Steve
Music Director, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Steve’s musical journey is truly impressive, from his start as a School of Rock student back in 2006 to managing multiple branches and now touring as the drummer for a prominent AC/DC tribute band called Back In Black. His dedication to music and education has left a significant mark on various communities.
Steve is thrilled to bring his passion and experience to the great community at the School of Rock in Waldwick, New Jersey.
Mike
Drum Teacher
Originally from Bergen County, Michael is a graduate of Ramapo High School, where he excelled in all things music and was even voted Most Musical by his classmates. He went on to attend and graduate from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a BA in Performance, emphasizing Jazz Studies and Music History. Upon graduation Michael set sail for the open water and spent six years seeing the world as an orchestra drummer for different cruise lines, performing big band music, production shows, and variety acts of all kinds.
Michael was eventually given the (extremely rare) opportunity to become a Guest Entertainer for Royal Caribbean as Drummer/Musical Director for multi-talented performer Domenick Allen (Foreigner, Buddy Rich Band, Liberace, Broadway, London's West End) and continues to enjoy the Music Director chair to this day.
Michael started with School of Rock in 2015 and has enjoyed every moment. When not in a lesson you will find him practicing often. His favorite method books are Stick Control (G.L.Stone), The Art of Bop Drumming (J.Riley), The Shuffle Drumming Workbook (C.Doboe) and Syncopation (T.Reed).
Michael
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Show Director
“The Astronaut” consists solely of one musician at the helm. Michael holds a B.S. degree in Music Industry & Technology for Audio Engineering and Music. He is a multi-instrumentalist and has been playing music since he was 13 years old. He was a band member with Jeremian Fraites of the Lumineers.
Michael is a descendant of the great Evelyn Danzig Levine, who wrote the classic 1949 song “Scarlet Ribbons,” and renowned New York Times sports writer Allison Danzig who coined the phrase “The Grand Slam” in tennis. Michael was bestowed with the gift of songwriting passed down through generations. At 15, he attended the National Guitar Academy for one summer and returned as one of the foremost exceptional and dedicated players at such a young age. He later went on to be an acclaimed self-taught musician in other instruments, including drums.
Michael uses the moniker “The Astronaut” as something more introspective. Not only just a songwriter, Michael's ability to play each instrument into a formula within his songs is something that sets him apart from most songwriters. Everything you hear is created by his hands and mind. Along with music, Michael also directs and shoots all his own music videos. “The Astronaut” will be constantly writing, recording, and playing his music to as many listeners as possible.
Eric
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Eric is a fantastic example of what School of Rock can do for a budding musician. He is a former School of Rock student, was part of his school's House Band, and successfully auditioned for the School of Rock AllStars in 2006. Some of the memorable places Eric has played include B.B. King's Blues Club, World Cafe Live, and Royal Oak Theatre.
Eric truly understands the School of Rock Method. Today he is part of several touring groups including an Allman Brothers Tribute Band called A Brother's Revival. You should see him play the pedal steel guitar! He also plays with several Grateful Dead tribute bands.
Ginny
Vocal Teacher, Show Director
Ginny has a long history of singing and started studying privately at the age of 8. Ginny then found School of Rock and she was hooked; she is a product of our school! She excelled quickly in bands, going on tour with our Show Band.
Ginny studied at William Patterson and performs regularly in our area. Check out her band, Ginny Lackey, and the HiFi band.
Charlie
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Show Director
Charlie’s musical knowledge and devotion are deeply rooted in his early childhood when he was exposed to tons of the greatest classic rock hits and artists through listening to his father’s collection of CDs. Cutting his teeth on over a decade of meticulous classical piano training and many performances at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Charlie got more involved with rock and roll music during high school when he co-founded his first band with a close friend. He transferred his musical knowledge from the piano to the electric guitar and even began to forge his abilities as a vocalist.
Since then, Charlie has relentlessly pursued greater knowledge and experience in the art of music through countless hours of practice and study, as well as involvement in an abundance of projects, studio work, and live performances across the Greater New York area. He sings and plays rhythm guitar, bass, and keyboards for studio tracking sessions with his rock band, The Vespids.
Wayne
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Wayne is a New York-based drummer who has enjoyed a diverse career as a professional musician for almost 30 years. During that time Wayne has kept busy playing for numerous Broadway shows including Cats, Lion King, Music Man, Annie Get Your Gun, Hairspray, and Billy Elliot, among others.
Wayne also played for the National Tours of 101 Dalmatians and Hair. In the jazz genre, Wayne has performed and recorded with alto sax great Richie Cole’s Alto Madness Orchestra, appearing at such venues as The Jazz Standard in New York City, The Cape May Jazz Festival in New Jersey, and the Kristianstad Jazz Festival in Sweden.
Wayne can be seen performing with the New York ska band Mephiskapheles and is heard on their self-titled EP. A particular career highlight for Wayne was a 2014 performance at Carnegie Hall with Ladysmith Black Mambazo featuring bassist Bakithi Kumalo, and special guest Dave Mathews, in a celebration of South African music. Wayne hopes to continue on this musical journey by playing the many different styles of music that he’s fortunate enough to encounter.
Zach
Vocal Teacher, Show Director
Zach is a New Jersey-raised, New York City-based singer, actor, and multi-instrumentalist. Zach’s notable credits include Melchior in Spring Awakening, The National Anthem Singer at the December 2019 DNC National Debate, Joshua / Favorite Son in Green Day’s American Idiot, and Tamino in The Magic Flute.
Zach has worked professionally as a performer since 2018 and graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2021. Additionally, Zach trained in classical voice at the Salzburg Festival with the University of Miami in 2018 and attended Berklee College of Music’s Singer-Songwriter summer program in 2017. Zach is strong at sight-reading, has a formally trained ear, and is skilled in piano, guitar, beatboxing, and musical improv. We are excited to have him share his love of music and performance with our students.
Chiara
Vocal Teacher
Chiara (known as the artist Kiahra) showed early signs of her love of performing and writing. She turned professional at the age of 10 booking her first Equity production and later joining SAG. Success followed into her teens with rave reviews for her featured role on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre earning her a Theatre Choice Award Nomination (Best Featured Actress in a Musical).
Chiara has appeared on television and radio and became the “IT girl” for the Target Black Friday advertising campaign. She has performed at many venues including Papermill Playhouse, Playwrights Horizons, New World Stages, Tarrytown Music Hall, The Apollo, Madison Square Garden, and Yogi Bear Stadium. Chiara has also worked with Ice-T, Heidi Klum, Cheech Marin, Joseph Brooks, and Alex Lacamoire and had the privilege to share the stage with Chaka Khan, Jonathan Groff, Sarah Hyland, and Eric McCormick. She has also performed with Catherine Russell and drummer Tommy Campbell.
Chiara was signed to Streamline Records and has performed for some of the top music executives and record labels in New York and LA. Her popularity exploded when she started posting covers on Instagram where she has racked up over 18.5 million views. After deciding to go independent, her debut single "Train Wreck" has gained over 50,000 streams. When Chiara is not working on her next release, she is excited to share her time with the School of Rock community and looks forward to rocking out!
Alan
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Alan is a teacher, musician, and singer-songwriter from North New Jersey. He began learning to play music on the piano at age 8 and then on guitar and bass at age 12. His love of music started with ’80s and ’90s pop music and soon expanded to classical and jazz. Alan was part of his high school's concert and jazz bands and then he was a part of the jazz ensemble in college. He has studied Audio Technology at Hudson County Schools Of Technology and Music at Bergen Community College.
Alan has been teaching for the past 14 years and enjoys sharing his passion for music with his students through an approachable blend of theory, technique, and learning by ear. His focus is on simplifying the concepts of music and ensuring a strong foundational knowledge to empower the student.
Alan has also performed in and around the NYC area for the past two decades, sharing the stage with band members of Blue Man Group, Ian Hunter, John Mayer, Natalie Merchant, and The Front Bottoms.
Corry
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Corry is a seasoned musician with a diverse background in music education and performance. A former School of Rock student, Corry was accepted into the AllStars program and showcased his talent and dedication to the craft. Throughout his career, he has taught guitar lessons at School of Rock and privately, sharing his expertise and passion with aspiring musicians.
Currently, Corry is shredding it up as the lead guitarist in the popular cover band Kickin' Wing, where he continues to captivate audiences with his dynamic guitar skills and stage presence. With a wealth of experience and a love for music that shines through in everything he does, Corry is a dedicated teacher who inspires and empowers his students to reach their full musical potential.
Paul
Drum Teacher
Paul is a versatile drum set player and percussionist, adept in a wide array of musical genres, including jazz, hip-hop, Afro-Caribbean, rock, funk, and classical.
Throughout his career, Paul has collaborated with renowned jazz artist Ed Schlosser, who is also the pianist for Rita Moreno and has shared the stage with prominent musicians such as Calvin Hill of McCoy Tyner and guitarist Bruce Radtke. Paul's experience spans various musical styles; he has performed with the Brazilian rock band Blue Sour, progressive rock group NoView, and is currently a member of the metal band Mallek. As a Gio Cymbal Endorsed Artist, he showcases his skills with top-quality equipment.
In addition to his performance work, Paul serves as an A&R Executive at Manickat Records, where he focuses on identifying, developing, and managing a roster of Pop Punk bands. His experience at ACM Records involved overseeing logistics for a large-scale regional event with significant corporate sponsorships, including Guitar Center, School of Rock, VH1, IHOP, and Sonicbids.
Paul holds an MBA in Music Management, Copyright, and Marketing from William Paterson University. He is also dedicated to education, working with special needs students in the Public School Arts/Technology program.
Hannah
Vocal Teacher
Hannah is a devoted voice teacher at the School of Rock in Waldwick, where she is deeply committed to nurturing her students’ vocal abilities and guiding them toward their musical aspirations. Having been raised by professional musicians, she began singing at an early age and was inspired to pursue a career in music, a background she cherishes. Hannah holds a Bachelor's degree in musical theater.
Hannah believes that the voice is a truly unique and special instrument. Perhaps slightly biased, as most passionate musicians are about their craft, she feels that the voice is unparalleled in its connection to the body and mind. Hannah specializes in helping her students explore the diverse capabilities of their voices, enabling them to access, blend, and navigate different vocal registers with ease. With her enthusiasm for music and her expertise as a voice instructor, Hannah is dedicated to supporting students at any stage of their singing journey as they strive to unlock their full potential.
Aurora
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Aurora is a New Jersey native who grew up in Jacksonville, FL, where she started her musical journey by taking piano lessons at the young age of 6. Being a multi-faceted artist since childhood, she also took an interest in dancing and performance theatre. It wasn't until eighth grade that she decided to take her musical practice more seriously, focusing on piano, singing in her school choir, and playing clarinet in the school's band. She went on to study classical piano in Jacksonville at the prestigious high school Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. She underwent 4 years of rigorous college-level training; performing in masterclasses with world-renowned artists, playing in concerts at local venues, and traveling abroad to study at music conservatories in Paris, France, and Brussels, Belgium. In her graduating year, she joined the school's jazz band which went on to win a Grammy signature award. Following high school, Aurora attended college at the University of Central Florida and continued her piano practice by teaching lessons for a FL music school. She continued gaining performance experience through volunteer work, putting on curated concerts for patients at local hospitals and nursing homes. Aurora is excited to be back in New Jersey with the School of Rock in Waldwick and is elated to share the passion she finds in teaching music to others!
Susan
Owner, Show Director
Susan Marlett started on flute in the fourth grade and by the seventh grade she was using a special woodwind pick-up and guitar pedals for her flute. She was hooked.
Susan has a Fine Art, Art History, and Archaeological Anthropology degree from Parsons School of Design and the New School. So of course she does music! After running a successful nonprofit gallery in NYC, she launched a small internet start-up.
However, Susan never forgot her roots in rock & roll and joined School of Rock Waldwick in 2010 as a voice and keys instructor. She was hooked on their innovative approach to teaching with her first show in September 2010. Susan became General Manager in 2017 and owner in 2020.
Kurt
COO, Owner
Kurt took on the role of owner and COO for the School of Rock Waldwick after leaving a position as Manager of Strategy & Business Transformation Practice at The Hackett Group. Previously, he was in procurement and logistics for Mercedes-Benz in Montvale.
Kurt is from Switzerland, where he earned several business degrees. He spent many years working for the Lucerne Blues Festival (Europe’s largest blues festival.) Kurt also has a passion for cars.