Music Teachers

Music Notes Academy teachers are award-winning, university and conservatory degreed performers, music teachers and college professors. Our teachers are committed to teaching through a comprehensive, sequential, and individualized curriculum designed around each student’s age, learning styles, interests, goals and aspirations.

Meet our Music Teachers

new jersey music school

Hi, I'm Lauren

Voice & Piano Teacher

Lauren is a native NYer and a maven to the digital ways of making art. She began teaching music in 2018 and is excited to be a part of the team at Music Notes Academy. Next to performing, teaching is her next greatest passion and the best way to learn is to do! Her musical background is compromised of musical theater, opera, and pop/rock music. Her students have gone on to participate in Wingspan Arts Theater Conservatory in NYC, iPop in Los Angeles, LaGuardia School of the Arts, Professional Performing Arts School while adult professionals have worked on various cruise lines and regional theatres around the world. Lauren has a BFA in Musical Theatre from SUNY Fredonia.

Hi, I'm Sean

Music Teacher

Sean, a Music Notes Academy ’12 award-winning NJSBDC music teacher, holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from The College of NJ and a master’s degree in Music Scoring and Composition from Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Ca.

An experienced teacher of strings, piano, woodwinds and brass, Sean is additionally a conductor and composer of merit with seven completed symphonies.

His arrangements have been performed by schools, community orchestras, chamber ensembles, soloists and appeared in independent films. Sean has been a music teacher at Music Notes Academy since ’09 and created our Music Notes’ TiedNotes Classes.

Hi, I'm Justin

Piano Teacher

Mr. Justin is a classically trained pianist. He has earned a Bachelor’s of Music in piano from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. Justin has a passion for music and plays various styles which includes classical, pop, jazz and gospel. He enjoys improvisation and music composition.

Justin has performed with the Bernards Ensemble at the Arc Angel Gala in Bridgewater, NJ. He also performed and accompanied many Westminster Choirs and performed as lead pianist at a Piano Concerto Concert with the Westminster Community Orchestra.

Justin is the accompanist where he leads the music ministry at multiple church services. He is also a music consultant for The Arc of Somerset County. Justin’s experience as a piano instructor began in 2019 where he taught individuals on a one-to-one basis. Justin’s student roster has included individuals with various disabilities which included down syndrome and autism. He understands that people learn differently and he learns from every person he teaches. Justin actively continues to volunteer his services in the community.

Hi, I'm Brandon

Music Teacher

Brandon Kurzawa is an exceptional music professional with more than 20 years of experience in the field. Since 2000, he has been dedicated to preparing students for college music auditions, assessments, exams, and performances. Brandon is equipped with exceptional qualifications and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Rutgers University, as well as a Master of Arts in Education. He has also studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

As an accomplished musician, Brandon has an impressive recording credit line-up, including playing drums on Ansel Matthews’ Raised From The Dust and on John Sonntag’s ’06 release, Chasing Stars. Along with national touring experience, he has performed actively with rock bands, singer-songwriters, trios, quartets, wedding bands, among others in the New York metropolitan area.

Brandon’s contributions to music education aren’t limited to practice and performance alone. He has authored publications such as “Teaching Music, Teaching Percussion: A Balance in Curriculum” and “Teaching Music,” published in Tempo Magazine in ’06 and ’07, respectively. An educational endorser of Vic Firth, Inc., a sponsored artist of Shine Custom Drums, and a Remo Health Rhythms Drum Circle facilitator, Brandon was an adjunct professor or audio engineering and music technology, focusing on Apple’s GarageBand, Reason, Logic Studio, and Pro Tools at Gibbs College. He has also taught music at prestigious institutions like Rutgers University and Kean University.

In 2012, Brandon was recognized as NJSBDC’s Success Award Winner on behalf of Music Notes Academy’s staff of dedicated teachers.

Voice, Piano Teacher East Brunswick, NJ

Hi, I'm Joseph

Voice & Piano Teacher

Mr. Joseph is a graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University with a B.M. and M.M.E. in Music Education.

Specializing in voice and piano, Joseph has been studying music since the eighth grade and has devoted his life to music. Joseph has experience with both high school and collegiate choir ensembles.

Joseph has performed in numerous musical theater productions and has experience in arts managerial positions where he was secretary for a cappella groups at Westminster.

Aside from music, Joseph enjoys watching movies and TV with his wife and their two dogs, Loki and Sylvie. We are delighted to have Joseph join Music Notes Academy.

Guitar Teacher at Music Notes Academy, East Brunswick, NJ

Hi, I'm Stephanie

Guitar & Brass Teacher

Stephanie’s love for music began when she started playing guitar in fourth grade. Her passion inspired her to study music education, and she has been teaching music to students of all ages both in the private and public school settings for over ten years.

In addition to teaching, Stephanie is involved with music in other ways. She is a performer of classical, jazz, and rock music in addition to musical theater productions. She also has experience managing national tours for a youth music education organization.

Stephanie has earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Delaware and a Master of Music from the University of Florida.

Hi, I'm Ben

Bio & Picture Coming Soon...

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Hi, I'm Bryan

Bio & Picture Coming Soon...

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As teachers, we incorporate our own educational approach to Music Notes Academy’s general curriculum. Throughout the day, students can range from five to seventy-five years old. Along with what we’re teaching, we like students to be able to explore on their own. I enjoy teaching through creating. It’s an exciting, healthy challenge for me and my students.

Teaching at Music Notes Academy

Grow

Teachers at Music Notes Academy usually begin as part-time. Growth opportunities to full-time are available. Teachers have the opportunity to additionally become department heads, chairpersons and introduce new music classes for students.

Compensated

Music Notes Academy teachers are paid for all student absences, late cancellations and student no-shows. This is the way it should be. Your time and dedication to Music Notes Academy is valued. Students can attend a group make-up class.

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Collaboration

We all work together here. Although we spend most of our time teaching our students, it's a collaborative effort towards comprehensive instruction and curricular development for our students.

Unlimited

Unlimited purchasing of sheet music, music books, instrument accessories and instruments that Music Notes Academy sells. Teachers pay what Music Notes Academy pays, plus NJ sales tax.

Join Music Notes Academy

Make a difference. Teach music. Our teachers are employees (not independent contractors) with competitive compensation, growth opportunities, and retirement plans with employer contributions.

Looking to join our team of award-winning teachers?

Closed for Easter Weekend, Friday 3/29 through Sunday, 3/31 🌼 Enrolling for Summer '24 & School Year '24-'25