Nearly 200 family members, friends, educators, town officials, students and community members gathered to honor William Farley.
WEST ORANGE, NJ — Nearly 200 family members, friends, educators, town officials, students and community members recently gathered to honor a beloved music teacher in West Orange as he prepares to retire.
A celebration for William Farley, a decorated teacher at West Orange High School, was held at the Wilshire Grand earlier this month. See Related: Award Is Music To The Ears Of This Beloved West Orange Teacher
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District administrators shared a glimpse into why the local educator is so well-respected:
“In addition to being named West Orange High School’s Teacher of the Year for 2022-23, Dr. Farley has enjoyed a storied career, teaching 22 years at West Orange High School after eight years at Irvington High School. He has served as the Music Director for the Honors Chamber and Tenor/Bass choirs, Piano Lab Instructor, and General Music classes. Extracurricular activities include advisor and director of the Jubilee Choir (an auditioned group), and coach/advisor of the award-winning Boys Step Team. In 2021, he received his Doctorate Degree in Worship Studies from Liberty University, along with a Bachelor’s from Westminster Choir College and a Master’s at Montclair State University, both in Music Education.”
Farley and his wife, Vanessa, entered the event preceded by members of the WOHS Boys and Girls Step Teams. The evening featured a concert performed and directed by former alumni of both West Orange and Irvington High Schools, and students currently in Farley’s classes.
The evening was emceed by Joana Bernard-Awumey and Betty Jean. They, along with WOHS staff Dr. Kim Mancarella, Joanne Duncan, Catherine Connors, and Michelle Brown organized the event.
Several graduates, now pastors and music ministers, credited Farley with changing their lives.
West Orange Supervisor of Fine Arts Lou Quagliato, teacher/coach William Barbieri,Vanessa Farley, pastor, family members, and a surprise speaker, Okieriete Onaodowan, a former student of Dr. Farley, who originated the roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in “Hamilton,” starred in “Grey’s Anatomy,” and currently in “Station 19,” shared stories of their heartfelt admiration for the music guru.
“I literally am who I am because of the kindness and the warmth that you showed me at the time that I needed it most,” Onaodowan said of his former teacher.
In addition to Onaodowan, many students have gone on to music education, pastorship, and successful careers in music and theater, including:
- Warner Miller, a stage and screen actor who got his break in “American Gangsta,” “Luke Cage,” “Boardwalk Empire,” and “Manifest”
- James Gibbs, a renowned trumpeter, music producer, bandleader, and educator
- Gabriella Rodriguez, WOHS singer and theater star who toured in the “Color Purple” nationally in 2019-20
- Melody Ector, now a session keyboardist in the Los Angeles area
A scholarship in Farley’s name will be given annually to graduating seniors in music and/or step, district administrators reported.
This year’s recipients – all from West Orange High School – were Ezra Simon, James Tibang, Abraham Barianger, and Mecca Abdus Salaam. WOHS Art teacher Nicole Krulik was also recognized as the first coach of the Girls Step team.
After retirement, Farley said he plans to give lessons, continue to write music and perform at his church.
“This has been a journey … and when I walked in and saw all the faces, it just moved me,” Farley said, adding that he cherishes his 30 years as an educator and the opportunity to influence so many young lives.
“I really can’t thank you enough for coming out to support this scholarship effort,” he said.
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