Thinking about coming back? Curious about what your instructors have been up to? Read on and you’ll find new, up to date information about your instructors’ training, the instruments they specialize in, and who they are as talented professional musicians in Buffalo.
| Experience/Training: Self-taught from the age of 9 and supplemented with lessons from many different teachers, including Howie Evert, John Kay, William Drew, Jason Drabek, Greg Piontek, and John Maguda. In addition, Joel is classically trained on the saxophone. Remarkably enough, in 1999, after only four years of training, Joel was able to begin teaching guitar.
Extracurricular activities: This multi-talented musician can also be found on Facebook under The Guilty Party. (Find the one listed under Buffalo, NY). This seasoned band plays out regularly at many local venues such as Hideaways, Templeton’s Landing, Sunset Bay Beach, and many more. |
| Joel Squelch Instrument Specialty: Guitar, Bass, Saxophone |
| Experience/Training: A Canisius College graduate, Tommy has been a full-time musician for decades.
Extracurricular activities: Tommy Z has been a staple in the WNY music scene for years; just a few honors include being voted Top Blues Vocalist in Western New York (2003/2004/2006), Top Blues Guitarist (1993-1995, 1997 & 2004-2006) and also Top Blues/Crossover Blues Band in 1994, & 2005- 2006). Tommy was also inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He currently headlines his own blues band, the Tommy Z band, that can be found on Facebook and his record label can be found on MySpace under South Blossom Records. |
| Tommy Z Instrument Specialty: Guitar (blues) |
| Experience/Training: Experience/Training: Nick has been playing for 19 years. He studied formerly with Bill Texido (1994-2002), and Thomas Baum (2000-2002). The latter having also been a Guitar Factory instructor in the past.
Extracurricular Activities: Nick’s former bands include Fire Born, Seize the Soul, and a Pantera tribute band aptly named Driven. Driven also had the distinguishing honor of having the opportunity to jam with former Pantera members Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell. Never a dull moment, Nick’s new bands include This Day’s End, and an upcoming project (currently untitled), in which he has been hard at work in the studio recording with his band-mates. |
| Nick Norton Instrument Specialty: Guitar (6 & 7 string, electric and acoustic) and Bass |
| Experience/Training: Joe has years of experience in the Buffalo music scene. He began playing guitar at age 14, and studied with Joel Perry and Pete Hankinson. He also learned music theory from Andrew Ziemba and piano from Leola Erftenbech at Villa Maria College. After college Joe studied with the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame’s Tony Scozzaro. He credits Tony with being his biggest influence instruction-wise.
Extracurricular Activities: Most recent bands Joe has worked with include Buffalo Hall of Fame band Only Humen, All Jack’d UP, Stevie-B and the Rhythm Rockers Blues Band and The Press (a classic rock cover band). Joe also currently runs his own open mic at East End Grille in East Aurora. In his limited spare time, Joe writes and records in his own home studio. |
| Joe Shanahan Instrument Specialty: Guitar |
| Experience/Training: Growing up in southern California, CJ was very influenced by Punk music at an early age and started playing guitar and bass at the age of 15. He started taking lessons from our own instructor Kevin Helfrich.
Extracurricular Activities: CJ’s eclectic influences range from Jazz Fusion to metal to progressive rock. His most significant guitar/bass influences include Eddie Van Halen, Greg Howe, Dimebag Darrel, Marcus Miller, Geddy Lee and of course, Kevin Helfrich to name a few. When CJ isn’t shredding six strings, he enjoys enlightening his mind through reading, strength training & karate (he is a black belt), nutrition and any form of positive, constructive activities. |
| CJ Christopher Instrument Specialty: Guitar, Bass |
| Experience/Training: Mike has had the honor of studying with guitar legend Tony Scozzaro as well as obtaining extensive music theory knowledge at the University at Buffalo, while he earned his bachelor’ s degree. Also, Mike demonstrates excellent vocal abilities and has taught Voice privately.
Extracurricular activities: To date, Mike has performed in several local and national touring bands including his current projects Armcannon, Weaponx, and Those Who Fight. You can find them online at www.armcannon.com, weaponex.bandcamp.com, www.facebook.com/ThoseWhoFight. |
| Mike Willard Instrument Specialty: Guitar |
| Experience/Training: Matthew has extensive experience as a professional accompanist/pianist, having worked at the Aurora Waldorf School, SUNY Fredonia, and Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2012-Present). He has also taught piano privately at Keynotes Piano, as well as having taught Voice privately. Matthew also obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Buffalo State College.
Extracurricular activities: Matt is currently on a brief hiatus from his gig as a resident pianist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute but will begin again in October. He frequently plays at concerts for the Aurora Waldorf School as well as accompanying gigs for various musicians in the community. |
| Mathew George Instrument Specialty: Piano |
| Experience/Training: Damone Jackson has literally been playing percussion his entire life; he started a program of self-study of the drums at the tender age of 2 years old. In addition to currently majoring in music at Villa Maria College, he has been influential in developing the former associate’s program into a rigorous 4-year degree that he believes prepares students for a life of music in whatever direction they desire. Damone has also studied with notable instructors Jim Kurzdofer, John Bacon, and current Guitar Factory instructor Gary Rutkowski.
Extracurricular Activities: Damone was voted 2nd best drummer in NYS in 2007 at the age of 16. He has been on 4 tours with various bands. He currently plays in the Tommy Z Band, which frequently draw large crowds at their gigs in the WNY area. |
| Damone Jackson Instrument Specialty: Drums/Percussion |
| Experience/Training: In addition to attending Villa Maria College, Scott has been playing drums/percussion for 20 years. Scott also can boast 15 years’ experience with live and studio performances.
Extracurricular Activities: |
| Scott Nadolinski Instrument Specialty: Drum Set |
| Experience/Training: Jim studied at Villa Maria College with bassist Jim Kurzdoerfer and pianist Leola Erftenbech; Jim continued his piano studies with instructors Steve Thurston, Pat Georger, Rick McGirr and Dan Sturner. He continued bass lessons with Scott Qualey and Jerry Livingston.
Extracurricular Activities: Jim has won a Buffalo Music Award for a total of nine (9) times. He has performed in many regional concert venues like Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Molson Canalside Concert, to name a . He has opened for many bands such as Jefferson Starship, Jeff Berlin and Billy Sheehan. Jim currently performs with Buffalo bands The Tommy Z band, The Dave Constantino Band, Haiku, Chameleon’s Coat and WHKT. |
| Jim Wynne Instrument Specialty: Guitar, Bass, Piano |
| Experience/Training: A professional musician for over 30 years, Kevin previously studied harmony and theory with such well-known area instructors as Frank Girard and Dr. Michael Zak. He has also been an instructor himself since 1989 at the Community Music School and The Guitar Factory since 2006.
Extracurricular Activities: Kevin currently performs with the jazz quartet Four on the Floor and the acoustic trio Hell-4-Riches. He was nominated for a Buffalo Music Award for Best Original Guitarist in 1996. In addition to a busy gig schedule, Kevin works on various recording projects and arrangements in his spare time. |
| Kevin Helfrich Instrument Specialty: Guitar, Bass |
| Experience/Training: Dave has 20 years of experience, including private lessons and jazz band while still in high school, and voice training and music theory courses while attending SUNY Fredonia. He also has led worship for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Fredonia Assembly of God and other churches/events. He has performed in a wide range of bands in many different genres that include: hard rock, metal, and blues. Dave also performs at weddings as well as working on original recording projects.
Extracurriculars: For samples of Dave’s work, check out some of his original work at: www.myspace.com/davidirock. |
| Dave Intercola Instrument Specialty: Guitar (Emphasis on Electric) |
| Experience/Training: Ashley has 20 years of experience playing the piano and specializes in classical music. She has spent many years volunteering as an accompanist with local groups in the Hudson Valley. Ashley moved to Buffalo after receiving her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University in New York, NY.
Extracurriculars: Ashley received the award for Best Accompanist at the Hershey Park Music Competition in 2005 as well as the Don Romme Music Award for Musical Excellence in 2005. When not playing or teaching piano, Ashley works with children and families as a Social Worker for Catholic Charities. |
| Ashley DePasquale Instrument Specialty: Piano |
| Experience/Training: Ryan possesses both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and Mansfield University, respectively. He has previously taught at the Elmwood Franklin School, Clarence High School, South Glens Falls High School, among others.
Extracurricular Activities: Ryan is currently a member of the elite vocal groups Harmonia, Vocalis, and St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir. He is the founder/director of the Lancaster Depew Community Chorus, and he performs regularly in the community with his solo acoustic act. You can find out more about his music at www.facebook.com/ryankaminskimusic. |
| Ryan Kaminski Instrument Specialty: Ukulele and Guitar (emphasis on acoustic) |
| Experience/Training: Evelyn is a piano and violin teacher, accompanist, and performer. She graduated from Bob Jones University with both an Undergraduate and Master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy. During her studies, she also studied music theory, composition, counterpoint, and music history. She enjoys teaching her students to be passionate about music and to reach their full musical potential.
Extracurricular activities: Evelyn regularly performs for weddings and different events, as well as arranging music. |
| Evelyn Gagnon Instrument Specialty: Piano and Violin |