Ryan Tedesco
Music Director, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Ryan Tedesco is an experienced multi-instrumentalist specializing in drums, bass, and guitar. He graduated from the University of New Haven with a B.S. in Music and Sound Recording.
Ryan plays drums for six gigging local bands, is the lead songwriter for his rock/pop-punk band If Not When, and writes the drum and bass parts for his indie rock band Olivares. He has several years of professional teaching and studio experience and has been performing live over the last several years.
Alex McElwee
Singing Teacher, Show Director, Studio Coordinator
Alex is a singing teacher and show director, as well as one of our studio coordinators. Alex is an all-around integral member of our community at School of Rock Milford. She is an experienced vocalist who also plays guitar, drums, bass and keyboards. She started singing and playing music at a young age, and began her music education journey as a guitar student at School of Rock Fairfield. She is proud to bring her passion for music and love for teaching back to our students. Alex is a former member of The Midnight Set, and a huge Paramore fan.
Will Troia
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Show Director
Will is a talented multi-instrumentalist, and guitar instructor here at the School of Rock in Milford. He also teaches bass guitar and keys. He has been playing music for as long as he can remember, and has a deep appreciation for a wide range of genres, from classical to rock and roll. Will has been teaching guitar for 10 years. As a music teacher, he strives to help his students find passion and joy in their unique musical journey—whether they have experience or are just starting out!
Tatiana Castillo
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Tatiana is a talented multi-instrumentalist who teaches guitar, bass, and vocals. Her love for music started at a young age as a kid playing Guitar Hero with her brother. From there, Tatiana was inspired to learn to play the songs they loved on real instruments—and the rest is history!
Tatiana is a former School of Rock student and was a member of her school's House Band. Her favorite part about teaching is seeing kid’s eyes light up when something difficult finally clicks and they can feel themselves get better. Tatiana plays in the band If Not When (think of a cross between Blink-182 and Tool) and the grunge/alt band Cadmium. She loves to blend genres, experiment with new sounds, and hopes to help her students unlock their creative potential as well!
Laurel Bennett
Keyboard Teacher
Laurel is a keyboardist and vocalist from Madison, Connecticut, who also plays guitar and flute. Laurel is currently working towards her masters in Music Therapy at Southern Connecticut State University. Laurel began singing and playing piano at a very young age and has been consumed by music ever since. She loves performing live, and is a current member of the Purple Fusion Band. She also works with Hip-Hop artists and performs with the Jazz quartet, Quarter Tones.
Nate Kristan
Guitar Teacher
Nate is a talented musician and guitar instructor here at the School of Rock in Milford, Connecticut. He is primarily a guitarist but also plays bass and keys. Nate is originally from New Haven and has been a musician for over 19 years. He comes from a musical family and feels fortunate to have grown up playing instruments and surrounded by music.
Nate has found so much joy and fulfillment through enjoying, making, and sharing music; he feels deeply that it brings people together and makes the world a better place. Nate is happy to be able to guide students on their musical journeys with his wealth of knowledge and skill.
Justin Howland
Drum Teacher
Justin Howland grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut, and started playing drums at 10 years old. He began learning drums and percussion in school and started playing in his own bands as early as 13 years old.
After high school, Justin attended The Drummers Collective in New York City to study jazz, Afro-Cuban, funk, and Latin drumming. For the last 25 years, Justin has been playing live, teaching, writing, and recording in various musical projects such as Mos Opus, Hot Chaos, The Relative Souls, and Celebrating Queen.
Justin has been teaching since 2010 and puts a big emphasis on timing, feel, and groove. His favorite thing about teaching at the School of Rock in Milford is the relaxed, positive atmosphere, seeing kids become confident on their instruments, and having fun playing together.
Nico Clayton
Vocal Teacher
Nico is a skilled vocalist and Milford native. She teaches vocals but also has experience playing bass, guitar, and keys. Nico earned her associate's degree in entrepreneurship and small business management from Gateway Community College. She has always had a deep love and appreciation for music. As a child, she was first inspired to sing by artists like Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, and Joss Stone.
At age 8, Nico began taking formal lessons with a classically trained opera singer who recommended that she try out for a spot in the United Girls Choir. After a year or so of choral training, she became a School of Rock student and continued with vocals, later learning bass, guitar, and piano. In high school, Nico continued to pursue her music education, studying at the Educational Center for the Arts, a magnet school in New Haven.
Growing up, Nico was constantly inspired by her music teachers. Now, her favorite part about teaching is having the opportunity to create a lasting impact on her students and pass down the valuable skills she was taught.
Dustin Sclafani
Vocal Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Dustin is a lifelong musician and vocalist originally from Long Island, New York. He teaches vocals and our Rookies class for six and seven-year-old beginners. Growing up, Dustin was very close with his mother who was a musician. He was singing before he could talk, and it wasn’t long before Dustin began playing guitar, piano, and harmonica. By five, he was performing live, and for as long as he can remember, music has been a constant in his life. Dustin’s favorite part about teaching is seeing his students smile, and witnessing them have ‘aha’ moments when everything starts to click. He is a member of the band Shame Penguin and a host of WNHH Community Radio Station 103.5.
Alisa Korneyeva
Drum Teacher
Alisa is a School of Rock alumni with 11 years of drumming experience. She is originally from Crimea, and moved to the United States when she was 12 years old. She graduated from the University of New Haven with a major in Architecture and a minor in Civil Engineering. Alisa is well-versed in different drumming styles from Jazz to Afro-Cuban percussion. As a music teacher she hopes to share her knowledge and inspire students of all ages and skill levels.
Ethan Miller
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Bass guitar Teacher
Ethan Miller is a lifelong musician and one of our advanced guitar instructors. He is originally from Waterbury, Connecticut, and grew up attending the School of Rock in Fairfield. He began playing guitar at age five, when his mom encouraged him to learn an instrument, and has been hooked on music ever since. Ethan has also played and performed many other instruments including clarinet, alto saxophone, and drums. Ethan graduated from The Hartt School with a degree in music production. His favorite part of teaching is seeing his student’s progress and the small steps they take along the way to meet big milestones.
Joe Strolin
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Joe Strolin is an advanced drum instructor at the School of Rock in Milford, Connecticut. He is originally from Trumbull and began playing music when he was 8. Growing up, Joe was inspired to play drums by his grandfather, an avid jazz drummer and singer. His love for music continued to flourish when he started taking private lessons with a family friend who’d worked on many notable projects, including the theme music for the popular TV show, Family Guy.
Today, Joe also plays guitar, bass, and keys. His favorite part about teaching is sharing timeless songs created by amazing musicians throughout history with his students. He also loves learning about each of his student’s different musical tastes.
Rob Casucci
Guitar Teacher
Rob is an advanced guitar instructor with 15 years of experience. As a kid, he went to School of Rock, and hopes to show our students where commitment and practice can get them! As an instructor, he is thrilled to be a part of the next generation of student’s musical learning and exploration. Rob studied Audio Engineering and Production at Northern Vermont University, and is the lead guitarist of the band Etherlord.
Pierce Klein
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Pierce is an advanced drum and guitar teacher who has been playing for eleven years. He grew up with music and also plays the cello. He has an appreciation for many genres and has experience playing anything from classical to rock. Pierce studied at Endicott College and The University of Chicago, and is currently a member of the band Etherlord.