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 Rockville Centre. 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 Rockville Centre knowing that it would change the lives of those who walked through the doors. School of Rock Rockville Centre 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, 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, and 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 the School of Rock locations in 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 in Rockville Centre, NY as the Regional General Manager and 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.
John
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Show Director
John is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Oceanside, NY. With a background deeply rooted in punk and progressive rock, his philosophy is focused on developing the musical acuity and passion of his students. A drum student since he was 6 years old and a self-taught guitarist, John has spent his life studying both the method of music theory as well as the art of songwriting. He received his bachelor's degree in music from the City College of NY. By focusing on aural development and comprehension, his curriculum is designed to prepare students for the unique challenges that accompany group performance. John currently plays guitar in the Long Island-based post/math rock band, It Came From Space. John is a bass, guitar, keyboard, and drum instructor at School of Rock Huntington, Rockville Centre, Roslyn, and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
Amber
Studio Coordinator, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Amber started singing at the age of 10 and has not looked back since. As a graduate of School of Rock Rockville Centre and a multi-year member of the School of Rock House Band, Amber is determined to provide the life-changing experience that she had to students. She has performed at venues such as The Bitter End in New York City, Revolution in Amityville, the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, and more. She currently attends Five Towns College, pursuing a degree in Vocal Performance. She is a vocal instructor and Studio Coordinator at School of Rock Rockville Centre.
Anna
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Show Director
Anna is a multi-instrumentalist currently based in Brooklyn, NY. Sh started playing the piano at age 5 but switched to focusing on the guitar at age 9 and took lessons for the next 10 years, alongside playing the drums and bass. Anna studied classical music theory heavily throughout high school and now is majoring in audio engineering at New York University.
Anna has played in bands ranging from indie pop to noise rock to country, as well as playing in musical pit orchestras, and she writes reviews for a variety of small music publications. She currently records and performs with the bands It Takes Dedication and Such a Pretty Face, among many others. She is a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher at the School of Rock in Rockville Centre.
Anthony D.
Drum Teacher
Hailing from Long Island, Anthony is a drummer and multi-instrumentalist focusing on songwriting. He started his musical journey at age 9 by learning saxophone, drums, and piano simultaneously. Anthony would then gain experience with bass, guitar, and vocals.
For over a decade, Anthony has been performing in various ensembles and bands in New York and greater Boston where he was a member of the third-ever cohort of Harvard-Berklee dual-degree students. As an undergraduate, Anthony studied drum performance and songwriting while also rehearsing for various musicals, concerts, and cover bands. Though trained primarily in rock and jazz, his stylistic capabilities and experience range from Latin to disco and funk.
Anthony graduated with a bachelor's degree in physics from Harvard University and a master's degree in songwriting and production from Berklee NYC. He is a drum instructor at the School of Rock in Rockville Centre.
Anthony
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Anthony is a New York-based guitar player, and TV, film, and multimedia composer with over 35 years of playing, composing, and recording experience combined. He composed all of the original music for the documentary "Dennis and Lois" (Casspix Productions). He is the former composer for the IFC show, Maron, which he also composed the main titles for.
Anthony's past contributions to TV and film include: "My Dead Boyfriend" (Cohen Media Group), Beware The Gonzo (Corner Store Entertainment), Side By Side (documentary - Produced by Keanu Reeves), and the acclaimed FX series Lights Out, where he is credited as co-writer of the main titles and composer of the "previously on." In addition, he composed and currently performs all of the music for the children's play, "Hatched," as well as "Olive and Pearl"(Treehouse Shakers).
Anthony has performed in many bands, including Garden Variety, Vic Thrill, Little Embers, The Nefarious Pow, and Local Zeros. He teaches guitar and bass at School of Rock Huntington, Rockville Centre, Roslyn, and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
Dan
Drum Teacher
Dan is a drummer from Long Island, New York. As a School of Rock alum, Dan has spent much of his life playing and performing music, whether through various shows in the Performance program or as a member of the House Band.
Dan currently attends LIU Brooklyn for music technology and production and performs in various bands along Long Island. Dan is a drum teacher at School of Rock Rockville Centre.
Danny
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Years ago when Danny decided to start sharing his musical knowledge with children he quickly realized how rewarding it would be. Now, looking back, he sees the accomplished musicians he has helped develop. Companies such as Sabian, Vater, and Drum Workshop have Danny on their education and artist rosters and each company retains him to hold clinics and masterclasses.
Danny studied Music at Nassau Community College, Drummers Collective, and continues his education with the well-known instructors Joe Morello, Jojo Mayer, and Frank Bellucci. Danny has played with several national acts touring globally. His focus is drum set, snare drum, and mallets along with the preparation of his students for NYSSMA.
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 decided to take 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 School of Rock Huntington, Rockville Centre, Roslyn, and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
Dominick
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Dominick is a piano teacher and voice teacher at the School of Rock in Rockville Centre. Dominick was a jazz major at Manhattan School of Music's pre-college program and went on to study jazz trumpet, classical voice, and music education at William Paterson University of New Jersey. Dominick is an experienced musician and trained educator whose lessons are focused on engaging students in musical experiences and adapting instruction to meet the needs of every learner. As well as performing, Dominick is also passionate about composing and arranging music. Dominick possesses a wealth of knowledge regarding music theory in a variety of traditions and helps students grow in musical literacy, enhance musical awareness, and achieve songwriting goals.
Dylan
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Dylan is a multi-instrumentalist and singer from New York, NY. He is a former School of Rock student who learned guitar and bass and performed in his school's House Band. He performed at venues such as the Met, Bryant Park, and the Bitter End.
Dylan wrote and recorded music for four EPs through the School of Rock Songwriting program, along with writing and producing a full-length solo LP on Garageband. In college, he arranged and performed pieces for his a cappella group, After Dark, and simultaneously taught newer members how to create a cappella arrangements. During this time, he also trained in jazz theory and keyboard skills, ultimately receiving his Minor in Music.
With combined professional experience in education and music, Dylan is passionate about creating music and inspiring musical creativity in others. He now teaches guitar, piano, bass, and vocals at the School of Rock in Rockville Centre.
Jack "Shades"
Drum Teacher
Jack, aka "Shades", is a School of Rock alum. He began his journey at School of Rock at 11 years old studying percussion, drums, piano, and music theory under School of Rock department head Dan Lamagna. He went on to receive a scholarship to the NYU Sandbox Percussion Program focusing on ensemble percussion and is now finishing his studies at the University of New Haven studying Music Industry and Education.
Jack has been invited to perform in several orchestra pits including the Groove Haven Performance Group. He was in the School of Rock House Band for several years and he continued his journey as a songwriter, recording artist, and Pro-Tools production specialist once he graduated. Jack has toured the country performing and is excited to come back to his music alma mater, the School of Rock in Huntington, Rockville Centre, Roslyn, and Syosset/Oyster Bay as a drum instructor.
Jesse
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Show Director
Jesse is a multi-instrumentalist hailing from Long Island. He is a classically trained pianist and is currently studying solo jazz and classical piano. Jesse has studied classical and jazz music theory for over a decade and is a certified audio engineer/session musician working with some of the top recording studios New York has to offer.
Jesse has played for many groups ranging from bebop, modal jazz, and orchestras, to art rock, psychedelic and electronic. He currently records and performs with a jazz fusion band called Little Umbrellas, and also writes and records a plethora of his own compositions. Jesse is a keyboard + piano teacher at School of Rock Rockville Centre.
Jimmy
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Jimmy is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist out of Amityville, NY. Jimmy is self-taught on the guitar since the age of 15 and started on the path of music discovery when he joined his first band a year later in Indiana. After five years of touring and recording as a guitarist he began to find his voice as a singer, moving to New York and fronting popular bands in both NYC and Long Island. Jimmy has studied under and received lessons from renowned vocal instructor Bret Manning who works with Hayley Williams of Paramore and Robert J. Lunte who has worked with Chris Cornell and Steven Tyler. Currently, Jimmy is the singer and guitarist for the rock band, Craving Strange, who have released two albums, toured the country, and licensed music to movies and television. Jimmy is a singing teacher and a guitar teacher at School of Rock Huntington, Rockville Centre, Roslyn, and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
Kevin
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher
Born and raised in New York, Kevin began his musical studies on guitar when he was 18 years old. While attending the State University of New York at New Paltz, Kevin began to take an interest in jazz. He pursued a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies studying with Mark Dziuba, Vinnie Martucci, John Menegon, and Jeff "Siege" Siegel. After graduating, he started his career as a sound engineer at the ShapeShifter Lab in Brooklyn, NY, where he studied with bass virtuoso Matthew Garrison.
Kevin has performed with many musicians such as Aaron Parks, David Savitsky, Rachel Therrien, Dean Sharp, Sean Wayland, Mark Ferber, Andrew Atkinson, Ira Coleman, Jeremy Powell, and many more. Continuing his journey, he has played at ShapeShifter Lab, Bowery Electric, Shrine, Highline Ballroom, Muchmore's, Silvana, Williamsburg Music Center, The Falcon, Tomi Jazz, Pianos, Mohegan Sun, Garment District Art Festival, and a myriad of bars and restaurants.
In 2018, Kevin released his first record titled "Paramedic" featuring some of his original compositions. The jazz publication All About Jazz quotes "'Paramedic' introduces an emerging guitarist with something to say. His compositions are thoughtful, and his playing is focused. Joined by a stellar cast, the ensemble cranks out a succinct program of memorable performances." Kevin plans on finishing and releasing his second record Fading Light summer of 2021.
Kevin is a guitar teacher at School of Rock Huntington and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
Matt
Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Matt is a guitarist and vocalist who plays around Long Island and the New York City area with two bands. A former School of Rock student, Matt spent years in the Performance Program in various shows both playing guitar and singing. He has been playing guitar for over eight years and is extremely excited to begin teaching students just beginning their musical journey. Matt is a guitar and vocal teacher at School of Rock Rockville Centre.
Michael
Guitar Teacher
Michael was born in Whitestone, New York. His parents introduced him to music while in utero, listening to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Zappa—the classics. It was his grandfather who handed him his first guitar and that one Christmas gift forever changed his life. Guitar Hero was fun to play but when he actually held a guitar he knew the game wouldn’t be enough. From that moment on his passion for the instrument began his journey into songwriting.
Michael was attending classes at School of Rock by the age of 10. He felt at home there with other kids just like him. It was School of Rock that introduced Michael to performing. The school had such a profound impact on him that he is now one of the top instructors and directors at three (3) New York area School of Rock locations in which he is also the co-owner. He is presently using his teaching skills to create an instructional video series in partnership with ESP Guitars, one of his musical instrument endorsers.
At the age of 13, Michael formed his band, The Inoculated Canaries. He was in his science class when the instructor mentioned inoculating canaries during the bird flu. The band’s first EP, The Blue Laws, was soon followed by their single “Don’t Be Late” and an acoustic version of the song “Jericho.” Their second EP, Trying Times, was also followed by singles “Count Me Out,” “Who Are You?,” “The Lawyer’s Wife,” “Sneakers,” “Donna,” and “Hypocrite.”
Michael formed a second band, King Falcon. They released their debut single “Shake!, Shake! Shake!” in early 2020. Both bands are actively writing, recording, and performing.
Today, Michael is endorsed by ESP Guitars. Matt Masciandaro, President and CEO of ESP Guitars comments: “ESP works with many of rock’s leading guitarists, and Michael’s amazing technique, stylistic range, tone, and phrasing make him a welcome addition to our team.” Tony Rauser, Director of Artist Relations, adds: “We are happy to welcome Michael of King Falcon to the ESP artist family! Michael’s unique and melodic playing style is showcased perfectly in his first ESP video lesson series.”
Sam
Vocal Teacher, Assistant Show Director
Sam is an active singer and actor based out of Manhattan. Sam has been performing professionally for over a decade and his career has taken him across the world performing on five different cruise ships and various regional theaters. Sam is a vocal teacher at School of Rock Rockville Centre.
Steve
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Steve has been a rock music lover since he was in 3rd grade. Fast forward to the present, and Steve has not only played in multiple established local rock bands but also has 20+ years of experience teaching music to kids. Steve's passion for music and teaching is seen the moment he meets a student for the first time. All of Steve's students leave their lessons with a big smile on their face, which is important for kids when learning something new. Steve is a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher, drum teacher, and show director at the School of Rock in Rockville Centre.