A. Jay Steinberg was a native of New Jersey who spent 40 years teaching grades 5-12 band in Lindsborg, Kansas. Steinberg received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Bethany College and his Master's Degree in Clarinet Performance from Wichita State University. Additionally, Steinberg was an instructor of clarinet, music appreciation and woodwind techniques at Bethany College and an instructor of clarinet and saxophone at Kansas Wesleyan University. He taught clarinet at Wichita State University and was on the staff of High Plains Music Camp in Hays. His bands performed for the King of Sweden, former Russian premier Mikhail Gorbachev as well as at KMEA In-Service Workshops in 1989 and 1994.

Steinberg was active not only as an educator but also as a performer. He performed with the Bethany College Community Orchestra, Hutchinson Symphony, Trablas - his woodwind trio, Wichita Grand Opera Orchestra and was principal clarinet with the Salina Symphony. He also served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout Kansas. Jay Steinberg was awarded the Middle School Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Music Dealers of America and in 2008 was named Outstanding Middle School Music Educator by the South Central District of KMEA. Professionally, Steinberg held membership in MENC, KMEA, ICA and KNEA.

Steinberg was active in Lindsborg's local arts community and because of his love of chamber music, he was the coordinator of chamber music at the Sandzén Gallery, bringing the best talent he could to the Smoky Valley community. For his efforts in Lindsborg, the Lindsborg Arts Council recognized Steinberg with the Artist of the Year award in 2011 and in 2014 the Smoky Valley School District re-named the school auditorium the "A.J. Steinberg Auditorium."