Brian C.
Drum Teacher
Brian is a jazz/comp/theory music major from both SUNY New Paltz College and SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Fine Arts respectively. He has performed with Bernie Williams, Wynton Marsalis, Wallace Roney, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Danny and Wilfredo Reyes, and Westchester luminaries Tony Cimerossi and Gil Parris. Brian is a dedicated educator and believes in the Thomas Edison adage, "Talent is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.”
Brian's commitment to education can be summed up in his own philosophy: cultivate the talents in every child and they will shine. He has created the Kids for Drums after-school program, which allows young drummers to learn technical rudimental techniques at a young age. This successful program has been run in Westchester elementary schools like Central School in Larchmont, Mamaroneck Ave. School, Chatsworth Ave. School, Ward School, Trinity School, and The Groove Academy. Through all these endeavors, businesses, and community activities, Brian has become a fixture in lower Westchester.
Tony B.
Guitar Teacher
A bonafide guitar lunatic, Tony has been playing professionally for over 25 years. As an artist, he has written and released three self-produced albums, all 'glorifying' his love for Blues-Rock and Funk traditions. He has shared the bill with acts like Government Mule, (Allman Brother) Oteil Burbridge, Sonny Landreth, Marc Cohn, and Scott Stapp of Creed. As a BMI composer, his music productions have been used in TV/Film placements including MTV, VH1, and NBC (as well as commercial and jingle use). With a degree in music and production technology from NYU, Tony is determined to make sure his students are inspired to create and develop their own 'voice' on guitar! It's all about 6 strings and smiles!
Gandhi G.
Drum Teacher
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Gandhi was introduced at a young age to the world of music by his father, first taking piano and music theory lessons. By the age of 14, he started his journey in playing the drums.
Gandhi holds a bachelor’s degree in music with a dual major in contemporary writing and production and drums performance. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA (2009-2012). Since moving to New York, Gandhi has established his career both teaching and performing music. He has a great deal of experience teaching students of all ages and levels in private settings and music schools that include The Piano School of NYC, Bach To Rock, Rock Island Sound, and now School of Rock of White Plains.
Gandhi has worked on many different projects with a variety of bands and artists in a broad palette of musical styles/genres. Highlights include: Victor Maldo, Irka Mateo, Manny Cruz (Latin Grammy nominee), Fausto Rey, Association of Dominican Classical Artists Orquestra (NYC), The Redeemed Christian Church of God (The Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn), The Journey Church, and Music Pros (Wedding/corporate band).
Chris K.
Music Director
A native of White Plains, Christopher has been studying, performing, and teaching music for the past 15+ years. After numerous years playing in public school bands, Chris began privately studying drum set at the age of 13. He went on to study music in college, completing a bachelor’s degree and performance certificate program from SUNY Fredonia, and a master’s degree in music performance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst on a full tuition waiver.
While at UMass, Chris taught undergraduate courses on percussion pedagogy and music history. Well-versed in many styles of music, Chris specializes in Metal, Rock, Funk, and Progressive Music. He also has extensive experience performing in Classical/Contemporary settings and knows his way around the orchestra. Chris has worked with students of all ages and ability levels and has been invited to perform with Grammy-nominated and award-winning artists such as Arturo Sandoval and Sō Percussion.
Jonathan B.
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Jonathan started out playing guitar at the of age 14 and started his first garage band within the year. Since then, he has become a self-taught bass player and drummer. Jonathan has played in multiple original live music groups for the last decade and has played drums and bass for rising R&B/Pop star Marissa Detlor. He has played at venues such as Webster Hall in Manhattan and The Chance Theatre in Poughkeepsie.
Jonathan graduated from The Art Institute of NYC and has used his skills to collaborate with other artists across all audio and visual mediums. Jonathan has a love for working with young people one on one and in a group environment. Jonathan loves to share his knowledge of music with others and is always excited to collaborate with new artists!
Ryan P.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
A native of the NYC/Westchester area, Ryan has been teaching and performing music for over a decade. After completing a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Ryan has performed all over the world including Italy, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and more! He has performed in bands of various genres such as rock, musical theatre, jazz, and classical along the way.
Ryan's teaching experience includes leading groups and private lessons at School of Rock White Plains since 2021, NYC music academies since 2019, and a private studio since 2010! Ryan's love for music came at age 6 from a fun and engaging piano teacher. Ryan is determined to provide that same fun and engagement to all his students and inspire the next generation of musicians!
Jim H.
Drum Teacher
Jim has been playing drums for more than 30 years. He records and performs with various original and cover bands in the Westchester and NYC area, playing and performing songs from many different genres. Jim has taught music in Westchester private and public schools for over 15 years. His favorite drummers are Neil Peart, Buddy Rich, Art Blakey, Todd Sucherman, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Mikey Dee, Dave Lombardo, and many others.
Ian T.
Drum Teacher
Ian is an avid music lover who has played music for over 20 years. He studied percussion and piano as a Jazz Performance major at Western Connecticut State University, as well as under the tutelage of Joe Corsello and Thierry Arpino.
Ian has performed in metal bands and jazz combos throughout the Greater New York City area. He draws on inspiration from a wide variety of drummers, such as Danny Carey, Elvin Jones, and Mitch Mitchell.
Ravi S.
Guitar Teacher
Ravi has been playing the guitar since the 4th grade and started teaching private lessons at his home in the 9th grade. He has been an avid guitar player for over 15 years and continues to develop his sound and skills by challenging himself in many varied musical situations. Ravi began his journey by playing rock but quickly became enthralled with jazz, especially the improvisational aspects of it. He also found a passion for Brazilian music early in his career, which led him to explore harmony, melody, and rhythm on the guitar in a deeper way. Ravi graduated from The College of Performing Arts at The New School in NYC and is enthusiastic to share all that he has learned, both in school and on his own.
Eric E.
Vocal Teacher
Eric is a professional musician and actor who has worked on projects ranging from musical theatre to heavy metal bands. As well as a graduate of Wagner College on Staten Island, Eric has studied voice internationally with the Orfeo Vocal Arts Academy in Dresden, Germany. With his thrash metal band, Bloodline, Eric played with legendary metal acts and performers such as D.R.I., Whiplash, Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover of Megadeth, and thrash metal group Holy Grail. Some theatre credits include ONCE with the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and HAIR with the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in New Jersey alongside American Idol star Constantine Maroulis.
Chris B.
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Chris is originally from San Francisco, California, and graduated summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music with a double major in drum set performance and music education. With over 15 years of experience behind the drum set and nearly a decade as a music director in various bands, Chris brings a unique sound-first approach to their lessons, encouraging students to let their ears and developing musical tastes guide their interests as instrumentalists. By focusing on technique early, they help students create their own evolving version of musical mastery.
While attending Berklee, Chris studied under Alan Dawson and pedagogists Billy Kilson and John Ramsay, which greatly shaped Chris's trajectory as a performer and educator, allowing them to confidently build upon a stable foundation of music education as they discovered their teaching voice. Although Chris specializes in drum set, they are familiar with instructing almost any kind of musician in private and in group ensemble settings. Chris strives to show their students the expressive joy that energizes their performances so that students can discover and follow their own passions.
Jon L.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher
Jon has been performing, recording, and teaching music for over 15 years. Starting with classical piano training, he later studied jazz guitar, bass, and drums before graduating with honors from New York University. Currently, Jon performs finger-style guitar and electric guitar both as a solo act and in groups around the Greater New York City area, while continuing work on his own original songs in his home studio.
In addition to his musical experience, Jon prides himself on his ability to understand each student’s unique likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, allowing him to tailor his instruction to meet each student’s individual needs. With his knowledge and humor, Jon makes learning music a fun and exciting experience that students can look forward to every week.
Kyle M.
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Born and raised in Westchester County, Kyle has always had a love for music. After playing and performing music for over 20 years, Kyle eventually decided that teaching was the next step. He has over five years of teaching experience and came to the School of Rock in White Plains, New York in December 2021.
Kyle really enjoys the group dynamic that School of Rock offers with its Performance and Rock 101 programs, and he has helped direct bands who put on some truly fantastic concerts.