(BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ) -- “As we enter the second year of our five-year strategic plan, Wharton Arts is making key senior staff appointments in order to move the organization forward,” said Peter H. Gistelinck, Executive Director at Wharton Arts. “Continued investment in people is essential for any organization. We are confident that the continuity of our exemplary team will help us in achieving our ambitious goals.”

Shanna Lin, Director of Paterson Music Project (Paterson Music Project) - When former PMP Director Elizabeth Moulthrop was recently appointed Executive Director of El Sistema USA, it was only a logical step for Wharton Arts to appoint Shanna Lin as the new Director of the prestigious Paterson Music Project (PMP). Shanna has been with Wharton Arts for more than 10 years and is the Co-Founder of the PMP program. Thanks, Shanna, for accepting the Director position. We are looking forward to continuing to work with you in your new exciting role, especially as the 2022-2023 season marks the 10th Anniversary of PMP.

Debra Joyal, Director of Performing Arts School (Wharton Performing Arts School) - Debra Joyal is a classically trained musician, administrator, skilled writer, and researcher in institutional funding and communication with degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA and Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her overall focus is on building connections to communicate the vision and mission of nonprofit organizations. She joins us from the P.G Chambers School in Cedar Knoll, NJ. We welcome Debra as the new Director of the Performing Arts School in Berkeley Heights, NJ.

Andrew Nitkin, Director of Community Partnerships (Wharton Performing Arts School) - Andrew Nitkin is the Founding Director of the American Guitar Institute in New York and has been instrumental for many years in successfully leading the Performance Arts School at Wharton Arts in Berkeley Heights, NJ. Most recently, Andy has taken on community partnerships for the organization and we are more than thrilled that he has now accepted the new role of Director of Community Partnerships for the Performing Arts School.

Roger Sweet, Manager of Orchestras (New Jersey Youth Symphony) - Roger Sweet has been with Wharton Arts as a Production Assistant of the Operations department, and we are now thrilled to appoint Roger as the new Manager of Orchestras of the New Jersey Youth Symphony in New Providence, NJ. Roger comes to us with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Bard College.

Eva Dooley, Director of Finance & Administration (Wharton Arts) - Eva Dooley has been appointed as the new Director of Finance & Administration of Wharton Arts. Eva is a Berkeley Heights-based CPA with long-time expertise in accounting and financial analysis with an emphasis on business analytics, strategic planning, project management, and overall bookkeeping. In each of these roles, she has gained skill sets that allow her to work in many different capacities including human resources. We welcome Eva as a new member of our senior staff team.

Wharton Arts’ mission is to offer accessible, high quality performing arts education that sparks personal growth and builds inclusive communities.

Wharton Arts’ vision is for a transformative performing arts education in an inclusive community to be accessible for everyone.

Wharton Arts is New Jersey’s largest independent non-profit community performing arts education center serving nearly 2,000 students through a range of classes and ensembles. The 5 ensembles of the New Jersey Youth Chorus, an auditioned choral ensemble program for students in grades 3–12, encourage a love and appreciation of choral music while nurturing personal growth and creative development. The 15 ensembles of the New Jersey Youth Symphony, which serve over 500 students in grades 3–12 by audition, inspire young people to achieve musical excellence through high-level ensemble training and performance opportunities. Based in Paterson, the Paterson Music Project is an El Sistema-inspired program of Wharton Arts that uses music education as a vehicle for social action by empowering and inspiring young people to achieve their full potential through the community experience of ensemble learning and playing. From Pathways classes for young children to Lifelong Learning programs for adults, the Wharton Performing Arts School has a robust musical theater and drama program and offers both private and group classes for instruments and voice for all ages and all abilities. With the belief in the positive and unifying influence of music and that performing arts education should be accessible to all people regardless of their ability to pay, Wharton Arts offers need-based scholarships. 

Wharton Arts is located in Berkeley Heights, New Providence, and Paterson, NJ and reaches students from 12 counties. All of Wharton Arts’ extraordinary teaching artists, faculty members, and conductors hold degrees in their teaching specialty and have been vetted and trained to enable our students to achieve their personal best.