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
Assistant General Manager, Studio Coordinator, Rookies Teacher, Little Wings 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.
Kevin Hutchins
Guitar Teacher
Kevin Hutchins teaches guitar and bass at the School of Rock in North Haven, Connecticut. He also plays ukulele and enjoys using recording gear and software. Kevin 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.
Sydney Korchman
Assistant Music Director, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano 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 at School of Rock North Haven.
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!
Peter Brail
Drum Teacher
Peter has been playing the drums for over 25 years. His musical education began with an early introduction to drum-forward bands like Rush, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC, and has not stopped since. Peter started in his elementary school’s band program and eventually made his way to competitive drumline and other competitive music ensembles throughout his high school career. He went on to explore different instruments (though he never stopped playing the drums) and he continues to build upon his musical education.
Peter has written original music—both collaboratively and solo—in live settings and studios alike. He has played drums in several Connecticut-based bands (Dance, Charlatan!, Yuppy Flu, and Ghostwoods) that have performed throughout the tri-state area and opened for multiple national acts. Peter is excited to be part of the team and community at the School of Rock in North Haven, Connecticut. He looks forward to working with students of all ages to help them grow their musical talents.
Josh Taylor
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Josh is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who has been in many bands, including a band he joined in Atlanta that had a brief development contract with a major label. He began playing piano at age 6, was classically trained, and competed for about 10 years, earning state awards through the Iowa Music Teacher’s Association (IMTA) state competitions.
For fun, Josh writes songs now with his wife, who is an excellent vocalist. They also occasionally play locally in a family band with their two kids, who both happen to be School of Rock North Haven students! Josh is very excited to be a part of the School of Rock community both as a parent and instructor!
Landis Williams
Drum Teacher
Landis Williams is a devoted drummer, production engineer, singer, and rising keyboardist. Music has always been a big part of Landis’ life. He has 21 years of experience working with a multitude of artists, bands, and churches. After his time as a student at the Berklee College of Music, Landis has managed several artists, coordinated live events, and worked in social media management. Now, Landis is the Music Director of the upcoming group, “C Sharp.”
Outside of the music world, Landis has several years of experience working with children. With this experience, he is passionate about cultivating positive learning environments for all of his students. Landis is looking forward to working with the community of School of Rock North Haven.
Tyler Boileau
Guitar Teacher
Tyler is a dedicated guitar instructor at School of Rock North Haven with a passion for helping students achieve their musical goals. He began his guitar journey at the age of 12, building on his foundation in music through saxophone studies and formal guitar lessons. Driven by a love for music, Tyler expanded his knowledge through self-study, exploring music theory and technique through books and online resources inspired by his biggest influences, including Guns N’ Roses, Green Day, Aerosmith, Three Days Grace, and Avenged Sevenfold. With years of experience playing alongside his brothers and friends, Tyler has developed versatility across multiple genres, including classic rock, punk rock, country, and blues.
In his teaching, he emphasizes music theory, chord progressions, and technique while fostering an open-minded and enjoyable learning environment. Tyler is committed to making each lesson engaging and inspiring, encouraging students to explore their creativity and grow as musicians.
Simone DeLeon
Vocals Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Simone DeLeon has been involved in music from a young age. As a child, she was often found singing around the house and in the car, especially with her younger brother. Her love for music led her parents to enroll her in school musicals, summer camps, and lessons focused in vocals, keyboard + piano, and bass clarinet. Throughout high school, Simone remained deeply involved in the music program at Maloney High School, participating in choral ensembles, marching band, and concert band. These experiences solidified her decision to pursue a degree in Music Education.
She earned her bachelor's degree from Western Connecticut State University, where she developed a strong foundation in vocal and keyboard pedagogy. Simone was an active member of several university ensembles, including the University Singers and the Symphonic Band, and also performed with a student-run a cappella group that focused on original arrangements.
Simone’s passion for music is deeply connected to the sense of community it fosters. At School of Rock North Haven, she brings not only her musical expertise but also her dedication to building inclusive, collaborative spaces where creativity thrives.
Piper Birney
Vocals Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Piper Birney is a rising senior at The Hartt School at The University of Hartford, getting her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. She has always been a very musical person, beginning vocal lessons at the age of eight and shortly after auditioning for her first musical, Annie. Piper has previously been on the National Tour of How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical as Cindy Lou Who, as well as previous regional theatre work at The North Shore Music Theatre and Goodspeed Musicals.
While pursuing musical theatre, Piper also took an interest in instruments, taking private guitar lessons for several years, as well as piano lessons at none other than School of Rock. Throughout high school she began to assist with children’s theater groups which sparked a love for working and instructing children. On top of theater, she also currently works at the Wallingford Parks and Recreation teaching children’s gymnastics, and the West Hartford Mandel Jewish Community Center teaching children’s dance. Piper is so excited to add vocals and keyboard + piano lessons at School of Rock North Haven to her repertoire of teaching and to play a part in furthering her student’s love for music.
Gianna Castlevetro
Vocal Teacher
Gi is so happy to be back at School of Rock in a new capacity. From the age 13, she involved herself in lessons and performance programs at her local School of Rock partaking in multiple shows ranging in many different genres. Prior to that, she became inspired by musical theater and decided to join her town's community program. Being a part of productions from the age of eight until moving on at the age of 12 when she found her new passion in rock music. After discovering Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and being inspired by their sound, she joined her local School of Rock. Gi decided to join their Performance Program, later finding out that her first show would be Led Zeppelin, which deepened her infatuation with rock music.
Wanting to push herself further in the world of music, she made a decision to teach herself keyboard and guitar using Youtube. She felt a new found confidence blossom from teaching herself piano and guitar, which encouraged her to pursue writing her own music. Outside of writing her own music, Gi was the founder and lead vocalist for a group called Lions Mane. This taught her how to work with new musicians and to ensure that they were ready for upcoming shows was an exciting and challenging experience. After a few months, the group booked several gigs around Connecticut and learned how to work as to adjust set lists for their various gigs. The skills she gained from this band inspired her to continue working with different musicians. She later started a successful female acoustic duo called “The GEMtones," a solo acoustic act called “Lady Soul," and a father-daughter acoustic duo called “Passed Down."
Gi is excited to share her experience with her students at School of Rock North Haven. Her commitment to learning and performing music will prove valuable to all of her students hoping to find joy and confidence in their pursuit of music.
Adrian Ramos
Guitar Teacher
Adrian Ramos is a guitar teacher with nearly two decades of experience. From a young age, his father, a professional Flamenco guitarist, and his music-loving mother instilled a deep appreciation for the arts, sparking his passion for guitar. He began self-teaching at age 15, learning necessary techniques from songs he loved. Throughout his teens, he composed dozens of original songs across genres, and performed occasionally as a percussionist with his father’s group, The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble.
Adrian brought his passion into academia at Southern Connecticut State University, studying music theory, musicianship, and enrolling in private guitar lessons at the school. He performed in the university’s blues ensemble for several semesters, excelling on stage and finding a new appreciation for performing with a group. He eventually earned an Interdisciplinary Studies degree with a concentration in Music. He’s excited to help School of Rock North Haven students feel confident and inspired to share their love of music with peers and the world!