Andrew Chojnacki
VOCAL AND KEYBOARD TEACHER
Andrew Chojnacki is a voice and keyboard teacher at School of Rock. He is currently studying voice, music education, and music theory at Westminster Choir College. He plays keyboards and sings in Us & Them, one of the premier Pink Floyd tribute bands in the greater Philadelphia area. The core ideas behind his voice teaching involve taking classic principles such as diction, resonance, and breath support, and incorporating them into a great performance with excellent stage presence. Keyboard students can expect to learn a lot of music theory in their studies, and will be able to take basic chords and scales and incorporate them into improvisation and performance. Above all, Andrew strives for each of his students to have fun singing and playing music, and he takes pride in any kind of improvement shown, no matter how significant.
Billie Seeland
General Manager
Billie is a nonbinary, New Jersey based musician and the general manager at the Princeton location. After graduating from the Princeton School of Rock in 2011, they began teaching and directing at the Doylestown, Philadelphia and Princeton locations, but Princeton will always be their home. With their background in performing, music production and knowledge of music history, they are glad to have been able to continue to give back to the program that did so much for them over the last decade. Knowing what the program can do for students, Billie strives to maintain a community of inclusiveness for young musicians in Mercer County, just as it was for them growing up by creating a curriculum made up of diverse music and artists for both learning and discussion.
Chris Baker
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Chris "Crisbie" Baker is a professional musician, multi-instrumentalist and music instructor based in Cherry Hill, NJ. For over a decade Chris has been teaching and playing stages all over the states and overseas, including multiple international tours with rock artist - Eric13 (of Combichrist). Primarily a lead guitarist, Chris has recorded with numerous artists/bands including DMC of Run-DMC. In addition to guitar, Chris plays bass, drums and sings. Chris is currently working on his first full length release for a brand new project called Ego Planet and plays guitar for The Way Outs.
Chris Seeland
Music Director
When Chris isn't leading our school's music program, he's shredding stages across Mercer County with his band. Chris brings a wealth of experience to the classroom, having toured nationally and collaborated with industry giants like Atlantic Records, Megaforce Records, and 320 Records. His bands have even shared the stage with legendary acts like The Misfits, Plain White T's, Aaron Carter, Tom Keifer of Cinderella, and David Cook.
Chris's passion and expertise will ignite your musical spark! Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from a true rockstar!
Lexi Campion
Assistant Music Director
Lexi Campion is a New Jersey based-multi-instrumentalist. Lexi has been drumming since the age of nine, and has since played in countless bands and ensembles.
She holds a degree in Music Industry with minors in Business Administration and Marketing from Drexel University. Lexi plays guitar and sings in Philadelphia based band Grayling, currently signed to 6131 Records.
Santo Rizzolo
Drum Teacher
Santo Rizzolo was born in Jackson, New Jersey, and is an American drummer and musician. His love for music and the drums began around the age of 12 when his father purchased him his first snare drum at a local garage sale. Santo has been playing drums professionally for over 15 years, sharing the stage and recording with many artists such as The Village People, Steve Forbert, Dana Fuchs, David Bryan, Matt Oree, Nicole Atkins, Brielle Von Hugel (finalist on American Idol), Remember Jones, Dead On Live, JT Bowen, Arlan Feiles, Jackson Pines, Matt Wade Band, Play Date, Tara Dente, Brother Andrew, and Mike Montrey Band to name a few. Santo currently plays and tours nationally with Atlantic Records artist Joe P.
Santo has been teaching for over a decade and has a deep-rooted love for sharing knowledge of his craft and watching students grow into great musicians. His passion for the fundamentals of the instrument, from rudimental studies to drumset performance is infectious and makes learning new concepts very enjoyable. Adept in a wide range of diverse musical styles such as rock, funk, world music, hip hop, R&B, jazz, and country, Santo can take a student in any direction they’d like and form lesson plans and practice routines that best suit their individual needs.
When not teaching or touring, Santo enjoys writing and creating songs in his basement studio in Princeton, New Jersey.
Abby Harnum
Vocal Teacher
Abby Harnum is a singer and actor from Bordentown, New Jersey with a passion for storytelling. Ever since performing a solo in her middle school choir's holiday concert, she fell in love with performing.
Abby graduated Summa Cum Laude from Elon University with a BFA in Music Theatre and a Minor in Business Administration and was lucky enough to have Elon as a playground for the past few years to engage with her passions and hone her skills alongside her incredibly talented Music Theatre class of 2023.
Recently, Abby had the privilege of working at Peach State Summer Theatre and on On Your Feet! at North Carolina Theatre. On Your Feet! was one of the most fulfilling experiences for Abby to tell Gloria Estefan’s beautiful story with a majority Latinx cast as she was able to celebrate her Puerto Rican heritage onstage for the first time.
When not on stage, you can find Abby embroidering, crocheting, or doing anything crafty, hanging out with her cat Squiggy or just being outrageously silly.
George Allan
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
George is a piano teacher, bass teacher, guitar teacher, and sound designer from Bloomsbury, New Jersey. Now primarily a rock bassist, he began taking classical piano lessons in the third grade before picking up both the bass and guitar later on to play in garage bands throughout high school and college.
George began teaching in 2017, first in after-school enrichment, then as a Rookies and Little Wing Teacher at School of Rock. His goal with every student is to inspire a passion and confidence in music through teamwork and cooperation.
George earned an MFA in Sound Design in 2023.
Zac Treby
Drum Teacher
Zac Treby is a New Jersey-based drummer who attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Drummers Collective in New York City.
As a performer, Zac is equally at home in jazz, rock, heavy metal, funk, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean, odd meter, and New Orleans drumming styles. Zac has played with The Shots, The Polish Nannies, Modern Rewind, Midnight Overdrive, Down 2 Earth, Matty Marz, Mac Paige, Blend, Sax & Co, Joe Berger, The Bloomsbury Church Band, and has recorded various musical projects of his own material as a composer. Zac also records remote drum tracks for various songs and projects and is the sole owner of Drummers Institute of NJ and producer/Artist Manager of Treby Music Productions.
As an educator, Zac is the Owner and Director of Zac Treby Drums and teaches courses and private lessons as well as workshop classes in jazz, rock, heavy metal, gospel chops, hip hop, funk, R&B, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and Afro-Caribbean drumming styles. In addition, he teaches classes in reading, chart interpretation, and rudiments and he teaches ensemble repertoire and performance in varied styles.
Jim McCandless
Drum Teacher
Jim McCandless is an experienced and passionate drummer with a strong background in live performance, studio recording, and a wide range of musical genres. With a deep understanding of rhythm theory, exceptional technique, and a commitment to collaboration, he is dedicated to inspiring and mentoring students in the art of drumming.
After receiving his AA in Music Performance at Collective School of Music, Jim's journey as a professional drummer has included touring with British and American bands, performing both nationally and internationally.
At School of Rock, James is dedicated to developing curricula that resonate with our unique performance-based educational philosophy. He takes pride in crafting lesson plans that not only challenge and engage his students but also prepare them for the exhilarating experience of live performance. Watching a student take to the stage for the first time and play with confidence and joy is a reminder of why he chose to become an educator.
Jacob Zirkin
Guitar Teacher
Jacob Zirkin is a guitarist and audio producer from Manalapan, New Jersey. After receiving his BS in Science Music Technology at Rowan University and over a decade of playing and performing at numerous venues across the tri-state area, he has dedicated his time towards helping musicians reach their goals at various after-school music programs.