About
Wharton Arts offers instrumental and vocal instruction, large ensembles, musical theater, drama, and private music lessons, along with sectional classes and ensemble education. Students can take part in auditioned orchestral, jazz, and choral ensemble programs, as well as orchestral, chamber, and instrument-specific experiences.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours and program support are available on various days and times across Wharton Arts’ core programs
Wharton Arts is comprised of four core programs: the Performing Arts School, New Jersey Youth Symphony, Paterson Music Project, and New Jersey Youth Chorus. The Performing Arts School offers instrumental and vocal instruction, musical theater, drama, and other courses for ages 4 and up, including in-person and online private music lessons in both instruments and voice for all ages and abilities, and serves over 300 summer campers annually. New Jersey Youth Symphony offers auditioned orchestral and jazz education and summer programs with immersive orchestral, chamber, and instrument-specific experiences for musicians in grades 3–12. Paterson Music Project offers private music lessons, sectional classes, and ensemble education for students in grades 1–12 in Paterson schools, and since January 2013 its enrollment has grown tenfold and partner schools have increased from 1 to 17; for every year more a student is in the Paterson Music Project, they receive higher standardized test scores. New Jersey Youth Chorus is an auditioned choral ensemble program for students in grades 3–12 and is now celebrating more than 30 years of musical excellence and performance experiences.
Wharton Arts serves nearly 2,000 students annually and has nearly 50 faculty members for one-on-one instruction and group classes at the Performing Arts School. Over 25% of youth musicians receive free programming, scholarships, and financial aid. Wharton Arts states a mission to offer accessible, high quality performing arts education that sparks personal growth and builds inclusive communities, and describes its programs as including private lessons and group classes, high-level ensembles and educational experiences, and performance opportunities for students of all levels, ages, and socio-economic backgrounds. Wharton Arts is committed to being accessible to all patrons, students, parents, and visitors, and states that all programs, classes, events, and concerts are accessible, and that it is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive community where neurodivergent students are welcomed, nurtured, and valued.
Wharton Arts is New Jersey’s largest independent non-profit community performing arts education center and is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It is a Founding School for The Royal Conservatory of Music Development Program. New Jersey Youth Symphony won First Prize in 2014 and 2017 in the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Festival and Competition in Vienna. Wharton Arts notes that it is grateful for generous community partners and describes its work as bringing the joy of music to singers, performers, and music lovers of all ages.
Last updated May 11, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours and program support are available on various days and times across Wharton Arts’ core programs
Wharton Arts is comprised of four core programs: the Performing Arts School, New Jersey Youth Symphony, Paterson Music Project, and New Jersey Youth Chorus. The Performing Arts School offers instrumental and vocal instruction, musical theater, drama, and other courses for ages 4 and up, including in-person and online private music lessons in both instruments and voice for all ages and abilities, and serves over 300 summer campers annually. New Jersey Youth Symphony offers auditioned orchestral and jazz education and summer programs with immersive orchestral, chamber, and instrument-specific experiences for musicians in grades 3–12. Paterson Music Project offers private music lessons, sectional classes, and ensemble education for students in grades 1–12 in Paterson schools, and since January 2013 its enrollment has grown tenfold and partner schools have increased from 1 to 17; for every year more a student is in the Paterson Music Project, they receive higher standardized test scores. New Jersey Youth Chorus is an auditioned choral ensemble program for students in grades 3–12 and is now celebrating more than 30 years of musical excellence and performance experiences.
Wharton Arts serves nearly 2,000 students annually and has nearly 50 faculty members for one-on-one instruction and group classes at the Performing Arts School. Over 25% of youth musicians receive free programming, scholarships, and financial aid. Wharton Arts states a mission to offer accessible, high quality performing arts education that sparks personal growth and builds inclusive communities, and describes its programs as including private lessons and group classes, high-level ensembles and educational experiences, and performance opportunities for students of all levels, ages, and socio-economic backgrounds. Wharton Arts is committed to being accessible to all patrons, students, parents, and visitors, and states that all programs, classes, events, and concerts are accessible, and that it is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive community where neurodivergent students are welcomed, nurtured, and valued.
Wharton Arts is New Jersey’s largest independent non-profit community performing arts education center and is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It is a Founding School for The Royal Conservatory of Music Development Program. New Jersey Youth Symphony won First Prize in 2014 and 2017 in the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Festival and Competition in Vienna. Wharton Arts notes that it is grateful for generous community partners and describes its work as bringing the joy of music to singers, performers, and music lovers of all ages.
Last updated May 11, 2026.
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