SHAWN CAVANAUGH

Acoustic Electric Guitar, Electric Bass Guitar, Upright Acoustic Bass

Shawn is an award winning professional musician who has tour nationally with several acts and an accomplished session player most known for his skills in improvisation. He has performed on stage with members of Rock of Ages, Morphine, and recorded with members of The Billy Joel Band. Shawn has also performed with a wide variety of acts such as: broadway musical stars, national tribute acts, all-original pop singers, and even jazz ensembles. Shawn's released several original jazz fusion records under 'Shawn Cav Ensemble' and several ambient solo bass records. He is currently performing with such performers as: Kjersti Long, Lisa Bodnar, and Doug Kaetz & From The Dark River. When not touring Shawn is a resident musician for an international theatre company, teaching privately, and writing/recording session work for multiple artists.

Shawn believes in teaching technique and theory concepts in developing the inner musician and giving the student the tools necessary to create on their own; as well as learn valuable lessons through studying existing songs in genres such as: rock, jazz, funk, blues, country, pop, and more. Shawn is also able to cater the lessons to what the student needs to further their current understanding of music whether they are a seasoned pro or an absolute beginner. 

KEITH CSOLAK

Drums, Percussion

With a masters in Music Education and Conducting and over 40 years experience performing and teaching children, teens and young adults, Keith prides himself on being an enthusiastic and dedicated master teacher of Percussion specializing on Drum Set as well as many Concert Band and Orchestral Instruments. His expertise on the drums comes from years of live performance, studio work, and training with top artists in the NYC metropolitan area. He trained under the infamous drummer, Tony DiNicola who shared the stage with Harry James and Dick Heyman. A touring drummer for The Crests (‘16 Candles’), having been signed to Sire Records and toured with the band, Big Help, Keith continues to enjoy onstage performance with the Mojo Gypsies Blues Band, Johnny Pompador, The Bass Boards and others. Recent work includes touring and studio work with up and coming, rock singer/songwriter Kjersti Long’s original Band.

Keith’s lessons include reading, hand technique, and development of the artist as a performer as well as a technical musician. He is a favorite of so many of his student alumni due his focus on a wide variety of styles of music, especially rock, pop, blues and jazz and his ability to weave into every lesson the songs that the student enjoys and loves to play. Keith creates musicians who excel in their local schools and beyond.

DEBORAH HEAGEN

Piano, Keyboards, Ukelele, Music for the Young Child

Deborah Heagen is a experienced teacher of over 10 years. She received her BFA in Theater with a concentration in acting from Five Towns College before working regionally, Off-Off Broadway, and in NYC cabarets. Her film credits include an after school special for Turkish Television called The Wishing Tree and a voice over for the SAT prep game The Verbal Edge. Deb earned her Masters Degree from Drexel University in Music Therapy and Counseling. 

Piano (music theory, note identification and reading, basic song writing)- Learn the piano from Basics to Bach. Emphasis during piano lessons is on note reading and identification in addition to music theory. Lessons can be tailored to your long and short term goals, whether you prefer pop and Broadway or the classical music of Mozart and Beethoven. Basic songwriting lessons are also available. Ukulele (chords, strum patterns, song writing)- Learn to play this lighthearted instrument by studying chords and strum patterns. Techniques such as finger picking, scales, and basic exercises are also explored. Song writing lessons are available.