Greetings! My name is Aron Topielski. Welcome to my site! 

I currently serve as String Orchestra Director for the Wayne Public Schools District, where I head the All-Wayne String Orchestra, and the Elementary Strings Program. Previously I worked in Cranford, where I directed the Elementary and Middle School Strings Program for 13 years.

Some highlights of my teaching career  include organizing a strings master class with Alex Bickard, Assistant Principal bassist with the NJ Symphony Orchestra, and bringing students to adjudicated festivals (Union County Teen Arts, Trills and Thrills at Six Flags, CJMEA), where our MS orchestra  received a rating of Superior. I have also served as an adjudicator for Central NJ Regions Orchestra placement and successfully prepared many students for their audition into the New Jersey Youth Symphony. 

My education: I earned a B.A. and an M.A. at the Aaron Copeland School of Music, Queens College (CUNY) in N.Y. City.  Developing a strong interest in music theory, I then pursued  a Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. While in advanced residence I lectured in the University's Dept. of Music, teaching courses in ear training, keyboard skills, and musical analysis. I also taught at Concordia University Chicago. In 2018 I was invited  to serve as a guest instructor to Daegu, Korea, where I taught advanced piano students music theory and musical interpretation.

As an educator, I have a true passion for sharing and connecting through the music-making process, including incorporating technology, music production. Recent endeavors include obtaining a grant to develop a middle school Music Technology Lab. 

In and out of the classroom I care deeply about the success of my students, and value providing a nurturing environment that promotes inclusivity and equity. I am confident that my abilities and experiences will be an asset to the music programs in Wayne.

As a musician, I have studied with renowned double bassist Homer Mensch, long time member of the N.Y. Philharmonic, and Chair of the Bass Dept. at Julliard. More recently, I began taking violin lessons with Brennan Sweet, associate concert master of the N.J. Symphony. 

I enjoy playing a wide variety of  music, including Classical, Jazz, Pop and Rock. Recent performances include playing violin and bass with John Hanlon's JAM trio, on double bass with the Cranford Celebration Singers, playing the music of the Beatles with the Weeklings band, jazz gigs playing the great American song book, and on various acoustic gigs. I also enjoying recording my own originals and doing music production.