INSTRUCTORS
CHRIS STIBOL
Drum/Piano Instructor
Chris has been drumming for the past 30 years and has a degree in music. Performing since the age of 10, he has trained in many different styles of percussion and is proficient on the drum set, marching drums, bells, and piano. Chris has been teaching for the past 17 years, his students ranging from 5 to 70. Many of them have gone on to do great things with their talents, including becoming members of the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey, reaching the Studio Band at Princeton Highschool, and becoming members of percussion lines at the college level. Chris approaches lessons with a fun attitude, ensuring students learn the core fundamentals while they grow in their own artistic abilities.
JOSEPH
Woodwind/Vocal/Drum/Piano Instructor
Joseph has been teaching woodwind instruments for the past 16 years. He has earned a B.A. of music from Kean University. Joe has played in many ensembles including, NJMEA Intercollegiate Wind Ensemble, Kean University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and Kean University Concert Choir and Orchestra. Joe keeps his students engaged and motivated by learning and dissecting popular songs, and making scale learning a fun competition/game.
MARK
Piano Instructor
Mark has been playing piano since the age of 9. Throughout college, Mark was involved in several ensembles including Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber Music. He has also provided musical accompaniment with the Kean Theatre Department. In 2017, Mark graduated from Kean University with a B.M. in Music Performance degree. Mark's favorite artists include ABBA, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, and R.E.M. He also loves to play music from Broadway musicals and Nintendo video games. Mark uses a hybrid of classical and contemporary in his lessons to ensure students that they learn the core fundamentals of music in a fun and festive atmosphere.
ELLEN RENEE
Vocal Instructor
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EllenRenee has been in the Performing arts industry since age 6. Started under Julliard trained professional. Sang and performed Professionally for many years in: Italian Operas, Classical & Standards Vocalist, New Jersey and New York (Radio City) stages, lead singer in 2 bands (Rock 'Midnight Rain' band & Wedding 'Touch of Class'), Atlantic City, elite restaurants, JBundy Master Illusionist Assistant, Singing recording Artist managed by Bill Deal, opened for Charlie Daniels band and L Jackson. Teaches & trains Novice through Professional levels: All genres of Music. Classical, Rock, Punk, Broadway. Former Director of 450 student Academy of Performing Arts over 10 years. She trained and placed many Artists in Lead Roles such as 'Cats' and 'Phantom of the Opera' ON Broadway, top billing Artist performances on the 'Main Stage at Walt Disney World Florida', placed Rock Bands on many stage performances & venues, teamed with Sony Records professionals, her students were in commercials, print & appearances on major channels and she worked with Original Musical Artists that hit top charts. Teaches Singing, coaches vocalists, manages bands & musical artists.
Long standing Member of National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Is an agent through American Federation of Booking Agents of United States and Canada. Performer, Vocalist, Dancer, Choreographer, Educator. Mantra is strive for excellence in voice, stage performance & life.
EDDIE
Guitar, Bass and Piano Instructor
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I have been a lover of the arts since I was a child. In high school I decided that music and performing was the world I wanted to be in. When I was 15 I got my first guitar lesson from a local player on an old BC Rich knockoff I built myself in middle school woodshop. I love rock n’ roll and blues. I am currently studying music at Mercer County Community College where I am also a member of the Jazz Band. I hope to share the same wonder and creative voice that the guitar and music gives me, with my students!
SCOTT
Piano Instructor
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Scott started his musical journey on the Hammond organ as his father was an amateur organist. He went on to private classical piano lessons a few years later and slowly fell into a love of classical, jazz and rock music.
He went on to play many establishments such as the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, NJ, Steakhouse 85 in New Brunswick NJ and Nordstrom Department Store in the Menlo Park Mall, Edison NJ. both as a solo and with trio. He continues to play around the tri state area for hotels, restaurants, senior centers and private functions.
NIKKI
Guitar/Bass/Violin/Cello/Viola Instructor
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Nikki is a local musician/singer/songwriter with classical, punk, ska, polka, and metal roots. While performing for over 25 years starting with the piano, cello, sax, trumpet, bass, and singing in bands, with orchestral, marching band, and punk spaces for outlets, Nikki found out that guitar was indeed the favorite instrument out of them all. With a diverse musical palette, Nikki aims to aid you on your own musical path, by providing tools, tricks, theory and philosophy to get you where YOU want to go.
NICK
Drum Instructor
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Nick was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up in the neighboring communities across the Delaware River in Cherry Hill and Medford, New Jersey. After moving to Medford, Nicholas was accepted to Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, a prestigious private co-ed High School in the Tri-State area. While at Eustace, Nick won the Bishop Eustace Leadership in Music Award & The John Philip Sousa Award. The second being a national award to honor the top student in the high school band as it recognizes musicianship and outstanding dedication by one of the senior year members of the band.
Nick graduated from Rider University, located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey with Cum Laude Honors after successfully pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Minor in Film and Media studies.
Specialties: Rock & pocket drumming, jazz improvisation, compositional approach.
A veteran of the Greater Philadelphia Area music scene, Nick Santangelo has performed in several bands garnering several local music awards for his outstanding drumming. In addition to teaching, Nick frequently works as a session musician for recording artists of all genres.
RIK
Drum Instructor
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Rik received his first drum lesson at the age of six from his father Bob, also a drummer. Throughout elementary school and freshman year of high school, Rik played various percussion instruments in concert band & marching band. While in high school, he began drumming primarily in metal bands. Sometime around the mid-90's he co-founded a death metal band with his younger brother Zak. They still jam/write when possible. Since then Johnson has played in several other metal bands, plus The Beatles tribute band, Shabby Road as well as an 80’s Metal parody tribute called Headbanger. His earliest influences include his father, Animal from The Muppets & Dennis Wilson (The Beach Boys). As an instructor, Rik encourages every musician to find their own voice & will help you get started with drumming!
LISA
Vocal and Piano Instructor
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Lisa is a professional, classically trained vocal artist who is also a voice and piano teacher, as well as a coach in speech and theater. Lisa has performed internationally for opera houses, symphonies, and other art organizations. Lisa has experience in multi genres of music to include gospel, jazz, musical theater, jazz and pop music. Noted opera companies she has performed with include the Metropolitan Opera in New York, New York City Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Opera Company of Philadelphia aka Opera Philly, the Royal Danish Opera Copenhagen, Denmark, Welsh National Opera Cardiff, Wales and many other internationally and domestically. Lisa has been engaged with orchestras to include the Philadelphia Orchestra, the LA Symphony in California, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Radio Filharmonisch at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Shanghai City Symphony in China among others. Additionally, Lisa has been the recipient of many awards and grants to include the Metropolitan Opera National Council, the Sullivan Award, The Olga Forrai Foundation and the Joy in Singing Award. Her career has recently incorporated sharing music vocally in community, local and regional venues believing that everyone should have the gift of professional level music in their lives. Though including teaching throughout her 30 year career she is now more focused on sharing her years of applied knowledge to the next generation of musicians and performing artists. Lisa's professional training was completed at Westminster Choir College (now the music/performing arts college of Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ).
Kathryn
Violin Instructor
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Kathryn began playing violin at the age of seven years old, and has been consistently studying since. In 2023, she graduated with Rowan University with a BA in Economics alongside a minor in music. While at Rowan, she was a member of the Symphony Orchestra, String Ensemble, and actively took private lessons during her three years there. Kathryn placed first runner up in the Rowan University String Ensemble Concerto Competition in 2022, and won the following year. She also has chamber music experience, and attended the Techne Musical Festival in 2022.
Kathryn currently is a ballet trainee with the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City.
She hopes to encourage her students to find their own artistic voice through music and explore how much they can push themselves. Above all, Kathryn wants to share her love of music and hopes to instill that within her students!
JESSE
Guitar, Bass, Saxophone, Piano and Drum Instructor
Jesse is a multi-talented musician hailing from a family of Juilliard-trained singers and has a degree in music technology. With an early start in music at the age of 9, Jesse has passionately pursued their craft, gaining proficiency in guitar, bass, drums, and saxophone. Their versatility and dedication have led them to explore various genres and perform in numerous bands, showcasing their exceptional musical skills and creating captivating melodies that resonate with audiences. With a keen ear for sound and a profound understanding of the technical aspects of music production, Jesse seamlessly combines artistry with technical proficiency, ensuring that their creations resonate with both musicians and listeners alike.
Harrison
Ukulele, Voice, and Piano Instructor
Harrison has been playing the ukulele for seven years. Growing up in a home full of
music lovers and performers Harrison developed his love for music and being on the
stage. Throughout time Harrison slowly developed his own personal style which he has
turned into a stage presence and brand, taking inspiration from his father, and spike
jones. Harrison enjoys the sillier side of music and prides himself with an amazing stage
presence. Harrison studies at Mercer County Community College where he is in the
jazz band Harrison is hoping to one day be an elementary school music teacher where
he can show the future generation how awesome and fun music can be.
Zach
Drum and Guitar Instructor
Zach is a drummer, guitarist and recording engineer who has been involved in the local music scene for nearly 20 years. He has toured extensively in the US, Canada and Europe and played hundreds of local shows since 2004. Zach has been teaching on the side since 2009 and is now splitting most of his time between teaching and making records. He takes a "music first" approach to his lessons; focusing on efficiently learning songs and preparing for live gigs and recording sessions. His specialties include Punk Rock, Hard Rock, Pop, Heavy Metal and always being overly prepared for the big gig.
Dennis
Violin Instructor
Dennis is a classically trained violinist who has played since he was 6 years old. Residing in
the Princeton area, he has played in various school orchestras, Youth Orchestra of Central
Jersey, Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra, New Jersey Regional and State Orchestras and
the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. He has also studied ABRSM from grades 1 to 8. Outside
of these organizations, he has performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall under the
Golden Key Festival. Dennis also volunteers as an instrumentalist in the music ministry at
Queenship of Mary Church. He hopes he can inspire and motivate students to learn music
in a meaningful way so that it can be a part of their life.
Michael
Bass Instructor
Michael has been playing bass for the past 15 years. Having grown up in the Princeton area, Michael was active in extra-curricular musical activities, including playing in the Central Jersey Region II Orchestra as well as the New Jersey All-State Orchestra throughout his high school years. He then went on to attend Bard College Conservatory of Music, where he received a BM in Double Bass performance as well as a BA in Anthropology. During his time as an undergrad, Michael continued his classical music and orchestral training while expanding his musical palette by playing in a variety of ensembles and styles, including chamber music, jazz, latin music, funk-fusion, and contemporary music. Michael also has experience teaching and working with students in a musical environment, having been a staff member of Trenton Music Makers (now Capitol Harmony Works) as well as leading string sectionals for The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey.
Karim
Piano, Violin and Viola Instructor
Karim is a classically-trained pianist who has been playing and learning since he was 3 years old. He has played in pits for musicals, accompanied choirs, and performed concertos with orchestras. He was also a pianist in CJMA's Best Orchestra Award-winning band. Additionally, Karim is an orchestral violist of 9 years, playing for CJMEA's Honors Orchestra competitions and attending masterclasses at Yamaha's Music for All festival. In addition to classical and orchestral music, he is now focusing on expanding his playing to jazz, rock, and pop music groups. Karim now hopes to teach his students not only to love music but, most importantly, to play from their heart.
Shaunak
Brass Instructor
Shaunak has been a musician for the past 12 years, the last 9 of which have been spent playing trumpet. Throughout his musical career, he has performed with Wind Ensemble, Philharmonic Orchestra, Marching Band, Jazz Band, outside jazz groups, and Pit Orchestra across a variety of venues, including the Carver Theater in New Orleans, MetLife Stadium, Hershey park Stadium, Sayreville War Memorial Hall, and numerous college stages and community events. As a lead player in his school’s top Jazz Band, Shaunak received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for Jazz Excellence and has performed at events such as Plainsboro Founders Day, as well as in musical theater productions including Mean Girls and Little Shop of Horrors. In addition to his performance experience, Shaunak has spent the past 4 years teaching and mentoring students in brass performance and LEGO Robotics across multiple grade levels. He will continue building on both his musical and academic foundations at Penn State University, where he plans to study Aerospace Engineering and Trumpet Performance.
Nihal
Guitar Instructor
Nihal is passionate about anything and everything music-related. He has studied and teaches
the guitar, piano, bass and also has an extensive knowledge of music theory. He can teach a
wide variety of genres including rock, jazz, metal, fusion, classical, pop, funk, and
blues. Nihal has years of experience teaching students ranging from total beginners to
seasoned musicians and all age ranges, from little kids to adults. He enjoys working with his
students to realize their goals, whether those are songwriting, improvising, learning new
repertoire, technique, music theory, ear training, understanding the basics of the instrument,
etc.
Jacob
Clarinet, Saxophone and Flute Instructor
Jacob is a composer, conductor, arranger/orchestrator, music educator, and performer who has been playing woodwind instruments for over 12 years, including the clarinet, saxophone, and flute. He holds a degree in music and a minor in music performance from Princeton University, where he is currently pursuing a New Jersey Education Certificate. Throughout his musical career, Jacob has performed with and directed wind ensembles, symphony orchestras, musical theater pits, jazz bands, and chamber ensembles. Jacob hopes to share the same love for making music that has fueled his musical journey with his students, and he strives to build the foundation for musical growth through a strong emphasis on performance fundamentals.