Melanie Boyd General Manager
Rock 'n' Roll has always been a major part of Melanie’s life. Her dad sang her favorite Beatles songs on demand, and Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, and Black Sabbath records played non-stop as the soundtrack to her youth. She remains surrounded by music as both her husband and daughter are musicians. Melanie holds an MBA, and with her former experience as Operations Manager for a music school, she has proven success in local marketing, event management, customer service, and administration.
As a parent of School of Rock Doylestown for the past 4 years, she has seen first-hand the incredibly positive impact this unique program and community has on its students. Melanie is thrilled to contribute her experience and talents to the School of Rock Doylestown, and to share her love of music with the students!
Matthew Snyder Guitar Teacher
After growing up listening to guitar-oriented music, such as rock and metal, Matt Snyder began playing guitar at the age of 13. A year into his musical career he joined School of Rock Doylestown, where he became a member of the Doylestown House Band. In his time at School of Rock Doylestown Matt was also accepted into the School of Rock AllStars program, where he toured the east coast from Florida to Connecticut. He even had the opportunity to play with famous musicians, such as Butch Trucks of The Allman Brothers Band. Matt enjoyed his time as a student at School of Rock so much that he decided to give back by becoming a guitar teacher so he could pass on his passion for music. Besides being a guitar teacher here in Doylestown, Matt also directs the Saturday Rock 101 group, as well as the school’s summer music camps.
Alyssa Martin Vocal Instructor
Alyssa Martin received her vocal training from Scarpell Studio of Singing in the 80s and trained alongside recording artist Pink. Her personal style is a blend of power-projecting (Led Zeppelin, Heart, Linda Ronstadt) and a softer, more emotionally-charged delivery (Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Susan Tedeschi). Although she was born singing, Alyssa says it wasn’t until she took vocal lessons that she learned she could belt out a note. Alyssa makes it her mission to help her students break out of their self-imposed limitations and realize how unique their particular gifts truly are. Alyssa, besides being a vocal instructor here at School of Rock Doylestown, performs covers and original songs all around the Bucks County, PA area as an acoustic duo with her husband.
Matt Beato Drum Teacher
Matt Beato is a passionate drummer and musician from Philadelphia, PA. Matt is primarily self-taught but has learned a ton from some of the greatest drummers and musicians in the world. Drums have provided him with some of the most positive experiences in his life. They have brought him joy, meaning and freedom, which he shares with his students. Matt has been playing drums since he was a teenager and is focused on growing musically and expanding his musical opportunities. Matt is also very grateful to be given the opportunity to guide his students on their journey in music and to help them achieve their musical goals. Matt is a drum teacher at School of Rock Doylestown.
Robby Crane Bass Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher
Before starting a teaching career, Robby Crane garnered 21 years of piano training in the styles of classical, jazz, and rock, as well as 12 years of experience with bass guitar. He got his start with this at a School of Rock too. He has been a part of many successful original, jazz and cover bands since high school. Robby now uses his knowledge to help students learn how to play effectively in a band environment, as well as understand the theory that makes up music. Besides being a piano teacher and bass teacher here at School of Rock Doylestown, Robby is also a member of the local up-and-coming band The Great Enough. Robby's favorite bands include Stone Temple Pilots, Yes, The Doors and The Beatles.
Zak Winokur Guitar Teacher
In addition to being a guitar teacher at School of Rock Doylestown, Zak gigs with his original music projects and composes music for exercise and meditation. Zak has traveled near and far in search of music and community, and always returns home to Bucks County filled with appreciation and inspiration from his journeys. Music has been Zak's lifelong source of joy and empowerment. His enthusiasm and positive attitude supports students in their journey of musical expression.
John Hoff Drum Teacher
John Hoff has been playing drums for over 21 years. John specializes in rock, funk and soul. John is a permanent student of drums and percussion who prides himself on technique and groove. As an adult, John studied under the most recorded drummer of all time, Bernard Purdie (Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Hall and Oates, Steely Dan). Recently, John has shared stages with Imagine Dragons, Young the Giant, Matt and Kim and many more. He is a drum teacher at School of Rock Doylestown.
Faye Meyer Piano Teacher, Vocal Instructor
Faye Meyer graduated from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. She studied singing, acting and dance. After graduating, she performed with many theaters in the Boston area. She then moved to the Philadelphia area and has since been active in the theatre community and music scene. Faye also sings and plays keys, covering a variety of top 40 female artists. She performs at many venues throughout the Philadelphia region. She is a piano teacher and vocal instructor at School of Rock Doylestown.
Chris Radwanski Guitar Teacher
Christopher Radwanski has been playing guitar for the past 24 years. As a musician, Chris has toured all over North America and Europe in bands such as Night Panther, White Birds and Suburban Living. His music has been featured in many TV shows, including prominent placements on "Weeds," "Grim," "Awkward," "Skins" and "Riverdale," as well as in advertisements for Coach, Tory Burch and Victoria's Secret.
Chris graduated from Drexel University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry. Since graduating he has started two companies- Avalanche Management, which focuses on artist management, and Born Losers Records, which is an independent record label. He is a guitar teacher at School of Rock Doylestown.
Ryan Gaughan Guitar Teacher
Ryan Gaughan has been teaching professionally for over 15 years. His career as a guitarist and singer has brought him through 49 states, three continents and nine countries. He's also had his work heard on radio stations all over the country and network TV. He’s currently working on a Songwriting degree from Berklee College of Music, and is teaching seminars and classes all over the world. He is a guitar teacher at School of Rock Doylestown.
Danny Cipressi Vocal Instructor, Piano Teacher
Danny Cipressi is a diverse and experienced singer/songwriter/musician who has been teaching for 10 years. He studied opera at The Ester Boyer School of Music at Temple University and went on to sing for the Delaware Valley Opera Company in Philadelphia. He has also performed in musicals and plays. Aside from classical study and performance, Danny has written and recorded his own original music, and has performed in rock and pop bands for numerous years. His focus as a teacher is on building confidence and self-esteem in his students, bringing out the best talents in each of them. He is a vocal instructor and piano teacher at School of Rock Doylestown.
Chris Clark Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Chris Clark joined School of Rock Doylestown as a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher. His daughter has been a student for over three years. Music has been a constant in his life since he was small. He remembers spending hours as a toddler listening to his grandfather play piano. By the time he was in middle school, Chris began playing guitar and saxophone. In high school, he played first chair saxophone in the jazz band, was the drum major for an award-winning marching band and studied advanced music theory. He studied Composition at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, after which he lived in and performed in Austin, TX and New Orleans, LA. During this time, Chris played guitar and bass in garage, punk and rockabilly bands, and made a living selling guitars. He has been teaching himself jazz guitar for over 25 years and currently plays around Doylestown as half of the Malcom-Clark jazz duo.
Dante Cimino Regional Music Director, House Band Director, Show Director
Dante has been playing drums for 32 years. He has toured the world with owner Mike Morpurgo and their band Dandelion. Dante has also shared the stage with bands like Radiohead, Rob Zombie, Gwar, and The Ramones. Dante's approach to his musical direction is brutal truth.
With this approach, he has produced some of the greatest shows.
He loves his job and the kids. Anybody who's had an interaction with Dante has always walked away learning something, and at the very least has gotten a good laugh.
Jonah Lloyd guitar, bass guitar, keyboard and drum teacher
Jonah is a multi-faceted guitarist with 30 years of experience both in live performance and private instruction. Specializing in guitar, drums, bass, and keyboard with ensemble groups ranging from garage rock to twenty-piece, jazz big bands. His formal study includes majoring in music at Kirkwood College with an emphasis on music theory and arrangement. Private studies of classical and jazz guitar with Dan Towey, a published author for Hal Leonard (Pat Metheny Songbook, The Joe Pass Collection and Friday Night in San Francisco). Jonah currently studies with former Miles Davis guitarist and jazz great, Mike Stern.
Jonah has shared the stage with notable musicians, Michael Hampton aka kid Funkadelic, Russell Malone (Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr.) Mark Whitfield, Dave Samuels (Spyro Gyra) Mickey Melchiondo, Glenn McClelland, Dave Dreiwitz of Ween and Jazz legend, Louie Bellson.
Jonah’s versatility of style and invaluable experience has been developed from on stage playing in a variety of acts from top 40 and hard rock to professional country bands, as well as work as a guitar technician for artists including the great Smokey Robinson and acclaimed Led Zeppelin tribute act, Get The Led Out.
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Rock, Hard Rock, Funk/RnB/Soul, Bluegrass and country.
Amber Miller Studio Coordinator
Amber Miller has been a Rocker since she was 2 years old, headbanging to Metallica! She grew up with a diverse taste in music and loves listening to AC/DC, Rolling Stones, and The Beatles. Whatever the mood dictates, she has a song for it! She has previous experience in the hair industry and she is always seeking new ways to express herself creatively. Amber’s sibling has been with Doylestown School of Rock for the past 5 years. She has come to many performances and has seen first-hand the impact of our program. She is very excited to now be behind the scenes and to be starting this next chapter in her life at School of Rock Doylestown as Studio Coordinator!
Tony Billings Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Tony Billings is a guitar and bass teacher from Baltimore, MD. He moved to Philadelphia in 2019. Inspired to play guitar by watching his uncle as a young toddler, he’s been an avid fan of music all of his life. He first picked up the guitar at 13. While rock and metal have been his primary areas of interest, he developed a strong love for classical and jazz while studying music at Carroll Community College in Westminster, MD. After performing and touring in local bands for a few years, he continued touring the U.S. as a guitar technician for bands like Texas in July and The Ghost Inside. He strives to inspire and help upcoming generations to become the best they can be on their musical journey.
Adam Pierson Drum Teacher Adam Pierson
Adam is an established and well rounded drummer/percussionist. He has been performing and playing for over 18 years. From Langhorne PA, Adam studied music at Bucks County Community College and has achieved his Bachelors of Music at West Chester University. During his time at BCCC and West Chester, he has played in many jazz ensembles, jazz trios and percussion ensembles. He also played for the West Chester University orchestra, concert band and marching band. Adam has been a member of seven different bands and has played many different styles of music such as rock, jazz, folk, alternative etc. He is currently playing with two local Philadelphia bands. He has had the privilege of studying with David Nelson of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has had the pleasure and opportunity to study with Joe Morello.He’s recorded albums, demos and other projects. He currently tours with the nationally acclaimed tribute band Think Pink Floyd. He has opened for Sebastian Bach of Skid Row. He is currently performing with the highly talented original band known as The Zeke Sky Band. They have been performing along the entire east coast. They have performed with the national act King’s X. They have also performed with national acts such as Tantric, Brian Quinn (Candlebox), Danny Beissel (Featherborn fosterchild), and Brian Bortnick (Octane). They were also offered to perform with Alex Skolnick from the national act Testament and Stu Hamm. In October 2020, The Zeke Sky band was featured in The Rolling Stone (India) discussing the band, their new music video and their new upcoming album that will be premiering in 2020.
Eugen Ruzickij Guitar Teacher
Eugen started playing guitar when he was 15, growing up in a town outside of Dusseldorf Germany. He always knew he wanted to rock, but decided to study acoustic guitar for 2 years first. This led to the discovery of a love for all things folk and fingerpicking.
At the age of 19 he started writing and performing original music with his first band, but he knew it would take more knowledge to survive in todays music environment. He wanted to take a look behind the curtain and decided to start an apprenticeship as a concert promoter and booking agent in Cologne.
After learning how to plan, set up, execute and accompany artists on tour, he once again turned his attention towards his own concerts in and around Cologne. Eugen also opened a booking agency specializing in everything metal. One day, while on tour with the Andre Rieus Orchestra and the Harlem Gospel Choir, he found himself in a venue of 20,000+ people. It was at that moment he swore to himself he would always work with music, be it in front, on stage or behind it.
Eugen has toured with artists like Simply Red, Foreigner, Peter Maffay, Die Toten Hosen and many more all across Europe.
Eugen is a graduate of the "Professional Program" of Germany's prestigious MMS, and has attended workshops with Mika Tyyskä (Mr. Fastfinger), Thomas Blug ("Fender Strat King of Europe" Award Winner), Ace (Skunk Anansie), Mattias Eklundh and many more.
The diversity approach paid off when he started teaching guitar in between tours, in the school where he was classically trained himself.
Expanding to teach with other schools, as well as providing private lessons was only natural. 10 years later he booked, organized, worked as a merchandizing manager and played over 120 concerts with his band "Me And My System" whose singer was a finalist on Germany's Got Talent. Last year, Eugen moved to the US to marry his wife and start his music career here.
Ryan Paolilli Drum Teacher
Ryan Paolilli is a professional session/touring drummer and educator. He has been playing drums for 20 years, touring for 10 years, and teaching for 12 years. He is currently the drummer for Philly-based touring act Kaonashi, and legend goth rock band, Christian Death.
Growing up, Ryan received a music education from the award winning NMRSD band program, participating in Wind Symphony, Marching Band, Jazz band and more. As well, Ryan has studied under drumming greats like Mike Mangini (Dream Theater, Extreme, Steve Vai), Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta, Trash Talk, Chiodos), Jonathan Collin Greene, Joel Turcotte, and more.
Adam Howell Drum Teacher
Adam Howell was born and brought up near London in the UK, moving to the US many years ago. Following some early success playing drums with local bands around London, he moved to the support side of the business, doing tour and stage management for many artists including Queen, Paul McCartney, Glen Campbell, Liza Minnelli and many others.
After arriving in the US, Adam pursued a corporate career and in 2015 renewed his focus on playing drums, since when he’s worked with several local bands with styles ranging from rock to country to heavy metal. He’s currently involved with a Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac tribute band based out of Lancaster PA