Music
Instrumental Music
Mrs. Alecia DeJoseph
Email: adejoseph@tenafly.k12.nj.us
Alecia DeJoseph was born with music in her heart and a thirst for learning. Since the age of three, Ms. DeJoseph has been creating music through her uncle’s piano and banging on pots and pans to her parents vinyl records. Her drive allowed to learn piano, violin, and then trumpet. She took her trumpet playing seriously and went to University of Connecticut, with the thrill of playing with the UCONN marching band and pep band, and having great opportunities to perform with Wynton Marsalis, Phil Smith, Tom Harell,Kenneth Tse, Hugh Masakela, and Frederick Fennell. Alecia DeJoseph became a music teacher in New Jersey, teaching young musicians to play the music of Bach and the Backstreet Boys.
In her professional career, she was a member of The Eastern Wind Symphony, New Jersey Wind Symphony, Litha Symphony, and New York Opera Exchange where she performed at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Mechanics Hall, Connecticut Music Educators Association, and The Midwest Clinic. Along with premiering pieces by Kenneth Fuchs and Julie Giroux, you may find Ms. DeJoseph playing on recordings of Eastern Wind Symphony “Resurgence” and solo artist Dan Smith’s albums. Ms. DeJoseph was a guest speaker in the New Jersey Music Educators’ Association Convention in 2018 and 2024. Along with being the instrumental music teacher at Mackay and Maugham Elementary Schools, Alecia DeJoseph also directs the hand chime choir and the Ukulele Hootenanny as well as co-director of the Tenafly Elementary Symphonic Orchestra, lovingly called “The Super Orchestra''. Ms. DeJoseph graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in Music and BS in Music Education, and Montclair State University Masters of Music, concentration in Trumpet Performance. She spends her free time with her family and working her way through her treasured cookbooks.
Vocal Music
Mr. John Fugaban
Email: jfugaban@tenafly.k12.nj.us
John Fugaban is the Mackay School General/Vocal Music Teacher and the Director of the Mackay School Chorus. Ever since moving to a new school in first grade, he always gravitated towards all things music. He pursued his career as a Music Teacher at New Jersey City University in 2018 and has earned a B.A. in Music and a NJ Teacher Certification. He studied classical flute under Dr. Carol Shansky, and has performed with many ensembles at the university, including the Symphony of Winds and Percussion, Flute Choir, Concert Chorale, Latin-American Ensemble, and various chamber groups. During his undergraduate studies, he has taught in public school and music school settings throughout the northern New Jersey area, including Tenafly Public Schools, the North Bergen HS Marching Band, O. DiBella Music Inc., Vienna The Music School, and the Glen Ridge Summer Arts Academy.
Although he is currently the General/Vocal Music Teacher, he entered the TPS District as a student-teacher in 2021, under the guidance of Dr. Kimberly Burja (Director of Bands at Tenafly Middle School). He then became a long-term substitute teacher at Mackay School. Additionally, he has been the Woodwinds/Visual Technician for the Tenafly HS Tiger Marching Band since 2021. The Tiger Band won the 2023 USBands 3A NJ State Championship, 2024 4A State Championship, and the 2024 4A National Championship.
Outside of the classroom, John Fugaban performs with the Teaneck Community Band during their summer concert seasons. He spends his free time going out with friends to try new foods, playing video games, going on motorcycle rides, and playing music for his two dogs at home. His fondest musical memories include his many performances with the Bergenfield HS Marching Band during high school, elementary/middle school concerts, college Senior Recital, conducting the TMS bands during student teaching, traveling to California with the THS Tiger Band, his college performances with all different ensembles, and of course, conducting concerts here at Mackay!