GUITAR TEACHERS
JESSE BECKER
(GUITAR, BASS GUITAR AND UKULELE)
Jesse Becker is an accomplished guitarist from Hamilton Square, New Jersey. Jesse obtained his Associates Degree in Science with a concentration in music while studying with the noted guitarist and head of the Mercer County Community College music department, James Kelly. He has since completed his Bachelors of Music in Jazz at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts.
While pursuing his degree, he studied under the world-renowned jazz guitarist Vic Juris. He has also studied with the famed Pat Martino during his college years. Throughout his studies and experience, Jesse has developed an expansive repertoire, as well as impactful teaching methods, for his students. He teaches a diverse array of skillsets, from beginners to advanced, on the guitar, bass, and ukulele.
His teaching methods help to spark knowledge, passion, and discipline towards the study of music. His musical experience ranges from rock, classical, jazz, funk and more. In addition to being a teacher, Jesse is also a performing musician who has performed at weddings, bars, rock venues, banquets, and jazz clubs. Jesse strives to inspire, educate, and allow the students the freedom and capacity to explore the music they love.
While pursuing his degree, he studied under the world-renowned jazz guitarist Vic Juris. He has also studied with the famed Pat Martino during his college years. Throughout his studies and experience, Jesse has developed an expansive repertoire, as well as impactful teaching methods, for his students. He teaches a diverse array of skillsets, from beginners to advanced, on the guitar, bass, and ukulele.
His teaching methods help to spark knowledge, passion, and discipline towards the study of music. His musical experience ranges from rock, classical, jazz, funk and more. In addition to being a teacher, Jesse is also a performing musician who has performed at weddings, bars, rock venues, banquets, and jazz clubs. Jesse strives to inspire, educate, and allow the students the freedom and capacity to explore the music they love.
MAXWELL MELLIES
(GUITAR, BASS GUITAR, SAXOPHONE, UKULELE)
Maxwell Mellies is a life-long musician with experience performing on guitar, bass, and saxophone. He currently attends TCNJ for music education and studies with renowned saxophonist Kathleen Mitchell. Maxwell has experience with a variety of genres and constantly plays shows with bands and ensembles outside of college. Maxwell believes that music can bring joy to a person’s day, and that learning to play music can bring joy to a person’s life. It is his goal to bring out that joy with every student he teaches, and to push them to discover their own abilities.
CHRIS GARDELLA
(GUITAR, BASS GUITAR, UKULELE)
Chris has been a musician as long as he can remember. From a very young age, he was playing guitar, bass, and learning how to craft songs. He started teaching his classmates how to play in middle-school, and never looked back. Chris has studied guitar with Don Ross, Johnny Charles, and Dylan Ryche, and has performed guitar with Regina Spektor, as well as many solo shows at venues like the legendary CBGB's, Club Sine, Luna Lounge, and many others.
Chris has a very professional, patient style of teaching and is responsible for launching the guitar and bass careers of hundreds of NY and NJ based musicians. Recently, Chris started teaching at the Montgomery Senior Center, where the band “The Full Monty Senior Citizens Ukulele Band” was formed! Chris continues to teach at the Montgomery Senior Center, though his students have grown to include kids 8-12 as well (Chris's House of Rock) and is assisting The Coffee House Project at Various functions and classes, including the Hillsborough Senior Center Veterans Day Chorus, and classes John teaches for the physically disadvantaged.
Chris is also fluent in audio production and recording, video editing, computer programming, and builds electronic instruments for disabled members of the community in his spare time.
Chris has a very professional, patient style of teaching and is responsible for launching the guitar and bass careers of hundreds of NY and NJ based musicians. Recently, Chris started teaching at the Montgomery Senior Center, where the band “The Full Monty Senior Citizens Ukulele Band” was formed! Chris continues to teach at the Montgomery Senior Center, though his students have grown to include kids 8-12 as well (Chris's House of Rock) and is assisting The Coffee House Project at Various functions and classes, including the Hillsborough Senior Center Veterans Day Chorus, and classes John teaches for the physically disadvantaged.
Chris is also fluent in audio production and recording, video editing, computer programming, and builds electronic instruments for disabled members of the community in his spare time.
JOE SIMBORSKI
(GUITAR, CLARINET, SAXOPHONE)
Joe Simborski is retired and a long time member of American Federation of Musicians, Local #204. He has been playing professionally for 52 years; and an instructor of the guitar, clarinet and sax for 55 years.
Joe has performed at numerous locations in the Northeast with concert, ensemble and small groups doing classical, pop, rock, jazz, country/western and international.
He has a great rapport with students of all ages.
Joe has performed at numerous locations in the Northeast with concert, ensemble and small groups doing classical, pop, rock, jazz, country/western and international.
He has a great rapport with students of all ages.
DAVID ZIZNEWSKI
(GUITAR, UKULELE, BANJO, BASS GUITAR)
Dave has been playing guitar now for over twenty years now and teaching for more than seven. Initially focusing on hard rock and metal guitar Dave expanded into studying everything from bluegrass to jazz guitar. He has spent years playing live with everything from jam bands to pop bands to metal bands and alternative bands and currently plays lead guitar for New Jersey metal-core band I, The Tyrant. He has also helped to compose music for video games and advertisements. Awarded a full scholarship to attend Berklee's summer sessions for guitar while in high school Dave has always had a strong theory background and can help even the most novice player to easily understand how to translate the music that they hear in their head to the fretboard. Dave welcomes beginner to advanced students.