Our Story
MindfulArtsNJ represents the natural connection between music education and mindfulness practices.
From Music to Corporate and Back Again
My path began with formal training in Music Composition at Indiana University and Film Scoring at NYU. Life then took an unexpected turn as I spent two decades as the US director for the home divisions of both Giorgio Armani and Hermès. Throughout those corporate years, music and mindfulness remained my personal anchors—practices that kept me grounded amid the fast-paced business world.
When I became a father, I witnessed firsthand how today's digital landscape was creating new challenges for families. This observation inspired a professional transformation.
Where Music Meets Mindfulness
I decided to leave corporate leadership behind to focus on what truly resonated with me. I founded Ridgewood Music, offering Musikgarten-based classes that help young children develop musical skills while strengthening emotional connections with caregivers. Around the same time, I established Mindful New Jersey to share mindfulness practices with children, families, and schools, drawing on my training with Mindful Schools. While I initially maintained these as separate programs, I've always seen them as complementary approaches to the same goal: creating spaces where people connect deeply with themselves and others through present-moment awareness and creative expression.
Creating Mindful Arts NJ
After seeing participants naturally draw connections between these practices, bringing them together as MindfulArtsNJ just made sense. This integration reflects what I've observed in my own life and in working with families—that musical exploration and mindful awareness naturally support each other.
I also bring this integrated approach to my work at the James Rose Center (www.jamesrosecenter.org), where my mindfulness programming for adults complements the Center's focus on landscape design.
Whether you join us for music classes, mindfulness workshops, or integrated programs, you'll find thoughtfully designed experiences that foster joy, presence, and meaningful connection for New Jersey families.