Ryan Tedesco
Music Director, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Ryan is an experienced multi-instrumentalist and music teacher at School of Rock Milford, specializing in drums, bass guitar, and guitar lessons. He holds a B.S. in Music and Sound Recording from the University of New Haven and brings both technical expertise and real-world performance experience to his teaching.
Outside the classroom, Ryan stays active in the local music scene—he plays drums for six gigging bands, serves as the lead songwriter for his rock/pop-punk band If Not When, and writes drum and bass parts for his indie rock project Olivares. With years of professional teaching, recording, and live performance experience, Ryan helps his students at School of Rock Milford build strong musicianship, confidence, and stage presence through hands-on, performance-based learning.
Alex McElwee
Vocal Teacher, Show Director, Studio Coordinator
Alex is a talented vocal teacher, show director, and one of our dedicated studio coordinators. An experienced vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, she also plays guitar, drums, bass guitar, and keyboard + piano.
Alex began her music journey as a guitar student at School of Rock Fairfield, where she discovered her passion for performing and teaching. Now, she brings that same energy and enthusiasm to her singing lessons and music education work here at School of Rock Milford.
A former member of The Midnight Set and a proud Paramore fan, Alex loves helping students build confidence, explore their creativity, and find their voice—both on stage and off.
Will Troia
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Show Director
Will is a talented multi-instrumentalist and dedicated music teacher at School of Rock Milford, where he teaches guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard + piano lessons. A lifelong musician, Will has been playing for as long as he can remember and brings a deep love for all kinds of music—from classical to rock and roll.
With over ten years of experience teaching guitar, Will focuses on helping each student discover their own sound and confidence as a performer. His teaching style is supportive and adaptable, encouraging students to find joy and passion in their unique musical journey—whether they’re picking up an instrument for the first time or looking to take their playing to the next level.
Tatiana Castillo
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Tatiana is a talented multi-instrumentalist who teaches guitar, bass, and vocals. Her love for music started young, inspired by playing Guitar Hero with her brother—then turning those favorite songs into real instruments and skills.
A former School of Rock student and member of her school’s House Band, Tatiana knows firsthand how exciting it is when a challenging skill finally clicks. She loves seeing her students’ eyes light up during those breakthrough moments. Tatiana currently plays in the band If Not When (think Blink-182 meets Tool) and the grunge/alt band Cadmium. She’s passionate about blending genres, experimenting with new sounds, and helping her students at School of Rock Milford unlock their full creative potential through engaging, personalized lessons.
Laurel Bennett
Keyboard Teacher
Laurel is a keyboardist and vocalist from Madison, Connecticut, who also plays guitar and flute. Laurel is currently working towards her masters in Music Therapy at Southern Connecticut State University. Laurel began singing and playing piano at a very young age and has been consumed by music ever since. She loves performing live, and is a current member of the Purple Fusion Band. She also works with Hip-Hop artists and performs with the Jazz quartet, Quarter Tones.
Nate Kristan
Guitar Teacher
Nate is a passionate musician and guitar teacher who also teaches bass guitar and keyboard + piano lessons. Originally from New Haven, he has been playing music for more than 19 years and comes from a musical family that inspired his lifelong love of sound and creativity.
Music has always been a source of joy and connection for Nate. He believes that playing and sharing music brings people together and makes the world a better place. Through his music lessons, Nate helps students at School of Rock Milford build confidence, develop their skills, and discover their own unique musical voices. He’s dedicated to guiding each student on their journey with patience, experience, and genuine enthusiasm.
Justin Howland
Drum Teacher
Justin Howland grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut, and started playing drums at 10 years old. He began learning drums and percussion in school and started playing in his own bands as early as 13 years old.
After high school, Justin attended The Drummers Collective in New York City to study jazz, Afro-Cuban, funk, and Latin drumming. For the last 25 years, Justin has been playing live, teaching, writing, and recording in various musical projects such as Mos Opus, Hot Chaos, The Relative Souls, and Celebrating Queen.
Justin has been teaching since 2010 and puts a big emphasis on timing, feel, and groove. His favorite thing about teaching at the School of Rock in Milford is the relaxed, positive atmosphere, seeing kids become confident on their instruments, and having fun playing together.
Nico Clayton
Vocal Teacher
Nico is a skilled vocal teacher and proud Milford native with a lifelong passion for music. While she primarily teaches singing lessons, she also has experience playing bass guitar, guitar, and keyboard + piano. Nico earned her associate’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management from Gateway Community College and brings both creativity and professionalism to her teaching.
Her love for music started early, inspired by artists like Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, and Joss Stone. At just 8 years old, Nico began formal vocal lessons with a classically trained opera singer who encouraged her to join the United Girls Choir. After a year of choral training, she became a School of Rock student, expanding her skills in vocals, bass guitar, guitar, and keyboard + piano. She later continued her music education at the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven.
Having grown up deeply influenced by her own music teachers, Nico’s favorite part of teaching is giving back—helping her students at School of Rock Milford grow as singers and musicians while sharing the same inspiration and encouragement that shaped her own musical journey.
Alisa Korneyeva
Drum Teacher
Alisa is a School of Rock alum and passionate drum instructor with over 11 years of drumming experience. Originally from Crimea, she moved to the United States at age 12 and later graduated from the University of New Haven with a major in Architecture and a minor in Civil Engineering.
Well-versed in a wide range of drumming styles—from jazz to Afro-Cuban percussion—Alisa brings a rich musical background and global perspective to her teaching. As a music educator, she loves sharing her knowledge and helping students grow as confident, creative musicians. Her goal is to inspire every student to discover their unique rhythm and love for music through engaging lessons that support success in School of Rock Milford's performance-based programs.
Ethan Miller
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Ethan Miller is a lifelong musician and one of our advanced guitar instructors. Originally from Waterbury, Connecticut, he began playing guitar at age five—thanks to a little encouragement from his mom—and hasn’t stopped since.
Ethan grew up attending School of Rock Fairfield, where his passion for music took off. In addition to guitar, he’s also performed on clarinet, alto saxophone, and drums, giving him a well-rounded musical background. He later earned his degree in music production from The Hartt School, combining his performance experience with technical expertise.
As a teacher at School of Rock Milford, Ethan loves watching his students grow—celebrating every small step they take toward reaching big musical goals. His teaching style is focused, supportive, and driven by a genuine love for sharing music.
Joe Strolin
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Joe Strolin is an advanced drum teacher with a lifelong passion for music. Originally from Trumbull, he began playing drums at age eight, inspired by his grandfather—an avid jazz drummer and singer. His love for rhythm and performance grew even stronger when he started taking private lessons with a family friend who worked on several notable projects, including the theme music for the hit TV show Family Guy.
In addition to drums, Joe also plays guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard + piano, giving him a broad musical perspective that enriches his drum lessons and approach to teaching. One of Joe’s favorite parts of being a teacher at School of Rock Milford is sharing timeless songs from legendary musicians with his students—and discovering the unique musical styles that inspire each of them.
Pierce Klein
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Pierce is an advanced drum and guitar instructor with over eleven years of playing experience. Growing up surrounded by music, he also plays cello and appreciates a wide range of genres—from classical to rock.
Pierce studied at Endicott College and The University of Chicago, and currently performs with the band Etherlord. His diverse musical background and passion for performance make him a versatile and dedicated music teacher who helps students grow their skills and find their own sound at School of Rock Milford.
Robert Z. Barnes
Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Robert Z. Barnes is an experienced multi-instrumentalist, drum and vocal instructor, and music producer with over a decade of experience in percussion performance and education. Trained across jazz, symphonic, and marching percussion, Robert brings a fresh, well-rounded approach to music education, storytelling, and live performance. His background in music production, composition, and entertainment business allows him to connect artistic creativity with real-world industry insight.
Outside the classroom, Robert is an active performer and producer, running his own entertainment company and performing percussion with his two-piece band, Mean Cajón, at public venues and private events. As an experienced music educator, Robert specializes in helping students of all skill levels—whether picking up an instrument for the first time or refining advanced performance techniques.
At School of Rock Milford, Robert focuses on developing each student’s technical skill, rhythm, and musicianship while fostering artistic expression, confidence, and performance ability. His music lessons emphasize the balance between technical excellence and musical creativity, helping students grow as both musicians and performers.