Nero Catalano Music Director
Nero Catalano is a South Philly based composer and multi-instrumentalist, his specialty: the guitar. He has been active in the local music scene, recording and playing sold-out shows at the Trocadero, the TLA, Khyber and World Café Live with such acts as 722, Bebek, Franzschubert, Sensi Star, and Ashley Phillips. Nero has played jazz at the Kimmel Center, musical theater at the Walnut Street Theater, and rock at CBGB’s. He has toured as far as Shanghai, China. He studied and the Peabody Conservatory of Music and graduated from the University of the Arts. Nero has been teaching at PGSORM since 2002 and has directed such memorable shows as Classical Metal and the Big Fat 80s.
ncatalano@schoolofrock.comTeddi Tarnoff Assistant All-Star Music Director, Philly Office Manager, Vocal Instructor, Queen Diamond
Teddi Tarnoff started her musical development early in life. At the age of 2 she began studying the violin, and shortly after that, voice. Teddi is a classically trained vocalist who has studied under such notable names as Enza Ferrari and Bruno Rigacci. Teddi's time at Rock School started in 1999 as a student taking guitar lessons in Paul's apartment, and in 2001 she began teaching voice at the school. Teddi has performed all over the US as well as internationally with musicians Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ike Willis, Jon Anderson, Alice Cooper, Stewart Copeland and Eddie Vedder. Teddi graduated from Rock School and the All-Star program in 2004. She then studied Jazz at Temple University while staying on at the Rock School as an instructor, show director and Paul's assistant. Teddi is the lead singer of Queen Diamond and is devoting time to original music.
teddi@schoolofrock.comDylan Sherwood Mcconnell National Art Director- PGSORM, Department of Merchandise, Bass/Guitar Instructor, Master of All Trades.
I've been playing music for over 30 years, performed live from coast to coast, and written/recorded/produced literally thousands of songs. For the past 7 years, I have taught guitar and bass, directed dozens of shows, and worked directly with Paul Green to help build and develop this fun, unique, and extraordinarily progressive music school. In addition, its been my pleasure to help create many
of our branch's extra-curricular programs (WRSR-Rock School Radio, Black Lodge, Mandatory Movies, The White Lodge Gallery), exhibit and foster the merit of independent thought, and encourage our students to continually challenge their conceptions of themselves
as artists.
- Dylan
Yanni Papadopoulus Guitar/Bass Instructor, The greatest Greek musical hero of ALL TIME!!!!
They say, "Those that can't do teach." Well Yanni Papadopoulos is the exception to that rule. Winner of the City Paper's 1999 guitar hero award, YP has been rockin'' and astounding crowds internationally for 15 years. For the past four years he's been nurturing talent here at Rock School. His students receive no less than "Jedi" guitar training. YP believes modern man has given us many wonderful things, but they are all dwarfed by the powerful amalgamation of wood, metal and electricity known as the electric guitar. Currently he plays lead guitar in the progreesive rock power trio known as "Stinking Lizaveta" (Monotreme Records), and plays a Roland DG-20 in the ambient music project known as "Planet-Y" (Public Guilt Records). He also accompanies the Gypsy Hands Tribal Bellydancers in their annual perfomances at Bonarroo.
Dave Pap Drum Instructor, Dog Walker
Nearly a quarter century old, David Pap was born and raised in Philadelphia. David has been involved with the School of Rock for about 9 years. He started as a student and then began working at Rock School, taking on many different roles including drum instructor which he has been at for the past 5 years. He's dabbled in intellectual studies at Temple University and is currently taking a leave from college to focus on other aspects of life. David plays drums in Sweatheart and Oods, and is also a dog walker and band manager. He's been instrumental in growing Rock School's Wiffle Ball subcultutre.
-Anonymous
Cheshire Augusta Drum Instructor, Snack food junkie
'Agusta received a BA in music history and composition from Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pa. Graduate degrees include certification in the Kodaly method of teaching music, awarded by Lowell University, Lowell, Mass. She has a background in classical piano, studied harmony and composition with John Davidson at Haverford College, Haverford, Pa. and composes in both academic and rock styles. She studied drums in the DC area with the late Walter Salb, band leader, arranger and renowned jazz circuit player. In 1994 she and a colleague formed Stinking Lizaveta and built it into the international touring band it is today. Stinking Lizaveta has five full length releases recorded by Steve Albini and Steve Austin and has toured with Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, Hidden Hand, Weedeater, Torche and The Sword to name a few. She appears on Planet Earth and consequently at School of Rock, courtesy of her mom and by means of the eternal youth afforded to those who never miss an opportunity to rock hard.
Brian Cassidy Guitar/Bass Instructor, Paul Stanley stalker
Brian has been fortunate enough to tour the country from coast to coast and play such legendary venues as CBGB's, Don Hill's, The Trocadero, the Tweeter Center(Camden,NJ), J.C. Dobbs, Whiskey a Go-Go among many others. He has shared the stage with the likes of Slash, Kid Rock, Cypress Hill, and The Deftones. His original compositions have been played on commercial radio stations and syndicated across the country charting on AOR radio, including The Howard Stern Radio and Television show, the USA Network, and NFL Films.
Graduate of Musicians Institute in Hollywood CA.
Dave Turcotte Promotions Director, Alan Alda fanatic
While growing up in Long Beach CA, David was heavily influenced by
watching local acts such as TSOL, The Vandals, Sublime, No Doubt, At-The-Drive-In (Mars Volta) and WASH in back yards and small venues in his early teens. He has shared the stage with Reel Big Fish, Fishbone, The Skeletones, Banyan (members of Wilco/Janes Addiction), and The Pharcyde. With a very strong background in business and education, David looks to assist PGSOR with promotions, graphics, development and logistics for shows and events. David also doubles as the full-time director of admissions for Arcadia University.
Dom Angelella Guitar/Bass Instructor, Skin Care Specialist
Dominic Angelella was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1986 and spent his early years listening to whatever records he could get his hands on, attending a good amount of shows in various basements and warehouses. He moved to Philadelphia in 2004 to attend jazz school, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance from The University of the Arts in May 2008. While in school, he performed with indie/hip-hop/art rock outfit Nouveau Riche, and toured the U.S. and Canada with them. He has also toured extensively with his solo project Dragonzord. As a sideman, Dominic has performed with excellent musicians such as Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, J*Davey, Jaguar Wright, Dice Raw, Muhsinah, Patty Crash and Hop Along Queen Ansleis, and has shared the stage with Deerhoof, The Roots, Gnarls Barkley, and more.
Frank Vasalie Guitar Instructor, Beyonce impersonator
Frank Vasile has been teaching in the Philadelphia/ South Jersey area for the past 5 years. He has played a number of venues in and outside of Philadelphia including The World Café Live, The TLA, The Trocadero, and The Main Stage at The Knitting Factory NY. His playing has been heard on a number of College and AAA stations across the country including live performances on WFPK (Louisville) and WXPN (Philadelphia). In addition to his live experience, Frank has studio experience as an engineer, instrumentalist, and songwriter. He graduated from University of the Arts with a Bachelor's in Jazz performnace and studied classical guitar at Ithaca College. Frank is currently performing with both Bebek and Braxton Parker.