Page 26 - The Connection Warren-Watchung Edition September 2012

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PAGE 26
ELEFANTE MUSIC
& SCHOOL FOR THE
PERFORMING ARTS
1790 Springfield Avenue
New Providence
By: Tatiana Javier
Al Elefante, Stefani Healey, Michele Stivalo,
Betty Ann Elefante and Joe Elefante
Family-owned Elefante Music
and School for the Performing
Arts blossomed from a humble
beginning of private instrumental
lessons hosted in the basement of
the Elefante residence just down
the street from their current loca-
tion. Growing steadily from its birth
in 1996, Elefante is now home to
approximately 600 students, rang-
ing from four years old to adults,
who participate in voice, instru-
mental and performing arts les-
sons. Although the school is
devoutly committed to excellence
with their own student body,
Elefante Music also works closely
with nearly 40 school districts serv-
ing over 5,000 students through
their instrument rental program.
From starting in a basement to
renting only a fraction of the space
they now utilize, Elefante Music
has grown immensely and current-
ly houses 16 private lesson rooms,
a large performance area adjacent
to a dance room, and a retail area
stocked with an impressive invento-
ry of high-end instruments.
Attached to the Elefante School is
a full service costume shop, as well
as Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream
named after the family’s grand-
mother Zita Elefante, making their
building a truly family-oriented
establishment. With so much fami-
ly involvement there is no wonder
how eager the community is to be
involved as well.
With a team to boast about due
to a collection of Broadway credits
and extensive musical back-
grounds, Elefante is positioned to
offer a well-rounded music educa-
tion to its students with class offer-
ings including a variety of private
instrument lessons, musical theater,
dance, acting and fairy tale story
telling for the younger artists in the
making. During the summer, there
is a peak in popularity in the musi-
cal camps held at Elefante due to
scheduled sessions that cater to
summer travels. The musical the-
ater camp is held five days a week
in two week sessions for six weeks.
Additionally, Joe Elefante, artistic
director of performing arts and
school representative, coordinates
a jazz camp, rock band camp and
an all girl rock band camp lasting
one week each.
Elefante Music leases a sepa-
rate warehouse in Millington where
the majority of instrument repairs
are done. The Elefante family
prefers to avoid outsourcing when
it comes to repairs in order to main-
tain complete customer service for
their students. The warehouse also
houses the school’s instrument
inventory.
“The focus on music education
is what separates us from other
music companies in the area. A lot
of them are retail oriented. I think
even our service in retail and rental
business is really focused towards
equipping students with the best
possible resources to be successful
and have fun with music,” says Joe
Elefante.
Elefante Music and Schoo l
for the Performing Arts is
located at 1790 Springfield Avenue
in New Providence. Feel free to
browse their website at www.
elefantemusic.com! You will certain-
ly appreciate the great service you
and your children will receive.
908 295-1304
The Sky’s the Limit
Debra Tambor
Experienced Teacher
Competitive Rates
Learn With Confidence
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