Our Experienced Music Teachers
All of School of Rock Mamaroneck’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.
Tory Ridder
Owner
Tory, having grown up in lower Westchester, was driven to bring a school to the Sound Shore area in 2014 after seeing an incredible performance by School of Rock students with Jon Anderson of the epic band Yes. Tory has been a local professional musician as a drummer and multi-instrumentalist in a number of local bands such as Sway, Heathcote Hill, Mullen, and most recently, The Hara Band along with instructor Johnny Andriani.
Tory has had a long-standing career as Associate Publisher of his family-owned company, School Guide Publications. He has performed at awesome venues such as The Capitol Theatre Port Chester, Webster Hall NYC, BB Kings NYC, CBGBs, The Iridium NYC, Arlene's Grocery, The Bitter End, The Emelin Theater, and the Bowery Electric as well as numerous local community parties and festivals. Tory and his wife, Vanessa, graduated from Fairfield University in Connecticut and are proud to have raised their two teenage sons in the School of Rock Mamaroneck Performance Program since they were in grade school.
Vanessa Ridder
Co-Owner, General Manager
Vanessa has rocked many roles over the years before opening the school and becoming General Manager in charge of day-to-day operations, event planning, and promotions. She is originally from New York City and grew up mostly in northern New Jersey. Before opening the school in 2014, Vanessa was Creative Director for an NYC-based branding firm and also served as Public Information Officer for the Mount Vernon City School District as well as a PTA Council Board member.
When her husband mentioned the concept of School of Rock, Vanessa was immediately sold because she had wished she had the program as a young vocal student. A talented vocalist and performer, Vanessa has performed with a number of bands over the years including Heathcote Hill and All About the Blues as well as the School of Rock Mamaroneck Adult Program Band, Sorry Not Sorry. Her greatest joy is having had her “rhythm section” teenage boys grow up musically at School of Rock Mamaroneck as the drummer and bassist for the school's House Band.
Simon Pajaro
Music Director
Simon is a bass guitar teacher, keyboard + piano teacher, and drum teacher at School of Rock Mamaroneck and also oversees the direction of all student shows since 2018. A Berklee College of Music alumnus, Simon has studied with an array of professors including Dino Govoni, Dennis Montgomery, Walter Beasley, and Kenwood Dennard. Simon’s primary instrument is the tenor saxophone, flute, and clarinet. He is an active member of the local New York and Westchester music scene in original, tribute, and wedding bands.
Simon's aggressive funky style has made him a mainstay in groups like the Brian Rigby Band and SlackTide. In addition to these groups, he has worked with groups such as SoulPax, Jon O’Neal and the Bayou Boys, and Tyrone Shoelaces. Simon is also a founding member of The Railyard Horns. He is a trained EMT and is also an awesome cook of Cuban cuisine who loves walks in local parks with his dog, Leo.
Tylee Shenk
Manager
Tylee started as a student parent in 2015 and as a valued Rock & Roll PTA mom for her son’s performances when he enrolled at age 6. In 2017, Tylee was invited to be Assistant Manager supporting studio coordination, parent relations, scheduling, and most recently as a manager overseeing day-to-day communications and enrollment. She is also a talented singer and performer in the Adult Program as well as a fan of her son who plays bass and guitar and sings in the House Band. Tylee grew up in New York City and is a graduate of York Preparatory School and College of Westchester. She also works as a Tarot Card Reader and Dialysis Technician and loves the art of dance.
Vinicius M. De Silva
Show Director, Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Vinicius “Vinny” Silva is an advanced guitar and drum teacher as well as an advanced show director. He is a Berklee College of Music graduate and actively performs throughout the tri-state area in various original, tribute, and wedding bands. As an active touring musician, Vinny has years of experience playing music and performing.
Vinny loves listening to and playing many genres of music and specializes in rock and roll. Vinny is also a left-handed musician which always makes shows interesting! He is adored by his students of varying levels. He and his wife, Cindy, are originally from Brazil but now call New Rochelle home.
Mark Crozer
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Mark is a bass guitar teacher and guitar teacher at School of Rock Mamaroneck. He also is a Show Director at the school with a special knack for all music from across the pond in the United Kingdom. Mark has been playing guitar since the mid-'70s when he became obsessed with The Beatles at age 6. He began writing songs as soon as he could play a couple of chords and formed his first band when he was 14 years old.
After many years (and many different bands) playing in various small clubs as well as playing for one man and his dog, Mark finally realized his dream of becoming a professional musician when he joined The Jesus and Mary Chain in 2007. Since then he has toured extensively, playing shows throughout the USA and Europe, and as far as Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Russia, and Israel. He is set to headline the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury with The JAMC in 2023.
As well as being an experienced touring musician, Mark is also a songwriter and composer, best known for the song "Live In Fear" as championed by former WWE superstar Bray Wyatt who used it as his entrance music from 2012-2020. In addition, Mark has written and recorded songs that have been featured in Chicago Fire, The Young and The Restless, Pawn Stars, and many other TV shows.
Emily Davies
Bass Guitar Teacher
Hailing from the Kansas City area with Nashville as her adopted home for two decades, New York City-based artist Emily Davies’ style has been fueled by KC’s jazzy BBQ, Nashville’s hot chicken pickin’, and the deep roots of NYC’s Harlem Renaissance jazz scene.
In Nashville, Emily performed with a diverse group of musicians, from alt-rock group Audra and the Antidote to Americana sensation Runaway Home. She also performed with various ensembles at the Nashville Jazz Workshop and with a revolving door of Music City’s singer-songwriters.
Emily graduated with a B.M. in Commercial Music / Bass Guitar from Belmont University and also holds an M.M. in Jazz Performance / Bass from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
Emily has been an adjunct electric bass instructor at NYU and is active in the NYC music scene.