Michael Stearns
Owner, General Manager, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Music has been a part of Mike’s life from a very young age. It began with an infatuation with the musical Mary Poppins, where he learned every dance number and song by heart by the age of 5. From there, singing became something he did daily, whether it was in the car, around the house, or at school. By his freshman year of high school, Mike was beginning his classical training in voice and participating in the musicals put on by his high school, such as Singing in the Rain and Mary Poppins. Mike also became a part of a multitude of bands thanks to his time as a School of Rock student. While attending School of Rock in Madison, CT, he learned what it was like playing in a band with a variety of different kids and instructors. He quickly became a part of his school's House Band and even had the opportunity to try out for The Voice, making it as far as the round right before being flown out to California for the live show.
Throughout high school, Mike became a part of several rock bands playing in bars and venues around the state. His most successful, and the one he joined at the age of 15, is Presence. Presence is a Led Zeppelin tribute band and performs around Connecticut at a variety of well-known venues such as The Space Ballroom, The Acoustic, and Trinity on Main. They have been consistently compared to the other national acts covering Led Zeppelin and are seen as one of, if not, the best Led Zeppelin tribute band in the state. He has quickly become known for his impressive range, powerhouse voice, and passionate performances at every show.
Mike graduated from the University of South Carolina majoring in Entertainment Management with a minor in music. During his time there, Mike continued his classical voice training, received formal piano training, and spent time teaching himself bass and drums. After college, he returned to School of Rock Madison as a vocal and keys instructor, began running many of the school’s shows, and eventually became their Music Director. Mike spent two years teaching students as young as 5 and as old as 70. He now owns and operates his own School of Rock in North Haven and hopes to bring his love and passion for music to the next generation of musicians and help foster an amazing group of performers.
Jake Huffman
Music Director, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
At 14, Jake Huffman and his band McLovins posted a cover of Phish's "You Enjoy Myself" on YouTube from his parents' basement. The video went viral, igniting a global fanbase. Performing in bars to music festivals, Jake established himself as a fixture in the music scene. Sharing the stage with artists like Blink-182, Foster the People, B.B. King, and The Flaming Lips, Rolling Stone Magazine even likened McLovins to musical legends before they could legally drive.
In 2015, Jake captured the attention of Bill Sherman, an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning producer and composer. Teaming up with Glee producer Michael Novick, they produced the band's self-titled album. This record earned critical acclaim with Lin Manuel-Miranda even listing the track "Talk About It" as one of his favorites. The band toured nationally, sharing the stage with the Gin Blossoms and Flobots and performing at festivals like Bunbury and Summer Camp.
As a composer and lyricist for Sesame Street, Jake's musical prowess thrived and he collaborated with producer Andy Seltzer on a solo project. NPR's World Cafe premiered his debut release in October 2019 and Jake immersed himself in his studio, writing new music, refining his sound, and cultivating his skills as a producer. He released singles, launched "Jake Huffman's Sunday Mixdown" on YouTube, and became a certified music producer from Berklee College of Music. Two songs from his recent release, "Babe" and "Martyr," dominated the US Top 40 radio charts, with "Martyr" winning the International Songwriting Competition. His lyrical expertise earned him a Hollywood Independent Music Award nomination. Notable publications like Atwood Magazine, Wonderland, EarMilk, and Celebmix recognized him as an artist to watch.
With a career already spanning a lifetime before the age of 30, Jake Huffman's latest EP "Younger" stands as a testament to his journey. His distinct sound, spanning rock roots to the contemporary vibe of the 2020s, showcases his exceptional talent, remarkable songwriting, and outstanding production.
Lauren Stearns
Studio Coordinator, Rookies Teacher, Little Wing Teacher
Lauren Stearns is a certified elementary school teacher with several years of experience working with children in various settings. She has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in English and speech communications, as well as a master’s degree in elementary education from Southern Connecticut State University.
Lauren has worked as a teacher’s assistant in several higher education courses including English and the First Year Experience, where she had the opportunity to connect with students, helping them to find success in their courses. She was also an academic tutor and success coach during her undergrad, where she would aid students in goal setting, study skills, and academic support.
At School of Rock North Haven, Lauren is the Studio Coordinator and assists in Rookies and Little Wing. She is excited to be working alongside her brother, Mike, and the wonderful School of Rock North Haven staff. Lauren is looking forward to connecting with students and their families as they begin their musical journeys at School of Rock.
Chris Connelly
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Chris Connelly is a professional guitarist performing and teaching throughout Connecticut, with over a decade of teaching and performing experience. Chris has taught in a variety of music education settings such as Buck’s Rock Camp in New Milford, School of Rock in Ridgefield, West Main Music Academy in Cheshire, and directing after-school modern music programs at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury.
Chris freelances on guitar with a multitude of Connecticut-based songwriters and frequently performs across the state. His approach to guitar
instruction contains multitudes of contemporary styles—pop, rock, country, blues, jazz, and funk. Chris implores goal setting, constructive (and gentle!) criticism, and interpersonal communication, all of which help students not only further their guitar goals, but their overall
musicianship. Chris aspires to be a public school music teacher one day.
Gabe Acevedo
Drum Teacher
Gabe Acevedo has had a lifelong love affair with music, the drum kit, and percussive instruments in general. As a young drummer in Miami, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri, Gabe explored many musical styles and began performing live with much older musicians at the age of 12. In high school, he began to expand his interests to marching/drum line percussive instruments and orchestral timpani and served as first chair drummer in the award-winning Riverview Gardens High School (St. Louis, Missouri) jazz band.
After high school, Gabe decided to forgo plans for a college music degree and joined The Vision Band, a St. Louis-based funk and R&B band that would eventually garner a major recording contract with Capitol Records, recording two albums under the names Da Krash and later as Kool Skool. This led to touring nationally, opening slots at major R&B venues and summer festivals, as well as international performances in several major markets in Japan. Later, Gabe would turn his energies to songwriting and production and co-wrote the song “Carry Me,” a charting hit in Europe that was covered by the band Clubland.
After many years in music, Gabe decided to return to school and he earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Theology from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN) and later his Ph.D. in Sociology at Yale (2005). After teaching over a decade in the Department of Sociology and Public Health at the University of Texas in San Antonio (UTSA), Gabe recently accepted a position at Quinnipiac University where he serves as Assistant Director of the Honors Program and Senior Lecturer in Sociology. While he has moved his professional trajectory toward higher education, Gabe continues to have a passion for music, teaching, and using art as a way to strengthen communities.
Thomas Mueller
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Thomas Mueller is an accomplished musician in piano and vocal performance. He earned his bachelor's degree in music from Clark University, specializing in performance and composition. Thomas is a versatile pianist in a multitude of genres including jazz, classical, and pop. He has showcased his skills in jazz combos, jazz ensembles, and bands, covering a spectrum of top 40 hits.
Thomas plays keys in the CT-based Billy Joel tribute band, Stiletto, performing at venues such as MGM, Lake Compounce, and the Phoenix Stage Company. He has partnered with the Grammy Award-winning Mechanics Hall, where he orchestrated a film and album titled "Seniors Love
Jazz" which features five original arrangements and two compositions that he directed and vocally performed. His instructional topics encompass technique refinement, improvisation, lead sheet interpretation, and music theory. Thomas offers exceptional performances and transformative music lessons and guarantees a humble and enriching experience that stems from his deep-rooted love for music.
Kevin Hutchins
Guitar Teacher
Kevin Hutchins teaches guitar and bass and also plays ukulele and enjoys using recording gear and software. He started playing guitar in the sixth grade and continues to play today. Kevin likes to play a range of genres including blues, rock, hip-hop, and ska. He has played in two bands and released albums and music projects on Spotify and Apple Music. Kevin loves music and the amazing energy that seems to bind everyone together in the form of pure expression.
Brian Nolan
Guitar Teacher
Brian Nolan has been a musician from a very young age. He started with the saxophone at the age of 10, then began learning the guitar at 12 years old. His interest began when he began to explore classic rock and blues hits primarily influenced by AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix.
Later in life, Brian rediscovered his jazz roots planted during his time studying saxophone. First influenced by John Coltrane, Brian shifted from blues guitar to jazz guitar with his favorite artists being Joe Pass and Kenny Burrell. Brian studied music in North Haven, Connecticut, and Poughkeepsie, New York, and currently hosts his guitar lessons throughout Connecticut. He has been playing live shows around Wallingford since graduating college while working diligently to expand his teaching skills.
Jack Hellman
Drum Teacher
Jack Hellman is a drum teacher here at School of Rock North Haven. Jack has had a strong passion for music since he was a kid and pursued the drums at a very young age. On his way to lessons, Jack would listen to the radio, feeling very inspired by various genres including rock, hip-hop, pop, metal, punk, and R&B. From his first drum lesson, Jack took a liking and later got his first drum kit so that he could practice at home. When Jack entered middle school, he joined his local School of Rock where he continued to pursue the drums as well as participated in several performance programs during his time there. He loved taking part in the performance programs because they allowed him to perform across Connecticut and New York while he was in high school.
This kickstarted Jack’s solo drumming career where he played in several bands outside of School of Rock including Perfume Department and Milfoil. After high school, Jack attended Franklin Pierce University where he received his Bachelor’s of Music with a concentration in Audio/Music Production. Here, he gained skills in recording and producing live instruments as well as electronic music. Jack is looking forward to joining the School of Rock North Haven community where he will be teaching drums and participating in instructing various performance programs!
Isabella Dolce
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Isabella Dolce is an acquired musician and a graduate of Western Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Isabella has several years of experience working with children, and teaching voice and piano lessons, along with classes similar to our Little Wing and Rookies programs.
Isabella has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Festival Disney. Isabella began singing and performing at the age of 7 when she became classically trained, singing in chamber choirs and productions and performing in operas. Isabella’s philosophy is for her students to develop a deep passion for music and become the best musicians they can be while having the most fun in their lessons. Isabella is ecstatic to be a part of the School of Rock North Haven community, and to connect with students and families.
Sydney Korchman
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Little Wing Teacher
Sydney Korchman is a multi-instrumentalist and graduate of Berklee College of Music with a bachelor's degree in music therapy. Sydney’s musical journey began at a very young age singing along to the radio, movies, and her favorite cassette tapes of The Sound of Music and Annie. As she got older, her passion for music blossomed as she began to play the violin, performed in musical theater productions, sang in choirs, as well as took piano and guitar lessons.
Throughout her education at Berklee, Sydney grew exponentially as a musician, collaborating with performers, composers, and producers with diverse musical backgrounds. As a music therapy major, Sydney gained experience working with children and adults through her music therapy practicum placements and her internship at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. Outside of Berklee, Sydney has had the pleasure of performing jazz, pop, rock, and R&B styles with immensely talented musicians at venues both in Long Island and Connecticut.
Sydney is beyond excited to contribute to her own students’ musical journeys and help create a safe space for her students, staff, and families to learn and grow.
Dylan Barnes
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Dylan is a professional guitarist with a passion for music education. Originally from Long Beach, California, Dylan honed his skills while studying at Berklee College of Music under the guidance of some of the top jazz guitar players in the industry, including Tim Miller, Bruce Foreman, Freddie Bryant, and Norman Zocher.
Dylan has an extensive performance history. He has played at weddings across the Northeast, provided music for Sunday services at Fellowship Christian Church, and performed at numerous club gigs throughout Boston and the greater Hartford area. His accolades include multiple scholarships for college and a bronze medal in music composition at the national NAACP Act-So competition in his second year.
As a teacher, Dylan's approach is informed by his own musical journey. He believes in teaching his students the music they love while also introducing them to the theory behind it. His teaching style is designed to inspire and motivate his students to achieve their musical goals, whether they're beginners or advanced players.
Winston Whyte
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Winston is a versatile musician with a deep passion for teaching. His diverse talents span many genres—including gospel, hip hop, R&B, jazz fusion, funk, and reggae—showcasing a rich creative range both on stage and behind the scenes! As a musician, Winston brings a wide array of styles to life, while his expertise as a live sound engineer ensures every performance achieves optimal sonic clarity. His work as a photographer and videographer captures the profound emotion and energy of music, adding a visual dimension to his artistic projects.
With a decade of experience in applied behavior analysis as a registered behavior technician, Winston is driven by a commitment to education! Whether through teaching music, audio engineering, or visual storytelling, he inspires and empowers aspiring artists and creators to reach their full potential. Winston's unique blend of artistic, technical, and educational pursuits allows him to offer a comprehensive approach to the arts, enriching the experiences of both his audiences and students alike!