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Faculty

Why Manasquan Music Academy

Manasquan Music Academy offers private and group lessons for ages 4 to adult. We provide many performance opportunities throughout the year allowing our music students to showcase what they’ve been working on. While you are here researching the best school for you, please consider the benefits of becoming a Manasquan Music Academy student and find out why we are the area’s number one choice for music lessons.

We teach Piano, Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Drums, Rock Shop, Woodwinds, Brass, Jazz House & Ukulele

Meet Our Teachers

Joe Caroselli

Drums

Joe Caroselli has a degree in Communications from Seton Hall University. Joe has performed with some of the nation’s best known orchestras, groups, and soloists– including The Temptations, The Drifters, Dionne Warwick, Dick Clark, The Manhattan Transfer, Kelly Ripa, Barbara Walters, and the legendary rock icon Chuck Berry. Joe was the “Chief Drummer” for Disney on Ice, The Ice Capades, the touring company of Jersey Boys, the Broadway shows Grease, Shenandoah, and the Motown Revue at the Ritz Theater. More than anything, Joe helps to develop his students’ skill level and self confidence, and helps to make learning to play the drums “FUN” for them at MMA!

Jim Pellegrino

Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet and Oboe

Jim Pellegrino was born in Plainfield, NJ and started his musical studies at the age of nine. At the age of fourteen he was a member of the NJ All-State Band on saxophone.
He is a Graduate of Kean University where he received his BA in Music Education. Studied Classical Music with such notables as John Wion (New York City Opera), Harold Bennet (Philadelphia Orchestra) and Engelbert Brenner (NY Philharmonic). Has performed with many orchestras in the New York and Metropolitan area. Studied Jazz with Jazz Greats Frank Foster (Count Basie Band), John Stubblefield (McCoy Tyner Band) and Jimmy Heath (Saxophone)

Lynley Evans

Voice

Education: Lynley obtained her BFA in musical theatre from Montclair State University in 2015. She has performed in numerous main stage productions and was nominated for the 2014 KCACTF Irene Ryan award for the role of Maggie Jones in 42nd Street.
Professional Background: Lynley Evans has been classically trained since the age of eight and has performed in many different choirs including All State Chorus, AMEA honor chorus, Acapella Jazz ensembles, and Show Choir. A Birmingham, Alabama native, she has worked with two-time Tony Award-winning Red Mountain Theatre numerous times as a performer, youth ensemble member, facilitator, and instructor since 2005. Lynley is a seasoned vocal instructor and has been teaching for the past six years freelance and at Mason Music Studios (Birmingham, AL).

Jon Bass

Bass, Guitar, Drums, Ukulele and Rock Shops

Jon Bass primary instruments are bass guitar, acoustic and electric guitar, ukulele, and Drums. Jon currently teaches multiple of our Rock Shop Bands, Bass Camp, Beatles Camp, Songwriting Workshop along with his regular multi-instrumental classes. Graduated from Monmouth University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Music with a concentration in Music Industry. Has been playing a variety of instruments all over New Jersey and the east coast for various artists and organizations.

“I have a deep appreciation for all genres and styles of music. I love being able to introduce people to the wonderful world of music. If you are looking to learn an instrument, come and see me! I will show you just how fun music can be, no matter your level of knowledge. If you’re already experienced and looking to learn more we can take a deeper dive into your instrument and music theory.”

Matt Balkovic

Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drums, Ukulele and Rock Shops
Matt Balkovic is a NJ based musician and has played over 1,000 live shows. He’s been with MMA for about a year and is currently the lead instructor for 3 of our ROCKSHOP bands. Most recently his student lead band “STRETCH” won our first MMA LIVE! Band Demo Contest!

Adam Malarich

Trumpet

Adam Malarich is a trumpeter in the Central New Jersey area living with his wife and two dogs. He graduated with a Bachelors of Music Performance from Rowan University and a Masters in Jazz Studies from the Mason Gross School of the Arts. You can find him playing various gigs around New Jersey whether it’s in musical pit orchestras, churches, jazz combos, parades, brass quintets, or anything else that may have a trumpet! Besides music he enjoys other arts of woodworking and cooking. He’s been happy to be teaching at Manasquan Music for over three years.

Bryan Brosen

Drums, Bass and Guitar

Bryan Brosen teaches Drums, percussion, hand drums, guitar, bass guitar, ukulele & harmonica. Bryan has studied drumming with jazz legend and author John Riley (Art Of Bop Drumming, Beyond The Art of Bop, Jazz Drummers Workshop), studied drumming with Joe Bergamini, has studied with drummer Dom Famularo as well as many others. He was chosen to help co-write material for the legendary “Turn It Up & Lay It Down” Warner Bros publication, which is widely used at the Berklee School of music in their music curriculum. Bryan has worked with and recorded with many bands in the jersey, New York and Philly area. Bryan continues to tour the east coast with the band Screaming Broccolli

Dan Hogan

Drums, Guitar, Piano and Ukulele

My name is Daniel Hogan. You can call me Danny or Dan if you like. I am from Bridgewater, NJ and I live in Seaside Park. I very much love to sing, write songs, and compose and arrange music. I especially love to play gospel organ, gospel/blues/bluegrass guitar and bass guitar, mandolin and banjo in the context of Irish folk music, American jazz music on the piano, European classical piano repertoire on keyboards, and as of recently I am teaching myself to play alto saxophone. I play with many musicians locally and around New Jersey, I play keyboards with Jarod Clemons and the Late Nights, and I have my own band the ‘Hogi Berra Orchestra’. At Rutgers University I studied mathematics, economics, and computer science. I love to teach people how to become more fluent in the language of music. I believe all humans are born very apt to understand music. If you can put a song on in the car, and feel some type of way, then you are quite fluent in understanding the language of music. If you can speak, tap a pen, hum, shake any number of limbs, or blink at all you are very much able to communicate musically.

Chris Catania

Guitar, Drums and Rock Shops
Growing up in a house where music was playing at all times, Chris got his first guitar at age 12. It led him to study at Berklee College of Music, where he graduated with studies in Songwriting and Studio Production & Engineering. He has since formed his band Moonwater for whom he writes, produces and performs with throughout the greater NYC/NJ area and freelances as a recording and mix engineer, having worked in a commercial studio in Manhattan as well as an independent studio in Philadelphia. Chris plays a wide variety of genres but his favorite songs always have a little extra groove to them.

Ashlee Driscoll

Voice
Ashlee Driscoll studied vocal performance at Columbia College in Chicago. There she was in many ensembles and performed at the historic House of Blues. She graduated in 2017 and started teaching voice lessons in 2018. With 5 years of experience she hopes to help her students discover their own sound and confidence with performing!

Fran O'Brien

Guitar, Bass, Drums and Piano
A local to Manasquan NJ, Fran O’Brien previously studied at Berklee College of Music. He is known for being the lead guitarist in the Gabi Cinque Band and Duo. Fran is also an alumni of our very own MMAcademy Summer Jazz Ensemble.
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Emily Grove

Voice, Guitar, Piano and Ukulele

Emily Grove has had a varied and exciting musical journey, from coffeehouses to attending Berklee College of Music, to national television and radio appearances, to tours in the UK and Europe as she continues to grow her artistry. She has recently opened up for Jay Leno at the State Theatre New Brunswick NJ. She has opened up for and performed with British artist David Ford on a two month tour of the UK, Ireland, US, and Canada as well as had her own headlining tour in Germany, Bulgaria, England, and the US. She regularly gets hired to sing backup for many artists for their live shows and recording sessions. She’s worked with David Ford, Glen Burtnik, Steve Forbert, and UK artist Jack Henderson, among many others.
She’s sung backup for David Gray on the Today Show, and Social Distortion at the Stone Pony Summer Stage. She has opened up for: Brett Michaels, Dan Reed, Ari Hest, The Strawbs, Griffin House, and many others. She’s performed regularly with Glen Burtnik in his expansive productions, including his “The Summer of Love”, “British Invasion”, Beatles, and Last Waltz shows.
As a solo act, she’s won awards for “Best Female Acoustic Act” at the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 Asbury Music Awards, and won three Jersey Acoustic Music Awards (best female singer [2011 and 2012]/ female songwriter [2011]). Emily continues to perform everywhere showcasing her material. Her first EP, “Way Across the Sea” was produced by Jack Daley, and her most recent full length release, “Life of A Commoner,” was produced by Seventh Wave Studio. She is currently working on brand new music for a 2024 release.
She recently created her own tribute to Joni Mitchell called “Joni Jam” where she celebrated  her legendary catalogue with an incredible eight piece band and special guests. She is currently working on plans to take this show across the country in 2024.

Steve Honshowsky

Drums, Bass

Steve Honoshowsky is a percussionist and bassist who also plays a variety of electronic instruments.  He has been performing, recording, composing, and facilitating workshops individually and with a variety of artists since 2001. He has studied with Chris Pennie and Billy Martin and currently performs and records with Billy’s Fang Percussion Ensemble, which was featured in the film/dvd, “Life On Drums”.
In 2008, he represented the United States with solo drum performances at the YMCA Europe Festival in Prague, Czech Republic, and co-founded the drummers collective Speak Softly And Carry A Big Stick with Amir Ziv, which was featured in Modern Drummer Magazine.  He has been teaching children and adults for over twenty years and is a facilitator of The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP (http://www.traponline.com/)

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Zach Chalnick

Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba

Zachary Chalnick is a dedicated low brass specialist with a lifelong passion for music. His musical journey began with piano lessons from his mother, eventually transitioning to low brass instruments. While attending Rutgers University, Zachary had the privilege of studying under Alan Baer, the renowned principal tubist of the New York Philharmonic.
Currently, Zachary is a part-time student at Brookdale Community College, where he founded the music club; he is majoring in music education and enjoys playing piano and bass guitar in his spare time. Whether you’re eager to learn a new instrument, strive for musical excellence, or simply want to enjoy making music, Zachary is here to help you achieve your goals.

Zachary Voelbel

Piano

Zachary Voelbel is from North Brunswick, New Jersey, currently lives in Manasquan and has a degree in Music Theory and Composition from New York University. They studied under contemporary composers such as Marc Consoli, Justin Dello Joio and Ezequiel Viñao. Zach has a diverse background in music, from contemporary rock and electronic music to a variety of classical music styles. Zach has experience playing in bands, contemporary chamber groups and composing original music for both the stage and the dance floor. With their training in piano and composition, they offer a comprehensive study in music that will give students the tools they need to not only play music but also understand the music they learn at its fundamental level.
Music is not just a hobby, but it also provides cognitive enrichment for aspiring musicians of all ages. Along with their background in theory, Zach is passionate about the positive therapeutic affects music can have on our minds and bodies.
By taking their lessons, you will be able to learn how to play the classics, play the modern hits and how to write music of your own.

Madison "Maddi" Schille

Voice, Piano
Maddi Schille currently serves as the Choir and Drama Director at Manasquan High School. A summa cum laude graduate of Rowan University in 2019, she began her teaching career shaping young voices as a middle school choir instructor before finding her home at MHS, where she inspires students through piano, music theory, musical theatre, and choir courses. Under her leadership, the MHS Concert Choir has consistently earned Superior ratings at Music in the Parks Competitions, reflecting her exceptional ability to cultivate excellence in her students. Her outstanding work has earned her multiple nominations for Music Director and Directing roles at the prestigious Count Basie Center for the Arts. Most notably, the production of Into the Woods was nominated for Best Musical at the 2024 Count Basie Awards. Maddi is pursuing her Master’s in Music Education at Rowan University and serving as the Assistant Conductor of the New Jersey Chamber Singers. As a soprano, Maddi has graced the stage in numerous productions, including those with Spring Lake Theatre and the OCCRTC in Toms River, NJ, and showcased her talents in Rowan University, opera productions. Maddi can be found singing at local churches in both Ocean and Monmouth County. Maddi is passionate about vocal health and preserving vocal quality in young singers. One of her many passions is unlocking potential and exploring the voice through positive reinforcement and practice.

Gianna "Gi" Brockriede

Voice, Piano and Theater Performance
Gianna “Gee” Brockriede is a NJ native from West Long Branch who has been studying music and performing since she could stand on both feet. She attended Red Bank Regional and graduated from their Visual Performing Arts Academy in 2018 with her focuses being in voice and drama. In 2022, she obtained two degrees from Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, SC in Communications and Theatre Studies with concentrations in live performance, acting, and directing. During her high school and undergraduate years, she was a member of her school’s choir, their chamber choirs, held multiple leads in varying productions such as Into the Woods, Macbeth, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Midsummer Night’s Dream. She directed a production of How I Learned to Drive in 2022 and has received nominations for both her on stage and directorial performances. She was also a mentor and aid for underclassmen through her collegiate years and taught basic piano, vocal lessons, and audition preparation. Gianna has taken voice and lessons from all kinds of teachers and mentors across the east coast and has dipped a toe into almost every genre, holding an appreciation for all kinds of music. Her range is drawn from her participation in bands, choir, and theatre over the years, and she has even worked in songwriting and composition workshops to write and produce her own music. Getting to pass this love of music and performing down to the next generation of artists is both an honor and a privilege, and Gianna promises to make the heart of every lesson all about your student and their goals. Each lesson is carefully crafted around each students’ strengths and needs, and the hope is to provide them with both a skill set and arsenal of techniques that will carry across all genres and styles, for all kinds of stages!!

Martin Terry

Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano and Ukulele

Hey! My name is Martin Terry, and I have been playing and enjoying music my whole life. When given the opportunity to come teach at MMA, I knew it was meant to be. So here I am, ready to share my knowledge and help anyone I can to grow in their musical endeavors. Like a bee drawn to a flower, music is in my nature. Over the years, I have played in countless gigs, spent endless amounts of hours in the studio producing and recording, and have accumulated millions of plays on Spotify from my solo music “Love James”, to my band’s music “Recess Radio”, and other amazing artists I’ve collaborated with, including LaRussel, Drex Carter, Blake Foster, and American Girlfriend, to name a few. In the fall of 2022, I decided to start giving lessons privately to some of my friends who were interested in learning guitar. I found a deep love for teaching during this time, sharing knowledge with others, and seeing their growth is really something special.

Pamela Flores

Voice, Piano, Guitar and Ukulele
Pam is a passionate and experienced music educator with 10 years of teaching expertise. Her background in musical theatre brings a unique blend of performance and technique to her lessons, fostering creativity and artistry in every student. Pam has performed at renowned venues like the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, The Stone Pony, and has performed for Sofar Sounds on Oahu and Sea Hear Now in Asbury Park.

Josh Rivera

Guitar, Bass, Drums and Piano

Joshua Rivera’s primary instruments are acoustic/electric guitar and electric bass. Ranging in styles from rock,blues,funk, R&B, metal, and fingerstyle acoustic guitar.
Joshua received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers University and completed a Post-Bacc Certificate program in Music Therapy at Rowan University, and is currently a board-certified music therapist in New Jersey. Joshua has prior experience working and teaching individuals with various developmental/intellectual disabilities.
“My belief is that every person has a basic inherent musical ability, it’s just about unlocking that in an individual and allowing it to flourish.”

Johnna Orrico

Voice, Vocal Performance and Beginner Guitar
With a deep passion for music, musical theater, and performance technique, Johnna Orrico brings a dynamic and engaging approach to teaching at Manasquan Music Academy. With years of experience in both live and studio settings, she blends technical skill with a love for creative expression, helping students develop confidence and artistry in their craft. Johnna studied under the esteemed Jody Joseph Bongiovi for over ten years, honing her skills in vocal performance, stage presence, and musical interpretation. Beyond teaching, she is actively involved in music ministry and enjoys sharing the transformative power of music with others. Whether working with beginners or advanced students, she is dedicated to fostering strong musicianship and a genuine love for learning. When not teaching, Johnna can be found capturing the energy of live music through concert photography.

Justin Sanford

Voice, Piano, Bass, Drums, Beginner Guitar
Having been a lifelong musician, Justin studied Music Education at Monmouth University. Since then Justin has been both teaching in public schools and privately teaching for over a decade. Justin currently is a Choir and Music Technology director in a high school. Teaching voice and piano, he has years of stage experience in addition to teaching experience both in group and private lessons. His past experience in songwriting and studio recording has been an asset to students who are eager to write and record music of their own. He believes in passion and fun when it comes to music which is present during each lesson. This allows for students to find their spark and grow as students of such an expressive art form.

Josh Skotus

Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, Rockshop Band
Josh is a graduate of Rutgers and is an active gigging musician. Josh’s experience first began in the New Brunswick music scene and plays a number of instruments and has a wide range of musical influences. At MMAcademy Josh is currently the instructor of two of our rockshop bands.