Questions? Get a FREE 1-to-1 CONSULTATION with Director of Student Services Kristen Wuest:
Learn from conservatory graduates from The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University, and more! Our award-winning teachers are engaging, nurturing, and simply the best. And with our online learning platform as well as in-person lessons, you can learn anywhere, any time. View the Performing Arts School Faculty.
Wharton’s Performing Arts School offers online private music lessons in all instruments and voice. Study with one of over forty instructors, many of whom have students competing on the state and national level annually. Our faculty perform professionally on Broadway, in symphony orchestras, and as studio recording musicians, often appearing both on tv and radio.
Faculty Spotlight: Pianist Eric Olsen
Education: B.M. Piano Performance magna cum laude, Syracuse University and M.M. Jazz Studies & Piano Performance High Distinction, Indiana University
Eric has taught piano, organ, music composition, music theory, and ear training for an impressive 36 years! He teaches both classical and jazz piano styles at Wharton Arts. His students have won competitions including the Music Educators Association (MEA), Piano Teachers of America, Wharton Arts Honors Recitals, Crescendo International Festival, MusicFest, and Montclair Women’s Club. Notably, one of his Performing Arts School students was the 1st Place Senior Division Winner of the Eric Steiner Composition Competition from the Music Educators Association four years in a row! ENROLL NOW
Faculty Spotlight: Violinist Mikhail Kuchuk
Education: M.M. Violin Performance, Odessa National Music Academy (Ukraine) and Postgraduate Studies & Performer’s Diploma, Freiburg Music Academy (Germany)
Misha has taught violin, viola, music history, and music literature since 1998 and has served on Wharton’s faculty since 2002. Although a diverse player himself and consummate improviser, his style of teaching is mostly classical. His students have participated on the state level in Regional Intermediate Orchestra, Regional High School Orchestra, and All-State Orchestra, and many of his students have been top prize winners in the Golden Key, Crescendo International Festival, Olympic Challenge, and ASTACAP competitions. ENROLL NOW
Faculty Spotlight: Flutist Laura George
Education: B.A. Music-Flute Performance Fine Arts Teaching Fellowship, University of Missouri-St. Louis; M.A. Music-Flute Performance, Western Illinois University; Certificat de Stage Flute Master Class at L’Université d’Été (Nice, France), taught by Jean-Pierre Rampal
Hailing from a musical family, Laura has taught flute, piccolo, and chamber music for three decades. Her students’ accomplishments are many and varied and include acceptance at the legendary Tanglewood Music Festival, Wharton Arts Honors Recitals, First Chair in the Eastern Wind Youth Symphony, soloists at Carnegie Hall upon winning top prizes in the Little Mozarts and Crescendo International Festival competitions, All-State Wind Ensemble, and Region 1 and 2 Bands, including First Chair Flute and Piccolo. ENROLL NOW
“My son went from not being able to play the piano at all to performing in the music school’s recital within a few months. I never expected to see that kind of progress so quickly.” – 2021 Performing Arts School Parent
Here are the ways you can discover and grow at Wharton Arts:
- Instrument Nights (every Monday in November)
- Piano Master Class annually with distinguished guest artists
- Super Sunday Marathon Recitals
- Juries for those students wanting extra feedback
- Honors Recitals by acceptance only
- Piano Concerto Competition win a chance to perform with the New Jersey Youth Symphony
- Workshops & Webinars
- Member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education
- Founding school of the Royal Conservatory of Music
Wharton’s Performing Arts School offers music lessons for all ages and abilities. In addition to in-person lessons following all CDC guidelines, students can learn and improve on their instrument regardless of their location with online Zoom lessons. Call us at 908-790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.
As New Jersey’s largest community music education center, we believe that arts education should be available to everyone regardless of the ability to pay. We offer sibling discounts and flexible lesson packages including academic year, semester, and trimester options. Financial Assistance is available and 100% of eligible private lesson students receive tuition benefits. Contact us for more information. Call us at 908-790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.