Tom Vidal Owner
Tom Vidal’s love affair with rock began as a third grader in rural New Jersey, when a classmate dropped the needle on Kiss’ "Detroit Rock City" during recess. He joined his first band at age 13 and went on to graduate from Shenandoah University with a degree in Music Therapy and a minor in Classical Guitar Performance. In the early 1990s, he was the lead guitarist and songwriter for the Irish-influenced original rock band Surrey Lane, performing regularly in some of NYC’s most popular venues. Like many other aspiring musicians, Tom grew up, got married, entered a career in software quality assurance and had two children. After seeing his children flourish at School of Rock Roslyn, Tom was inspired to launch a School of Rock franchise here in Bayside, where he can share his love of music and performance with a new generation of future rockers. Tom is currently a member of the classic rock cover band Crossing Sunrise, which was nominated Best Cover Band in Long Island.
Sam Ventura General Manager and Music Director
Sam Ventura knew exactly what he wanted out of life the moment an electric guitar was placed in his hands at the age of 10. He wanted to surround himself with all things music. As his love and dedication grew, it became clear that in order to truly understand music, he would need to commit himself to not just playing music, but understanding it as great art. Sam believes in the power of music education, a belief that has shaped his entire life. Armed with a B.S. in Music Technology from Kent State University and a M.F.A. in Recording Arts and Technologies from Middle Tennessee State University, Sam has succeeded as a Nashville Music Producer, Audio Engineer, Studio and Touring Musician. Now in New York, Sam’s journey has brought him to exactly where he has wished; in a position to pass on the knowledge he has acquired to the next generation of music lovers and performers. Lucky for him, that position happens to be with School of Rock Queens!
Cotter Champlin Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Cotter Champlin is a guitar player from the Finger Lakes region of New York. Born in 1996, his connection to music began at the age of nine with the alto saxophone, which he played throughout grade school. By 14, his affinity for the big four of thrash metal drove him towards the guitar, which would lead to a dense journey through many walks of music. He received a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance from Purchase College and moved to Queens to continue to play and record music with multiple genre-spanning groups around the NYC metropolitan area and to be part of the School of Rock Queens team. He is a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher here.
Victoria Consalvo Studio Coordinator
Victoria Consalvo has had an interest in music since the age of three. Learning how to compose some of her favorite songs on the piano at the age of five, along with already having an interest in singing, was her way to happiness. Aside from being part of glee club in her early years of school, she furthered her education at Forest Hills High School, where she auditioned for their music program and later was selected to be a member of the school's concert choir. Today you’ll find Victoria continuing her education, hopefully in the near future at Baruch College where she plans to major in Music Management Enterprises. She is our Studio Coordinator at School of Rock Queens.
Sebastian Danalis Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Sebastian Danalis is from Queens, New York. Like most kids, he started playing the alto saxophone in elementary school. Although it was the saxophone that ignited his love for music, he didn’t find his true calling until the age of 16 when he started playing guitar. He decided to pursue his passion for guitar by studying music, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Guitar Performance and Contemporary Writing and Production from Berklee College of Music. Throughout his time in college he was able to tour the US and play various music festivals, such as Boston Calling and Lollapalooza, with multiple different bands. After graduating Sebastian moved back to New York to begin and develop his career as a musician. He is now playing all over New York City as a side man with multiple artists and bands. He is a guitar and bass teacher at School of Rock Queens.
Alexondra O’Connell singing, guitar and keyboard teacher
Alexondra O’Connell is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Long Island. She earned a Bachelor’s Of Music Degree from SUNY Purchase’s Conservatory Of Music and is currently getting her Masters of Music Business from Berklee Online. She’s been performing since she was 12 years old and now plays music venues with her band Xondra in the tri-state area. She’s passionate about nourishing the love of music in her students and is excited to help them reach their full potential. Xondra teaches vocals, keys, and guitar at School of Rock Queens, and co-directs our Rookies program and Rock 101 bands.
Jasmine Jang guitar and keyboard teacher
Jasmine Jang is a Queens-based singer/songwriter. She learned piano from the age of 6, but her love for music bloomed when she began to write songs as a teenager. Under the stage name Jay Miners, she writes and performs regularly at NYC-based venues such as Rockwood Music Hall and Bowery Electric. Her newest EP “The Art We Make” has been described to have “captured emotional beauty”, as it explores her journey as a musician and themes of identity and coming-of-age. Jasmine is also a contributing writer with the Songs of Love Foundation, as well as a freelance songwriter with other New York-based organizations. She is a piano and beginner guitar instructor at School of Rock Queens.
Mike Fox drum teacher
Michael Fox is a drummer and bandleader. He graduated from the High School of Performing Arts Class of 1976 and the Manhattan School of Music as a Mallet Major with Jim Price in 1980. Michael has performed with Etta James, Bobby Martin, Jay Siegel and the Tokens, the Classics, the Devotions, Yankee great Bernie Williams, French rock star Manu Lanvin, Blues great Robert Ross Band, and the Legendary Michael Powers. He is soon to be inducted in the NYC Blues Hall of Fame for his work with many Blues Hall of Famers. Mike has played in many concert venues in New York City, including the Town Hall and Lincoln Center. He has 30 years of teaching experience, and is currently a drum instructor at School of Rock Queens.
Nick Preziosi Singing Teacher, Rookies Instructor
Nicholas is a musical theater performer, singer, and dual degree graduate from Berklee College of Music in Music Education and Songwriting (minor in Musical Theater Writing). He started studying vocal performance in his pre-collegiate years, and has continued exploring vocal styles including classical, musical theater, rock, pop, jazz, and punk rock. Nick has performed classically in performance venues including Berklee Performance Center (Sweeney Todd, West Side Story), and Symphony Hall (MMEA All State Chorus 2013, Final Fantasy Tour 2015, Lord of the Rings In Concert 2016). Nick has experience in the dueling piano bar circuit and has performed for the dueling piano rock show "Howl at the Moon Piano Bar" for 5 years in Boston, MA and Foxboro MA; where he sang the vocal stylings of repertoire that ranged from Queen, Adam Lambert, Shawn Mendez, Frankie Valli, Green Day and Panic at the Disco. He recently debuted his Back-Up vocal arrangements at Rockers on Broadway, 2019. He most recently debuted in New York Theater at the New York Theater's Winter Festival, where he participated in a multi-award winning show "The Circle of Eyes" where he played a leading role. Nick has worked for School of Rock in the past (Natick, MA), and is thrilled to be a part of the School of Rock Queens team!
Paul Fusco Drum Teacher
Paul Fusco is a Brooklyn based drummer and musician. He graduated from The Drummers Collective NYC in 2013 and studied with drummers such as Steve Jordan, Marko Djordjevic and Chris Coleman.
He has toured around the country in various projects and has played an array of musical styles from Hip Hop to Rock and Roll to Afrobeat and Afro-Cuban. He always aims to help students fall in love with music by using calm and focused positive reinforcement to help guide students to progress and also explore different rhythms from around the world!
George Schatzlein Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
George Schatzlein is a guitar, bass, and keyboard instructor at School of Rock Queens. George was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and began getting into guitar around the age of 10 with his interest for 80s thrash metal and 90s Alternative. Through his adolescence he became more involved with Jazz and New Wave, which led to him attending Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music to study Jazz Guitar. During that time George studied under NYC Guitarist Dave Stryker, played on many recording projects ranging from Rock, Jazz, and Ambient/Noise. He has also composed original pieces for Ballet performances by Claire Donovan of the Oregon Ballet Theatre. George moved to New York City to pursue performing, composing, educating, and engineering music.