Bobby R.
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Assistant Show Director
Bobby picked up the guitar at the age of 13 and has been involved in music and performance ever since. Bobby has a bachelor of music degree from Five Towns College, where he studied with John Kelly and Peter Rogine. Though most of his college career was spent studying jazz music, Bobby’s knowledge and expertise span the genre spectrum to include classic rock, reggae, and blues.
Bobby has played guitar, bass, and keyboards in multiple bands since high school. He has performed numerous times at venues across Long Island and New York City with friends and he recorded, produced, and released his first full-length album by the age of 19. Bobby’s time playing with many different bands illuminated his capacity for teaching and his love for helping others learn music. During many practices he found himself teaching the other band members their parts. His work with his friends inspired Bobby to begin teaching privately and ultimately led him to the School of Rock in Riverhead, where he is a guitar teacher and keyboard + piano teacher.
Harry S.
Drum Teacher
Harry is a drummer who loves to perform live and inspire all of his students with his passion for music. He started playing drums as a School of Rock student at the age of 7 and continues to follow his musical passion professionally. He toured across the country for four consecutive years with the School of Rock AllStars.
Harry graduated from New York University in the spring of 2021 with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. One of his highlights at NYU was winning a quintet competition and traveling to Costa Rica to represent them. He was a co-masterclass instructor in Costa Rica and shared his musical ideas with many inspiring musicians of all ages.
Harry has experience recording music in a few different professional recording studios. He has experience being the drummer in musical theatre shows like Elf and Saturday Night Fever. He also performs in the tri-state area at private events that play Motown, rock, jazz standards, top 40, and many other genres.
Harry wants to share his love of music with as many people as he can, and he loves to inspire his students. Music is a language and he aspires to help his students find their own voice.
Julianna M.
Vocal Teacher, Little Wing + Rookies Director
Julianna is a singing teacher with a degree in early childhood education. On top of her vocal lessons, she can also be found directing shows, running our yearly holiday choir, and running every Rookies class that we have to offer!
As a School of Rock alum, Julianna is more than familiar with our programs and was even selected to the School of Rock AllStars program. Her experience with music has found her doing everything from singing in a funk band to belting "Painkiller" by Judas Priest. Julianna will likely be the person who welcomes you into our school!
Matt M.
Guitar Teacher
Matt is a guitar teacher at School of Rock Riverhead as well as the Music Director, House Band Director, and Show Director at School of Rock Port Jefferson. Throughout his time working at School of Rock, Matt has taught every level of class ranging from the Rookies program to directing the School of Rock AllStars program. Matt received his bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University.
Matt is a School of Rock alum and uses his past experiences in the program as well as his musical knowledge to motivate and educate all of his students. Matt has formed multiple rock and metal bands and is an active songwriter. His original bands have gotten to share stages with national acts including members of Guns N' Roses and Skid Row.
Matt encourages his students to not only work hard but to enjoy their musical journey in the hopes of also expanding their interests and goals.
Tim P.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Show Director
Tim is a bassist and composer with over 15 years of experience and education in music. He began playing bass at the age of 12, and quickly fell in love with the instrument. Three years later, he joined School of Rock as a student. During his School of Rock tenure, he became a member of his school’s House Band and was selected for the AllStars program in 2012.
After high school, Tim was accepted into the esteemed Berklee College of Music, where he earned his B.A. in Film Scoring with a minor in Video Game Scoring. Tim also continued his bass studies while at Berklee, and was recognized by the school when he received the Bass Department Achievement Award in 2017.
As a teacher, Tim strives to challenge each student while adapting to their individual needs and interests. He hopes to inspire every student to become the best bass player and overall musician that they can be!
Dave B.
Drum Teacher
Dave has had a passion for music and playing drums since age 11, having started off playing drums on games like Rock Band before eventually getting real drums. Dave’s musical experience ranges from not only being a School of Rock alum but also playing in concert/pep band throughout high school and then obtaining a bachelor's degree in music education from Five Towns College.
During his time at Five Towns College, Dave played in several ensembles, freelanced for local musicals, and even performed at local venues and released music with his musical projects. Not only does Dave have a long experience with the drums but he also has a background in recording after attending Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in high school for audio production. Dave is well known for his eccentric and rudimental playing within the metal/hardcore realm of music but his playing and influences run even deeper with genres like pop, hip-hop, punk, jazz, electronic, and funk to name a few.
Dave’s goal is to not only teach his students to play their hearts out on the drums, but to also teach them how to become self-sufficient musicians and expand their horizons and love for music so that they can be the best version of themselves behind the kit!
Lily G.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Lily is an international recording artist from Ukraine. She has known many different cultures, sings in many different languages (English, Spanish, Italian, French, Ukrainian, Polish, Greek, etc.), and her comprehensive music education (State Pedagogical University, Department of Music) includes Voice, Piano, Harp, Choir conducting, and music theory.
Lily's students range in age from very young to adults, and she has taught music at many levels and in unique circumstances from private lessons to full classroom instruction.
Lily has written, recorded, and performed her own music in the United States, Europe, and the UAE. She has performed with the Ukrainian Orchestra at the largest concert hall in Lviv, Ukraine, the 911 Band performing top 40 music throughout Ukraine and the Arab Emirates, the New Millennium Jazz Band in New York, and many solo engagements in Europe and the United States.
Her combined, extensive knowledge of the voice and how it works, along with her warm approach to teaching make for a wonderful experience for all of her students.
Derek C.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Rock101 Director, Assistant Show Director
Derek is a bass teacher and assistant show director at the School of Rock in Port Jefferson with a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oneonta. He began his lessons as a student at School of Rock and it was his experience there that motivated him to teach the next generation of rock stars. Having been a member of the Performance Program and House Band, Derek always managed to bring an infectious energy that made it impossible to ignore an often overlooked instrument. He has intimate knowledge of the School of Rock method and how it can bring out the best in his students.
Derek encourages his students to break out of their shells, go out of their comfort zones, and unleash their inner rock star. But above all else, he hopes his students remember that music is fun.
Nick S.
Guitar Teacher
Nick realized he was destined to be a musician for life when he was 14. He graduated cum laude from Five Towns College, where he studied music education, audio engineering, and classical and jazz guitar. Shortly after, Nick toured the U.S. with a pop-punk band. Since then, he has dedicated himself to a full-time career in music, working in music stores, teaching thousands of lessons, and performing gigs locally and out of state.
Nick has also provided live sound engineering for numerous bands and venues, toured with music legends, built his own guitars, recorded studio albums, and composed for his progressive metal band. Every Sunday, he plays guitar in churches while managing their live streams. Nick is fully immersed in the understanding and execution of sound, but he also prioritizes fun. He believes that learning should be enjoyable and not solely about overcoming challenges.