Director/Piano/Musikgarten - Laura Wittman

Growing up on a steady diet of classical music of such composers as Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Debussy and Chopin hardly prepared Laura for her current repertoire of music of Sara Barreilles, Cold Play, Alicia Keys, John Mayer and even The Eagles.  (Or, perhaps it did!) She grew up in a musical family, beginning her classical piano studies at a typically young age.  Laura’s fondest memories include those of playful, intricate duets which she performed with sister, Dianne.  Fortunately, her parents always believed in the value of learning a musical instrument.  Gratefully, she didn’t have a choice! 

As a resident of Millstone Township, NJ for over eighteen years, Laura has enjoyed her share of volunteer appointments to various committees, boards and foundations within the community and Monmouth County.  Several years ago while (as a mother and homemaker raising daughters, Olivia and Isabel) Laura began teaching piano lessons in her private studio.  It was a modest arrangement, yet served an important purpose.  As the years progressed, she began to feel inspired to create a space in the community that would welcome and nurture music students of a wide range of instruments.  The opportunity presented itself and Cornerstone Music Studios at Millstone became a reality.  Currently, Cornerstone Music offers music lessons for such instruments as piano, voice, guitar, bass guitar, violin, viola, saxophone, clarinet, flute and drums!

Laura holds her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Master of Arts in Organizational Communication from the University of South Florida, where, during a part-time assistantship, spent semesters in a dance rehearsal hall, accompanying USF ballet students during their demanding advanced performance classes.  She currently assists with the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Freehold, NJ, “Wiggle-n-Worship” music program.  Previously, Laura spent over five years in a New Jersey-based cover band playing keyboards and on vocals for private events and performing in numerous tri-state area venues.

Flute - Julia Walenciak

Beginning from childhood holidays going to Lincoln Center to see The Nutcracker to listening to Beatles albums in the living room, Julia Walenciak has always had a love of music! In 2003, Julia took that passion and earned her Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College. While studying there she was a flautist in the orchestra, symphonic band and flute choir. She spent a semester abroad studying at Anglia Polytechnic University in Cambridge, England where she also sang in the College Choir.

Currently, Julia works as a vocal/general music teacher at Errickson Elementary School in the Freehold Township School District. There she sings, plays, dances and integrates technology into music class. In addition, Julia is a director for the Performing Arts Club, a group of fifth graders which desire more time on the stage, eager to be in front of an audience! Since then Julia has continued her love for the flute by being an active member of the Colts Neck Community Band. With the CNCB, she has also pursued conducting and helped form a Flute Ensemble.

Music Motto: Music is the key that can open the hearts of all.

Guitar - Chris Carratello

Chris Carratello is a guitar player who holds his B.A. in Music complimented by over a decade of stage and studio experience. Chris has taught one-on-one and classroom situations with students of all ages and levels. Chris was given the Outstanding Contribution in Instrumental Performance award at Monmouth University in 2006 and 2007 for his role in arranging, leading, and playing in several theatrical events at Monmouth. Chris has written, arranged, and orchestrated alongside Grammy-winning arranger and musician Mr. Ron Frangipane and Grammy winner Jack Daily, bassist of the Lenny Kravitz Band. Chris’s original compositions can be found in commercials, movies, and is currently distributed internationally. While at peace with playing any genre of music that presents a challenge and is still fun, Chris takes particular pleasure in being a Metal guitarist. Additionally, having studied 20^th Century compositional technique and Avant/Free form concepts, he is happy to dismantle a guitar with a hammer or drop broken glass into trash cans for the sake of musical exploration, both of which he has done.  In addition to the experience in school and under the guidance of Monmouth University’s excellent teaching faculty, Chris has played countless original and cover band gigs. He brings a real and practical approach to playing guitar and being in a band. Experience in the recording studio and in live performance offers insights into band/group dynamics, organization, and team building skills, all of which Chris looks to pass on to his eager to rock students! Lastly, Chris loves music. It is his coffee in the morning, his lullaby at night, his way to make his mark on the world. How will you make yours?

Guitar - Jordyn Gallagher

Jordyn has been playing guitar for the past fourteen years.  As a recent graduate from The College of New Jersey, Jordyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in classical guitar.  While at TCNJ, Jordyn has had many performance opportunities including a yearly performance at the Philadelphia Guitar Society Festival.  In addition to teaching private guitar, Jordyn has had the chance to teach guitar in a high school which encompassed students at all levels of guitar playing as well as teach and conduct a high school string orchestra, concert band, wind ensemble, and hand bell choir.  Jordyn is excited to be a part of the Cornerstone faculty and share her love of music and guitar with her students.

Guitar - Marc Hayes

Marc has been teaching the acoustic and electric guitar to students of all ages and levels for the past seven years.  Lessons have included performance and technique, music theory and composition.   Marc received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Film Scoring and Film Music Editing from Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts.

In addition to teaching guitar Marc is an accomplished sound designer, sound editor, music editor, composer and musician for film, television and the Web.  March has been the Website Production Manager at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York for the past three years and is the President/Director of Hayes Multimedia, where he is responsible for the day to day operations of a small multimedia company dealing in music composition, editing, video, sound design and web design. 

Guitar/Bass Guitar - Jet Weston

At age 12, Jet Weston was determined to play his favorite song on guitar.  A neighbor loaned him an acoustic guitar, a set of pitch pipes and no advice other than "good luck".

By the end of the day, Jet learned to tune the guitar and proceeded to plunk out his favorite tune.

By the end of the week he had taught most of the neighborhood kids to play that song and started his first band, and his musical journey.   Since then, Jet Weston has lead numerous bands, played hundreds of shows and toured the country.

Jet Weston's teaching techniques are unique. The focus is on guiding the student to discover music and the joy of playing. Ear training, rhythm and the relationship of guitar to other instruments are explored.

Guitar/Saxophone - Ed O'Connor

Ed O’Connor has been teaching guitar and saxophone at Cornerstone since September 2007.  He has been playing professionally since 1983, spending ten plus years with Trenton-based oldies groups such as Stormy Weather and the Cop-Shoo Bops.  In 1987, he joined the Mahoney Brothers Band and their Jukebox Heroes and Long Live the Beatles shows, doing over 200 performances per year. 

During the eight years with the Mahoney Brothers, Ed did seven national television appearances including Dick Clark’s Summer Safari (CBS), Charlie Daniel’s Talent Roundup(TNN), and several spots on the Disney Channel during one of their several stints at the famous park in Orlando, Florida.  Ed has performed in 35 of the 50 states and played for President Clinton in Washington, D.C.  He currently performs all over the tri-state area with Kindred Spirit along with a few other Cornerstone faculty members.

His “Real” job is as a Regional Supervisor for the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, overseeing all traffic safety programs in the seven Southern Counties.  Ed is considered a national expert in the field of vehicle occupant protection and speaks at safety conferences all across the country.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from The College of New Jersey.

Musikgarten - Kathleen Urban

Kathleen Urban spent 11 years as a special education teacher for multiply handicapped children ages 3-8 at the Mercer County Special Services School District where she was the recipient of the Governor’s Teacher of the Year Award.  In addition, Kathleen was an Educational Consultant for Princeton Creative Theater/Kids on the Block Puppetry Classes for handicapped children ages 10-14.

Kathleen has attended numerous teaching workshops including classes on incorporating music and movement into children’s literature experiences.  She also attended 8 years of group music classes for young children as a mother of 4 girls.

Kathleen has been performing since the age of five in a variety of church, community, school bands, orchestras and drama productions.  Her musical background includes  the flute, oboe, recorder and voice. 

Kathleen received her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Trenton State College with a minor in Music and Psychology.

Percussion - Charlie Winkler

Percussionist Charlie Winkler comes to Cornerstone Music Studios bringing an array of musical styles and influences spanning most of which available to a drummer. Trained side by side as both a classical percussionist and drum set player, Charlie’s repertoire includes rock, pop, jazz, latin, and funk, as well as classical and rudimental snare drum styles.

Charlie has used the fusion of these styles combined with creative talent to bolster his performance opportunities, playing in various venues across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Additionally he has been performing for years with The College of New Jersey’s concert band, wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, and jazz ensemble.

With a degree in Music Education, Charlie is eager to use his knowledge of teaching combined with his performing talent and experience to share his love of music with his students. His lessons focus on the fundamentals of notated music, and learning to play tastefully with a strong command of the groove. His students will explore any style of drumming they wish.

Percussion - George Massina Jr.

A drum instructor at Cornerstone Music Studios, George Massina, Jr. is also proficient in teaching brass, woodwinds, and strings.  With over 25 years experience as a music teacher in public high schools, George has taught general instrumental music to students in grades six through twelve and conducted performances before charitable and community groups. 

As an assistant band director for over five years George provided instruction to members of the marching band as well as conducted drill practices and composed drum and percussion cadences for marching bands.

George was selected to play at the Cherry Blossom Parade before the President of the United States and has performed at the Disney World Parade in Orlando, Florida.

George received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Trenton State University, with an emphasis in Percussion Performance.

Piano - Azusa Ueno

Azusa Ueno, pianist, was born in Tokyo, Japan.  She began her piano studies at age 6, and at age 12, was accepted into the prestigious Juilliard Pre-College Division in New York City, where she studied with Herbert Stessin.  There, she gave numerous solo and chamber music recitals, and won a full scholarship award in her final year.  In 2001 she clinched top prize in the Hartford Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition, which led to an appearance with the Hartford Symphony.  In college, Azusa decided to navigate toward academia, where she pursued studies in Social Psychology at Yale, but still performed actively, giving performances at Yale and New York City’s famed Steinway Hall in 2002 and 2003.  In 2004, she made her international debut in Nagasaki, Japan, performing with the Nagasaki University Orchestra.

Azusa entered the Masters program at Manhattan School of Music (MSM) in 2007; a scholarship student, she studied with Zenon Fishbein.  She was one of three students selected to perform in a master class with famed Bach and Mozart pedagogue Robert Levin in Spring 2009.  She won First Prize in the 2009 Miecyslaw Munz Competition, and was named a semi-finalist in the 2009 Young Concert Artists International Auditions.  She in now a third-year doctoral student at MSM, continuing her studies with Mr. Fishbein.  She is a recipient of MSM’s Jephson Educational Trust Scholarship and has also earned a Doctoral Teaching Fellowship with the Keyboard Skills Department.  She has attended and performed at Aspen Music Festival (2000, 2002) and PianoTexas International Academy and Festival (2008).  She has performed in master classes and workshops with Leif Ove Andsnes, David Dubal, Alexander Braginsky, Frederic Chiu, Anthony Newman, Olga Kern, and Malcolm Bilson.

She has appeared in New York City venues such as Steinway Hall, Yamaha Artists Salon, and Greenfield Hall at Manhattan School of Music.  This past year, she was a featured performer in Trinity Church's Concerts at One Series and the Chopin 200 Performance Series at the World Financial Center.

Piano - Greg DeLuca

Greg has taught private piano, saxophone and clarinet lessons for over a decade.  Currently, Greg is a music teacher in central New Jersey where he runs an elementary band program. There he teaches students to play flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone and percussion.  In addition to teaching piano at Cornerstone Music Studios, Greg has also taught at Westminster Conservatory and “Bach to Rock Music School”. 

Greg earned his Master’s degree in Piano Performance from The Boston Conservatory and received his undergraduate degree from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University with a double major in Music Education and Piano Performance.