Meet Our Team
World-Class Faculty
Dedicated to Your Success
Our experienced instructors bring professional performance credentials, advanced degrees, and a passion for teaching to every lesson.
Meet The Owners
Mark Weisman & Nataliya Hentysh
A Collaboration of Two Musical Worlds
Mark and Nataliya’s musical journey is a collaboration of two completely different musical backgrounds. Nataliya received her degree in Ukraine studying piano and vocal conducting, and has 30 years of experience teaching both kids and adults.
Mark, whose music education spans over 30 years, has focused on more of a contemporary music and teaching style.
Together they have managed to blend their passions from both of their musical worlds — not only to complement each other, but to create an amazing and diverse environment and culture of professional music teachers, all of whom are committed and devoted to the core values of The Piano Workshop: to provide a lifelong passion of music for our students.
30+
Years of Mark's music education
24
Years of Nataliya's teaching experience
LEADERSHIP
Meet Our Director
Mark Weisman
Founder & Director
Education
BA in Music Education and Musicology from New York University
With over 20 years of experience as a pianist, musician, conductor, and educator, Mark Weisman has dedicated his career to nurturing musical talent in Northern New Jersey. As the founder and director of The Piano Workshop at Chester, he leads a faculty of 14 teachers instructing over 250 students.
Notable Mentors
- Miriam Brickman (classical concert pianist)
- Sanford Gold (former NBC orchestra pianist)
- Janice Friedman (jazz pianist)
- Dena DeRose (singer, jazz pianist, conductor)
- Dave Frank (jazz pianist & Berklee School of Music professor)
- Celeste Simone (Broadway Theater Coach)
Career Highlights
- House pianist at The Graycliff in Moonachie, NJ
- Musical director for productions including Little Shop of Horrors, Pippin, Beauty and the Beast, Fame, and Footloose
- Adjudicator for piano auditions at William Paterson University
- Member of Music Educators Association of NJ
- Developer of Musiq Club program using computer lab technology
Co-Owner & Instructor
Nataliya Hentysh
Nataliya Hentysh
Co-Owner & Piano Instructor
Education
Drohobych State Pedagogical University, Ukraine — Double Major in Piano Performance and Vocal Conducting
Nataliya brings a uniquely rich European classical tradition to The Piano Workshop at Chester. She began studying piano at age 5 in Ukraine, immersed in a rigorous conservatory-style education that shaped her exceptional technique and deep musicality.
With 30 years of teaching experience working with both children and adults, Nataliya has a remarkable ability to connect with students at every level — from the very first note to advanced repertoire. Her approach combines the discipline and depth of classical European pedagogy with warmth, patience, and genuine joy in teaching.
Many of her students have participated in ABRSM Evaluations, MEA Auditions, National Piano Guild, and Music Fest “Rising Talents” — and some have qualified to perform at winners’ recitals at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Manhattan School of Music.
Highlights
- Started piano at age 5 — trained in the Ukrainian conservatory tradition
- Double degree in Piano Performance and Vocal Conducting
- Taught in Ukraine for 4 years before relocating to New Jersey
- Teaching in New Jersey since 2006 — 20+ years in the US
- 30 years of total teaching experience with kids and adults
- Co-owner of The Piano Workshop at Chester alongside Mark Weisman
- Students have performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center & Manhattan School of Music
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Expert Faculty
Every instructor holds a degree in music education, performance, or pedagogy with extensive professional experience.
Piano
Voice
Bonnie Pomeroy
Bachelor of Music from University of New Hampshire
21 years teaching vocal/choral music; Music Director at Sparta United Methodist Church; Featured soloist for sacred music recording
Piano
Guitar
Drums
+2 more
Jesse Rivera
Studied piano and composition at Rutgers University on scholarship
15 years teaching experience; Performed at Limelight, Knitting Factory, CBGBs; Teaches songwriting, music theory, and arranging
Guitar
Piano
Flute
+2 more
Grace Van Auken
Teaching since 2003
Musicianship teacher at homeschool co-ops; Teaching at Valley Music Center since 2008; Performed at weddings, galas, and with orchestras
Piano
Pro Tools
Logic Software
Dorian Morales
Music degree from Hofstra University
Emmy winner for PBS documentary; Performed at Carnegie Hall at age 16; Scores music for MTV, PBS, Z100; Also coaches GarageBand and production software
Woodwinds
Saxophone
Margret Schaefer
Bachelor of Music in Education and Saxophone from Ithaca College; Master of Letters from Drew University
Student Services Manager; 18 years teaching high school band at West Morris Central; NJ All-State Band (4 years); Studied chteal music composition
Piano
Guitar
Violin
+3 more
Adriana Marquez
Bachelor's degree in Music Education from William Paterson University (2023, high honors)
Marched with Fusion Drum Corps; Played in university symphonic band, jazz orchestra, pit orchestra, Jersey brass quintet
Piano
Ann Majewski
Studied at JCSC (now NJCU)
Started piano at age 7; Accompanies choir at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish; Plays for masses, funerals, and weddings
Guitar
Bass
Piano
+1 more
Dan Connolly
Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers for Music Education; Finishing Jazz Studies degree
Studied with Timothy Cobb (principal double bassist, New York Philharmonic); New Jersey Youth Symphony; Gigs regularly in various projects
Guitar
Piano
Violin
+3 more
Gil Leduc
ASCAP member since 1997
Founded band "Spring Fever" in high school; Performed for Danny Thomas telethon in NYC; Auditioned for CBS pilot "Jingles" (Mark Burnett production)
Violin
Aimee Jimenez
New Jersey City University on full scholarship (Music Education, 2018)
Adult mentor with Sussex County Youth Orchestra; 2016 concert tour of Austria, Czech Republic, Germany; Plays with Hunterdon Symphony Orchestra
Piano
Violin
Salomi Massaras
BA in Music Therapy from Montclair State University; Masters in Educational Leadership
Certified Music Therapist; Over 30 years teaching private lessons; Over 10 years with Piano Workshop; Principal of St. Andrew's Hellenic Afternoon School
Piano
Sarah O'Halloren
BA in Communication from University of Delaware; Final year of Masters in Teaching at Montclair State University
Played keyboard in high school marching band; Performed in musicals and pit orchestras; Played violin in college string orchestra
Piano
Voice
Karlie Connery
Pursuing Associate of Fine Arts in music at Raritan Valley Community College (Dean's List)
Piano Teachers Forum honors awards (2016-2023); American College of Musicians National Guild participant (ages 11-18); Performs in church choirs and Bell Choir
Our Facility
Built for Musical Excellence
The Studio
Our Chester studio boasts 6 teaching rooms, two of which are acoustically treated and ideal for recording, rehearsals as well as lessons. Currently we have 7 high quality pianos, three of which are baby grand size.
Our newest addition is the state of the art Yamaha Avant Grande — truly a world class instrument. It is considered a hybrid since it is electronic and produces the sounds digitally, but also looks like a grand piano and has actual hammers inside to duplicate the action and feel of a concert grand piano.
We offer in-home lessons as well, scheduling and teacher availability permitting.A Collaboration of Two Musical Worlds
Mark and Nataliya’s musical journey is a collaboration of two completely different musical backgrounds. Nataliya received her degree in Ukraine studying piano and vocal conducting, and has 30 years of experience teaching both kids and adults.
Mark, whose music education spans over 30 years, has focused on more of a contemporary music and teaching style.
Together they have managed to blend their passions from both of their musical worlds — not only to complement each other, but to create an amazing and diverse environment and culture of professional music teachers, all of whom are committed and devoted to the core values of The Piano Workshop: to provide a lifelong passion of music for our students.
30+
Years of Mark's music education
24
Years of Nataliya's teaching experience