Drum Teachers
Anthony Amodeo
Anthony Amodeo
Anthony earned a degree from the Musicians’ Institute in 2000, studying with a long list of drumming luminaries: Elvin Jones, Steve Smith, Peter Erskine, Dave Weckl, Joe Porcaro, Mike Clark, Maria Martinez, Dave Allen, Fred Dinkins, Gary Hess, and Chuck Silverman. Anthony applies teaching techniques taken from each of them into his own instruction. He performs as a session drummer throughout the tri-state area. He also performs live and tours with a number of acts from around the country. Anthony teaches all music styles and bases his instruction on blending classic techniques with real life situations because for him, “making music comes first.” Anthony says, “If I can tap into something in each student that creates the two most important things: curiosity and desire, I’ve done my job.” He has been teaching privately for over 20+ years: he taught for 11 years in Los Angeles and Boston before returning to New Jersey, where he teaches full time.
Kerry Popp
Kerry Popp
Kerry studied drums at Lou Rose Music in Edison, NJ for four years before earning a Certification in Audio Technology from SAE Institute in NYC. She’s an experienced performer, having played in various bands throughout the NY and NJ area. She worked as an audio engineer on many major commercial projects for companies like McDonalds and Audible. Kerry teaches all genres of music, but specializes in metal and rock. Kerry likes to make learning fun and simple and believes that anyone can learn to play the drums.
Joseph Reo
Joseph Reo
Joseph Reo attended TCNJ in the early 1980s where he studied drums and percussion with the jazz great Tony DeNicola. Joseph continued his studies with Tony as he entered the master’s program at TCNJ. During those years, Joseph participated in giving percussion clinics and played drums/percussion in various rock and pop bands, big bands, orchestras, pit orchestras, percussion ensembles, and took part in a performance in New York with a chamber percussion ensemble. Joseph began his career in education in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood school district in 1984 as the drumline/front ensemble instructor for the Raider Marching Band. Two years later, he became a full-time member of the instrumental music staff where he taught elementary music as well as giving drums/percussion lessons in the two middle schools and high school. Joseph formed the SPFHS Percussion Ensemble in 1989 and as the percussion department grew, he later formed a second percussion ensemble RHYTHMSENSE. During his teaching years, Joseph continued performing as drummer/percussionist in various working bands, big bands, and pit orchestras. He also played in worship bands, conducted orchestras and choirs for various Christmas shows, played trumpet, mellophone, baritone horn, and tuba in brass ensembles while leading the orchestra at Evangel Church in Scotch Plains.
As Joseph begins his retirement after 40 years in education, he plans to keep busy teaching music, continue his job working as a pet care technician at K9 Resorts in Fanwood, and spending time with his wife Sandy, and four adult children Juliana, Katherine, Samantha, and Joseph.
Upright bass, also called string bass or double bass, is a member of the orchestra family. Just as often, however, it appears in jazz, bluegrass, folk, and other genres. With a large hollow body and 4 thick strings, the tones produced by the upright bass are low and rich. The instrument is capable of long, expressive tones when played with a bow; and short, percussive tones when plucked with the strings. String bass is a dynamic and impressive instrument to play!
The oboe is a woodwind and a member of the double-reed family. It is played by blowing air through the reed, attached at the top of the instrument. The reed consists of two very thin pieces of cane, pressed together with a small opening to allow air to pass through. The sound can be high in pitch, but it has a variety of colorful tones, from bright and piercing to low and mysterious.
