Theresa Kemp: Lakeland Philharmonia Conductor

Theresa Kemp is an award-winning graduate of the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. Theresa gained valuable experience from working with the Shanghai Quartet while a student. Now, she excels, not only as a cellist and cello instructor, but as a music educator with an emphasis on strings in the Mountain Lakes public school system, a district that boasts 1,000 strings players.  Her passion for children to learn and love music led her to spend three years with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s CHAMPS program as a teaching artist, weekly navigating the challenges of a large group class for beginning string musicians. This year, Theresa officially joined the teaching artist faculty of the Paterson Music Project, heading up a team of teachers at one of the PMP site locations.  Her motto of “public praise; private correction” exemplifies her desire to create a positive, nurturing environment while challenging each child to fulfill his/her potential.  Theresa also uses her talents, volunteering for Morris Arts events, and playing cello for hospital patients in the Creative Arts and Healing Program for the Atlanticare Regional Medical Center.  Lakeland Youth Symphony is privileged to have a cellist/teacher/conductor of her caliber as part of our conducting team this year.