Thomas J. (TJ) McAvaney is a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Mr.McAvaney earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music, with honors, from Marywood College in Scranton, and his Master of Music Degree in Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY. Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society Alpha Nu Chapter, Ithaca College. He served as Director and Teacher of the Quinte Suzuki School for Strings in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, and as Orchestra Director at Ilion Central School, Ilion, NY. He served as Music Department Chair and Orchestra Director for New Hartford Central School, New Hartford, NY. Mr. McAvaney performs regularly with the Catskill Symphony, Oneonta, NY and serves as principal violist of the Clinton Symphony of the Mohawk Valley and Delta String Quartet. He has guest conducted throughout the United States, Canada, Bermuda, France and Ireland. He served as NYSSMA Regional Representative to the Oswego/Mohawk Valley and has served as NYSSMA All-StateOrchestra Chair. He is a member of NAfME, NYSSMA, Suzuki Association of the Americas, American Federation of Musicians and New York State United Teachers. He is the father of four sons and resides in Ilion, NY with his wife Marge.