Dana Mae Gayner, soprano, is a lifelong resident of Salem, NJ. She began her formal training in singing at the age of 9, and continued her study of music through high school and college, earning a B.A. in voice from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. Since 2003, Miss Dana has enjoyed teaching private vocal lessons to students as young as 9 years old, and as young at heart as 90 years old. As a Licensed Kindermusik Educator, she enjoys sharing her love of music with an even younger audience. Miss Dana purchased The Mannington Music School in 2011, and became a mom in 2012.

Elyse Hughes, mezzo soprano, is a Southern New Jersey native and professional singer, dancer, and actress. She is an alumnus of the New Jersey Governor’s School of the Arts (Theatre Scholar) as well as Westminster Choir College of Rider University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Music in Musical Theatre. She continued her professional studies at the William Esper Acting Studio in NYC. Elyse’s favorite theatre credits include Kate in Kiss Me, Kate (NJPAC), Abigail Adams in 1776 (Media Theatre), and Vivienne in Legally Blonde (MacHadyn Theatre). When Elyse is not performing, she can be found directing at The Broadway Theatre of Pitman. Miss Elyse has been offering acting classes at The Mannington Music School since February 2021 and private voice lessons since 2023.

There are many studies that show that young people greatly benefit from acting training. Students who are shy or suffer from stage fright learn skills to break free of anxiety in a fun, judgement-free, and safe environment. Acting classes are great for socializing and building lasting relationships. Students will gain self-esteem, empathy, public speaking skills, creativity, and team building experience. In class, students practice memorization, study famous works, hone improvisational skills, and just have a blast!

Andrew Sullivan, tenor, began his musical journey in 5th grade choir. He graduated from Westminster Choir College of Rider University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a focus on music theory and music education. He studied with Laura Brooks Rice during his time at Westminster. He has recently appeared in shows at the Levoy, Blue Moon Theater, and Oakwood Summer Theatre. Andrew’s goal for his students is for them to be able to use music as an expression of themselves in a healthy way that will last them for their entire lives.

In addition to private voice lessons, Andrew offers private and group theory tutoring, as well as daily theory homework helper check ins.

Sam Johnson began studying the piano at the age of 6. Although he was classically trained through high school, it was then that he developed a love of jazz piano and began lessons and performances in jazz. Sam was involved with his high school marching band, jazz band and honors wind ensemble. In 2018, he won the first seat on the South Jersey Jazz Combo. He has also been involved in numerous public jazz performances in the South Jersey area. He continues his music studies at Rowan University, studying jazz piano performance and music education. His piano students learn to play by ear as well as to read music.

Eleanor Dishong started studying violin at the age of 8. Herself the daughter of two musicians/music teachers, her earliest ensemble experience was with Songs By Dishong Family Band. She is currently a vocalist and violinist studying music education at Rowan University. She has played with the Rowan Symphony Orchestra, and has sung with the Rowan Concert Choir, Voces Ensemble, Collegium Musicum, and the Opera Company. She has been teaching violin at The Mannington Music School since July 2021, and also teaches violin and voice at Haddonfield Sound Music School. As an intern with the Rowan Community Music School she works with students in the Rowan Youth Orchestra and Rowan Youth String Orchestra. Her teaching style is based in Suzuki, Feierabend, and Kodaly theories of music education.

Brooke Blizzard has been playing the violin for 14 years. She is currently a Music Education major at Rowan University, with projected graduation in  2026. She serves as the Assistant Music Director of Rowan Vocals. She loves creating a positive and encouraging environment for young musicians to keep them on the track to success. Brook mainly teaches through the Suzuki method and implements hands-on learning through a combination of games and technical practice. She began teaching at The Mannington Music School in 2023.

Jennifer Calderon is currently a student at Rowan University studying Spanish, and music performance under David Agia. She’s been playing cello since she was 10 years old and also has experience performing and teaching brass and choir. She has been a part of the Rowan University Symphony Orchestra, String Ensemble, College Band, Brass Band, the Pride of the Profs Marching Band, and other chamber ensembles at the university, and is an intern at the Rowan Community Music School, where she is involved in the String Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sue On.

Jennifer also dedicates her time to working and volunteering with various high schools, private ensembles, and summer camps across New Jersey and New York. Additionally, Jennifer is active in the South Jersey drum corps community as a member of the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps and the Blackwatch Winter Guard.

Jennifer is very passionate about teaching and finds great fulfillment in sharing her knowledge and inspiring others to grow as musicians and as individuals. Having grown up as part of a non-profit music organization, she values the balance of excellence and enjoyment and hopes to share that with students who come her way.

Bassist/guitarist Peter McCarthy resides in Carney’s Point, NJ. He has performed at numerous venues from Texas to New York. Peter began playing guitar at age thirteen, studying with Joe Allegro. Peter has studied composition and theory at Glassboro State College. He started on the electric bass at age 19; upright bass at 27. He has also studied privately with Gregg Posers, Bruce Kaminsky, and Fred Weiss. Peter has been teaching at the Mannington Music School since 1998.

Peter currently performs with several area bands: The Big Package Band, Steve Lewis Big Band, Jump Jive & Wail Band, The Peter McCarthy Group, the Gil Thompson Trio, and local theater/jazz groups. Peter also performs solo guitar/vocals at various venues.

Roman Cella is currently a Jazz Studies major at Rowan University. His first love is saxophone, and he plays soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. He also plays clarinet. He performs with multiple groups, including the Fralinger String Band and his own band, Trash the Bathhouse.

Xavier Norwood is a jazz performance major at Rowan University, specializing in trumpet performance where he studies with Dr. Bryan Appleby-Wineberg and Joh Barnes. He plays in the Rowan University Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble. He began teaching at The Mannington Music School in 2024, and offers trumpet and trombone lessons.

Susan Torrie has been teaching music professionally for over 25 years, specializing in flute, piano, and early music education. She is currently the music education teacher at St. Andrew School in Drexel HIll, PA, and has held multiple positions in music education, performance, and direction. Holding a BA from Temple University, Susan has deep connections within the greater Philadelphia music community. Tailoring lessons to the needs and interests of her students, Susan is comfortable teaching everything from classical music to jazz, folk, pop, and everything in between.

Christian Speaker has been playing drums since he was 8 years old. He started studying at the Mannington Music School in 2016. He is a qualified assistant instructor in martial arts and works with younger kids on a regular basis. He is currently a music major at Rowan University studying percussion. He began teaching at the Mannington Music School in 2022, and teaches drum kit, marching percussion, and mallet percussion.

Dana Gayner studied art at the Philadelphia College of Art, now the University of the arts, in Philadelphia, PA. Her work in various mediums has been on display in various shows and galleries throughout the years. Additionally, you can see her creations come to life at craft fairs such as the Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival, and the Festival of Fine Craft at WheatonArts, as Ms. Gayner creates individualized masterpieces as a Renaissance Face Painter.

Ms. Gayner taught art to Pre-K through 8th grade for 27 years. She has also taught classes and workshops on various art subjects ranging from classical art to creative crafts.