Anthony Gemignani - Guitar/Owner



Born Anthony DiMichael Gemignani in Wilmington, Delaware, "Anthony G." started playing guitar at age twelve while laid up with a broken hip from a skateboarding accident. Inspired by a cousin and a tuneless 12-string, this 1994 Berklee College of Music graduate has toured the East Coast with cover/original band 12 Strung Gypsy and Lisa Palleschi(Warner Bros.), and currently plays with original and cover band Groove Box 6. He has also appeared on stage with Gerado Velez-percussionist for Spyro Gyra and Jimi Hendrix, Julio Fernadez from Spyro Gyra, Richie Cannata-saxophonist for Billy Joel, Rasheeda Azar-vocalist for Janet Jackson, Taku Hirano-percussionist for Fleetwood Mac and Whitney Houston, members of Chic, James Brown, Beach Boys, Ola Onabule and many more.

A private music instructor in countless schools, music stores and studios all over the Northeast, Anthony G. counts Triumph's Rik Emmett, Bobby Rodgers(The Code Talkers), Todd Anisman(Solo Artist), Steve Miceli(Laura Leigh & Tripp Fabulous), Santana, Dan Huff, and Journey's Neal Schon among his guitar influences. Bands that have inspired him range from Rascal Flatts to Journey to Whitesnake to Disturbed to Pat Methany.

Anthony has been the owner of 2 other very successful music schools and has been changing the vibe of Hunterdon County with his talents, originality, and relationships built with students and parents. This has earned him the title of the most popular music instructor around.

Anthony's goal for Allstar Music Academy is "to be the most modern, fun spirited place to take music lesson the right way and buy retail in a stress free environment. No short cuts taken but you will have a great time."

Endorsed By: DR Strings, Eclectric Instruments, MDX Guitars

Kevin Bregande - Drums



A fierce talent, Syracuse, New York native Kevin Bregande began his drumming career at the ripe young age of seven. His dedication to private study won him an invitation to play in his school's band a year early, and by high school Kevin was a highly sought-after player whose unmistakable talent was visible in everything from jazz band and orchestra, to chorus and musicals.

A 1996 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music, this New York City-area based freelance drummer has studied with some of the industry's most influential teachers, including: Jamie Haddad (Paul Simon), Casey Scheuerell (Jean-Luc Ponty), Joe Hunt (Bill Evans) and Skip Hadden (Weather Report).

Kevin has performed with heavyweights Richie Cannata-saxophonist for Billy Joel, Gerardo Velez-percussionist for Spyro Gyra and Jimi Hendrix, Julio Fernandez-guitarist for Spyro Gyra, Gene Perez-bassist for Nuyorican Soul and Anita Baker, Don Harris-Trumpet for T.O.P. and everyone, Ozzy Menendez-Trombone for Mark Anthony, Al Petrelli-guitarist for Megadeth, Rasheeda Azar-Bkgrd vox for Janet Jackson, and Taku Hirano-percussionist for Fleetwood Mac.

He has also performed opening up for Nine Days, legendary bands War and Three Dog Night.
An in-demand session player, Kevin is actively recording with independent 
artists and bands in New York studios including: Cove City Sound 
Studios and Shelter Island Sound. 

Brian Wagner - Bass/Guitar



Brian Wagner comes to Allstar Music Academy with Communications Degree From Monmouth University. He has also taken numerous college level courses in Music at County College of Morris, ranging from theory, ear training and harmony, Jazz and Piano. He is currently enrolled in Berklee College of Music's Bass Certificate program and will be finished in Winter 08.
 
Since 1991 when Brian took up Bass Guitar full time he has studied with such bass greats as Gary Willis (tribal tech), John 'JD' Deservio (Black Label Society, Richie Kotzen), Steve Bailey, Dave Larue ( Joe Satriani, Dixie Dregs,Steve Morse Band. Joe Howell (Parrotville). He has gigged consistently on the NJ coverband and original music circuit, averaging 150 gigs a year.
 
Brian knows and enjoys playing and teaching all styles of music. Rock, Jazz, Pit Band or Broadway, Metal, Blues and Classical. He is very passionate about music and teaching. ' I love music more than anything'. 'I love that everytime I teach,, play a gig or listen to music I learn something that I can pass on to someone else'. 'It's a great thing that I am able to do every day.'!!!!!!!!!!!!

Benny Harrison - Piano/Vocals



I was born in New York City to a Puerto Rican mother and Scottish father from West Virginia. My Puerto Rican/Scottish roots have infused my music with a distinctive rhythmic and melodic style. I have always been a performer. I got hooked when my mother, who recognized and nurtured my musical talents, took me to the backstage area of a Broadway production and led me on to the stage. I will never forget what that looked like; looking out to the theater. When I was in middle school I was accepted to the Rutgers Boys Choir. Later, I was accepted to the High School for Performing Arts in New York City, I wasn't quite ready to follow my dreams though.

In the early 80's I worked in a band called Street-Kid, a regular band at Vinnie Pastore's Crazy Horse Lounge in New Rochelle. I later met a rising singer/songwriter named Henry Gross. He took me under his wing and gave me a chance to tour the country as a support act for Aerosmith, The Doobie Brothers (with Michael McDonald), The Band, The Charlie Daniels Band, and Fleetwood Mac.

As the years passed, I formed my own band, Benny and the Spydrs. We were part of the house band at the China Club where we backed up Bruce Willis, John Fogerty, John Entwistle, Steve Lukather, Eddie Vedder, Billy Preston and Rick James. The Sypdrs got a chance to work with Robert Wuhl, of Arliss fame, on his first HBO Special. This is when I met Maria Torres, who I have been working with ever since. Maria and I did a workshop 4 years ago called Latin Heat; we are now revising it for a possible tour in Europe and Las Vegas. I have also worked with Corey Glover, from Living Colour. Currently I’m working with Alexis P. Suter (Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble), Hiram Bullock and rising Latin Star Pedro Capo. I have also become the music producer/supervisor for a new film company, M.D.P.I/SST Productions. They are currently shopping 2 scripts which I have supplied, written, produced and performed the music for. I’m always looking for the next project. Music is my life.

Ron Biela - Sax, Flute, Clarinet



Graduate of William Patterson with a BA in Music Education.

Dominic Gallucci - Guitar



Dominic Gallucci started playing music at age 5 after seeing the band KISS on tv. Becoming disinterested with guitar lessons he began to learn everything by ear till his cousin starting training him. Performing his 1st gig at age nine Dom's professional career started taking shape. " giving a guitar lesson is one thing, teaching someone the gift of music is another. My experience with guitar lessons goes way back and teaching for over 20 years I've learned to relate to all my students individual needs"

After receiving his degree from MI he went to Cal/Arts to further his studies in arranging and composition. "I grew tired of professors and repeaters. It was time to get back home to nyc and get back on the scene." After performing and touring through out the 90's Dom was asked to do a session for a friend. "I was always interested in the recording process specially on that level." The recording bug bit'em hard and stopped gig's all together. Sony studio's became his 2nd home till the day they razed it to the ground.

"I started my own recording studio in Livingston, NJ in 98'and I never looked back" Recording on billboard #1 albums for the last 8 years in a row he still found time to teach, record and produce records for artist's and his students alike.

====Major Label Sessions: "Guitars"====

DMX
Eve
Lil' Mo
Bazaar Royale
Lyfe Jennings
Laura Warshauer
Rachid
Lea
Kirsten DeHaan
Janielle
Lady Gaga

=====Shed Music Productions: "Producer"=====

Avenida
Down By My Sins
Arenbeish
Billy Covington
We Were Born With Rocks In Our Hands
Brian Bond
Nikki
And She Said
Binford Adams Band
Aeris
Freeze Dried Mushrooms
Downdrifter
Drunk Uncle Bob

=====Empire Music Group: "Producer"=====

=National Spots=
AT&T
Chase Manhattan Bank
Nescafe
Tic Tac
Scoop Away
Stetson
Howard Johnsons

=Local Spots=
Carabas Grill
Emerald Cleaners
New Jersey Carpet
Crestmont Toyota

Rich Skibinsky - Guitar & Piano Instructor



Music Degree from Rutgers.

John D’Angelo – Drums



Performed Live with the Following Notable Musicians:
Glenn McClelland (Blood, Sweat & Tears, Ween, Chuck Negron), Mickey Melchiondo (Deen Ween, Ween), Lisa Bouchelle (Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen), Richie Cannata (Billy Joel, Elton John, Beach Boys), Bo Parker (The Buddy Rich Band), Sonny Kenn (South Side Johnny & the Asbury Jukes), Gene Boccia (phoebe Snow, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes), Hal Selzer (Gary U.S. Bonds, Katrina Chester), Billy Hector (Bonnie Raitt), Danny Rio (Kingfish), Jody Joseph (Big Brother), Jody Giambelluca (Valentine, The Fabulous Grease Band), Glenn Burtnick (Styx), Jimmy Leahy (John Wait), Bob Berger (Bruce Springsteen).

Studied With the Following Notable Berklee College Professors:
- Terri Lynne Carrington
- Mike Mangini
- Dave DiCenso
- Ricardo Monzon
- Kim Plainfield
- Skip Hadden
- Bob Tamagni Deantoni Parks

High School AwardslHonors:
- 2008 Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
- 2008 HVCHS Outstanding Achievement Award - Orchestra
- 2007 IAJE All-State Jazz Ensemble - Honors Jazz Choir - Drummer
- 2007 College of New Jersey - Honors Band Day - Drummer
- 2007 IAJE All-Region Jazz Ensemble (Region II) - Drummer
- 2006 IAJE All-Region Jazz Ensemble (Region II) - Drummer
- 2005 Nottingham High School Jazz Festival- Outstanding Soloist - Drums


Ricky Joyce – Education



Rutgers University - New Brunswick, NJ
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; minor in Music
Graduation Date: Dec 2010

Rutgers University - New Brunswick, NJ
Mason Gross School of the Arts 2007

Nakas Conservatory - Athens, Greece 2007
Berklee College of Music - Boston, MA 2005-2007

Professional Music Experience
Drummer / Percussionist
THE NEW ROYALTY, band – NJ 2010 - present
- Top 5 Finalist in Z100's Hometown Hero Competition, 2010
- Finalists in Jersey Shows: Jersey Showdown Competition, 2010
- Finalists in The Stone Pony Original Band Contest, 2010
- Winner of The War for Warped Tour, 2010
- Warped Tour – Oceanport, NJ 2010, 2010
- Fourth Place in Jersey Shows: Jersey Showdown Competition, 2009
- Finalist in Overplay.com Songwriting Competition
- Regular appearances at The Starland Ballroom, The Stone Pony


Morton Silverfine
Professional Music Experience - Teaching, Administrative and Technical



Music Teacher – Pre-K Through 12 – Warren County Special Services School District, New Jersey
Conducting musical activities for a broad range of special needs students including, but not limited to, those with autistic (moderate to severe), cognitive (severe), multiple (mild to severe) and behavioral disorders. Most classes incorporate singing, movement, use of percussive and melodic instruments, visual and audio aids and instruction, when appropriate.

General and Vocal Elementary School Teacher – Alexandria Township, New Jersey - 2009
Instructed all students Pre-K through 3rd grade. Coached 3rd graders on the recorder. Utilized select concepts and methods drawn from Orff, Kodaly, Dalcroze and numerous pedagogical procedures I have acquired through years of teaching, studying and performing, synthesizing these elements into my unique style, while simultaneously adhering to New Jersey State Standards.

Private Piano Instruction - 1995–Present
Teach piano performance and musicianship to all ages and levels of accomplishment.

Student Internship and Field Experience - 2007–2008
Student taught at the Lincoln and Euclid Elementary School in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, under the supervision of Mrs. Sandra Cerasuola. Student taught Chorale at Fort Lee High School, New Jersey, under the supervision of Mr. Joe Picone.

Brooklyn Academy of Music and Brooklyn Philharmonic – Administrative Assistant - 1980–1981
Supervised personnel involved in promotional activities. Functioned as stage manager and press and contracting assistant for the Community Concert Series. Composed program notes for that series as well as the Family and Children’s Concert Series.
Conducted a Music Appreciation/Music History class for the Continuing Education Program for seniors at local housing development.

University of Wisconsin-Madison – Teaching Assistant in Music History - 1978–1980
Co-taught the comprehensive course in the history of western music for music majors.
Regulated and rebuilt the University’s pianos and assisted in the piano technology course.

Music Education
Certification in Music Education K–12 - 2006–2008
New Jersey City University (GPA 3.90)
Post-Graduate Piano Study with Dr. Min Kim (New Jersey City - 1986–2006
University) and Jens Nygaard (founder of the Jupiter Symphony Orchestra)

Master of Music, Music History - 1980
University of Wisconsin–Madison (GPA 3.85)
Awards: Teaching Assistantship; Project Assistantship; and Fellowship Scholarship.

Bachelor of University Studies, Piano Performance - 1977
University of New Mexico (GPA 3.94)
Awards: ASCAP Scholarship; Performance and Academic Scholarships.