Born and raised in Hanover, PA, Ted received a BS in music education at Lebanon Valley College (Annville, PA), then studied trombone privately with Henry Smith and Charles Gusikoff of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

After a stint in the U.S. Army Field Band, he went on the road playing lead with various big-name bands including the Buddy Morrow Orchestra, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Woody Herman, Jimmy Dorsey, Billy May, and others. Later he played in NYC backup bands for Peggy Lee, Vic Damone, Billy Eckstine, Julie London, Paul Anka, and Frank Sinatra, Jr. He also played in the pit orchestras for such Broadway hits as "A Chorus Line," "Sweeney Todd," and "The Music Man." Ted was also active in the freelance recording scene and subbed for Bill Watrous in the Merv Griffen TV show orchestra.

During this period he also earned his MA at Teachers College, Columbia University, and began a second career teaching public school music. His compositions and arrangements for young instrumentalists have been published by Kendor, Pro-Art, and Warner Bros.