Angela “Ella” Yap

Angela “Ella” Yap has a degree in music therapy from Montclair State University, and is well versed in guitar, drums and piano. She is an apprentice at Music For Recovery, and with that company, she runs therapeutic song-writing groups and other activities to promote healing through music for people in mental health and substance abuse treatment. Ella started out as a trumpet player in school performing in various orchestras before being drawn to the guitar. Over the years, Ella has performed in many shows and small festivals in the area, ran local open mics, and studied guitar styles ranging from Django Reinhardt’s gypsy jazz to classical pieces by Fernando Sor. Her recent musical endeavors include singing in the County College of Morris’s Chamber Choir, and performing her own solo material at open mics and in an acoustic blues band called Fair Weather Friends, where she co-wrote on albums by creating rousing guitar, vocal and percussion parts. Ella is always excited to share the joy of music with anyone who wants to join in and teaches with a warm and encouraging style. She emphasizes and celebrates little victories for her students and always provides room for creativity and improvisation.