Cooper Ford

Conductor of Concertino Strings

An NJYS alum, Cooper Ford is thrilled to make his return as the conductor of Concertino Strings. He is currently the Orchestra Director at North Brunswick Township High School in North Brunswick, New Jersey, where he also teaches classes in Music Production. As a published composer, he has written a variety of original works and arrangements, which have been performed by school and youth orchestras across the country. Recently, he began a collaboration with Manjula Ramachandran, an accomplished Carnatic musician, to write authentic & accessible music in the South Indian Classical tradition for strings. Cooper received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The College of New Jersey and Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida. He is also a recipient of the ASTA/NJ Classroom Teacher of the Year and the NFHS Outstanding Music Educator Award. Outside of teaching and composing, he is also active as a guest conductor, clinician, and speaker. He is grateful to his school music program and all his teachers growing up, who not only taught him to play the violin and tuba, but inspired his pursuit of music education.