Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • January 13, 2010 Ridgewood Conservatory’s ‘First Night 2010’ provides fun for all ers offering private instrumental and vocal instruction, ensembles, and early childhood music and dance classes to close to 500 students each week. The 2 p.m. children’s concert, First Night for Little Folk, kicked off the entertainment with a charming retelling of “The Ugly Duckling” by master storyteller Sandra Billingslea, beautifully woven into a performance of Saint-Saëns “Caprice” performed by Ron Levy on piano, Don Mokrynski on clarinet, Margaret Swinchowski on flute, and Mark Snyder on oboe. Ballerina and TRC dance teacher Lisa Giannone joined with six-year-old Caroline Grossman to delight everyone by dancing to “The Skater’s Waltz.” The afternoon’s excitement was provided when Billingslea narrated and performed Charlie Daniels Band’s wellknown fiddle-fest, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” Closing the event was a fun-filled sing-along conducted by TRC’s Early Childhood Music teacher Joan Swider, who had the children in the audience clapping, stomping and singing folk music favorites. On an entirely different note, A Little First Night Music provided an evening of “not-quite classical, not-quite jazz” entertainment at the 8 p.m. concert. Featuring the dynamic alto sax and piano duo of Lou Caimano and Eric Olsen, and joined by TRC’s baritone Mark Wilson, audience members Above and right: Performers play for the crowd. A snowy, blustery Dec. 31 didn’t stop locals from celebrating in Ridgewood. Revelers of all ages braved the cold to join The Ridgewood Conservatory’s “First Night 2010: The Abridged Version” afternoon and evening concerts held at the Unitarian Society. Traditionally, First Night New Year’s Eve celebrations are planned by individual communities and include a wide range of events at multiple venues. In the absence of a traditional First Night for Ridgewood this year, The Ridgewood Conservatory asked members of its faculty to pitch in and perform for the community. “We’re fortunate to have a faculty of such incredible musicians, dancers, and teachers who were willing to help us out on such short notice,” said Jan Caimano, associate director of The Ridgewood Conservatory. The Conservatory, located at 615 Franklin Turnpike in Ridgewood, has a staff of 30 highly qualified professional performers/teach- were treated to a potpourri of ballads, jazz standards, and original compositions. Standing ovations by the evening’s concert-goers brought Caimano, Olsen, and Wilson back for two encores before everyone went home to ring in the New Year. For more information about The Ridgewood Conservatory’s programs, call (201) 612-6686 or visit their website at www.ridgewoodconservatory.com. The Ridgewood Board of Education appointed a new high school teacher and a new middle school teacher who will begin working at Ridgewood High School and at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School next month. Kristen Caldwell will start as a leave of absence replacement English teacher at Ridgewood High School effective Feb. 1 through June 30, 2010, at a pro-rated salary of $49,770 for Step 1 of the salary guide. The board of education also appointed Lisa Sutera as Board of education appoints teachers a resource room teacher at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, effective Feb. 22 through June 30, or earlier if possible. She possesses a New Jersey Department of Education Standard Certificate as a teacher of the handicapped and is qualified to teach middle school social studies, English, science, and math. She will receive $55,905 pro-rated at Step 6 of the salary guide. J. KOSTER The Friends of West Bergen Present Featuring West Bergen’s own Matt Liebman Comedy Night Planner 2010 Hors d’oeuvres will be served BYOB By participating in this very special supplement to The Villadom TIMES, you’ll get the selective exposure you need in 56,300 households in your market area. Publication Date: Wednesday, January 27 Advertising Deadline: Wednesday, January 20 Call today to place your advertisement: 201-652-0744