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.
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 Improvisation class as well as Start a Band!
JORDAN STACKHOUSE (he/him)
GUITAR, BASS, PIANO
Diane is an actor and singer who is best known for playing Ginny Weasley on Broadway in "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child". She has an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and an MFA in acting from NYU. Diane loves helping students discover the confidence and self-knowledge that can come from artistic expression.
DIANE DAVIS (she/her)
VOICE
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.
RICHARD ALSTON (he/him)
PIANO
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.
SUNSHINE VILJOEN (they/them)
PIANO
Desiree is a vocalist, songwriter and educator with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Vocal Performance and Master's in Arts Presenting and Live Entertainment Management from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. She is the frontwoman of SHENZI, a quintet known for their bold fusion of jazz, hip hop, soul, and Latin. She has performed at Art Basel, iiiPoints, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. A passionate educator and community worker, Desiree believes music plays a crucial role in strengthening and healing communities.
DESIREE BANNISTER (she/her)
VOICE AND PIANO
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.
MARY AMATO (she/her)
GUITAR, UKE, SONGWRITING
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.
KEIKO AU (she/her)
PIANO
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.
DAVID LONGWORTH (he/him)
DRUMS (IN HOME & ONLINE)
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.
KATIE WILLEY (she/her)
VOICE AND PIANO
Matthew teaches online cello lessons while he pursues his 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.
MATTHEW HENEGAN (he/him)
CELLO (ONLINE)
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.
MAISIE CONRAD-POOR
(she/her) VIOLIN
Bill is a guitarist and songwriter who reinforces music 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.
BILL BUCKLEY (he/him)
GUITAR, BASS, UKE
Gustavo is an NJCU jazz performance/Music Education major 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!
GUSTAVO CARABALLO (he/him)
GUITAR, UKE, BASS
Alejandro grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina studying guitar before moving to US. He developed as an instructor in New York City, gaining experience teaching keyboards, bass, drums and rock-band at several different schools and programs. Combining his experience as an artist and educator, he aims to provide useful musical tools for his students, and to connect at a human level through the language of music.
ALEJANDRO MEOLA (he/him)
GUITAR, BASS, PIANO
Sally plays guitar in the 2023 New Jersey All-State Jazz Ensemble. She has many years of performing experience and currently plays in the orchestra pits of musicals, including 'Something Rotten' and the upcoming 'Mama Mia'. Sally’s goal is to fuel students’ love and knowledge of music in a fun and creative way! Sally teaches one on one lessons as well as Start a Band! class.
SALLY SHUPE (she/her)
GUITAR, LOOG, UKE
Aly is a multi-instrumentalist with a passion for rhythm and a commitment to fostering a love for music in their students. A MAPSO native, Aly is active in the local music scene and has experience with performance, music technology, and composition. They aim to empower their students with technique and creativity to help them along their musical journey. Aly teaches drum and bass, and also Start a Band!
ALY PHILLIPS (they/them)
DRUMS, BASS, BAND
John founded In Tune eight 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.
JOHN BROPHY (he/him)
GUITAR
Jillian is a singer and actress who earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory of Music. She has performed as Elphaba in Wicked, as well as with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Jillian leads with her passion and expertise, always with a welcome and supportive environment for her students to explore their vocal potential.
JILLIAN RINALDI (she/her)
VOICE, PIANO