Judy Wilkes is a freelance violinist residing in Fair Lawn NJ. Judy received her B.A and M.A at Montclair State University under the tutelage of Professor Oscar Ravina (NY Philharmonic) and Dr. Jerome Landsman (Chicago Symphony). She began violin lessons at an early age of 2 ½ in a Suzuki Violin program that was piloted by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at the St. Hilda’s and St Hugh’s School in Manhattan. As an active violinist performing with local orchestras and string quartets, she has spent most of her life teaching and encouraging string methodology and leading community work in the arts by training young musicians to lead their lives as an advocate, ambassador, and musician of the orchestra in their community and beyond.

Judy taught in the Paramus School District for 35 as the string specialist and Orchestra Conductor at Paramus High School, East Brook and West Brook middle schools. Mrs.Wilkes’ orchestras performed in numerous festivals where they received such awards as Overall Grand Champions with Superior ratings and the Gold Championship Award, allowing her groups to compete in nationally ranked festivals. Her students have received individual solo awards and recognition in the ASTA String Quartet competitions as well. She has been named to the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and honored with memberships in the Who’s Who of American Woman and the Cambridge Who’s Who of American Leaders. She has received commendations for Academic Excellence by the Paramus Board of Education, Mayor, and Paramus Rotary. The Paramus Music Department has been saluted as a Best 100 Communities for Music Education since 2005, presented by the NAMM Foundation and the top 5 Model School of the Arts in the state of New Jersey.

Mrs. Wilkes is the founder and current music director of the Paramus Community Orchestra where professional and non-professional musicians share of common love of music and dedication to their community. Her summer series includes three concerts of pop and classical orchestra music featuring great composers and popular classical music. She has also conducted and hosted and managed the All-North Jersey HS Symphonic Orchestra and Region String Ensemble as well as the All-State Opera festival strings. Judy was also the founder, director, and coordinator of the Music for All Ages program in Paramus Community School that provided private lessons to children and adults were looking to excel in music.

Mrs. Wilkes also spent many years as the conductor of the Bergen Youth Orchestra providing exceptional orchestral training for serious young musicians in northern New Jersey, an excitement that was shared by the musicians themselves as they experience the rehearsals, performances, and recognition that fostered talent through discipline and self-confidence. Under her baton they experienced repertoire at the highest level of professional music that represented all genres and styles.

As she inspires musicians to become leaders and teachers in their communities, Mrs. Wilkes also takes great pride in providing experiences that will expand their knowledge of orchestral music. Through educating, directing, conducting, programming, and creating new opportunities in music, she has given individuals the background to become active members in their community and future advocates for the Arts. Professional affiliations include the American Symphony League, American String Teachers Association, Music Educators National Conference and New Jersey Music Educators Conference.