The Eland family of West Windsor is deeply involved with the community and the arts council, so supporting the organization is a natural fit. “I’ve always had an interest in the arts,” says Richard Eland, who owns and operates Title Village title agency where he helps to navigate the nuances of the title process in real estate.
The Elands were set to sponsor a concert by jazz drummer Winnard Harper on Saturday, May 17, but unforeseen circumstances forced the cancellation of the concert. So the Elands’ and Title Village’s generosity has been extended to this summer, when they will be a sponsor of the arts council’s summer music series.
The free concerts will be held at Nassau Park Pavilion on Saturdays, June 28, July 12 and 26, and August 9, at 7 p.m. Blawenberg Band kicks off the season on June 28, followed by a performer to be determined on July 12. The Dukes of Destiny play the blues on July 26, and Avi Wisnia performs a mix of bossa nova, jazz, pop, and folk for the final concert in the series.
Eland was born and raised in Dumont, New Jersey, and graduated from the University of Rochester. He received his law degree from New York Law School. His father, Paul Eland, lives in Village Grande in West Windsor.
A self-described die hard jazz afficianado, Eland played trombone in a jazz ensemble at Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. “I just never had the courage to make it a career, and I’ve always wondered what if,” says Eland. “Now I say, somebody’s gotta be in the seats and listen to the music, and that’s me.”
He and his family moved to the West Windsor area in 1987. His wife, Holly Singer-Eland, is a marketing professional. “I played both flute and piano as a child and teenager but the rest of my family thinks I’m tone deaf,” says Holly.
Their son, Jeremy, 12, is a seventh grade student at Grover Middle School. He has been playing double bass since fourth grade and is in the school’s chamber orchestra. He has taken classes at the center.
Their daughter, Ariel, 22, graduated from High School North in 2010 and from Franklin & Marshall College on May 10 with a degree in public policy and sociology. She is headed for New Orleans to be a secondary math teacher with Teach for America. One of the first teen advisors to the council, she continues to play bassoon.
Eland credits the good schools and access to culture as selling points for the region. The family takes frequent trips to New York and Philadelphia and actively uses the arts organizations in the area, especially the West Windsor Arts Center. “It is literally around the corner from my house,” he says.
The Elands became involved with the organization many years ago. Holly was recruited to volunteer and steadily increased her involvement. She has served on the board and still helps the organization with marketing projects and with the recent Mardi Gras Fundraiser (the Elands were also sponsors of this event). “Holly is an energetic soul,” Eland says.
In April, 2013, Eland sponsored a performance by singer-songwriter Wisnia. Not only does Wisnia’s music speak to Eland’s own love for jazz, but the Elands attend Beth Chaim Synagogue, where Avi’s father serves as the rabbi. Avi, in fact, taught music to Eland’s children. Add to that Eland’s desire to support a valuable community institution and the sponsorship was a natural fit. Wisnia played to a sold-out house and brought many new faces into the arts center.
“I would love to see the arts center continue to grow and become more of a destination,” says Eland. “You want your kids to be exposed to culture.”
West Windsor Arts Council, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. 609-716-1931. www.westwindsorarts.org.
