Debra Biderman
Violinist Debra Biderman has been performing with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra since 1967. A silver medalist in the American String Teachers’ Association Violin Competition and winner in numerous other competitions. She studied with Arianne Bronne, Richard Burgin, Raphael Bronstein, and others. She was accepted to the Congress of Strings, where she joined with Eugene Ormandy at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Throughout her career, she has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Adare Festival in Ireland, and has participated in many recordings and broadcasts. Ms. Biderman is 1st violinist in the Woodland Quartet, the “Baroque N’ Promises” Ensemble and a frequent recitalist.
Ms. Biderman is a true product of instrumental music programs in New Jersey public schools. She began her violin studies in first grade in Hackensack, New Jersey during a pilot program directed by Dr. George Barnoff. Ms. Biderman continued through high school and played in the New Jersey All-State Orchestra for all four years.
During a brief sojourn in scientific endeavor, Ms. Biderman worked as a chemist in the field of precious metal electroplating at SelRex Corporation.
A New Jersey certified teacher, she has taught in the public schools in the New Jersey communities of Cedar Grove, Bloomfield, Tenafly, Newark, Pompton Plains and Edison Township. Ms. Biderman continues to teach privately.
Ms. Biderman has been a resident in Central New Jersey since 1979. Formerly married to the late Joel Mintz, principle of International Technidyne Corporation, Her two adult progenies are Janine Mintz Ring, nurse practitioner and Laura Jean Mintz, flying trapeze artist of Cirque du Soleil and 2 grandchildren.
“The New Jersey Symphony has really been a gift to me. I never feel as if I am going to work, I feel that I am going to contribute to something which has embodied my entire adult life with joy while bringing me a sense of camaraderie. I feel so lucky to be able to come to work everyday and participate in something that’s truly beautiful which over the years has brought joy to our community.”
Ms. Biderman is a member of the Outreach and Development Committees of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, charter member and regular performer for the Edison Arts Society, President of NCJW (National Council of Jewish Women): Metro Jersey Section, Facilitator for M.A.S.H. Mutual Aid Self Help Support Group under the auspices of St. Clare’s Health System, a Certified Mental Health First Aider: a member of a competitive trivia team, and a PERPETUAL STUDENT OF LIFE!
“I struggle with the eternal dilemma - how can one be happy amid the unhappiness of others? I will do everything I can to give everyone moments of happiness.”
Many of her students are performing in orchestras: Regional and All-State Orchestras. They go on to play in community orchestras, professional orchestras and chamber music ensembles. A few are also public-school string music teachers.
Hopefully, they all retain an appreciation and love of music and attend live concerts with the understanding of the effort involved.
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Question & Answer
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Hometown: Central Jersey.
Musical Influence: WQXR—that radio station was my access to classical music growing up. My parents didn’t listen, but I would put it on.
Favorite TV Show: I don’t watch TV, because life is more interesting. I have multiple TVs, but for a number of years, I didn’t have any of them plugged in! I’ll go to live theater; I prefer that to movies.
Theater Favorites: It depends—I really like local theater. The George Street Playhouse, Circle Players in Piscataway, theaters in Metuchen … I used to go to Broadway a lot, both for musicals and plays. I don’t have a favorite. Kean University has great productions—I saw one about Darfur recently, called Lost Boy at Whole Foods. It was amazing.
Recommended Reading: I’m reading “The Passion of Tasha Darsky” right now. It’s a book about a violinist, and I’m really enjoying it—it’s a lot of fun.
First Concert You Ever Attended: The first musician I ever saw was at the Brooklyn Museum—I saw a solo violinist there. I had just started violin, so I must have been about 5 or 6. I have this vivid memory of a man onstage playing, and afterwards I remember saying, “Why did it have to stop?” In my mind, I can recall it so clearly. I think my first full concert was one I was playing in!
Something People Don’t Know About You: My daughter just came back from Abu Dhabi with the Big Apple Circus; she has been with a circus group called the Flying Poemas. My other daughter is a nurse at St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick.
Spirit of Giving: Philanthropy has been a part of my family’s philosophy for generations. I believe that people should share of themselves, not just of their money, but also of their talents. In our society, I don’t know that people always think to share, but I think we should as much as we can. One thing I do to give is to perform carols at Christmastime. It’s not my religion, but I love the season, and people really enjoy hearing and participating in carols. I’ll perform in nursing homes, hospitals and many other places.
Crazy Thing You’ve Always Wanted to Try: I wanted to rebuild my house as a medieval castle—and I did it! At first, I just wanted more closet space! But it evolved from there.
Advice for Young Musicians: Focus when you practice. Practice doesn’t make perfect … perfect practice makes perfect.
Why Music Matters: It brings me to a place other than the mundane, brings me to a higher level. Both to listen and to play it.