Elyse Ptak, M.Ed.

Mrs. Elyse Ptak is an accomplished flutist, pianist, and vocalist. Growing up in a musical family of performers and composers, she became familiar with the “stage” at a very young age. Mrs. Ptak had the regular opportunity of watching her father run daily rehearsals for the performances that followed each weekend. While still in high school, Mrs. Ptak had the privilege of studying with Peggie Schecter, Julliard trained flutist, and founder of the New Jersey Chamber Music Society.

Mrs. Ptak earned her bachelor degree from the State University of New York Conservatory of Music at Purchase College. She worked her way through college graduation by teaching private lessons in piano and flute. The experiences with her private students quickly inspired her to make teaching her career. Within her first year teaching, she had developed a private teaching studio with over 30 students per week.

She went on to earn her masters degree in education from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City. Mrs. Ptak began post graduate work as the music teacher at Midland Elementary School, in Rye, New York. She quickly rose to be the Choral Director at Mamaroneck High School, where she taught Concert Chorus, Swing Choir, and directed the yearly musical theater productions.

Mrs. Ptak is also a songwriter. She has written and published two full length CDs of her original music and performed promotional shows with her band across the Northeast. She continues to write songs when she can find time.

Mrs. Ptak is the mother of three boys, and moved to New Orleans in 2015. She is particularly interested in teaching young children in the classroom setting to help inspire, and engage children to participate in and enjoy creating, performing, and responding to music, both within the classroom and beyond.