Maywood
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Maywood

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Map
School of Rock Maywood
24 W. Pleasant Avenue
Maywood, NJ 07607
(201) 201-4841
Hours
  • Monday: 4 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 4 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 4 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 4 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 3 PM - 6 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 11/22/2023: Closed
  • 11/23/2023: Closed
  • 11/24/2023: Closed
  • 11/25/2023: Closed
  • 11/26/2023: Closed

Music programs at School of Rock Maywood combine one-on-one lessons with group band practices

Programs we offer

Rock 101 music program in Maywood for kids and beginners
Rock 101
Ages 8-13

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock Maywood's top programs for kids and beginners. Students have one weekly group rehearsal where they learn to play classic rock songs that have been simplified for beginner musicians. Additionally, Rock 101 students in Maywood have a weekly private music lesson with an instructor who helps them learn the concepts and skills behind their performance songs.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

Our music programs for kids in Maywood are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock Maywood who have participated in the Rookies program can move to our Rock 101 music program once they’re ready. Additionally, students (typically ages 8 to 13-years-old) can begin Rock 101 without any prior experience. The goal of this rock program is to quickly develop a basic competence on students’ chosen instruments before moving on to our famous Performance Program.

Performance music program for teens in Maywood
Performance
Ages 8-18

The Performance Program at School of Rock Maywood is our hallmark music program, where tens of thousands of students enroll each year. It consists of a weekly group rehearsal where kids and teens learn by playing rock music's most iconic songs with a band composed of their peers. Students are assigned songs and parts that are tailored to them based on their age, experience and ability to learn new skills and concepts. Students then work through their parts in weekly private music lessons, refining the skills and concepts that those songs introduce. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare kids and teens for live performances. Every few months, School of Rock Maywood Performance Program students take the stage and play at local Maywood music venues in front of a live audience.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

School of Rock Maywood's music programs for kids and teens are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing. All of our other music education programs focus on readying students for our famous Performance Program. This is where students develop incredible musical skills. Performance Program students have often gone through our Rock 101 program first or have some previous basic music experience. These young musicians will have custom development plans outlined by their instructors with key concepts reinforced during private lessons and group rehearsals, all with the goal of performing live at a Maywood music venue.

Rookies music program for children in Maywood
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock Maywood, our music program for children with no previous musical experience (typically ages 6 to 7-years-old) is called Rookies. Rookies students have one weekly group music lesson where they learn fundamentals like chords, rhythm and song structure. Kids get to learn and experiment with multiple instruments so they can later decide which one they ultimately want to continue pursuing in Rock 101.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE OF SIMPLIFIED ROCK INSTRUMENTS TO TEACH KIDS TO PLAY MUSIC

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire students to learn and develop a strong musical proficiency. At School of Rock Maywood, younger students who are not ready for a more comprehensive program like Rock 101 can start in Rookies. Additionally, students who have completed the Little Wing program will progress into the Rookies music program. No prior musical experience is needed for Rookies. Once your child is ready for private music lessons (typically older than first or second graders), they will graduate into our Rock 101 program.

Songwriting
Age 12 and over

Our Songwriting program for kids and teens teaches the fundamentals of songwriting, arrangement and music theory, and helps students compose original works.  At School of Rock Maywood, songwriting students receive one weekly private lesson where they learn concepts, technique and theory on an instrument of their choice. These principles are then applied in a weekly group lesson where students work together on songwriting exercises and lyrical workshops.  Every few months, Songwriting students take the stage to perform or band together to record their original songs.

What to Expect
  • 1 weekly private lesson
  • 1 weekly group lesson

The Path to Take the Stage

Our Songwriting program for kids and teens in Maywood is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Maywood who have completed our Rock 101 program can move to our Songwriting program once they’re ready. Additionally, new students who have prior experience with and basic knowledge of an instrument can also begin Songwriting. The program culminates with a live showcase where students perform their original compositions in bands at a local music venue. Students taking the Songwriting Program online will remotely record their original songs to produce a demo of the class's music.

Remote student playing guitar
Online
All Ages

At School of Rock Maywood, our students can take online, one-on-one music instruction from the comfort of their homes. We call this program School of Rock Remote. This online music program contains weekly one-on-one instruction conducted by our expert School of Rock instructors in a safe virtual lesson room.
 
Students will receive their training using our proprietary education program, The School of Rock Method™, which couples live video lessons with our proprietary Method App™, SongFirst Approach™ and Method Books™. 

What To Expect
  • ONE WEEKLY 1-ON-1 LESSON
  • LESSONS CONDUCTED USING SECURE VIDEO TECHNOLOGY

THE PATH TO TAKE THE STAGE

All of our music programs for kids, teens, and adults are designed to help students gain amazing musical proficiency. School of Rock’s online music lesson program is no exception. Online guitar lessons, online piano lessons, online drum lessons, online singing lessons and online bass guitar lessons are all offered through the School of Rock Remote online program.

Little Wing music program for toddlers and preschoolers in Maywood
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

At School of Rock Maywood our Little Wing music program for preschoolers and toddlers teaches students foundational music skills by playing games and participating in other interactive musical activities. Little Wing students have one weekly group music lesson in which they use classic rock songs to learn about rhythm, song structure, melody and dynamics through play.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE HAND PERCUSSION & OTHER TOOLS TO LEARN RHYTHM PATTERNS & MUSIC SYNTAX

The Path to Take the Stage

The Little Wing music program is the first step in a young musician's journey. At School of Rock Maywood, toddlers and preschoolers who show an interest in music should start with Little Wing. As they get older, they will progress into the Rookies program, followed by Rock 101 and the Performance Program.

Adult music program in Maywood for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Maywood's Adult Program is for students over 18 years old who are looking to either improve their musical proficiency or pick up an instrument with no prior musical experience. As with most School of Rock music programs, the Adult Program uses a performance-based music education approach. This means the curriculum focuses on learning music concepts and applying them in a live performance setting. Our Adult Music Program includes one weekly private music lesson and a weekly group rehearsal. Every student at School of Rock Maywood is placed in a band of fellow adults and then assigned specific songs as a way of learning key music concepts and skills. Adult students then take the stage to play at a live show in Maywood.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency along the way. The School of Rock Maywood Adult Program is open to all experience levels and each student will follow a customized learning plan developed by their instructor. Adult students will work together during rehearsal to prepare for a live performance at a real rock venue in Maywood.

House Band program for gigging at local venues in Maywood
House Band
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock Maywood House Band music program gives students under 18 the opportunity to join a gigging band composed of fellow musicians from their school. These students perform additional live shows throughout the year. All students in the Performance Program have the opportunity to audition for a spot in School of Rock Maywood's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at NJ rock venues throughout the year.

What To Expect
  • A GIGGING MUSICIAN'S EXPERIENCE
  • FREQUENT LIVE PERFORMANCES IN COMMUNITY

The Path to Take the Stage

Performance is the core of School of Rock's educational approach. Therefore, we create additional opportunities for students to perform on stages throughout Maywood and the rest of NJ. The House Band music program allows each school's most talented students the opportunity to join a band and play routinely in front of live audiences. Once a member, students will gain real music experience associated with gigging musicians and will become leaders and mentors inside the School of Rock community.

The AllStars national tour features the best child and teen musicians
AllStars
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock AllStars Tour takes the very best students from around the world and sends them on a nationwide summer tour across the United States. Less than 1% of School of Rock students are selected each year to represent School of Rock as an AllStar. All Performance Program students are eligible to audition for this prestigious program. The intensive audition process starts off with video submissions followed by live auditions. Once selected, AllStar students will have an authentic touring experience including traveling on a tour bus, doing tour publicity and starring in nightly performances at famous venues and festivals during a two-week tour.

What To Expect
  • A MULTI-CITY, COUNTRY-WIDE MUSIC TOUR EXPERIENCE
  • PERFORMING ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST FAMOUS STAGES IN THE WORLD

The Path to Take the Stage

Becoming an AllStar is the highest level of achievement for a School of Rock student. They play on legendary stages large and small, including The Knitting Factory, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Troubadour and Lollapalooza. AllStar students often go on to have accomplished careers in the music industry. Former AllStars have gone on to become touring artists, star in Broadway musicals, get signed to record deals, become finalists on talent competitions like "The Voice" and "American Idol" and have other notable roles in the music industry.

Music Lessons in Maywood

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Maywood

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock Maywood, we offer beginner guitar lessons for kids. Our expert guitar instructors guide your child from start to finish with private instruction and weekly group band rehearsals. Every instructor at School of Rock Maywood is an experienced musician, and they emphasize foundational music theory and technique when teaching guitar lessons to kids. Unlike other Maywood guitar lessons and programs, School of Rock is designed to get students performing in a band.

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Adults

It’s never too late to learn to play the guitar. Similar to our kids guitar lessons, School of Rock Maywood's beginner guitar lessons for adults utilizes a performance-based curriculum. Our experienced instructors teach adult students through popular rock songs, and teach students to play guitar in a way that’s challenging and fun. We believe the best way to learn is by doing, which is why we combine weekly private guitar lessons with group band rehearsals. At School of Rock Maywood, we teach beginner guitar lessons for adults in our Adult Program. This program gets students performing onstage at a local Maywood venue.

Key Concepts
  • Technique
  • Solos
  • Chords
  • Theory

Intermediate to Advanced Guitar Lessons

As students gain skills and experience, we move them along to more challenging programs at higher skill levels. Intermediate and advanced students take the skills they learned in beginner guitar lessons, and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. School of Rock Maywood offers advanced guitar lessons for kids and adults that teach by playing challenging classic rock songs and emphasize playing the guitar in a real music venue. Our Maywood guitar teachers will work with each student to develop a custom learning plan.

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Maywood

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Maywood is the best option for anyone looking to learn the drums. Our beginner drum lessons get kids behind the drum kit and on their way to taking the stage. That’s why at School of Rock Maywood we combine private drum lessons for beginners with weekly band rehearsals—it prepares students to perform live. With years of experience teaching drums in Maywood, our drum instructors teach beginner drum students core techniques, including how to groove, play rudiments and more.

Beginner Drum Lessons for Adults

Our drum lessons for adults are designed to accommodate all skill levels. At School of Rock Maywood, our beginner drum lessons for adults are built for musicians with little to no experience. We teach adults using the same core performance-based education philosophy as our drum lessons for kids—performing with a band accelerates the learning process. Adult students will perform live at a venue in Maywood. Unlike other Maywood drum lessons for beginners, School of Rock combines private drum lessons with weekly band rehearsals so students are ready to play in front of real, live audiences.

Key Concepts
  • RUDIMENTS
  • TIME SIGNATURES
  • TECHNIQUE
  • GROOVE

Intermediate to Advanced Drum Lessons

More experienced to advanced drum students need a drum lesson curriculum that builds upon foundational skills and continues to grow musical proficiency. That’s why at School of Rock Maywood, our drum lessons are customized for each student and his or her goals. Our Maywood drum instructors integrate more complex techniques and concepts—intermediary grooves, shifts, meters and more—into a student's individual lessons and group band rehearsal, and will also select more difficult songs for his or her live performances.

 

Kid learns to sing at School of Rock Maywood

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Maywood offers beginner singing lessons for kids. Our unique, performance-based approach develops students' musical proficiency by preparing them to perform live. At School of Rock Maywood, our vocal coaches are practicing musicians who integrate key music fundamentals—breathing, posture and more—into a curriculum based on performing with a band. Each week, beginner singing students participate in a private singing lesson and a band rehearsal.

Beginner Singing Lessons for Adults

School of Rock Maywood teaches adults how to sing in our innovative Adult Program. Students develop vocal skills at a challenging pace designed to help you see results with every singing lesson. Adult vocalists learn how to keep tempo, stay on-key and master advanced vocal techniques for a powerful and healthy voice. Our curriculum teaches students how to sing by using popular rock songs that emphasize key concepts. Each week, Adult Program students have a private singing lesson for beginners and group band rehearsal.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • HARMONY
  • POWER
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Singing Lessons

At School of Rock Maywood, our singing lessons for kids and adults are designed to help our students reach a high degree of musical proficiency. Intermediate and advanced singers take skills learned from previous singing lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. Our advanced singing lessons teach students to sing by performing popular rock songs that illustrate a specific vocal concept or technique. We pair weekly private singing lessons with weekly band rehearsals with the goal of getting musicians to perform live in Maywood.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Maywood

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Maywood offers beginner bass guitar lessons for kids that blend weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. This performance-based approach results in a high level of musical proficiency because it engages and inspires students. Every School of Rock bass instructor is a practicing musician in Maywood and teaches bass lessons for kids that get great results. Beginners learn to play bass guitar by using popular rock songs that illustrate key concepts and techniques.

Beginner Bass Lessons for Adults

Adults looking to learn bass guitar can enroll in School of Rock’s Adult Program. No experience is necessary in our beginner bass guitar lessons for adults. At School of Rock Maywood, our experienced, local bass guitar instructors have the patience and skills to help adult students gain musical proficiency. As with all School of Rock music programs, our bass guitar lessons for adults ciriculum is performance-based, and include both weekly private instruction and weekly band rehearsals.

Key Concepts
  • GROOVE
  • TECHNIQUE
  • THEORY
  • TONE

Intermediate to Advanced Bass Lessons

Our intermediate to advanced bass guitar lessons teach Maywood students the skills they need to become the backbone of a band. Students take skills from previous bass lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. At School of Rock Maywood, our bass instructors use popular rock songs as a way of teaching students advanced concepts and techniques. We pair weekly private bass lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Kid learns to play piano at School of Rock Maywood

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Maywood. Our curriculum is performance-based, meaning that we prepare students to perform. Our piano lessons for beginners combine weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock Maywood, our beginner keyboard lessons for kids take key concepts and music fundamentals—finger placement, scales, key differentiation and more—and teach them through popular rock songs. This approach inspires and engages students, which results in attaining a high level of musical proficiency. Our piano teachers have years of experience teaching music in the Maywood area, and know how to coach and motivate students of any skill level to play the keyboard.

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Adults

The School of Rock Maywood Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Maywood area learn to play piano through a combination of weekly private beginner piano lessons and weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock, our piano lessons give adult students the chance to perform in a band at local Maywood music venues, taking them out of the classroom and onto the stage.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • TONE
  • THEORY
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Keyboard Lessons

At School of Rock Maywood, our keyboard lessons for kids and adults are designed to help students get results. Intermediate and advanced students take skills learned from beginner keyboard lessons and layer on more advanced piano techniques with concepts. Our local keyboard instructors are all practicing musicians in Maywood, and use popular rock songs as a way of teaching complex skills. We pair weekly private piano lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Our Experienced Music Teachers

All of School of Rock Maywood’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.

Mike Lisante Owner
Mike Lisante
Owner
One random post-pandemic morning in mid-2021, Mike woke up (figuratively and literally) and decided he needed out from his 22-year career as Director of Operations for a major distribution company. In his exact words, he was “bored, ignored, and tired of living someone else’s dream.” What he really aspired to do was open his own music school, so off he went in pursuit of musical happiness. It took a few more months, but upon discovering School of Rock, he knew he had found his destiny. Being welcomed into their family of owners has been the true highlight of his career.

Mike is a lifelong guitarist and product of the 80s, raised on large doses of hair metal. He’s pretty sure he was vaccinated with a phonograph needle as a baby because he’s been obsessed with guitar and music ever since childhood. He graduated with a business degree from Ramapo College and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt…but really, who cares about all that? He is most proud of the 2-year stint he did with Berklee College of Music to gain a Master’s Certificate in Guitar. He obsesses over School of Rock from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed, much to his family’s chagrin.

Mike would rather watch ballet than football and he likes Chinese food, Halloween movies, Orange Theory Fitness, and Van Halen. (Note: his wife thinks he built the school to display his Van Halen stuff, and she’s not wrong.) When not working, he’s modifying guitars, playing in the NJ-based cover band Toy Canon, hanging with his wife and kids, and going to church.
Robin Cabana Studio Coordinator, Little Wing Teacher
Robin Cabana
Studio Coordinator
Robin Cabana is a graphic designer, Star Wars enthusiast and Girl Scout leader who lives in New Jersey with her pug, Penny. She is an aunt to five awesome kids. Robin doesn’t play any instruments, but she’s not afraid to rock the mic at karaoke. Robin spent most of her career working in newspapers, until she started her own graphic design and social media business. She graduated from Rutgers University where she majored in history and one of her favorite classes was History of Rock and Roll.

Robin is a proud nerd, obsessing over Star Wars, Thor, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Supernatural, and too many other things to list. She reads about 100 books a year (seriously!) and loves building Legos and taking care of her succulent plants. Musically, Robin is a child of the 80s and teen of the grunge era who grew up listening to 60s pop. Her favorites include the Beatles, Springsteen, the Pretenders,U2, Depeche Mode, the Who, Bob Dylan, the Stones, the Killers, Madonna, Indigo Girls, Lady Gaga, and all the showtunes.
Chris White Studio Coordinator
Chris White
Studio Coordinator
Chris is a lifelong music fanatic with an obsessive passion and encyclopedic knowledge of all things rock n’ roll. Chris is excited to share his passion with the next generation of rock and rollers and bring them up to speed on all things Aero-to Zep.
Favorite Colors: Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Moody Blues, Green Day and Pink Floyd.
Favorite Foods: Pearl Jam, Chili Peppers, Meatloaf, Bread and Cream.
Chris is married and has one teenage son that does NOT share his rock n’ roll passion, even though he tried very hard. When his son was 5 and asked him: “What’s heavier, a car or a tree?” Chris answered: “Black Sabbath.”
Jacob Cummings Music Director, Drum Teacher
Jacob Cummings
Music Director, Drum Teacher
Jacob has two degrees from Bard College, one in Mathematics and another in Teaching. He’s been drumming since he was 8 years old and firmly states that “the drums are indisputably the coolest instrument and anyone who says otherwise is lying to make themselves feel better about their non-percussive instrument.”

Jacob believes that music can bring out the good in people and inspire them to be the best versions of themselves. He says: “When people experience the joy of musical creation, they are more capable of loving themselves and the people around them. This makes way for the development of a helpful community and support group." Jacob is so excited to see School of Rock Maywood blossom into a home for its students and staff.
Tom Abella Guitar Teacher
Tom Abella
Guitar Teacher
Self-taught Colombian guitarist Tom Abella started playing at the age of 18. Only 3 years later, he was already teaching guitar in an elementary school in his native Bogota. Around 1993, Abella put together his first cover band, and had already started making a living as a musician playing at bars when he won the first Electric Guitar Festival contest in Colombia. This award gave him the opportunity to be known in Bogotá’s music scene.

Tom Abella made his big debut in the first “Rock Al Parque” festival in 1995, quickly positioning himself as the first and then only guitarist with a Progressive Instrumental Rock proposal in Colombia. In 2000 Abella became the first electric guitar teacher at the National Pedagogical University of Colombia, where he worked as director of the electric instruments area until 2006 and simultaneously as a teacher at the District University until 2011. He also recorded an instructional DVD clinic called "Guitar Skills" in 2005 for "ArtefactoProducciones" in Bogota.

Abella has single-handedly composed and produced a total of 4 albums to date: Ragnarock (1997), Nacidos para la Batalla (1999), Tinitus (2005) and The Architect of the Universe (2016). He has been sponsored throughout his career by renowned brands such as Schecter Guitars, Fernandes Guitars, Laney Amplification, D'Addario Guitar Strings and EKO Guitars, which built him a signature model, the “Tom Abella Eko Fire".

After multiple years touring Latin America and the United States, he’s now residing permanently in New York City, where he has taught guitar and bass at renowned institutions like The School of Rock Queens and Rock Island Sound.
Chris Hawkins Drum Teacher
Chris Hawkins
Drum Teacher
Chris has been teaching drums since 2001. He is a former Spaun Drum endorser and is featured on the Vic Firth Educational Program as an educator. If you love drums and metal, Chris is your guy! Past bands include Midian (thrash metal) from 1989-1991, Gomez’s Childhood (hardcore) from 1994-1996, and The Binary Code (Tech-metal) in 2015. Notable recordings include Wolf’s Blood EP (2020) and Tears Of Rain (single 2021). His current project is Beyond Shadows, a melodic death metal band. He is also the author of the book “Chris Who??!! The Writings and Ramblings Of An Unknown Musical Bore” available on Amazon.
Elana Duggan Vocal Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Elana Duggan
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Elana is an accomplished vocalist who has been singing and performing her entire life. She is currently enrolled at William Paterson University for Pop Vocal Performance. She loves creating and sharing her passion for music with others, and is excited to continue her music career as a part of the School Of Rock family!
Steve Hoffman Guitar Teacher
Steve Hoffman
Guitar Teacher
Steve has been playing guitar for over 30 years in various bands and projects. He also has 15 years of experience as a bandleader and composer, performing in venues such as CBGBs, Mercury Lounge, and The Knitting Factory in NYC. He was educated in music theory and jazz improvisation at Pennsylvania State University. Steve specializes in funk and rock styles. He is also an avid record collector and DJ. He lives in Garfield with his wife and 2 young children.
Little Wing/Rookies Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher Rhonda Schuster
Rhonda Schuster
Little Wing/Rookies Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Rhonda Schuster is a published singer-songwriter, performer, musician, and the author of her first children's book, Oobba Dabba Wabba Chu. Rhonda's passion is singing in clubs, restaurants, and concerts, from the tri-state area to St. Barths in the French Caribbean, and performing all genres for all ages.

Rhonda has had her song, "We Might Never Feel This Way Again," featured in a segment on the CBS soap opera, As the World Turns. Her songwriting afforded her a position as a staff writer at Phantom Publishing. Rhonda has released four albums to date, and is currently recording her fifth album.

Rhonda specializes in music programs and performances for children from Pre-K to 6th grade, the YWCA of Bergen County, numerous hospital audiences, and treatment facilities for disabled patients. She creates a productive environment for group participation, physical movement, rhythmic play, and group singing, where freedom of expression and socialization is the key—which is what brought her to School of Rock!

Rhonda loves cupcakes and is a cookie dunker, which led to her writing a song about it. She loves to be spontaneously creative in humorous ways. Some would say she is a master at creating pipe cleaner animal figures.
Drum Teacher Sal Lano
Sal Lano
Drum Teacher
Sal Lano found his passion for the drums and music at a young age. Shortly after upgrading from cardboard boxes to a drum kit, his father signed him up for the School of Rock at the age of 11. Since then, Sal has played countless shows at numerous venues, including The Stone Pony, Mercury Lounge, The Knitting Factory Brooklyn, and Rockwood Music Hall. Sal uses his knowledge and enthusiasm to show how amazing a drum kit could make you feel while discovering all the different styles of music that are able to drive you to be your best. There's no greater feeling than playing the drums!
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Cindy Torres
Cindy Torres
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Cindy has been studying and practicing voice for almost a decade and teaching most of that time. She has worked with (and been taught by) various vocalists from many genres, including opera, jazz, rock, and folk. Her absolute favorite band is Paramore, and her influences range from Amy Winehouse to Janis Joplin to Leonard Cohen.

Cindy loves Seattle, sushi, and her cat named Cleo. She is excited to bring her talent and experience to our School of Rock students!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher Myles Yambao
Myles Yambao
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher
One of Myles' earliest memories is being picked up from a babysitter's house and seeing his mom carrying two vinyl records: Sgt. Pepper's and Pet Sounds. Since then, he has been a proud disciple of rock and roll and has picked up multiple instruments including drums, guitar, bass, ukulele, and singing.

Myles received guitar lessons from Richie Ranno of Starz and Starz Central fame, was percussion captain of his high school's marching band, sang in his high school's choral ensemble, and was even a member of the Bergen County Chorus. Myles formed his own band, The Neverends, when he was in the sixth grade and continues to play shows and tour all over the country to this day with them.

Myles has played iconic venues such as NY's Mercury Lounge, Bowery Electric, Rockwood Music Hall, and The Knitting Factory, as well as NJ's The Stone Pony, Debonair Music Hall, Crossroads, Prototype 237, and countless others. His influences include The Beatles, Beach Boys, Misfits, Ramones, Sex Pistols, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, The Lemon Twigs, KISS, Queen, ABBA, and anything and everything produced by Motown. Myles is incredibly excited to be a part of the School of Rock Maywood team!
Singing Teacher Madeline Moneypenny
Madeline Moneypenny
Singing Teacher
At 4 years old, Madeline’s musical career began when she would get up on the table at holiday dinners to serenade her family (complete with a spoon for a microphone). She now holds a degree in Music, specializing in Vocal Performance and Electronic Production from Bard College. Madeline’s singing style bridges rock, jazz, R&B, and pop music. She released a collaborative album, “Just Friends,” in 2022 and is releasing her first solo project, “Like a Dream,” in January 2023, songs from which she’s been playing at East Coast venues.

Singing has always been a source of joy and empowerment for Madeline, as well as a way to make lifelong friends and find a musical community. She is so excited to join School of Rock Maywood and work with students on developing their voices and finding the fun in singing!
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Rob Hunkele
Rob Hunkele
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Rob is a musician with more than twenty years of experience playing all over the country. His primary instruments are the guitar and keyboard, and he brings a vast knowledge of music theory to his teaching approach. He’s currently the guitarist for the rock-jazz band Jupiter X-9, as well as a member of the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation. Additionally, his talent spans many genres, as he has directed film and theater and done video editing as well.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher Yossi Shoham
Yossi Shoham
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Yossi Shoham began his musical journey in childhood learning piano and clarinet. Jamming with his father, he developed a unique style that carried on to his own compositions. Playing in a duo and in several bands for many years, he truly enjoys live performances and collaborations. While currently working as a software engineer with an electronic engineering background, Yossi naturally connects technical music studio skills in recording, editing, and producing music, especially in the live performance area. In his own words: “Every day I cherish the moments of making music.”
Al Zapata Bass Teacher
Al Zapata
Bass Teacher
After a long slumber (raising children) the Bass Hawk Returneth! Come one, come all and learn to be the foundation of this music we love and call rock! Al brings 30 years of experience combined with touring and playing legendary venues like CBGB's and Lamours. He’s shared the stage with Overkill, Biohazard and the Milwaukee Metal Fest to name a few. In his own words: “I’m looking for willing students who want to be the unsung heroes of any and all music outfits… I hope to see and hear you as soon as possible. Rock on!”
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Corey Moore
Corey Moore
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
With over two decades of experience in music education, Corey brings a wealth of knowledge to School of Rock Maywood as a performer, composer, and vocal/keyboard instructor. An accomplished musician with multiple degrees in music education (B.M., M.S.), Corey continues to leave a lasting impression on young musicians and audiences alike.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher Ira Carranza
Ira Carranza
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher
Ira is a pianist and vocalist who is currently studying Music Education at Berklee College of Music. He has many years of live performing experience and has taught students ranging between elementary school and high school. Ira is excited to be a part of the School of Rock Maywood family, where he can teach and create music with passionate students!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Vince Genella
Vince Genella
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Vince Genella has been working consistently in the music business for over 37 years. He has been recording, performing, teaching guitar, and working as a clinician at trade shows and music stores all over the country. Vince has had the pleasure of sharing the stage over the years with some fantastic artists like Stuart Hamm, Larry Mitchell, Lou Pallo, Steve Vai, Johnny Highland, Ace Livingston, and Greg Martin.

Vince's instrumental compositions are led by searing melodic technique and passionate, fiery leads through mature song-oriented hooks and progressions. Live, Vince combines straightforward lead guitar with a showman’s flair to create a dynamic on-stage presence.

As a teacher, Vince has taught hundreds of “kids of all ages” how to play guitar and bass, along with music theory. He is not sure exactly how many people he has taught over the years, but it's in the thousands. Between private lessons, teaching at high schools, and music stores, Vince has given well over 70,000 individual lessons! This amount of experience makes Vince a great guitar instructor.

Whether teaching, recording, or performing, Vince gets the job done and has a blast doing so! For him, it’s all about fun and the love of music and he is grateful to be able to do what he loves.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.

Reviews

What I like about the program is that my kids LOVE it!

This is so different from the music lessons that existed when I was a kid. These kids are actually making music and learning to play as a band. The performances are so impressive, and watching the kids gain confidence and express themselves on stage is priceless.

The structure around how kids learn is amazing.

Taking lessons to learn an instrument is one thing, but learning how to be a part of a band is on another level. These kids are learning how to communicate, respect people and their opinions, and how to be accountable for themselves. It’s more than just music here.

It's the best music program in the city.

Dedicated instructors and staff, vibrant atmosphere, and most importantly, it's fun! My 8-year-old has grown leaps and bounds in skill and personal confidence. If you're thinking about checking it out, don't wait, just do it!

The kids have a great time while learning to play.

Lifelong skills and relationships are born here. The staff shares their passion for music and are very professional and accommodating. Wish I had this type of exposure to music when I was growing up!