Our Team

Owner

Monica didn't know when she was younger that this was where she wanted to be but her life has led her to School of Rock Huntington. Monica grew up in a talented home where everyone had a musical talent except for her. Her dad, a self-taught musician, could play anything you put in front of him. Monica, on the other hand, was musically challenged. She would sing at the top of her lungs not really caring that she was pitchy and off-beat (and still does). Her parents sent her to piano lessons even though she really wanted to play the drums. After the second month of lessons, the instructor told Monica that he would pay her to stop going if she promised not to tell anyone she had been his student (true story!).

Monica's son, Michael, became interested in playing the guitar at a young age. She and her husband, Gene, encouraged Michael to play but quickly realized that taking lessons just wasn't enough. Coming home and practicing on his own wasn't fun. After some internet research, Monica learned about School of Rock.

Monica and Gene quickly scheduled an appointment thinking this was all just too good to be true. They had no idea that School of Rock would not only change her son's life but the lives of her entire family! Throughout Michael's years at School of Rock, Monica turned her photography to the concert world. She was fortunate to have met some incredible artists and is lucky to now call them her friends. They introduced her to the music business, teaching her about recording, managing, touring, and the list goes on. It was around this time that Michael's band, The Inoculated Canaries, started to develop into more than a garage band. It was also at this time that Gene told Monica he knew what her calling was, and he was right!

Monica and Gene started School of Rock Huntington knowing that it would change the lives of those who walked through the doors. School of Rock Huntington is a clubhouse for our students. They have a place to express themselves musically and are challenged by the incredible teachers that are here.

Regional Director

Dylan is a Long Island-based multi-instrumentalist and educator who has been working at School of Rock since 2015, shortly after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in music education from Five Towns College. Dylan is well-versed in many genres, having performance credits in various rock bands, jazz groups, chamber orchestras, theater orchestras, and more. He has performed at NAMM’s Winter Show in Anaheim CA & South by Southwest in Austin, TX, as well as several local venues including Revolution, 89 North, KJ Farrell’s, Fordham University’s Winterfest, and more.

In the studio, Dylan has played electric bass, upright bass, drum set, percussion, keys, ukulele, and laid down vocal tracks on many songs and albums across multiple genres. A lesson with Dylan means a lesson in theory, ear training, performance, and exposure to multiple genres of music. He is the Regional Manager and Regional Music Director at School of Rock Huntington, Queens, Rockville Centre, Roslyn, and Syosset/Oyster Bay.

Jarryd Razak is a guitarist/bassist and a producer from Long Island, New York. Growing up, Jarryd had a fond interest in music and the inner workings of the business world, and pursued a degree at Five Towns college in business and audio recording. Eventually, he went on to get a masters in business administration from LIU Post. Jarryd has had the privilege of playing and touring with different bands as well as working with different clients as a producer. He currently is working on his solo project Centrifuge and producing for other clients as well. Jarryd is a guitar, bass guitar, keyboard and drum teacher at School of Rock Huntington, Queens, Rockville Centre, Roslyn and Syosset/Oyster Bay.

Joseph Hong is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter born in Flushing, NY. While first learning music playing at church, Joe eventually went on to study and graduate from Musician's Institute in Los Angeles, CA with an associate's degree in guitar performance. Having over a decade's worth of experience in teaching, Joe's philosophy has always been about helping build the next generation of musicians. Joe has also been performing since the age of 10 with all different sorts of groups ranging from local bands, state choirs, to touring musicians. Having been born in Queens and then moving to Long Island, his taste of music widely ranges from Hip-hop to Metal, etc. Joe is a guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drums, and vocal teacher at School of Rock Huntington, Queens, Rockville Centre, Roslyn and Syosset/Oyster Bay.

Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboard, Vocal Instructor & Show Director

John is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Oceanside NY. With a background deeply rooted in punk and progressive rock, his philosophy is focused on developing the musical acuity and passion of his students.

A drum student since age 6 and a self-taught guitarist, John has spent his life studying both the method of music theory as well as the art of songwriting, and received his Bachelors degree in Music from The City College of NY. By focusing on aural development and comprehension, his curriculum is designed to prepare students for the unique challenges that accompany group performance.

John currently plays guitar in It Came From Space, a Long Island based post/math rock band.

Rosie Barker-Trumble is a classically trained vocalist from Long Island. She was in numerous off Broadway shows as a teenager and has always loved musical theater. In New York City she studied voice under Dr. William Riley voice teacher to stars such as Bjork, Celine Dion, Brian from ACDC and more. Currently studying with the Matt Farnsworth Vocal Studio and has recorded with award winning producer Russ DeSalvo. You can find her on Spotify, iTunes, and anywhere music is digitally sold. She graduated from the Musical Theater program at AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) and studied Meisner Technique for acting at James Franco’s Studio4 formerly located in New York City. Her main goal is to teach the younger generation of educated singers how to handle their instrument with unshakeable confidence and charisma. Rosie is a Vocal Teacher and Studio Coordinator at School of Rock Huntington, Queens, Rockville Centre, Roslyn and Syosset/Oyster Bay.

David is a 20-year musician specializing in drums, percussion, woodwinds and piano. He got his start at the age of 10 when a chance meeting with a music teacher prompted him to start clarinet. He attended Laguardia High School of Music and Art and Mannes School of Music, performing with the Laguardia orchestra, the Mannes concert orchestra and the ISO orchestra. After graduating high school, David attended Queens College where he performed with the senior orchestra for three years. He's taken lessons with some of the most famous clarinetists in New York City including Bonnie Sholl, David Glazer, David Weber and Stanley Drucker. After years of clarinet lessons, David felt he needed a change. Percussion was always a love of his so after transferring to Lehman College in the Bronx, he decided to take drum lessons. After four years of percussion lessons with Howard Hirsch, he began performing in various marching band groups and symphonic bands around New York City, trading the woodwind section for the percussion section. Currently, David gives private music instruction in all of his instruments, performs with various rock bands and cover band groups around the city, and writes original compositions in his spare time. David is a Drum and Keyboard Teacher at School of Rock Huntington, Queens, Rockville Centre, Roslyn and Syosset/Oyster Bay.

Matt is a guitarist/vocalist who plays around Long Island with his two bands. He has been playing guitar for over 8 years and is extremely excited to begin teaching students just beginning their musical journey.