Music Training Center


	Guitar Instructors	Piano Voice Guitar Bass Drums Violin, Viola, Cello, Sax, and Clarinet
	Ben Bowles - Guitar, Electric Bass Ben Bowles is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where he studied guitar and composition, and of Boston College, where he studied physics. He has been teaching music and guitar for eight years to both young and adult students in all styles of electric, acoustic, and classical guitar. In his teaching, Ben emphasizes a strong foundation of music theory combined with efficient technique and repertoire that the student enjoys. Ben has previously taught physics, math, and music at a New England boarding school, and instrumental music at alternative schools in Bucks and Montgomery counties. He has assisted his students in producing their own original recordings. Ben has participated in the New York Guitar Seminar for several years and has taken master classes with Michael Chapdelaine and Ricardo Iznaola. He has played throughout southeastern PA, including a performance at the grand opening of the Si Lewen Museum in Bethlehem and in acoustic duos and rock bands at various music festivals.
	Ben Geise - Guitar, Electric Bass Ben Geise is a graduate of University of Pittsburgh, with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, specializing in Jazz Guitar. During his study at University of Pittsburgh, Ben was a recipient of the Mellon Jazz performance scholarship. Ben has performed in ensembles throughout the Pittsburgh and Williamsport areas, and performed in Rock, Jazz, and Blues bands including the Atwood All-Stars, a regularly performing Jazz/Funk band. Prior to moving to Philadelphia, Ben taught guitar and music theory for 4 years at the Uptown Music Collective in Williamsport, PA.
	Zach Fay - Guitar Zach is a graduate of Temple University. He began his music studies at the age of 13 and has studied with some of Philadelphia's top musicians including Paul Beller, Doc Strong, Jon Dichter, Stephane Wrembel, and Paul Spencer Adkins. Versed in a broad spectrum of musical styles, Zach currently plays guitar and banjo in a variety of local old-time, bluegrass, folk, and rock outfits. He teaches at the Music Training Center as well as at a non-profit music school in North Philadelphia.
	Nate Finan - Guitar Nate is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Composition. Equally adept on piano and guitar, Nate was a finalist in the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Competition in 2003. Nate is versed in multiple musical styles including jazz, blues, pop, and rock. Nate performs in rock, jazz and soul groups throughout the east coast. He has also composed music featured in TV commercials and films.
	Stu Gollin - Guitar Stu is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston with a diploma in Film Scoring and Guitar Performance. Prior to attending Berklee, Stu trained with famed Philadelphia jazz guitar teachers Joe Federico and Dennis Sandole. Stu is an accomplished teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience. He is fluent jazz, rock, funk, classical, fusion, and heavy metal. His compositions have been featured in movies such as Waitress and on MTV’s Viva La Bam and Homewrecker. Stu’s band Halfway to Gone performs regularly in the Tri-State Area and has performed at the Philadelphia Race Track and The Trocadero in Philadelphia, the Majestic Theater in Detroit, and CBGB’s and The Ritz Theater in New York.
	Ernesto "Jun" Ibasco - Guitar, Bass Jun’s musical career began in the Philippines and Japan touring intensively and working as a recording session artist. Jun was trained in guitar at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. He specializes in fusion, rock, R&B, pop jazz, funk, and metal.
	Dan Kauffman - Guitar, Piano Dan Kauffman is a graduate of the Millersville University School of Music. Dan started playing guitar and piano at 14. After attending Millersville University and living in Olympia Washington for a few years, Dan returned to his native east-coast roots to further his career. Fluent in most types of music including Rock, Funk, Jazz, Folk, Americana, and Classical, Dan continues to play in Philadelphia's most prominent live venues such as World Cafe Live, Grape St., Puck, and many upscale bars and restaurants while teaching a 4-day week at MTC. Former Philadelphia 76'er, Charles Barkley, after hearing a rendition of James Taylor's "Country Road", remarked that Dan is his "brother from another mother". Dan continues to write, record, and perform in the Philadelphia area.
	Mark Mullen - Guitar Mark Mullen is a graduate of West Chester University with a Bachelor's degree in Guitar Performance. Mark began his training at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia where he studied Classical and Jazz guitar, Mark also studied Classical Piano, Theory, and Composition at West Chester with professor Glenn Lyons. Over the years, Mark has been performing with various groups and styles including Lucid Dream (progressive rock), Brannigan's Law (indie), and Pet Cemetery (electronica). In addition, he regularly performs classical repertoire in the form of guitar solo, duo, and trios around the PA area. Mark also has extensive training in the Alexander Technique For Musicians from renowned teacher, Dr. Robert Bedford.
	Vahe Sarkissian - Guitar Vahe Sarkissian is a graduate of the University of the Arts with a Bachelor's degree in Guitar Performance and a Master's degree in Music Education. Vahe has performed nationally with numerous groups including most recently the Philadelphia-based fusion group T.S.U., who has been featured in the Philly Weekly, the Metro, and Guitar World Magazine. Vahe's musical background and performance credibility spans various styles including rock, jazz, middle-eastern/world, funk, fusion, and other contemporary styles. Prior to Music Training Center, Vahe taught at schools and Universities in the greater Philadelphia region including the General George A. McCall School, Bensalem High School, Girard College, and Holy Family University. Vahe was a recipient of the 2004 Fender Outstanding Guitar Achievement Award.
	Dave Tronieri - Guitar Dave Tronieri is a graduate of the Temple University School of Music, with a bachelor's degree in Jazz Guitar Studies. Prior to earning his degree at Temple, Dave performed for over 10 years as a guitarist in Rock, Acoustic, and Metal bands. Dave currently fronts the award-winning band Blues/Rock Albino Red, which performs throughout the New Jersey Shore areas and was featured in the February 2007 edition of At the Shore - Atlantic City Press (click here for article). Dave performs on weekends at weddings, parties, and clubs as part of an acoustic guitar duo. He has taught at several music schools in the Philadelphia area, and is great at teaching students of all ages.
	Andrew Warren - Guitar Andrew Warren is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. Andrew has performed with rock, hip hop, funk, jazz, and blues bands in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas. Andrew was a member of the Carnegie Mellon University Classical Guitar Ensemble. While at University of Pittsburgh, Andrew also focused heavily on music composition for film. In addition to performing, Andrew has been a private music instructor to students of all ages. Prior to attending University of Pittsburgh, Andrew performed with the Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Jazz Band and was a student in Music Training Center's Rock Band programs.