Mayor Nominates Members for Hamilton’s Cultural Affairs and Performing Arts Advisory Commission, Including Former Democrat County Surrogate and Performing Arts Professionals

Not only will Hamilton’s Cultural Affairs and Performing Arts Advisory Commission look to promote the arts and cultural activities across the community, but among Mayor Kelly Yaede’s recent nominations – in the spirit of bipartisanship — is a prominent former Democrat County Surrogate with an art background.

Former Mercer County Surrogate Joe Tighue, will join performing arts professional, Renee Cody (professionally known as Ellen Renee), and Hamilton School District Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts, Danielle Tan, as Mayor Kelly Yaede’s nominations to the local advisory commission.

Tighue – a Democrat, who in the 1970’s served as a Mercer County Freeholder and in the 1980’s as the Mercer County Surrogate, began painting approximately 40 years ago after struggling to find art to decorate his realty business office.  His paintings have previously been displayed at the Hamilton Township Public Library, including two works of art depicting the 1964 Democratic National Convention – one of which earned a statewide first-place award from the NJ Council on the Arts.

Cody (Ellen Renee) is the proprietor of Ellen Renee Productions, where she teaches singing, coaches vocalists and manages bands and musical artists.  She is also the Founder and Executive Director of a 450-student Academy of Performing Arts, which she has run for over 15 years.  Throughout her career, she professionally performed in Italian Operas, at Radio City Musical Hall in New York and in Atlantic City, as well as having trained and placed artists in Broadway roles for musicals, such as ‘Cats’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera.’

Tan, who has her Master’s of Arts from Harvard University and a Master’s of Education from The College of New Jersey, is currently the Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts for the Hamilton Township Public School District.  Prior to this, she served as an Art Teacher at Hamilton High School West and Crockett Middle School.  Professionally, Tan has also served as a National Education Association Representative Assembly Delegate.

“I am very pleased to nominate these three, outstanding individuals, who I am confident will be committed to promoting the arts and cultural initiatives in our hometown, including additional ways that we may be able to enhance some of our seasonal, community events with performing artists and cultural activities,” says Mayor Kelly Yaede.

Mayor Yaede’s nominations are expected to be considered later this month by the Township Council for approval.   Additional nominations for the commission are expected from the Mayor in the coming weeks.

Hamilton’s Cultural Affairs and Performing Arts Advisory Commission is a 9-member, volunteer commission that is charged with the task of advising the Municipal Government on ways to encourage and guide cultural activities and performing arts throughout the town.

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