FACULTY

FRANK P. ORTEGA began his career as a freelance Tuba Player in the New York Metropolitan area approximately 35 years ago. Mr. Ortega attended the Manhattan School of Music where he received his Bachelor Degree in Tuba Performance. A merit scholarship from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music led him to a Master of Music Degree as well. In 1995, Frank received the Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship to study at Rutgers University, where he recorded several CDs with the Wind Ensemble and earned his teaching credential. Mr. Ortega served as principal tuba in the Garden State Philharmonic from 1999–2006. He was also the Principal Tubist with the Chelsea Symphony from 2006 to 2015 and has been featured as a soloist and made his orchestral conducting debut with that orchestra. Mr. Ortega has also been a full time, public school music teacher for the past 22 years. He has been the Director of Instrumental Music at Saddle Brook Middle/High School for the past 17 years. His duties include teaching the Marching Band, two Concert Bands, two Jazz Bands, all Chamber Ensembles, seventh Grade General Music, Music Theory, and Directing the School Musical Play every Spring. Previously, he taught at the Potrero Hill Middle School of the Arts in San Francisco, spent 7 years teaching elementary band in Fort Lee, NJ, and during the summers of 2006–2009, served as Tuba teacher and Brass Ensemble coach for the New York Summer Music Festival in Oneonta, NY. In 2013, Mr. Ortega was appointed Music Director/Conductor of the Bloomfield Civic Band, a post that holds to this day.

​Julie Passaro Krygsman is a trombonist on the ground or in the air, depending on the day. She is based in the northern New Jersey/ New York City area. For over nineteen years, she has been an active freelance trombonist, performing with many different pit orchestras, symphonic orchestras, brass bands, brass quintets and a wide variety of chamber ensembles. Julie has also been an aerial musician for over a decade. Already a dancer and aerial acrobat, in 2012 Julie began performing on aerial silks with her trombone. She trained at Circus Warehouse in New York City with concentrated studies in aerial silks, flying trapeze, high wire and contortion. She has since enjoyed a unique and exciting career in circus arts as a soloist as well as performing alongside international acts such as Maroon 5 and Cirque du Soleil. In 2017 and 2018 she was a featured cast member and musical soloist for two tours of Big Top Broadway.  In addition to performing, Julie is a passionate educator. She has been an assistant band director at Cresskill High School for eighteen years where she teaches trombone students, drum majors and all twirling disciplines. Julie is also currently teaching brass students at the Paterson Music Program. Additionally, she maintains a private studio of young musicians of all ages

Ms Michelle Nosch has been teaching Middle School Social Studies for the past 30 years, and has been Scrapbooking and crafting even longer!   Ever since she was a little girl, Michelle wanted to be a teacher and loved art and being “crafty!”  For the past several years, she has been able to combine these two passions here at Saddle Brook Summer Arts Academy by teaching a Scrapbooking class.  Michelle’s hobby started when she was in college and wanted to preserve some memories.  Then it was a photo album with pictures and tickets or magazine cut-outs and stickers.  Through the years, Michelle has grown her hobby and my talents by attending classes, workshops, crops, and even National Conventions to learn new skills, practice techniques, and find new products available.  Many of her scrapbook layouts have won ribbons when on exhibit at the New Jersey State Fair.  A few of Michelle’s former students from SBSAA have also been awarded ribbons for their creative work!

Matthew Harder is a singer, multi instrumentalist, and the newest member of Saddle Brook’s music department. After completing his clinical practice at Saddle Brook’s Middle/High School under the guidance of Mr. Frank Ortega, Mr. Harder eagerly accepted the position teaching general music, choir, and band at Franklin Elementary School. He is also the assistant band director for the Ramapo Raider High School Marching Band in Franklin Lakes NJ and the music director at the Ponds Reformed Church in Oakland NJ. He is very excited to be joining the staff at the Saddle Brook Summer Arts academy this year. Mr. Harder received his Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Education from Ramapo College in May of 2025 and is involved in many performance groups both on and off campus. He studied voice under the direction Dr. Lisa Lutter and works regularly as a Canter, Organist, and Choir director for church services around northern NJ. He also sings in and serves as an assistant director for Ramapo College’s honors choir, CantaNOVA. As a trumpet player, he plays frequently with local concert bands and wind ensembles such as the Ramapo College Concert Band and the New Jersey Wind Symphony. He has also been teaching private brass lessons for the past 6 years and regularly coaches brass players of all ages to hone their skills, develop their musicianship, and improve their confidence both on and off the horn. Mr. Harder is also currently completing his masters degree in Special Education at Ramapo College and continues to volunteer as a choir director for individuals with developmental exceptionalities. Since finishing his B.A., Mr. Harder has continued to enjoy performing, teaching, and volunteering. He is very excited about continuing into next fall as Franklin Elementary’s new music teacher and looks forward to facilitating meaningful musical experiences for the students at Saddle Brook’s very own summer arts academy this year!

Maria has been part of the Saddle Brook Summer Arts Academy since its inception, providing support behind the scenes to help the program grow and thrive. As Assistant Director, Maria provides bookkeeping, enrollment, communications, and day-to-day administrative support, ensuring the Academy operates smoothly for students, families, and staff. With more than 20 years of experience in corporate adult education and executive management, Maria brings strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a calm, solutions-focused approach to the Academy’s operations. In addition to her administrative role, Maria contributes to the Academy’s wellness offerings as a certified yoga instructor. A dedicated practitioner for over four decades, she holds advanced teaching certifications from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, including Yoga Siromani (200-hour) and Yoga Acharya (500-hour) designations. Her classes introduce students to mindfulness, movement, breathing, and relaxation techniques that complement their artistic studies. Maria’s long-standing commitment to the Saddle Brook Summer Arts Academy reflects her passion for supporting young people and fostering a positive, well-rounded learning environment.

Shiran Howard has been teaching art for 13 years in public school to students of all ages and abilities. She studied visual arts (concentration in drawing and painting) and education at Ramapo College of New Jersey and earned her Bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate there. Shiran then went on to earn a Masters degree in educational technology from Ramapo College of NJ as well. Currently, Shiran teaches sculpture and drawing classes to middle school students throughout the school year. Shiran has a 5 year old daughter and a one year old son and loves to be creative with her kids and also to visit at the beach with her kids and husband. Shiran taught the art courses at SBSAA when it first opened and is so thrilled to return and teach art courses again this summer!

Emily Takach has been working as an elementary school teacher in Saddle Brook for 18 years.  She currently teaches Math and Science in 6th grade at Long Memorial School but has taught many other grades including first grade, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade.  ​ Mrs. Takach loves to experiment and get messy!  She has spent past summers running a “Mad Science” program at a day camp and has brought many of these science experiments and activities into her own science classroom.  She is looking forward to sharing in  adventures with academy students this summer!  ​ Mrs. Takach is also offering a class in hand lettering and calligraphy this summer.  Her interest in this area started at a young age when she was introduced to it by a family friend. After teaching cursive to third grade students early in her career, she started experimenting with different letter forms and techniques, and the love of the art grew from there. ​

Lisa Grados is a graduate of Montclair State University with a degree in Music Education and is currently finishing her masters at William Paterson. Her primary instrument is voice and loves piano and violin as well as a variety of genres including classical and jazz. Lisa also works at Long Memorial School in Saddle Brook as elementary general music, Orff ensemble (Orff-ans), Beginner and Experienced Band as well as Choir. This is Lisa's third year at Summer Arts, she is looking forward to seeing many familiar faces for 4 weeks of fun!

Timothy Hayward was born and raised in Paris, France. He is a graduate of the Paris Regional Conservatory, the Paris University and the Paris National Conservatory in classical and jazz saxophone performance. He began playing professionally at the age of 18 in classical, jazz, and contemporary music, including repertoire for ballet and theater.  His career has led him to perform in Europe and the United States. He splits his time equally between teaching and performing as a professional musician, leading his own groups, as well as being a busy "sideman" for other bands. His stage performances include, but are not limited to, chamber music, jazz ensembles, big bands, symphonic orchestra, etc. He also co-leads the One More Once Big Band with Joseph Verderese, with whom he is leading a successful Jazz program based in New Jersey. Timothy Hayward is an active published composer and arranger both in the classical and jazz domains: from solo instruments to full orchestral ensembles. His most noticeable published work is his "Songbook" that brings together 121 of his jazz originals. Timothy Hayward moved to the U.S. in 2010 and has taken the position of Band Director at Christopher Columbus Middle School in Clifton, NJ. In his years of experience teaching in Clifton, he taught 4th Grade through 12th Grade Band and Jazz Band. He also worked as Assistant Band Director for Cresskill H.S. and Clifton H.S. Marching Bands.  Timothy Hayward teaches summer music programs in Saddle Brook, West Milford, and is the co-director of the Rutgers Summer Jazz Institute. Additionally, Tim Hayward joined in 2021 the faculty of The Juilliard School in New York City as saxophone instructor in their Music Advancement Program (Pre-College). Timothy Hayward is the Middle School Jazz Chair of the NJAJE (New Jersey Association for Jazz Education), and runs the annual NJAJE Middle School Jazz Festival.

Ms Heidi Nosch is entering her tenth year with the SBSAA program. She started as a student herself; and now, she is proud to be participating as a teacher in the program, for the fourth time. Ms. Nosch had also been employed as the Color Guard Director for the Saddle Brook High School Marching Band for two years. She joined the school’s color guard in sixth grade, and her passion for the activity has grown since then. Throughout high school, she held leadership marching positions, such as Flag Section Leader and Color Guard Captain. As the Color Guard Advisor, she was able to teach marching basics and spinning techniques to new students; as well as create choreography and drill, ranging from simple routines to more advanced solo skills. Heidi instills confidence in her members and shares her love for Color Guard through a leadership role. She also performed with the Bergen County based, trophy-winning indoor winter guard team known as “Pegasus Too”, for two years. ​ Heidi has been a lover of the fine and performing arts for as long as she can remember; performing as a dancer, cheerleader, singer, actress, and more! She hopes to follow that love for the arts, as a student at the Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts! She is a voice performance major, as well as a  member of the Rutgers MSK Color Guard.

Natalie Kowalski is a clarinetist and a member of Saddle Brook’s music department. Ms. Kowalski teaches general music, choir, and band at Helen I. Smith Elementary School. She is also the woodwind tech for the Middle/High School Marching Band and plans on teaching Band and Ukulele at the Summer Arts Academy this year. Ms. Kowalski received her Bachelor of Music from The Hartt School in Instrumental Music Education, graduating summa cum laude. She studied clarinet with Ayako Oshima and was a member of the Pit Orchestra and the Hartt Wind Ensemble. As a member of the Pit Orchestra she performed in several mainstage performances and student projects on clarinet, saxophone, flute, and bassoon. In the Wind Ensemble she frequently performed as principal clarinetist and bass clarinetist. Aside from performance, Ms. Kowalski was recognized through various student and faculty organizations for her advocacy for her classmates. She paired first-year music education majors with student mentors, fully funded trips to state music conferences, and secured monthly guest presenters from around the country for two years. Through Sigma Alpha Iota, her community service earned her the Sword of Honor. Since finishing her Bachelor's, Ms. Kowalski has been performing, teaching, and continuing her education. She performs weekly with concert bands and frequently performs with theatre programs and symphony orchestras. This summer she will complete her Orff-Schulwerk training and begin her Master’s degree in Music Education at William Paterson University. She currently studies clarinet with Andrew Lamy and voice with Christine Nevill. Ms. Kowalski has enjoyed seeing the Smith School music program flourish in the last 3 years and looks forward to building something even bigger with her students in the future!