Teachers
Meet Our Teachers!
Our teachers are experts in their chosen instruments and know how to establish a working rapport with their students. They inspire, motivate and challenge the student to achieve, while keeping the experience fun and enjoyable.
Sandro Bevilaqua (he/him)
Guitar and Piano
Sandro is a composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music with a double-major in Music Composition and Film Scoring. He has countless live performances and creative collaborations under his belt, and his compositions have been recognized in several prominent publications.
As a teacher, Sandro focuses on catering to a student's unique learning style and interests to build healthy practice habits while always keeping a relaxed yet fun and engaging learning environment.
Thomas Monaco (he/him)
Guitar, Bass, Drums and Piano
Thomas is a versatile multi-instrumentalist who performs with local brands and works as an audio engineer in his community. A graduate of Berklee College of Music with a degree in Contemporary Writing and Production, he brings his expertise and passion for music into the classroom. Thomas is dedicated to creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment, helping students enhance their technical skills while deepening their understanding of composition and music theory.
Jillana Kucey (she/her)
Voice and Piano
Jillana has an MM from New York University and a post master's certificate in vocal pedagogy. She has been a singer since her first choir when she was 5 years old. Her passion for teaching comes from a love of creativity and self expression. She looks to empower her students by teaching them proper technique and then challenging them to dig into the material to create their own interpretation. She has worked with students of all ages and abilities for nine years. Jillana is an active member of the SoMa arts scene, as a member of the board of the Maplewood Strolllers and as a performer in operas and musicals.
Jordan Stackhouse (he/him)
Guitar, Bass and Piano
Jordan is a multi-instrumentalist with many years of composing and performing experience. As a teacher he encourages exploration and improvisation, guiding his students' development on their musical journey. In addition to one on one lessons, Jordan teaches the
Play Loog Guitar! class as well as Start a Band!
Sunshine Viljoen (they/them)
Piano and Ukulele
Sunshine is a classically trained pianist who graduated from Drew University with a BA in Music. They base their lesson structures on each student's individual personality, musical interests, and goals.
Sunshine’s lessons combine essential music fundamentals with the student's own music choices to inspire a love of music and a desire to learn and grow.
Mary Amato (she/her)
Guitar, Uke and Songwriting
Mary teaches songwriting, ukulele and guitar and enjoys nurturing joy in music making.
She also has experience as a performing singer-songwriter and as a performance coach. In her lessons, she shares strategies for overcoming stage fright and teaches positive ways to embrace the sharing of music.
Keiko Au (she/her)
Piano
Keiko graduated from Ferris University in Yokohama, Japan, with a Bachelor of Arts. She started taking piano lessons at the age of 5 and has over 20 years' experience teaching piano in Tokyo and New Jersey.
Her students range from preschoolers to adults, from beginners to advanced. Keiko modifies her approach based on her students’ personalities and interests.
Gustavo Caraballo (he/him)
Guitar, Uke and Bass
Gustavo is an NJCU jazz performance/Music Education Graduate with experience playing and teaching in Jersey City and Newark. He hopes to one day see some of his own students playing up on the big stage! He is excited to teach students of all ages and levels about the joy of music and its amazing depth!
David Longworth (he/him)
Drums
Available In Home & Online
David is a methodical and patient drum teacher and mentor with real-world experience. He has played with Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Ben E. King, Phoebe Snow, Percy Sledge, Joan Osborne, The Drifters and many others. David teaches our in-home drum lessons.
Bill Buckley (he/him)
Guitar, Bass and Ukulele
Bill is a guitarist and song writer who reinforces theory as the key to enable students to read music, write their own songs and play with other musicians. he holds a Master's Degree in Education with a focus on simulation-based learning, and strives to enable students to develop their own voice on the instrument.
Katie Willey (she/her)
Voice and Piano
Katie has earned her Master's Degree at Westminster Choir College, and is a pianist and vocalist experienced in choral education, elementary music and musical theatre.
Katie teaches voice, piano and ukulele lessons and teaches the Music Moves for Piano classes.
Sally Shupe (she/her)
Guitar, Loog and Uke
Sally is majoring in Jazz Guitar Performance at William Paterson University, studying under Dave Stryker. She has many years of performing experience and currently plays in the orchestra pits of musicals, including 'Something Rotten' and 'Mama Mia'. Sally’s goal is to fuel students’ love and knowledge of music in a fun and creative way!
Maisie Conrad-Poor (she/her)
Violin
Maisie hails from Maplewood and is a Columbia High School grad! She was first violinist in the Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra and chamber ensembles, performing classical repertoire and new music, and also has experience playing Southern Appalachian and Celtic tunes, gained during Summers in North Carolina. Maisie has gained experience with younger students through her violin work at Finlay & Gage.
Matthew Henegan (he/him)
Cello
Matthew teaches online cello lessons while he pursues his MBA at the University of Boston. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music.
Matthew is very passionate about cello, and tailors his teaching style to fit the needs and goals of his students.
Available Online
Richard Alston (he/him)
Piano
Richard earned his Bachelor's and Master's of Music from Juilliard, and at age 17, performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no. 1 at Lincoln Center. Richard's Classically Black lecture-concert series has been performed at universities throughout the US. He is an adjunct professor of The London College of Music.
John Brophy (he/him)
Guitar
John founded In Tune nine years ago as a neighborhood music school where kids, adults and teachers can all share the joy of learning and playing music. He is an active Suzuki guitar teacher in addition to teaching morning adult lessons.
A.C. Panno (she/her)
Voice and Piano
A.C. is a classically trained pianist and vocalist, and lead music instructor for a notable NYC recording studio. She has worked with top talent from Lincoln Center, major record labels and other media outlets.
A.C. specializes in pop music training, providing piano and vocal instruction for all levels. She is also a ghostwriter and producer, and enjoys helping artists find their unique voices and gifts. She encourages her students to bravely embrace their art and is excited to be working in her local community!