HUNTERDON ACADEMY OF THE ARTS CELEBRATES GRAND RE-OPENING AND RIBBON CUTTING

Flemington, NJ. On October 9, Hunterdon Academy of the Arts celebrated its move to a newly renovated facility at 3 Minneakoning Road in Flemington with a Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was performed by Christopher Phelan, President and C.E.O. of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce.

Made in the 1930s, the oversized pair of scissors that Mr. Phelan used for the Ceremony had symbolic significance, highlighting that Hunterdon Academy of the Arts is a long-standing business with deep roots in the local community. Established in 1981 as ”Cooper Music Studio,” the well-known school was founded by the late Bob and Donna Cooper, two passionate advocates of early childhood music education. “Cooper Music” became Hunterdon Academy of the Arts (HAA) in 2007, when the institution was acquired by Valentina Jotovic and her husband, Dr. Antonius Bittmann. Under its new brand name, the school rapidly developed what was to become, and has remained, the largest music lesson program in the county. In recent years, HAA also built a thriving Acting and Musical Theatre program.

“The new facility at 3 Minneakoning Road will take HAA to a new level,” says Bittmann. “We had long outgrown our previous location. And although we kept looking for years for a more suitable space, we just couldn’t find anything that felt right–until recently.” At 10,000 sqft, the new space is both significantly larger than the previous one and, following a complete renovation, much more conducive to the school’s curricular activities. Boasting a total of 20 instructional spaces, HAA’s new location includes even its own theater with a sizable stage, three theatre arts classrooms, as well as 17 music lesson rooms. “It is a real performing arts center,” says Valentina Jotovic, Co-CEO, “a win for the area and a dream come true for me and my husband and business partner Antonius.” “It only took us 17 years to get here,” she chuckled.

The couple has big plans for Hunterdon Academy of the Arts. “Now that we have the proper physical space, we are doubling down on delivering the life-changing benefits of the performing arts with new curricula in Music, Acting, Musical Theatre, and Dance.” Jotovic agrees, “we are so excited about the future of HAA and can’t wait to see where this school will take us all!”

Bittmann and Jotovic, who also own two large performing arts schools in Texas, are both professional musicians by training. Under their leadership and guidance, Hunterdon Academy of the Arts has become the six-time Winner of the popular Hunterdon Happenings Award. Many HAA students have excelled in music competitions over the years, winning prizes and opportunities to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. 

With this in mind, Bittmann notes that “the Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting was not just a celebration of HAA’s gorgeous new home, but also a tribute and big thank you to all the families who have supported us over the past 17 years. Last but not least, this joyful event shined a spotlight on our amazing faculty and staff, who work tirelessly to deliver the best performing arts education in our county.” 

For more information about Hunterdon Academy of the Arts, call (908) 782-4943 or visit

www.HunterdonAcademyOfTheArts.com