Joey
General Manager
Joey’s band ZO2 has toured nationally with such acts as Kiss, Poison, Mötley Crüe, Van Halen, Scorpions, Dream Theater, Cinderella, and many more. Joey has been a member of the world-renowned Trans Siberian Orchestra for over 13 years and also starred in, co-wrote, and co-produced the hit IFC comedy series "Z Rock."
Joey performed over 500 shows in the critically acclaimed Broadway musical The Great Comet of 1812. It starred Josh Groban and received 12 Tony Award nominations. Recently, Joey began drumming for Eric Martin (Mr. Big) and in Broadway's new hit comedy, Gettin’ the Band Back Together.
Chris
Music Director, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Chris has been playing music since he was 7 years old. Ever since his mom bought him “The Best of David Bowie” CD he was hooked. He took piano lessons into his high school years and started forming bands with his friends and performing as a guitarist, bassist, and keys player.
Chris took his passion for music a step further when he went to college for Music Production. During his time as an undergraduate, he started to fall in love with dance, hip-hop, and pop music honing his craft as an electronic producer and musician.
After graduating, Chris started his own music studio in Red Bank, NJ where he produces instrumentals for local rappers, singers, and rock and punk artists alike. On occasion, one can see him performing live with his artists as a guest guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, or DJ.
Carolyn
Studio Coordinator
As a child, Carolyn had a passion for music and her parents nurtured that passion by putting a juke box in their living room. That was the first place she performed, right in her living room. As soon as school began, she performed at any given opportunity, singing at any talent show she could. A few years later, she started writing, singing, and performing her own songs. This passion has continued to follow her through her life. She still writes songs and sings to this day. Carolyn is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Social Work and truly believes in School of Rock. She believes that nurturing a child’s passion for music can lead to great things, even if it means putting a juke box in the living room.
Michael
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Michael is a guitarist, producer, songwriter, and vocalist who is known for his work with p-funk legends Bernie Worrell & The Woo Warriors, Dawn Silva and The Brides Of Funkenstein, and George Clinton and Chops Horns. He has also worked and performed with hip-hop groups EPMD, Shock-G of Digital Underground, the R&B group Xscape, Gloria Gaynor, and Leela James. He has worked with rock artists such as Kip Winger, Buckethead, and TM Stevens as well as jazz/fusion artists such as Wayne Escoffrey, Jeremy Pelt, Ian Hendrickson Smith, Larry Goldings, Stanley Jordan, and Johnnie Oneal.
Michael has also written, produced, and mastered albums under his name entitled "Blacklight Lullabies" and "Alice To The Moon," both of which delve into the areas of funk, R&B, rock, hip-hop, and jazz/fusion genres. He currently works with various bands and vocalists in the NY & NJ metropolitan area, specializing in R&B, jazz, funk, rock, hip-hop, and gospel genres, as well as producing and writing music for various artists.
Kendall
Drum Teacher
Kendall has been playing drums since he first put the sticks in his hands at the age of 9. Since that time, he has followed his passion and dream to play drums. In 2005, Kendall studied percussion at Berklee College of Music's summer program. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he enrolled at the Musicians Institute and obtained an associate's degree in Performance Art.
Since then, Kendall has been playing drums in New York City and across the country with countless bands of various genres. Kendall has a love for teaching and enjoys helping students learn to play music. His ability to adapt and play what the music calls for is his strength. His versatility and capability to play all genres give Kendall a unique ability, which he brings to teaching here at School of Rock Clark.
Jill
guitar and bass instructor
Jill has been growing up around guitar and music since she was a child. At the age of 12 she picked up guitar and never wanted to put it down. Once discovering her greatest love for alternative and rock music, she decided to start a band playing guitar and writing original music at the age of 14 and since then never stopped playing in a band. She learned all about music theory, guitar and songwriting from her father and from playing with other people in high school. In 2017, Jill started a new project called "Pollyanna" singing/writing and playing guitar. After graduating high school she decided to pursue playing and touring around the country, as well as playing Warped Tour in 2018. She has a passion for sharing her knowledge on guitar and writing music and believes School Of Rock is an amazing way to truly connect with learning to play music and have fun while doing it.
Joey
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Joey found punk rock at the age of 13 and it changed his life. After growing up performing musical theatre, he began to embrace music that he was truly passionate about. A self-professed rock n' roll encyclopedia, Joey loves all things loud, fast, and leather-clad. After honing his vocal and songwriting abilities at Berklee College of Music, he now actively pursues the life of a working/touring musician.
Taking his tunes across the US and Canada, Joey lives to write, perform and record. He believes School of Rock is the perfect way to teach kids about crucial techniques and skills, but most importantly to love music. He is a vocal instructor at School of Rock Clark.
Jake
drum instructor
Driven by a passion for music Jake has played several different instruments from a young age before ending up behind a friend's drumset. He instantly fell in love and hasn't looked back since. After getting his first drum set at age 13 Jake has played in many bands spanning several different genres of music but is most at home in metal and rock. His bands "This Curse" and "Gladiators" have played all over the country with several national acts such as In Flames, Periphery, Ice Nine Kills, Dance Gavin Dance and many more. He strives to ignite the same passion for music that he has in up and coming musicians.
Howard
drum, guitar, bass, and vocal instructor
Howard Portney, better known as “Hollywood How” began his career as a drummer in the early 1980’s, eventually performing as both drummer and lead singer from behind the kit. Kicking off the millennium, he entered the 2000’s stepping out from behind the drums. His new role as “frontman” turned out to be exactly the spark needed for this multi-talented musician’s star to burn long & bright.
His solid educational base (BA in music with an intense focus in Classical & Jazz theory) has led HH into such musical endeavors where he has performed with, worked with, and produced recordings and/or video projects with some of Hard Rock & Heavy Metal’s most beloved musicians. Among them are the late, great AJ Pero, Michael Romeo, John “JD” DeServio, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Mike Orlando, Ross the Boss, Thomas Miller, Mike Pinnella, Mike LePond, Steve Brown, and Derek Taylor. Another notable working experience for Howard was having the opportunity to both record with and perform onstage along side Chris Caffery (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Savatage) during his time as the founding frontman of Metal band, Dark Sky Choir (2016-2017). This background prepared him to tour and share the stage with Rock legend, Ace Frehley - an experience HH will not soon forget.
Jess
bass and keys instructor
Jess Bober is a graduate from the School of Rock Clark back in 2020 and now studies forensic biology at Kean University. She had played bass and keys for the last 7 years. She was involved in the performance program since 2016 as well as a former houseband member for those 4 years. She is very grateful for all the opportunities that the school has given her such as playing with famous musicians such as Bumblefoot, John 5, Angus Clark, and Billy Sheehan. With SoR, she even embarked on two national tours to places like Nashville, Memphis, Chicago, and Cleveland and played on big stages such as the Exit/In and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She also went on to form her own band with other students at the school called Radium’s Revenge back in 2019 where they perform locally in NJ and the tristate area. She still holds everything she has learned at the school in her heart, and she is very excited to share this passion of music and the love of SoR to others.
James
Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher
James' love of music started when his parents gifted him a CD player and a copy of The Beatles' "1" for his 5th birthday, which he would play repeat for hours just about every day. For his 16th birthday, his friends, hearing about how much he wanted to pick up a bass guitar, pooled together enough money to gift him a jazz bass and amp. The following year, James joined the Old Bridge High School jazz band, Cloud 9, the OBHS choir and orchestra programs, as well as a local ska band. From there, he knew that his life was all about everything and anything musical.
In 2014, James embarked on a college adventure towards a degree in Music Production, where he picked up guitar and keys, began songwriting, and self-produced his own music, reflecting his since-acquired love for post-punk and indie music. He is especially passionate about sharing all of the things he has learned from his time growing as a musician and teaching students about the indescribable joys of musical performance and expression.
Charlie
Vocal Teacher
Charlie is a singer and actor with a deep love for musical theater. At the age of 9, they performed at Carnegie Hall, and from then on, they knew this was the path for them. Ever since, Charlie has done countless shows such as Dear Edwina, Cinderella, Footloose, etc. Charlie has also originated characters in up-and-coming shows as well. Charlie has been mentored by Elizabeth Saunders for the past decade and is proud to be represented by the talent group Bohemia Group in NYC.
Dave
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Dave has been drumming and performing music for over 25 years. He started playing by ear at 5 years old and received lessons shortly after. Dave was lucky to have supportive parents who introduced him to different instruments and live music. His father would play records virtually every evening from the likes of The Beatles, Alice Cooper, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, and King Crimson.
By age 12, Dave started playing with his neighbors and family at various events. This helped him get comfortable with performing on stage in front of crowds. His interests grew by middle school and expanded into genres from alternative, jazz, heavy metal, and classical, to contemporary electronica. This opened doors to new and challenging playing styles. By late high school, he began teaching private lessons and began performing local shows with bands.
Dave has played, recorded, and toured with bands such as the experimental swing punk act Will Wood, blackened death metal project Imperial Crypt, the tech metal wizards Tandav, and most recently joined signed prog power metal band Last Pharaoh.