Monica
Owner
Monica didn't know when she was younger that this was where she wanted to be but her life has led her to School of Rock Huntington. Monica grew up in a talented home where everyone had a musical talent except for her. Her dad, a self-taught musician, could play anything you put in front of him. Monica, on the other hand, was musically challenged. She would sing at the top of her lungs not really caring that she was pitchy and off-beat (and still does). Her parents sent her to piano lessons even though she really wanted to play the drums. After the second month of lessons, the instructor told Monica that he would pay her to stop going if she promised not to tell anyone she had been his student (true story!).
Monica's son, Michael, became interested in playing the guitar at a young age. She and her husband, Gene, encouraged Michael to play but quickly realized that taking lessons just wasn't enough. Coming home and practicing on his own wasn't fun. After some internet research, Monica learned about School of Rock.
Monica and Gene quickly scheduled an appointment thinking this was all just too good to be true. They had no idea that School of Rock would not only change her son's life but the lives of her entire family! Throughout Michael's years at School of Rock, Monica turned her photography to the concert world. She was fortunate to have met some incredible artists and is lucky to now call them her friends. They introduced her to the music business, teaching her about recording, managing, touring, and the list goes on. It was around this time that Michael's band, The Inoculated Canaries, started to develop into more than a garage band. It was also at this time that Gene told Monica he knew what her calling was, and he was right!
Monica and Gene started School of Rock Huntington knowing that it would change the lives of those who walked through the doors. School of Rock Huntington is a clubhouse for our students. They have a place to express themselves musically and are challenged by the incredible teachers that are here.
Dylan
Regional Manager, Regional Music Director, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Dylan is a Long Island-based multi-instrumentalist and educator who has been working at School of Rock since 2015, shortly after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in music education from Five Towns College. Dylan is well-versed in many genres, having performance credits in various rock bands, jazz groups, chamber orchestras, theater orchestras, and more. He has performed at NAMM’s Winter Show in Anaheim CA & South by Southwest in Austin, TX, as well as several local venues including Revolution, 89 North, KJ Farrell’s, Fordham University’s Winterfest, and more.
In the studio, Dylan has played electric bass, upright bass, drum set, percussion, keys, ukulele, and laid down vocal tracks on many songs and albums across multiple genres. A lesson with Dylan means a lesson in theory, ear training, performance, and exposure to multiple genres of music. He is the Regional Manager and Regional Music Director at School of Rock Huntington, Queens, Rockville Centre, Roslyn, and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
Dorianna
Regional General Manager, Marketing Director
Dorianna has extensive experience working with children, including being an Assistant Director at a sleep-away camp for underprivileged children and adults with special needs. She has also worked at several local day camps, as well as after-school programs. Dorianna is excited to be a part of School of Rock as the Marketing Director. She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Mount Saint Mary College and a master's degree in Social Work from Adelphi University.
Rosie
Music Director, Vocal Teacher, Show Director
Rosie is a classically trained vocalist from Long Island. She was in numerous off-Broadway shows as a teenager and has always loved musical theater. In New York City, she studied voice under Dr. William Riley, a voice teacher to stars such as Bjork, Celine Dion, Brian Johnson from AC/DC, and more. Rosie is currently studying with the Matt Farnsworth Vocal Studio and has recorded with award-winning producer Russ DeSalvo. You can find her on Spotify, iTunes, and anywhere music is digitally sold. Rosie graduated from the Musical Theater program at AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) and studied Meisner Technique for acting at James Franco’s Studio4 formerly located in New York City. Her main goal is to teach the younger generation of educated singers how to handle their instrument with unshakeable confidence and charisma. Rosie is a singing teacher at School of Rock Huntington, as well as the Music Director and Show Director.
Juliana
Studio Coordinator
Juliana is passionate about giving students and families the most welcoming experience possible here at School of Rock Huntington. She has previous experience in customer service positions and prides herself on answering any and all client questions and concerns.
Juliana also works for Hank Lane Music, a wedding band company on the island, as a female vocalist which gives her extensive music knowledge. She is so excited to meet you all! Juliana is a Studio Coordinator at School of Rock Huntington.
Amanda
Vocal Teacher
Amanda is a vocalist from Nesconset, NY. She earned her bachelor's degree in Music Business with a voice concentration from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. While at Crane, she was classically trained under the instruction of Margaret Chalker. Amanda is also passionate about pop, rock, musical theater, and a capella styles of music, and has studied these genres throughout her life.
When Amanda was in high school, she attended the Rock Underground located in Commack, where she took voice lessons and participated in their performance program. Her experience at the Rock Underground shaped her into the musician she is now and inspired her to want to impact the lives of students through music, just like how hers was. Her main goal in lessons is to build up the confidence of her students by teaching them proper vocal techniques for any style of music. Amanda is a vocal teacher at School of Rock Huntington, Syosset/Oyster Bay, and Roslyn.
Bradley
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Show Director
Bradley is a guitar teacher, multi-instrumentalist producer, and working musician. They earned their bachelor's degree in Music from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. While Bradley's undergraduate academic focuses were tonal and atonal theory and jazz guitar, their experience as a working guitarist and educator has built their theoretical and technical facility with music such as jazz, hip hop, R&B, neo-soul, gospel, blues, rock, indie, and funk.
Bradley has performed guitar and electric bass with different bands, vocalists, jazz combos, and big bands across the Finger Lakes region, Rochester, and NYC. They performed with a sextet at the Rochester Jazz Festival in 2018. When Bradley is not teaching or performing they record and produce for singers, rappers, and other musicians. They have studied with Greg Wachala and attended master classes led by Grammy Award-nominee Mel Henderson and Eastman School of Music professor Bob Sneider. Bradley has also studied with Rodney Jones, a faculty member of the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music.
Bradley approaches teaching centering the student’s interest, learning style, and musical purpose. They strive to create a relaxed, supportive, and disciplined learning environment. Bradley is a guitar, bass, and keyboard instructor at School of Rock Huntington, Rockville Centre, Roslyn, and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
Jarryd
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher
Jarryd is a guitarist, bassist, and producer from Long Island, New York. Growing up, Jarryd had a fond interest in music and the inner workings of the business world and pursued a degree at Five Towns College in business and audio recording. Eventually, he went on to get a master's in business administration from LIU Post.
Jarryd has had the privilege of playing and touring with different bands as well as working with different clients as a producer. He currently is working on his solo project, Centrifuge, and producing for other clients as well. Jarryd is a guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, and drum teacher at School of Rock Huntington, Rockville Centre, and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
Joe
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Show Director
Joe is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter born in Flushing, NY. While first learning music playing at church, Joe eventually went on to study and graduate from the Musician's Institute in Los Angeles, CA with an associate's degree in Guitar Performance.
Joe has over a decade's worth of experience in teaching and his philosophy has always been about helping build the next generation of musicians. Joe has also been performing since the age of 10 with all different sorts of groups ranging from local bands to state choirs to touring musicians. His taste in music widely ranges from hip-hop to metal. Joe is a guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drums, and vocal teacher at School of Rock Rockville Centre, Huntington, Roslyn, Queens, and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
Kevin
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher, Show Director
Born and raised in New York, Kevin began his musical studies on guitar when he was 18 years old. While attending the State University of New York at New Paltz, Kevin began to take an interest in jazz. He pursued a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies studying with Mark Dziuba, Vinnie Martucci, John Menegon, and Jeff "Siege" Siegel. After graduating, he started his career as a sound engineer at the ShapeShifter Lab in Brooklyn, NY, where he studied with bass virtuoso Matthew Garrison.
Kevin has performed with many musicians such as Aaron Parks, David Savitsky, Rachel Therrien, Dean Sharp, Sean Wayland, Mark Ferber, Andrew Atkinson, Ira Coleman, Jeremy Powell, and many more. Continuing his journey, he has played at ShapeShifter Lab, Bowery Electric, Shrine, Highline Ballroom, Muchmore's, Silvana, Williamsburg Music Center, The Falcon, Tomi Jazz, Pianos, Mohegan Sun, Garment District Art Festival, and a myriad of bars and restaurants.
In 2018, Kevin released his first record titled "Paramedic" featuring some of his original compositions. The jazz publication All About Jazz quotes "'Paramedic' introduces an emerging guitarist with something to say. His compositions are thoughtful, and his playing is focused. Joined by a stellar cast, the ensemble cranks out a succinct program of memorable performances." Kevin plans on finishing and releasing his second record Fading Light summer of 2021.
Michael
Guitar Teacher
Michael was born in Whitestone, New York. His parents introduced him to music while in utero, listening to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Zappa—the classics. It was his grandfather who handed him his first guitar and that one Christmas gift forever changed his life. Guitar Hero was fun to play but when he actually held a guitar he knew the game wouldn’t be enough. From that moment on his passion for the instrument began his journey into songwriting.
Michael was attending classes at School of Rock by the age of 10. He felt at home there with other kids just like him. It was School of Rock that introduced Michael to performing. The school had such a profound impact on him that he is now one of the top instructors and directors at three (3) New York area School of Rock locations in which he is also the co-owner. He is presently using his teaching skills to create an instructional video series in partnership with ESP Guitars, one of his musical instrument endorsers.
At the age of 13, Michael formed his band, The Inoculated Canaries. He was in his science class when the instructor mentioned inoculating canaries during the bird flu. The band’s first EP, The Blue Laws, was soon followed by their single “Don’t Be Late” and an acoustic version of the song “Jericho.” Their second EP, Trying Times, was also followed by singles “Count Me Out,” “Who Are You?,” “The Lawyer’s Wife,” “Sneakers,” “Donna,” and “Hypocrite.”
Michael formed a second band, King Falcon. They released their debut single “Shake!, Shake! Shake!” in early 2020. Both bands are actively writing, recording, and performing.
Today, Michael is endorsed by ESP Guitars. Matt Masciandaro, President and CEO of ESP Guitars comments: “ESP works with many of rock’s leading guitarists, and Michael’s amazing technique, stylistic range, tone, and phrasing make him a welcome addition to our team.” Tony Rauser, Director of Artist Relations, adds: “We are happy to welcome Michael of King Falcon to the ESP artist family! Michael’s unique and melodic playing style is showcased perfectly in his first ESP video lesson series.”
Tom
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Tom is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter from Bethpage, NY. He has spent the better part of his life performing and touring with various bands and graduated from the Music Conservatory at SUNY Purchase with his bachelor's degree in Studio Production. Being both a self-taught musician and well-versed in music theory allows Tom to approach lessons and teaching with a laid-back, yet critical and corrective mindset. He currently works out of his home studio as a songwriter and producer, creating tracks for artists on both the local and national levels.