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Regional Manager & Music Director
Dylan's training is Classical and Jazz but his heart is all Rock n Roll. Coming to School of Rock as a multi-instrumentalist he took the school by storm and quickly became the Assistant General Manager. With a Music Education degree from Five Towns College and now a Master's Degree in Music Education from Hofstra University, Dylan has had the incredible opportunities to perform in Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra and Theatre Orchestra on multiple instruments including the Upright and Electric Bass. Of course when not a part of the orchestra he toured with local rock bands playing drums, keys and the bass! A lesson with Dylan means a lesson in theory, ear training, performance and exposure to multiple genres of music. His students are often hit with a lightening round of "Quick, name as many Bass players as you can!" -
Owner & Regional Manager
The best way that I can introduce myself to you is to tell you my story. I cannot tell you that from a young age I knew that this was where I wanted to be, but in truth, my life has always lead me to this school. I grew up in a talented home, that is everyone had musical talent except me. My dad, a self taught musician, could play anything you put in front of him. I, on the other hand,was musically challenged. I would sing (and still do) at the top of my lungs not really caring that I was pitchy and off beat. My parents sent me for piano lessons even though I wanted to play the drums. After the second month, the instructor told me he would pay me to stop going if I promised not to tell anyone I had been his student. True story!! Our son Michael became interested in playing the guitar at a young age. My husband, Gene and I encouraged him to play but quickly realized that taking lessons just wasn't enough. Coming home and practicing on his own wasn't fun. Like most of you, I turned to my dear trusty friend Google to help us solve the problem. I asked Google what we could do to "help our child find other kids to play music with." Google replied "School of Rock." I was in disbelief. Google had made a mistake! We all know that School of Rock was a movie, how would that help my child? What I didn't know was that the movie resulted from an actual school. THE SCHOOL OF ROCK! We quickly scheduled an appointment thinking this was all just too good to be true. I had no idea that Google had not only changed my son's life, but the life of my entire family! Throughout Michael's years at School of Rock I turned my photography to the concert world. I was not only fortunate to have met some incredible artists, but I am lucky to now call them my friends. They introduced me to the music business teaching me about recording, managing, touring, 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 at this time that Gene told me he knew what my calling was, he was right! We started our School of Rock knowing that it would change the lives of those who walked through our doors. Our school is a clubhouse for our students. They have a place to express themselves musically and are challenged by the incredible teachers that are here. Together, we are the School of Rock Rockville Centre family.
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Guitar & Bass Guitar Instructor
Anthony Rizzo is a New York based guitar player, 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. His 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).
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Drum, Keyboard Instructor & Show Director
Years ago when Dan 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. Dan studied music at Nassau Community College, Drummers Collective and continues his education with the well-known instructors Joe Morello, Jojo Mayer and Frank Bellucci. Dan has played with several national acts touring globally. Dan's focus is drumset, snare drum and mallets along with preparation of his students for NYSMMA. -
Drum, Keyboard Instructor
David is a 20-year musician specializing 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. -
Vocal, Guitar Instructor
Jimmy G is a singer/songwriter/guitarist out of Amityville NY. Self teaching guitar at age 15 and joining his first band a year later in Indiana started Jimmy on the path of music discovery. After 5 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. He has studied under and received lessons from renowned vocal instructors Bret Manning who works with Haley Williams of Paramore and Robert J. Lunte who has worked with Chris Cornell, Steven Tyler etc... Currently, Jimmy is the singer and guitarist for the rock band Craving Strange who has released 2 albums, toured the country and licensed music to movies and television.
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Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboard, Vocal Instructor & 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 age 6 and a self-taught guitarist, John has spent his life studying both the method of music theory as well as the art of songwriting, and received his Bachelors 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 It Came From Space, a Long Island based post/math rock band. -
Elijah Klein is a singer, songwriter and guitarist based in New York City. Originally from Marlboro, NJ, Elijah came to New York City to study music at The New School of Jazz. It is at the New School where Elijah developed his love and skill for songwriting. Elijah has been plying guitar in the band Mojohand since its inception in 2016, and has been the primary singer and songwriter of the band since 2019. Mojohand has released 9 singles, their debut album, “Songbook” and played well over 100 shows all around the country since 2018 both as headliners and openers for national acts like Oteil Burbridge, Whitey Morgan, Jesse Daniel, and Taz Neideraur. Elijah is a Guitar and Bass Instructor at School of Rock Huntington, Queens, Rockville Centre, Roslyn and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
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Karol Zabka is a drummer from Slovakia. His first steps towards the music were studying the piano form the age of 7. When he was 15, he started to play the drums. After the high school, in 2009 Karol auditioned for the Jaroslav Jezek Music Conservatory in Prague and was accepted. It was the first time he received an education oriented in Jazz music. He was fortuned to study under the direction of well-known Czech Jazz musicians Martin Sulc, David Doruzka and Jaromir Honzak. While studying Jazz, Karol was also exposed to a variety of styles of music. Karol graduated Conservatory with a Diploma in Music in 2012 and remained in Prague where he collaborated with artists in the Czech music scene. In 2014, Karol decided to grow his musical knowledge and apply to study at Berklee College of Music where he was honored to receive a scholarship award. At Berklee, Karol studied a Music Performance Major. His main focus was to perfect his jazz language. He was studying with top musicians like Ralph Peterson, Neal Smith and Darren Barrett who were helping him improve his musicianship. In 2017 He had an opportunity to record with Ralph Peterson’s Gen Next Big Band. The Live Album I Remember Bu was released in October 2018 and includes special guest Donald Harrison. Karol graduated Berklee in December 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance. During his studies in Boston, Karol unceasingly sought for a performance experience not only within the college campus. He has worked with many talented musicians while constantly developing his musical knowledge, strengthening his dedication and fulfilling his passion for music. Karol is a Drum Instructor at School of Rock Huntington, Queens, Rockville Centre, Roslyn and Syosset/Oyster Bay.
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Matt is a guitarist/vocalist who plays around Long Island with his two bands. He has been playing guitar for over 8 years and is extremely excited to begin teaching students just beginning their musical journey.
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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.
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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. -
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.
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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. -
Christian studied guitar for years from acclaimed Long Island guitarist Tom San Filippo of the band Half Step. Christian loves to educate when it comes to music and understanding how to express oneself through the guitar. Currently, Christian plays and performs in two independent rock groups and has appeared on stages from New York City to Philadelphia.
Christian is driven to instruct and educate his students to have a thorough understanding of the guitar and improve their technical skills. Christian is a guitar and bass guitar teacher at the School of Rock in Syosset/Oyster Bay.