Jimmi Kane
Owner, General Manager, Drum Teacher
When Jimmi Kane started bouncing on his rocking horse right on beat to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It," his dad thought quickly and put some drum sticks in the four-year-old’s hands. Without any formal training, Jimmi quickly taught himself to master the drums. By the time he was 15 years old, he was a regular on stage in and around his hometown of Saugerties, NY.
Jimmi's career as a professional drummer has allowed him to record and tour the country with artists such as Krista (RCA/Jive Records), Thieves and Villains (Victory Records) and The Morning Of (Tragic Hero Records). He currently leads the east coast cast of the award-winning punk rock drum troupe, Street Drum Corps, where you can catch him banging on oil drums and pounding on kegs in the electrifying spectacular Blood Drums every weekend in September and October at Dorney Park's The Haunt or Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest.
Suzanne Kane
Owner
Suzanne's love of music began as soon as she was old enough to speak. After listening to the Original Broadway Cast recording of "Annie" on repeat for what seemed like years, her mother decided it was time to to take the five-year-old to a vocal instructor. Suzanne's show tune repertoire soon evolved beyond "Tomorrow" and, eventually, she began singing and acting in local stage productions, such as "Gypsy" and "The Music Man." Then, one fateful seventh grade day, Suzanne discovered KISS. At that moment, rock and roll seeped into her bloodstream and there was no turning back.
After graduating from Syracuse University, Suzanne worked in all facets of the music industry, from radio to publicity to concert booking, before taking time off to start a family. Now, ready to get back into the world of rock and roll, Suzanne, along with her husband, Jimmi, jumped into a business that will give them the satisfaction of teaching new generations to love and appreciate music.
Maggie Callahan
Vocal Teacher, Piano Teacher
Maggie Callahan is a vocalist with a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Moravian College, with a focus in voice pedagogy and diction. While she is trained to sing opera and art songs, she has a passion for singing rock, musical theater, folk, jazz and pop. With over five years of teaching experience, she uses her classical background to teach students how to sing any genre with proper breathing and safe vocal techniques. In addition to teaching, Maggie performs regularly in the Lehigh Valley and NJ area with bands, musical theater productions and professional choruses.
Rob Jackson
Studio Manager, Show Director, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Often compared to Animal from The Muppets, Rob “Action” Jackson beats on the drums as if they were seriously misbehaving. Rob, a New Jersey native, was just 3 years old when his dad–also a drummer–handed him a pair of sticks. He took them and never gave them back! Pots and pans were no match for the tiny tot who pounded on anything that would make noise. The drums became Rob’s true calling.
Rob ran with his natural talent, and by the time he was 12, he had won back-to-back Jazz drumming competitions in Hershey, PA. In 2003, Rob added to his awards by winning the Norwegian Cruise Line Talent Search. In the fall of 2012, Rob joined forces with Street Drum Corps for their "Blood Drums" Production at Dorney Park in Allentown, PA.
In addition to the drums, Rob’s musical accomplishments include singing, playing guitar, bass, and composing original music. Rob is also Touring Front of House Audio for Doyle, Prong, and Kobra and the Lotus and has worked with many other artists across the country. When he is not touring, Rob is a firefighter and Chief Audio Engineer at Rent A Record Studios.
Matt Thompson
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher
Matt has helped to instruct and guide musicians at School of Rock in Randolph, NJ since September 2018. He has been a musical artist, composer and performer for over 33 years. Matt's primary instrument is his voice, although he is also well-versed in guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion and ukulele.
Matt is also an experienced studio musician and live performer and is knowledgeable in live sound and sonic engineering. He has a passion for sharing his love of music and inspiring future generations of composers and performers to attain their dreams and express themselves sonically.
Stu Ottenstien
Drum Teacher
Stu Ottenstein has been a musician since early childhood. Music runs deep in his blood. His father was a professional musician who played in a very well known NJ Wedding Band for over 30 years. From elementary school, all the way up through college, Stu studied both piano and drums. At the age of fifteen, he started performing on drums regularly with his father’s wedding band gaining a tremendous amount of experience playing all styles of music ranging from Big Band, Funk,Rock,Latin and everything in between. He has been featured in Modern Drummer magazine in a section called “On The Move” and his drumming skills have been utilized on recordings for independent films and television.
For nearly a decade, Stu was the Drum Department Manager at Sam Ash Music in Springfield,NJ. His knowledge on drumming, drumming gear, and what it takes to be a successful musician is extensive from all of his years in the business both as a player and as a salesman.
He continues to perform regularly with some the top bands in New Jersey, playing all types of venues and events. Some of the bands that Stu plays with are: Brian Kirk and the Jirks, Moroccan Sheepherders,The Jonzes, Joe Baracata Band, High In The Mid 80’s, Carnival Dogs, The Main Event Big Band, Guilty Pleasure, From Jersey With Love.
Stu’s passion, technique, positive energy, and love for what he does shines through every single time that he sits down behind his drums. He loves sharing his knowledge, skill, and passion with all who want to learn how to play.
Patty Turse
Piano Teacher
Patty Turse is a pianist, harpist and board certified music therapist who believes in the power of music to heal. She graduated from the University of Dayton with a degree in music/ music therapy and has maintained a private teaching studio in harp and piano. She performs locally in shows with the harp, also playing for weddings, events, local orchestras, and parties. You can purchase her harp cd, "This is My Father's World" online at amazon.com or cdbaby.com. Proceeds go to fund an orphanage and medical clinic in West Liberia. Her duo, "The Diamond Blue Duo" (flute and harp) performs in the tri-state area and she often plays with string players a variety of pop, rock, classical, Big Band, Bollywood covers.
Jon Plemenik
Guitar Teacher
Jon Plemenik has been playing guitar for over 15 years. For the last seven years, Jon has played in a band that has toured and played in numerous countries. He specializes in metal and hard rock music.
Ejvind Boccolini
Drum Teacher
Ejvind Boccolini began playing the drums at 10 years old and has taught drumming in local music stores for nearly two decades. He grew up on Led Zeppelin, Mötley Crüe, Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, and later, Latino and ethnic music. Ejvind teaches students to build a solid foundation of basic drumming knowledge and to constantly work to improve their skills. His goal for his students is that they can be ready to perform several styles live, write songs, and work on an ever-increasing set of chops that can allow them to later improvise if they desire.
Ejvind encourages students to find the styles of music they enjoy, explore additional styles, and create their own music and perform it. He studied at local music stores as a kid, and as a teenager studied with New Jersey jazz drummer Glenn Davis. He released several CDs with independent artists and performed live in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Ejvind is honored to be a part of such an excellent team of individuals at School of Rock Randolph!
Nick Bergamini
Drum Teacher
Nick comes from a family of musicians and was inspired to take up the drums after his father. He began playing in his first band in 7th grade and has loved performing ever since. In 10th grade, Nick decided he would pursue a career in music and would spend hours practicing lesson material and playing along to his favorite bands at the time—Rush, Dream Theater, Toto, and Iron Maiden.
Nick was accepted to New Jersey City University as a Jazz Performance major but he switched to Music Business after two years. Nowadays, Nick teaches privately, is the drumline instructor at Hanover Park High School, and plays gigs with cover bands and his original group, Progress Avenue. He has studied with Dom Famularo, Shirazette Tinnin, and Winard Harper.
Brian Wagner
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Brian was 8 years old when his older cousin dropped the needle of the Led Zeppelin IV record and in that moment Brian knew he would be a lifelong musician. Hearing the rolling guitar of Jimmy Page and the howl of Robert Plant influenced him at such an early age, he never looked back. For most of his youth, Brian played guitar and he began studying bass guitar as he approached his twenties.
Brian has studied with some of the best bass teachers he knows including John JD DeServio of Black Label Society and Dave LaRue of The Dixie Dregs. He has spent thousands of hours practicing his craft as a working bass and guitar player in multiple original projects and countless Northeast touring cover bands. Brian studied music at Monmouth University and County College of Morris. He also earned multiple certificate degrees in music and bass studies from Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Brian has been teaching and studying music for over 40 years and still actively performs as a bass player in rock cover bands and plays acoustic guitar in an acoustic duo. Brian is well-versed in all styles of music including rock, metal, blues, jazz, southern rock, and country.
Brian is excited to be part of the team at School of Rock Randolph!
Rocco Costanza
Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher
Rocco Costanza is a pop artist from New Jersey as well as a frontman for one of the biggest cover bands on the east coast, royals. Rocco has been in music for over 15 years and has accomplished playing, performing, and producing in the studio with international artists like the Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Kesha, Drake, and many more.
Rocco not only loves performing on stage but loves teaching behind the scenes and working with upcoming artists to find their originality in singing, performing, as well as songwriting.
Todd Phillippe
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Todd is a percussionist and guitar player with a passion for educating music students. Todd has been teaching music for nearly two decades. He attended Montclair State University and studied concert percussion, drum set, and world percussion focusing on Middle Eastern and South African hand drumming.
Todd also has an extensive background in marching percussion and marching ensemble directing. He was the Marching Band Director for a local high school for 15 years and used his skills in music composition to arrange and create award-winning field shows. Todd loves to play his acoustic guitar, hand drums, or drum set to jam band music tracks from bands like Phish or the Grateful Dead. When he isn’t teaching, you can find him spending time with his family or on his kayak fishing the local waterways.
Jade Delos Santos
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jade Delos Santos is a certified voice teacher with a background in vocal performance, acting, theater, piano (and other various instruments), and songwriting. After graduating from Roxbury High School, Jade earned their certification at the New York Voice School under the teachings of Justin Stoney and is currently working in the theater industry as a performer.
Jade has had a passion for music for her entire life, taking voice lessons, acting classes, and taking part in community theater in both New Jersey and New York City. Jade is proud and thrilled to be a part of the School of Rock Randolph team and help every student hone their voice to the best it can be.
Jazzy Thomas
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jazzy Thomas is a triple-threat performer with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Moravian College. She has performed in countless productions in various regional theaters of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Her focus in Musical Theatre and Opera has fueled her passion for storytelling through music.
Jazzy is trained not only in healthy vocal technique but also in preparing vocalists for performances and auditions. She is thrilled to join the School of Rock team in Randolph, New Jersey, and looks forward to helping students find their voices and stories in all genres.