Evan Simon Cooper

Evan S. Cooper, 74, passed of natural causes on November 25, 2022. Evan was born in Bridgeport, CT, the eldest of 4 sons of the late Edward and Margaret Cooper. Growing up in NJ, he developed an affinity for music and teaching early on, and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from Indiana University. Evan met his wife, Claudia, while directing a community production of Oliver! during his tenure as the Band Director at Monroe-Central High School in Farmland, Indiana. Upon completing his formal education in 1975, they moved to New Jersey so that he could accept a job as the Director of Instrumental Music at his former high school, Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, a position he held until his retirement in 1997.

Evan excelled at nearly everything he tried ... except retirement. During "retirement," he became the Supervisor of Related Arts at NVRHS Demarest and NVRHS Old Tappan from 1997-2008, the Conductor and Music Director of the Teaneck Community Band from 1998-2022, the Festival Coordinator of the North Jersey Band Festival Association from 2004-2022, and the Administrator of the Bergen County Teen Arts Festival from 2010-2019. In 2011, he was awarded the New Jersey Music Educators Association Distinguished Leadership and Service Award, and in 2013, he was honored to have been chosen to conduct the All Bergen County Band at their 50th Anniversary Concert. Most recently, in 2020, he became an Adjunct Professor of Music Education at New Jersey City University, passing on a lifetime of experience, expertise, and wisdom to young adults who will be tasked with educating the next generation. The common thread throughout his illustrious career was Evan's passion for teaching young people, his love of music, and his belief that music could and should be transformative.

Evan's love of music was rivaled only by his love for his wife, Claudia. She was an integral part of his decades-long career, and in their free time they enjoyed visiting with family, working on their "Dream House" in Emerson, and traveling. Evan was predeceased by his beloved Claudia, who passed in 2017, as well as by his mother and father. He is survived by his daughter, Racquel Cooper, son Trevor (Kasey) Cooper, brothers Rawley (Cathy), Topher (Beth) and Corey (Samantha) Cooper, and 4 grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will take place in Spring 2023, at a time and place to be determined by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Evan and Claudia Cooper Memorial Award for Service. Checks should be made out to Northern Valley Regional High School, with a notation of "Cooper Memorial Award" in the memo field, and can be mailed to: Mr. Jonathan Harris, In care of Northern Valley Regional HS, 150 Knickerbocker Road, Demarest, NJ 07627.