I graduated from Rutgers University with a masters in human resource management and a bachelors in psych, music, and audio engineering. I play guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and am an audio and video engineer.
I have played in and out of bands since I was fourteen years old and played on stages such as Starland Ballroom and Stone Pony and have been teaching for over 8 years.
Eric is an enthusiastic, professional performer who has been playing drumset for seventeen years and teaching percussion of all kinds for more than half his career. He has a degree in psychology from Montclair State University, and has extensive experience ranging from performing showtunes with pit orchestras, to instructing marching band percussion, to thrashing out on stage with his bandmates. He actively plays out locally with the rock n' roll group Bryson & Company, and regularly travels around the country to perform at pop culture conventions with his heavy metal video game music (yes, you read that correctly) cover band, Super Thrash Bros. His favorite drummers (right now) are Larnell Lewis, Akane Hirose, Matt Halpern, and Dom Palombi. When not behind the kit, you can find Eric playing tabletop and online games with his sister and friends, at the beach, or exploring the outdoors.
Karl Cazeau is a student at Monmouth University. He has been playing the clarinet since he was in 3rd grade. As time passed, he has performed at many fundraiser events for his high school, performed in several musicals, such as Little Shop of Horrors and Addams Family ,plays at his own church, became the drum major for his high school marching band, and joined his college pep band. For his free time, he enjoys playing random instruments to learn later and sings. He knew his path in music when he performed at his first coffee night event in high school and got over his fear of public performances. Since then, he has joined all these music clubs and picked up instruments like Tenor Sax for Jazz and Bass Clarinet for musicals. When singing he loves being a Bass and tries to teach people how to use their musical talent. All his friends and professors saw him as a teacher and followed down that path which led him to here.
I am Bob Meyer. I am a graduate of Duquesne University and the Owner at Give To Live Music Studios. Many years were spent working for Cellar Door/ClearChannel/Live Nation and toured extensively with Van Halen, Phish, The Allman Brothers and Emmylou Harris/Del McCroury Band. I can teach and play guitar, bass, mandolin, drums and ukulele. My studio was noted for our huge benefit shows and the live performances of our students. I believe that after a student gets up and going with his/her instruments, there should be a focus on playing with others and performing in front of an audience! It strengthens a student's self-confidence and enhances their abilities ten-fold. Let's rock and roll!
Born into a lively family of artists, and musicians with a strong Jazz background, a career in music seemed obvious to me from an early age. I was able to experiment with many different instruments as soon as I was able to pick them up, which gave me a chance to find one that really spoke to me. I had a strong fascination with the guitar and alto saxophone, but they both seemed so big to me as a young child. When it came time to choose an instrument for the school band, I chose the clarinet, which I thought was a more manageable size. This is the instrument that I would begin learning to read music with. However, I quickly grew bored with it, and that became obvious to my family right away. A few weeks later, my grandparents showed up to my house with a half-sized nylon string guitar, and thus started my journey as a guitarist. My love for music only grew stronger from there as I spent hours a day exploring and learning new things. When I got my first electric guitar, I didn’t leave my room for weeks except to attend school and eat. That guitar became known as “Jason’s girlfriend” to my family and friends. In high school, I started my first band with three of my best friends. This was such a valuable experience early on, as our school held annual music fests which gave us a glimpse at what playing a real show would be like. About 6 months after forming the band, we were playing our first gig at the Stone Pony. Little did I know, I’d be back on that stage more times than I could count in the coming years. I would also begin learning the ins and outs of audio production, and taking fill-in gigs doing live sound and lights for a cover band at Martell’s Tiki Bar. After about 10 years of studying, writing, recording and performing with many different musicians at venues and studios all over the east coast, I started teaching and booking recording gigs, which is now the majority of what I do today.
Hi I'm Zach! I've been playing drums my entire life. My goal for my future students is to be able to learn to teach themselves. Using my knowledge and love for teaching, I want my students to grow and prosper, not only in my lessons, but also outside of them! Hope to see you in class!
With years of experience performing live and recording in the studio, I bring real-world knowledge to my lessons. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, I tailor lessons to help you play with confidence and creativity. Let's make music!
Hi I'm Mike! I've been playing guitar for 16 years, bass for 11 years and I have a BA in Theatre Technology in Rowan University. My goal for all my students is that "anyone can learn an instrument." Everyone loves music so everyone can learn at any time. I believe that with the best support, the best mindsets, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to, and I do my best to let my students engage in a free-spirited, yet foundational learning program. I hope to see you guys in class!
Hey! I’m Dominick, and I’m all about helping drummers build power, precision, and creativity behind the kit. I specialize in progressive music, metal, and rock, but no matter what style you’re into, I’ll help you develop solid technique, timing, and musicality. Drumming isn’t just about hitting hard—it’s about control, endurance, and expressing yourself through rhythm. Whether you want to master intricate fills, double bass patterns, or just lock in with a band, I’ll tailor our lessons to match your goals. I love working with drummers of all levels, from total beginners to experienced players looking to refine their skills. My goal is to challenge you while keeping lessons fun and inspiring.
Hi, I’m Kara!
I’ve been playing guitar, piano, and singing for over 15 years, and more recently, I’ve picked up bass and drums. I love helping students of all ages learn music in a way that feels fun and personal—whether that means breaking down your favorite songs, exploring new genres, or writing your own music! With degrees in Music and Psychology (including studying how people learn music), I like to sprinkle in just the right amount of music theory to help things click. Every student learns differently, so I make sure our lessons match your goals and learning style. My taste in music is all over the place—from indie and folk to Latin, pop, and classical. No matter what you love to listen to, I’ll help you build the skills to play it confidently. And if you’re feeling creative, I’d love to help you explore songwriting too! Can't wait to see you at our lesson!
My name is Anthony Walton, and I’m excited at the possibility of being part of your musical journey. I specialize in guitar, drums, keys, and audio production, and I’m passionate about helping students discover their own sound and confidence through music.
I studied at Brookdale Community College, where I sharpened both my technical skills and musical understanding. My background is rooted in pop, rock, and alternative styles, and I’ve had the privilege of performing with bands like Backhouse and Gabcinque. Those experiences taught me not just how to play, but how to connect—with an audience, with bandmates, and most importantly, with the music itself.
Having played in multiple bands, I know firsthand how rewarding (and fun) it is to make music with others, and I aim to bring that same energy to every lesson. Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your skills, I’m here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Looking forward to making music together!
Hello! My name is Robbie Butkowski. I have been instructing music lessons and working as a live performer for multiple decades. I have always cherished the support and wisdom passed on to me by the community of musicians and artists that have come before. My aim is to continue in that tradition of inspiring students to seek out knowledge and reassurance in their own musical and artistic capabilities.
I was strongly interested in learning about music from an early age. I took every music class offered in public school and I had private guitar lessons every Monday night. The value of that education was priceless. My studies continued at Montclair State University where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance with a Concentration in Jazz Studies.
I’ve since had the opportunity to collaborate and release original music with the band, Black Flamingos. Together we have toured internationally and performed our music at major events like Sea Hear Now in Asbury Park and Surfer Joe Festival in Italy.
I look forward to bringing my insight and experiences to you, the next generation of musicians, artists and professionals.
Jake Hankins brings an exciting mix of rhythm, creativity, and technical expertise to Guitar Center Lessons. As both a seasoned DJ and drummer, Jake has performed across a wide variety of stages—whether behind a turntable, on a drum kit, or in the studio shaping tracks. His background in audio production gives students a unique edge, blending traditional musicianship with modern music technology.
Jake’s teaching style is hands-on, encouraging students to explore their own sound while mastering essential skills. Whether you’re learning how to lay down your first beat on the drums, mix tracks like a pro DJ, or record and produce your own music, Jake’s lessons are designed to build confidence and spark creativity.
When he’s not teaching, Jake continues to perform, produce, and collaborate with other artists, keeping his approach fresh and connected to today’s music scene.
Discover the joy of music with personalized lessons from experienced instructors at Guitar Center. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, we offer lessons for all ages and skill levels in guitar, bass, drums, piano, and more. Our Ocean, New Jersey network of professional musicians is ready to help you achieve your musical goals. Start your musical journey today and find your perfect instructor at Guitar Center!
