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.
Jodie
General Manager
Jodie is a passionate creative with over six years of experience working closely with musicians. She has spent her career organizing live shows, designing promotional flyers, and supporting artists behind the scenes. Having grown up in and around vibrant music communities, Jodie brings a deep love and understanding of the creative process to everything she does.
As General Manager at School of Rock Huntington, she’s dedicated to empowering the next generation of musicians and helping them grow both on stage and off.
Brett
Drum Teacher
Brett is an experienced lifelong drummer with a strong background in musical performance. He spent most of his career as an investment banker and is also a family man and former business owner. Brett is finally at a place in his life where he can devote more time to his true passion of teaching and playing drums. He has extensive experience with various styles and techniques of drumming and possesses a creative and collaborative mindset in music education.
Brett enjoys working with students of all ages and levels of experience. He also plays in a successful band that writes, records, and produces original music which can be found on iTunes, Spotify, and other streaming services under GUMP Band. Brett is a passionate teacher and performer who is enthusiastic about sharing his joy of music with others. Brett is a drum teacher at School of Rock Huntington.
Christian
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Christian studied guitar for years from acclaimed Long Island guitarist Tom San Filippo of the band Half Step. Christian loves to educate when it comes to music and understanding how to express oneself through the guitar. Currently, Christian plays and performs in two independent rock groups and has appeared on stages from New York City to Philadelphia.
Christian is driven to instruct and educate his students to have a thorough understanding of the guitar and improve their technical skills. Christian is a guitar and bass guitar teacher at the School of Rock in Huntington.
Dave
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Dave has two decades of experience as a musician and specializes in drums, percussion, woodwinds, and piano. He got his start at the age of 10 when a chance meeting with a music teacher prompted him to start clarinet. He attended Laguardia High School of Music and Art and Mannes School of Music, performing with the Laguardia Orchestra, the Mannes Concert Orchestra, and the ISO Orchestra. After graduating high school, David attended Queens College where he performed with the senior orchestra for three years. He's taken lessons with some of the most famous clarinetists in New York City including Bonnie Sholl, David Glazer, David Weber, and Stanley Drucker.
After years of clarinet lessons, David felt he needed a change. Percussion was always a love of his so after transferring to Lehman College in the Bronx, he started taking drum lessons. After four years of percussion lessons with Howard Hirsch, he began performing in various marching band groups and symphonic bands around New York City, trading the woodwind section for the percussion section. Currently, David gives private music instruction in all of his instruments, performs with various rock bands and cover band groups around the city, and writes original compositions in his spare time. David is a drum and keyboard teacher at the School of Rock in Huntington, Rockville Centre, Roslyn, and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
Karol
Drum Teacher
Karol Zabka is a drummer from Slovakia. His first step towards music was studying piano from the age of 7. When he was 15, he started to play the drums. After high school in 2009, Karol auditioned for the Jaroslav Jezek Music Conservatory in Prague and was accepted. It was the first time he received an education focused on jazz music. He was fortunate to study under the direction of well-known Czech jazz musicians Martin Sulc, David Doruzka, and Jaromir Honzak. While studying jazz, Karol was also exposed to a variety of styles of music.
Karol graduated conservatory with a diploma in music in 2012 and remained in Prague where he collaborated with artists in the Czech music scene. In 2014, Karol decided to grow his musical knowledge and apply to study at Berklee College of Music where he was honored to receive a scholarship award. At Berklee, he studied a Music Performance major. His main focus was to perfect his jazz language, studying with top musicians like Ralph Peterson, Neal Smith, and Darren Barrett who helped him improve his musicianship. In 2017 He had an opportunity to record with Ralph Peterson’s Gen Next Big Band, and the live album I Remember Bu was released in October 2018 including special guest Donald Harrison. During his studies in Boston, Karol unceasingly sought performance experience not only within the college campus. He has worked with many talented musicians while constantly developing his musical knowledge, strengthening his dedication, and fulfilling his passion for music. Karol graduated from Berklee in December 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in music performance and is a drum teacher at the School of Rock in Huntington, Queens, Rockville Centre, Roslyn and Syosset/Oyster Bay.