Music Staff

BAND

Mr. Daniel Perez - 6th Grade Band

DPerez@Cliftonschools.net

Mr. Daniel Perez, music instructor in the Clifton Public Schools for over 15 years, is currently the sixth-grade band director at both middle schools. During his tenure with the system, Mr. Perez served as advisor to the lighting crew at Woodrow Wilson Middle School and assisted in developing the district’s K-8 music curriculum. Mr. Perez plays trumpet, French horn, and euphonium, and is also a recorded composer and vocalist in the Latin Music industry, He has performed throughout Europe and the US with many celebrated Latin American musical artists.

Mr. Perez received his BA in Music Education from Caldwell University and holds an MA from New Jersey City University. His professional development activities include several graduate classes at TCNJ, Chapman and Webster Universities, as well as workshops in musical theater, opera, and arts integration under the aegis of OPERA America and the American Symphony Orchestra. Daniel Perez is a proud recipient of the 2021 Excellence in Education citation awarded by the Clifton Teachers’ Association.

Mr. Anthony Lanzerotti Jr - 7th 8th Grade Band

ALanzerotti@Cliftonschools.net

Mr. Anthony Lanzerotti Jr - Band Director

Mr. Lanzerotti has taught in the Clifton Public Schools for 30 years and is currently the director of bands at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. He teaches instrumental music to the seventh and eighth concert band, wind ensemble and the jazz ensemble. Mr. Lanzerotti also serves as the facilitator for the music department. A graduate of William Paterson University, Mr. Lanzerotti earned a Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance/ K-12 Education. He earned a Master's degree in Music Education from Montclair State University. He also completed his 6th Year level from the University of San Diego in Educational Technology.

Mr. Lanzerotti has served on the North Jersey School Music Association executive board as the band division co-chair, President and is currently the 2025 - 2026 Past President for the North Jersey School Music Association. Within NJSMA, he has served as audition host, rehearsal host, band manager and selected to conduct the 2004 North Jersey Intermediate Band. He has also been a sectional clinician during his tenure as an educator.

In April, Mr. Lanzerotti was elected State President - Elect for the New Jersey Music Educators Association. He is very excited to work with music educators across the state advocating for music programs.

When not teaching or performing, Mr. Lanzerotti enjoys spending time with his wife Jennifer and their 2 daughters Katherine and Natalie.

CHORUS AND GENERAL MUSIC

Mrs. Autumn Mecca - 7th Grade Chorus / 7th Grade General Music

AMecca@Cliftonschools.net

Mrs. Mecca is the choral director for 7th grade at WWMS as well as teaching General Music at both CCMS and WWMS. She is the advisor of Songwriting Club and Co-Advisor of the Talent Show at WWMS. She is also the Director of the WWMS Musical. She has a Master of Music from Montclair State University and has sung at venues that include Carnegie Hall, NJPAC, and Madison Square Garden. Her favorite thing to do is to teach students how to write their own music and beats, as well as give them the opportunity to express themselves through music.

Mrs. Jennifer Niederer - 6th Grade Chorus / 6th Grade General Music

JNiederer@Cliftonschools.net

Mrs. Niederer teaches 6th Grade Cycle Music, directs the 6th Grade Chorus, and is the Co-Advisor of the Talent Show. This is Mrs. Niederer’s sixth year teaching at WWMS. Music is a huge passion in her life and has been singing since the age of three! She has a Master of Music from Westminster Choir College of Rider University and has sung locally from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and 1 year old son.

Ms. Rebecca Betzold-Beres - 8th Grade Choir / 7th Grade General Music

RBetzoldBeres@cliftonschools.net

Ms. Rebecca Betzold-Beres , music instructor in the Clifton Public School District for 23 years, is the director of the 7th and 8th Concert Choir at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. Ms. Betzold-Beres also created and directs the "SingSations", Clifton's first show choir. She also assisted in developing the district's K-8 music curriculum, as well as directing the musical for over 20 years.

Ms. Betzold-Beres received a BA in Music Education, as well as a Masters in Music Education from Montclair State University. She has also completed her 6th year level in education.

Ms. Betzold-Beres has performed locally and internationally. She is also a proud recipient of the 2017 Excellence in Education Award. When she isn't teaching, her favorite thing to do is spend time with her amazing family.

ORCHESTRA

Ms. Effie Yuen - 6th Grade Orchestra

EYuen@Cliftonschools.net

Ms. Effie Yuen is the 6th grade strings teacher at both CCMS & WWMS. She first started to play the violin when she was in 4th grade in public school in Maryland. Since that time she studied music in Cleveland and New York, has performed with numerous orchestras and chamber music groups, and has taught countless students. She has been happily sharing her love of music with the students of Clifton since 2006.

Check out the 6th Gr Orchestra Website Here!

Mr. Justin Louie - 7th/8th Grade Orchestra

JLouie@Cliftonschools.net

Mr. Louie is the director of the 7th & 8th Grade String Orchestra, Symphoniques Honors Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra, and Chamber Ensemble programs at WWMS since 2018. Mr. Louie obtained his K-12 certification in Music Education from William Paterson University in 2015 and his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Liberty University in 2021.

Mr. Louie enjoys working with youth ensembles as an active member of NJSMA's Region 1 and NJMEA All-State Orchestra programs. He is also Intermediate Orchestra Director for the Music Shop's Allegro program and will be the Interim Symphonic Orchestra Director for Lakeland Youth Orchestra for the 2020-2021 season. In March 2020, Mr. Louie had the honor of being the Guest Conductor for the NJSMA Region 1 Junior High School Orchestra program.

As a cellist and bassist, Mr. Louie also performs as a freelance player in the greater North New Jersey and NYC Area, performing in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Mayo PAC, Bergen PAC, and NJ PAC.

Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts

Mr. Jason Leshowitz

JLeshowtiz@Cliftonschools.net

Mr. Leshowitz is the Supervisor of the Fine and Performing Arts for Clifton Public Schools. He studied violin and graduated with a Bachelor's of Music degree with a concentration in Music Education from the University of Miami. In 2001, Mr. Leshowitz began his teaching career in Clifton as an elementary strings director, later becoming the 6th-8th grade strings director at Christopher Columbus Middle School.

After obtaining his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from William Paterson University in 2001, Mr. Leshowitz became the Supervisor of Fine Arts for Clifton Public Schools in 2013.

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