarinet • Trumpet • Trombone
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; he recently retired from teaching with 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.