The Music Shop Performing Arts Center Music Teachers

ROSALIND KNOWLES (Clarinet/Basson/Recorder/Voice) Rosalind Knowles received her Bachelor of Music, cum laude, from Boston University, Master of Arts, University of Oregon and Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Oregon. Selected Post-Doctoral Study: Richards Institute of Music Education and Research: Education Through Music, Summer Certificate Kodaly Music Training Institute, Studies in Ta-Ka-Ti-Na Rhythm Training, Private Voice Study with Patricia Corbett. Teaching Experience include: University of Texas at Arlington, Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Nazareth College of Rochester.

Christine Wilson (Voice/Piano) Christine has a BA and Masters degree in Music Education from Montclair State University, with a concentration in voice. She has been teaching elementary vocal and general music in the public school system for seventeen years, and Instrumental music for four years. This year, she will be the vocal music teacher at Central Middle School in Parsippany. She has also been teaching private voice and piano to students of all ages since 1994. She also directs the children�s and cherub choirs at her church. Over the years, she has performed in many plays and musicals, as well as dance, voice, and piano recitals. She has sung with numerous wedding bands and groups, including the Montclair State University Madrigal singers, under the direction of the late Dr. Jack Sacher. She continues to sing as a church cantor, and soloist for weddings, as well as Diocesan events.

HEIDI DONOUGH (Flute) Heidi Donough graduated from Ithaca College in 2003 with a bachelor of music education degree with an emphasis on flute. She is currently completing her masters in music education from Boston University. For the past 17 years, Heidi has been a flautist and enjoyed 7 years in the Rhode Island All State Band and Orchestra, 3 years in the Souther New England Honors Band, and is currently performing regularly with the Ridgewood Concert Band. She has studied extensively with Anne Diamond, Gigi Velasco, Dan DeLange, Diana Smirnov, Kelly Covert and Wendy Mehne, and has performed in Master Classes for Trevor Wye, Jim Walker, and Jeanne Baxtresser. Heidi has performed in numerous musical productions such as Bye Bye Birdie, The Music Man, Oliver, The King and I, Iolanthe, and Once on This Island, as well as conducting the pit orchestra for Pippin and Jesus Christ Superstar. Heidi will currently be beginning her fifth year of teaching at the David E. Owens Middle School as the band, general music, and drama director.

ELLEN CLARKE (Violin/Viola) Ellen Clarke received her BA in Music at Thomas Edison State College. She also has an AA with a concentration in Music from Raritan Valley Community College and an AS with a concentration in Biology at Raritan Valley Community College. She began teaching private violin lessons in 1977. She is an adjunct teacher at Delbarton School. She is a member of MENC, and ASTA. Ellen teaches weekly Music History and Theory classes to Home-Schooled children. Ellen is a member of the teaching staff of the Jointure teaching beginner violin classes for adults and children. She is also a member of The Keller Quartet.

BRANISLAV SVITEK (Violin/Viola/Cello) Mr. Branislav Svitek began his musical career in his native Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. He studied violin with Professor Albin Vrtel at the Bratislava State Conservatory of Music (Diploma) and later with Professor Bohdan Warchal at the prestigious Bratislava Academy of Music and Drama where he earned his Bachelor�s degree in music. Branislav came to the United States in 1999 after winning a graduate assistantship at the Montclair State University, where he successfully completed his Master�s degree with Professor Oscar Ravina of the New York Philharmonic. He graduated with honors in 2001. Mr. Svitek enjoys a versatile career as a chamber musician and teacher. He has extensively performed throughout Europe as well as in the United States and Japan. Mr. Svitek has won several prizes including first place at the North London Chamber Music Competition. Currently, he is member of the Rosadoni String Quartet and serves on the faculties at the Rutgers Preparatory School, the Lesson Center at the Music Shop and the Garden State Music Festival. He also enjoys private teaching.

SARA MUNCH (Violin/Viola/Cello) Ms. Sarah Munch received her bachelor's degree in Music Education from Michigan State University in 2003 where she was a member of the Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra and studied with Sharan Levental and I-fu Wang. Sarah has been teaching private violin, viola and cello lessons for more than 10 years, and received her Suzuki Method Certification in 2000 from the Ithaca Suzuki Institute in Ithaca, NY. In addition, she has been affiliated with the New Jersey Youth Symphony for the past 17 years, first as a student and then as a teacher. She currently teaches sixth grade orchestra in West Orange and is a member of the Garden State Philharmonic. Sarah is also currently pursuing a Masters degree in Music Education at Rutgers University.

JENNIFER GRAVENSTINE (Cello) Jennifer Gravenstine received a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. As the owner and Artistic Director of Ambrosia Ensembles, she performs regularly for weddings and special events throughout the Tri-State area. She is a member of the North Jersey Philharmonic and performs regularly with orchestras, chamber groups, theater, and as a studio musician for recordings. Jennifer started teaching private cello lessons 10 years ago and has been teaching regularly in Morris County since 2005.

JANA ANDEVSKA (Violin/Viola/Piano) In 1999 Jana was a member of Itzak Perlman Master classes at Brooklyn College of Music where in 2002 she received her Master of Music diploma. She studied with Mr. Masao Kawasaki, who is also a faculty member at Julliard school of Music. Jana performs professionally with chamber groups in places such as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall and Barge Music. She is also teaching at Greenwich Music School in Manhattan and Brooklyn Conservatory.

MICHELLE SEDLAK (Violin/Viola/Piano) Michelle is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of William Paterson University with a degree in Music Education. She received the 2004-2005 Music Scholar Award from the Department of Music and was also named an E*TRADE Music Scholar. Michelle is the Director of Lakeland Youth Symphony's Junior Orchestra. She has also served as the Director of Morris Conservatory's Primary Chorus and accompanist for many youth choruses. Michelle has previously worked with the Baroque Orchestra of Boonton, William Paterson University's String and Percussion Ensembles, the Little Falls Community Chorale, and Morris Conservatory's Symphonic Chorus and Baroque Orchestra. She maintains a very successful private studio, as a piano and violin instructor and is delighted to join the staff of the Music Shop!

Marty Sedek (Piano/Voice/Guitar/Conducting/Music Theory) Marty is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, with a degree in Film Scoring and a piano principal. Marty is a composer of choral, chamber, and orchestral music and an avid conductor in these mediums. He is the founder and conductor emeritus of the Berklee Concert Choir, and has had his works performed by numerous choirs, orchestras and chamber ensembles, also winning various awards, such as the annual Kalistos Composition Contest. He is an experienced private instructor in piano, guitar, voice, music theory, and conducting and works as a composer for film and radio/TV advertising. Marty is thrilled to join the Music Shop team.




ANNA EVANGELISTA (Piano) Anna is a music teacher with a focus on classical piano. She has studied under Donaldo Garcia and Dalia Sakas, both Juliard graduates. She performed in the Gershwin Festival at William Paterson University in 2000, her Senior Recital, weddings and local events. She has received an Associates in Arts degree from New York University and a Bachelors in Music from William Paterson University. For eight years, she taught beginner, intermediate, and advanced piano to students ranging in various ages. She teaches musical concepts such as note reading, dynamics, and rhythm. Anna works well with students of varying personalities, teaching with patience and understanding.

CARLYN SMITH (Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone) Carlyn was class valedictorian of Hackettstown High School and recievd her Batchelor of Music Degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, - Clarinet / Piano. She has been a member of the Hanover Wind Symphony for twenty years, principal Clarinet for fifteen years and featured soloist. She is also a member of the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra for fifteen years, Principal soloist for ten years and featured soloist, a member of the Montclair Operetta Club Pit Orchestra and plays professionally with several chamber music groups.

STEVE MYERSON (Piano/Music Theory/Jazz) Steve Myerson started playing piano at the age of 9. He won awards in high school and in college. In between academic studies and work, Steve made his way into the Philadelphia professional music scene. He had his first "gig" when he was 15 years old at Chris' jazz cafe, with guitarist Jimmy Bruno. While in college, Steve performed with many great artists, including trumpeter John Swana, and drummer Adam Nussbaum. Steve was hired to play with the late Grover Washington Jr., and ended up one of the last pianists ever to work with this legend. After college, Steve landed the keyboard spot for the Grammy-Award nominated Stylistics. He went on to tour with them for over a year, as well as other acts included in the soul jam presentation like Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, the Dramatics, the Chi-Lites, and others. Steve made his television debut performing with the Stylistics for the United Negro College Fund on NBC. Recently, Steve was selected as music director for the Sonny Grosso/Phil Ramone production "Be My Love", a play with music about legendary tenor Mario Lanza. Steve worked with famed Billy Joel producer Phil Ramone on the music, and coached vocals for the entire cast. Steve also played a small part as "Sal", Lanza's accompanist. In 2006, Steve sat at the piano with singer Gianni Russo (Carlo Rizzi of "The Godfather") for a six-month weekly engagement at the legendary Rainbow Room. Steve continues to music direct, conduct, arrange, and play piano for Russo. Steve is able to compose, music direct, instruct and work with singers, act, and play piano.

ANDREW SHANTZ (Piano/Music Theory/Jazz) Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Andrew Shantz is an active pianist, composer and teacher. He has taught at the Music Shop for over two years. Andrew earned a B.M. in Jazz Performance from the internationally renowned Jazz Studies department at William Paterson University, where he studied under Prof. Harold Maburn, Prof. Rich DeRosa and the late Prof. James Williams. He also completed a classical piano minor with Prof. Gary Kirpatrick and has studied independently with jazz legend Clark Terry and marquee pianist and composer Jason Moran. Andrew has performed throughout New York and New Jersey both as a band leader, as a member of the Whitney Slaten Project -mixing jazz with Afro-Caribbean styles- and as the keyboardist for the Penny 4 Eyes Rock and Roll Show, an Off-Broadway musical theater production. Andrew is currently preparing to record an album of his compositions for jazz quintet.

GEORGIA MARANDINO (Voice/Piano) Georgia Marandino was born in New York. She graduated from NYU with a BS in Vocal and Instrumental Music. Georgia taught general music at St. Joseph's Parochial School and Our Lady Queen of Peace Parochial School in New Jersey. She is the Children's Choir Director at the United Methodist Church in Little Falls, the Children's Bell Choir Director at First Baptist Community Church of Parsippany, and the organist at Greenwood Lake Episcopal Church. Georgia taught music at William Paterson (10 years) and for the Jersey City school system (10 years). Other accomplishments include winning first place in Classical singing at Catholic Youth Organization's national competition, and being a finalist at the NY Metropolitan Opera Guild national voice competition, and being selected twice for Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

KAITLIN MANCA (Voice, Acting, Musical Theatre Summer Workshops) Kaitlin Manca is a recent summa cum laude graduate of the prestigious Musical Theatre program at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She has performed with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center and played leading roles at regional theatres including the Bucks County Playhouse. Some of her favorite credits include Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), The Music Man (Marian Paroo), Into the Woods (Cinderella) and Seussical (Bird Girl). Film and television credits include Confessions of a Shopaholic, Law & Order: CI, Lipstick Jungle, Gossip Girl, an Optimum Commercial, an HP Industrial, and MTV's Camp'd Out. Kaitlin has directed and choreographed numerous shows such as Dear Edwina, Jr. (at The Music Shop), and is also a private voice instructor, dance teacher, acting coach, and model. Kaitlin would like to thank her students for all of the lessons she has learned from them, and for their continual inspiration!

DON REGAN (Guitar) Don Regan has been teaching guitar for 20 years and has been a fixture in the greater New York area session and live music scene for a number of years. He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and Manhattan School of Music. Where he majored in guitar studying under classical guitar great Manuel Barrueco and Jazz guitar legend John Abercrombie. He has provided musical composition for such cable TV shows as Giants Today and has played with such acts as, the Royal Scam (a tribute to Steely Dan ) , Arctic Dreams ( jazz fusion ) , New Power Soul (cabaret band), and currently recording and touring with Fridays Child (original power acoustic ) with their recent release " Democracy " now available on Apple I-Tunes or CD Baby.com . Fridays Child will host and play a series of shows for DCT ( Digital Cafe Tour ). Go to www.digitalcafetour.com or www.frichild.com for more info.

Munro DeJohn (Piano, Guitar, Electric Bass, Music Theory, Contemporary Jazz Harmony, Jazz Piano, Improvisation, Composition, Orchestration.) Munro is a dynamic, entrepreneurial musician and aspiring composer for Film/TV, with over 20 year record of achievement and demonstrated success in teaching, composing, arranging, recording and performing. As a seasoned teacher, many of his students have gone on to pursue professional careers in music. Recently he has attended, "The Juilliard School" in NYC from 2005 to 2009 to further his study of composition and orchestration. During this time the Juilliard Orchestra Students performed two of his major works for orchestra in 2006 and most recently this May 2009 reading with great success. You can log on to his artist page at www.myspace.com/munrodejohn to hear some of his compositions as a composer, pianist, guitarist. EDUCATION; (Juilliard School, NYC - Composition and Orchestration 2005 to 2009.) (Berklee School of Music, Boston MA - Certificate Program with Jeanine Cowen 2008.) (Arizona State University, AZ - Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music.) (Workshop Classes, NYC - Composing for Film/TV with Rick Baitz faculty instructor Columbia University, and Richard Sussman faculty instructor Manhattan School of Music.) (Workshop Classes, NYC - FilmMusic with Mark Northam, Jeff Kaufman, Arranging with Scott Smalley.) (Fairleigh Dickenson University, NJ - Film Making/ Video Editing.) (Rutgers University, NJ - Private Study with world famous jazz pianist, Kenny Baron.) (Guitar Studies, NJ - Private Study with Jeff Becker.) (Technical Background as Audio, Studio Engineer/Video Editor.)



ANDREW FOX (Guitar) Andrew Fox is a graduate of Pequannock Township High School. He has an Associates of Arts degree with a major in guitar performance and a minor in piano performance from County College of Morris, where he studied with Dr. Richard Gradone and Dr. Gerard Gorman and was named on the Dean's List. He has also studied independently with Anthony Sullivan and Frank Migleachio. He is currently studying advanced guitar techniques with rock guitar great Ed Fuhrman of the ex-band Hades and is completing his degree. In the past, Andrew was lead guitarist of Ritual, an 80's rock band. He opened for The Bullet Boys, LA Guns, Skid Row, and Twisted Sister, and can be heard on Ritual's 2003 album, "The Gathering". He has also performed with The Cult in Las Vegas. For the past two years, Andrew has enjoyed teaching classical, jazz, and rock guitar styles to students of various ages and abilities.


PATRICIA TAMBURELLO (Guitar) Ms. Tamburello began playing the guitar at age 8. She began piano studies at age 11. A graduate of Morris Catholic HS she studied music theory and played trumpet in the marching, concert and jazz bands. Self taught on guitar until age 20 she began intermediate jazz studies with Lou Pecci in 1984 and studied in later years with instructors Douglas DaSilva (Brazilian jazz and samba rhythms) ,George Barker (jazz, rock and blues), Scott Harris (classical repertoire and technique). She currently studies with jazz great Vic Juris exploring advanced jazz theory and technique
Patricia began teaching in 1994. She enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels. A self described "life-long student" she believes in the potential to learn in all situations and seeks to impart this sentiment in her students, "most important is to experience the joy of creative expression. It should always be fun".
A full time musician and teacher, she performs with vocalist Aubrey Parasolle in duo and larger group settings throughout New Jersey including regular engagements at Trumpets Jazz club since 2005. She is also the guitarist for the Full Count Big Band, a division of the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts.

David Longworth (Drums/Percussion) From CBGB to Carnegie Hall, David is happy to bring over 30 tears of performing experience to The Music Shop. He has toured internationally with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Ben E. King, and Phoebe Snow. He has performed with Bruce Springsteen, Jon BonJovi, Michael McDonald, and countless R&B acts. He has worked Off-Broadway in 'Lone Star Love', featuring the Tony award winning "Red Clay Ramblers', 'Almost Heaven', the John Denver musical, and most recently, 'Godspell' at Bergen Community College. He has been a member of LaBamba and the Hubcaps for over 25 years, featuring the horn players from the Conan O'Brien Show.

QUINN BLANFORD (Drums/Percussion) Quinn Blanford is a native of Frankfort, KY. He began playing drums at age 10. Quinn has performance, study, and teaching experience in various percussion disciplines including classical, marching, and modern (drum set) settings. He has a bachelor's degree in music from the university of Louisville and a Master's degree in jazz performance from William Paterson University of New Jersey.

DAVID MILLER (Drums) Drummer, composer, and educator Dave Miller is currently pursuing a freelance jazz performance and education career while graduating from William Paterson University in May 2007. Originally from Grinnell, Iowa, Dave transferred to the New York Scene after spending a year studying jazz with Ed Soph at the University of North Texas, and a year prior at Grinnell College. During the summer of 2003, Dave was the drummer for Celebration Iowa, an organization featuring 20 of Iowa's best teenage singer-dancers, and a 16 piece jazz band, touring the state and performing events such as The Civic Center of Des Moines, and The Blue Room in Kansas City. Since his arrival in the fall of 2004, Dave has studied with the likes of drummers Horacee Arnold, Ari Hoenig, Bill Goodwin, and bassist Marcus McLaurine. Dave also studied classical music with mentor Mark Dorr of Grinnell College, Brazilian soloist and composer Ney Rosauro, and Mark Ford at the University of North Texas. Current mentors include percussionist and composer Kevin Norton, multi-musical phenomenon Tyshawn Sorey, and pianist Mulgrew Miller. Dave teaches at The Music Shop, and performs regularly with Tell the Audient Void, Big Tall Wish, the Wes Ruelle band, Matt Wrobel Trio, and the Alan Bjorklund Collective. Dave's own quartet made a debut performance at the Bowery Poetry Club on Mother's Day, May 13, 2007, premiering his works as a composer and bandleader, and The Bowery Poetry Club is also where he was fortunate enough to lead a jam session during the span of November 2006 to February 2007 along with guitarist Matt Wrobel. Dave is the "man with the plan" in Tell the Audient Void, and is responsible for booking their July 2007 tour, along with all other performances in the greater New York Area and the world. His goals after receiving his Bachelor in Jazz Studies are to hit the scene and continue building a career as a positive player and educator in the greater New York area jazz community, and throughout the world. For up-to-date information and current performance schedule please visit

DIANE GOVELITZ (Kindermusik) The Music Shop Lesson Director, Licensed Kindermusik instructor.