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Rockness Music Teachers
Meet Our Teachers
Michael Napolitano Founder/Teacher
Michael Napolitano, founder of Rockness Music, has spent over 15 years educating and entertaining children through music. A former Blue Man Group musical-technical specialist, he has led professional development for teachers, built community outreach programs, and inspired learners of all ages.
He also fronts the nationally acclaimed family band Michael & The Rockness Monsters, featured on SiriusXM Kids Place Live and known for their hit record A Good Place to Start. The band has recorded for Audible and performed at Lollapalooza, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Levitt Pavilions, and cultural institutions across the U.S., captivating families with their high-energy shows.
Michael’s mission is to use the power of music to help children learn, grow, and connect with their communities.
Age Started Playing Music
18 Months
Main Musical Influence
My Daddy!
Favorite Instrument to Play
Drums
Favorite Band
Phish
Favorite Rockness Music Song
A Good Place To Start
Adam Falzer
Guitarist, songwriter and music teacher Adam Falzer began playing guitar at the age of 10. He studied Music Synthesis at Berklee School of Music. Adam founded the Montclair-based band The Porchistas, whose vision of art is that of a community building endeavor. Falzer enjoys teaching music theory and engaging with students of all levels. He teaches private and after-school instruction for children from preschool to highschool. Adam is the father of 2 young children who are his true inspiration.
Age Started Playing Music
10
Main Musical Influence
Harry Nilsson
Favorite Instrument to Play
Guitar
Favorite Band
Ween
Favorite Rockness Music Song
Shake It
Dan Bulich
Dan Bulich started playing guitar when he was 13 years old under the instruction of jazz guitarist Frank Varrichio. He received his BA in music at Kean University while studying classical guitar under the instruction of Chris Keniff. While attending Kean University, he had the opportunity to teach guitar privately at Cranford Guitar. Now he teaches guitar and piano privately on his own. He is also currently in 2 bands, a Nirvana tribute called Penny Royalty and an Alice in Chains tribute called Jar of Flies.
Age Started Playing Music
13
Main Musical Influence
Nirvana, Metallica, Oasis
Favorite Instrument to Play
Guitar
Favorite Band
Nirvana
Favorite Rockness Music Song
"And We Dance"
Victoria Astuto
Victoria’s musical journey began with the flute, which eventually translated into a deep appreciation for woodwind instruments. She enjoys spreading the joy of music in every aspect of her life, from playing with her brother to teaching various musical genres, performing clarinet with the Brooklyn Wind Symphony, and collaborating with other artists. When she’s not pursuing her passions, she spends time with her feline friend Dexter, hiking, or working on film sets.
Age Started Playing Music
9
Main Musical Influence
Ella Fitzgerald
Favorite Instrument to Play
Clarinet
Favorite Band
Rubblebucket
Favorite Rockness Music Song
Who Are You?
Hugo Keith
The son of a Japanese mother and an American father, Hugo was born in Binghamton and raised in Rochester, New York. From an early age, his mother filled their home with her singing and instilled in him the importance of rhythm and pitch. Hugo’s first musical experiences included singing at karaoke nights with his mother’s friends and with his elementary school’s choir. His own passion for music, however, was influenced most strongly by his Uncle Seth, who studied electronic musical composition at Mills College in California and encouraged Hugo to begin playing guitar and compose his own music. Since starting college at Fordham University, Hugo has joined two bands and released hours of music on various platforms under various names including Faculty and Staff and Sapporo.
Age Started Playing Music
12
Main Musical Influence
Lou Reed
Favorite Instrument to Play
Guitar
Favorite Band
Pixies
Favorite Rockness Music Song
Robot Song
Moustapha Noumbissi
Born in Belgium, but of Cameroonian descent, Moustapha’s childhood was filled with the beautiful music of his parent’s home. What ignited his passion for performance, however, was singing a solo rendition of Silent Night in a talent show in the second grade. Years later this passion for singing eventually branched out to playing various instruments including the guitar, bass, and various forms of percussion, eventually prompting him to share this passion through his love of teaching. Moustapha has performed with countless ensembles including the Bryn Mawr Boy’s Choir with whom he has toured internationally. Moustapha began teaching shortly after graduating college, and has spent the last 5 years teaching preschool music classes, private lessons, small groups, and ensembles.
Age Started Playing Music
Voice 7, Guitar 22
Main Musical Influence
John Mayer
Favorite Instrument to Play
Guitar
Favorite Band
Radiohead
Favorite Rockness Music Song
Have You Seen My Shoes?
Sam Tunkel
Sam was inspired by his dad at a young age to start playing and writing music. Exposed to classic rock like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen at local open mics, Sam embarked on his musical journey. Starting with piano at twelve and later mastering guitar, music became his passion. Besides studying Music Education at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, Sam performs his original songs in New Jersey regularly. He strives to enhance his stagecraft and bring joy to audiences through music.
Age Started Playing Music
12
Main Musical Influence
My Dad
Favorite Instrument to Play
Guitar
Favorite Band
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band
Favorite Rockness Music Song
When I'm Jumpin'
Richard Espinal
Richard has been with Rockness Music for over a decade however, his love for music began at 8 when he began taking piano lessons. He has since learned how play over 6 instruments and loves to perform and entertain children of all ages with high energy. When he’s not behind an instrument, he’s behind a computer producing music.
Age Started Playing Music
8
Main Musical Influence
Linkin Park
Favorite Instrument to Play
Guitar, Bass and Piano
Favorite Band
Linkin Park
Favorite Rockness Music Song
Train Song
Eric Schwartz
Eric Schwartz started playing guitar at age six, studying with jazz guitarist Scott DuBois. He received a BA in music from Kenyon College and continued to study jazz guitar with Tom Davis. While at Kenyon, he also played in rock, folk, and jazz bands with students and faculty as well as the pit bands of four student-directed musicals. He discovered his passion for teaching while working as a counselor and wilderness trip leader at North Country Camps. He is currently an elementary school substitute teacher and is working toward his MA in Music Education at Teachers College.
Age Started Playing Music
6
Main Musical Influence
Beatles, Wayne Shorter
Favorite Instrument to Play
Guitar
Favorite Band
Grateful Dead
Favorite Rockness Music Song
When I'm Jumpin'
Scott Lohmeyer
Scott Lohmeyer was born in White Plains, NY and grew up in Cos Cob, CT. During his formative years Scott took piano lessons and also played trombone in his school middle and high school marching bands. After high school Scott attended the University of Bridgeport and worked to earn his masters degree in education. For over a decade Scott taught as a 6th grade social studies teacher. He would regularly use his classroom ukulele to incorporate songs into his teachings to help students remember what they were learning. In his free time he likes to go see live music with his friends, sing silly songs to his newborn niece and birthday twin, Remi, and play with his energetic dog, Frankie aka Frankenstein.
Age Started Playing Music
8
Main Musical Influence
My older brother, Phil, and Q104.3
Favorite Instrument to Play
Baritone Ukulele
Favorite Band
Phish
Favorite Rockness Music Song
S M I L E
