Guitar Faculty
Andrew
Andrew graduated from Drexel University with a B.A. in the Music Industry. Andrew teaches both guitar and piano and includes the styles of Rock, Blues, Classical, Pop, Reggae and Jazz. Andrew also really enjoys helping students write their own songs on both instruments. He performs often at many of the local restaurants and clubs either solo or as a member of a five piece cover band and has been the sound engineer at Doc Watsons mixing many up and coming touring bands. Some notable gigs include 3 separate week-long stints in Liverpool, England playing at The Cavern Club and other venues.
Andrew’s biggest strengths as a teacher are his personal approach to each student. “I try to let them decide where they want to go with their playing, be it writing songs, learning to play like a favorite guitarist or band, improvising solos, or just strumming by a campfire. Andrew has been teaching at Napoli since 2007.
Bill
Bill has been playing piano and guitar for over 20 years and has been teaching students of all ages for over 10 years. He studied classical guitar at Settlement Music School, Florida State University and William Paterson University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music. He is a semester away from earning his Music Teacher certification from Eastern University and is currently student-teaching in thePhiladelphia School District. His musical interests and expertise include genres ranging from rock to classical and everything in between. He possesses an acute knowledge of songwriting and music theory. At present, his favorite musical artists are Schubert, Schumann, Springsteen, and Pink Floyd.
His greatest strengths as a teacher include patience, positivity, honesty, and passion for music. His lessons are focused and organized, with the goal of gently pushing his students to reach their potential.
Courtney
Courtney earned a B.M. in music education from Berklee College of Music. At Berklee, Courtney graduated near the top of her class, earned a Berklee Achievement-Based Scholarship, and played in many student ensembles (including as an original member of Berklee’s Contemporary Wind Orchestra), film scores and a Led Zeppelin tribute band. Courtney also has a wide range of music teaching experience. In 2008, Courtney taught general music and choir at a middle school in Randolph, MA. Courtney created an innovative program where every student who took general music learned how to play the guitar, and many area newspapers wrote features on her creative teaching methods. Courtney helped the choir perform at many regional competitions successfully and directed the school’s musical.. She is a current member of the Lansdowne Symphony.
Courtney’s teaching strengths include her innovative approach to teaching and learning that she uses with each of her students. Courtney’s versatility also comes through because she is capable of playing and teaching many different instruments. Courtney is certified to teach music in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Texas.
Joe P
Joseph Primavera is a music educator, performer, composer and producer with over 15 years of experience. Since obtaining his Bachelor’s of Music in Performance from Temple University in 2007, he has been teaching private music lessons in the greater Philadelphia area to students of all ages. He creates customized lesson plans for each student based on the music they love. Technique, theory, composition and improvisation are all taught within the context of the student’s musical interests.
Matt
Matt attended Berklee College of Music and Temple University. He graduated from Temple University with a Bachelors in the Arts. Matt’s favorite styles are blues, rock & jazz, but he is also well versed in folk, country and classical. Matt is also quite the performer. He has played with LT Pandemonium, Defeo/Matt/Kev and Enertia Blues. Matt has most recently performed with Broad St. Blues which has played such venues as The Trocadero Theatre and The World Cafe Live.
Matt’s biggest strengths as a teacher are his kind and caring ways. He lets his love of music shine through in his playing; constantly striving to get the best from his students and to show them that music brings out the best in ourselves. Matt has been teaching at Napoli since 2005.
Mickey
Mickey teaches electric and acoustic guitar as well as electric and upright bass. Mickey studied under Berkelee guitarist Mike Gallagher who instilled a love of music that Mickey now passes to all of his students. Mickey performs with many different groups in a variety of styles. He has performed many notable venues on the east coast, most recently including the Trocadero and the Kimmel Center. Mickey is well versed in music theory and focuses on ear training and modal theory and he is able to teach music theory lessons to individuals who do not play a stringed instrument. Mickey is able to play and teach a wide range of musical styles from metal, jazz, and acoustic/folk to rock, hip-hop, funk and reggae. He is able to teach all ages from 7yrs to adults and all levels from beginners to advanced musicians.
Mickey’s teaching strengths revolve around his philosophy that he likes to tailor every lesson to the student’s individual areas of improvement to help each and every student become the best musician he or she can be.
Mike
Mike G. attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Mike is an absolutely incredible guitar player and is well versed in the styles of Rock, Metal, Blues, Country, Jazz, Classical, Folk. Mike’s primary band, Midnight Angel opened shows for many national acts along the East Coast (including Skid Row). Mike is also an excellent songwriter. Many of his songs have been used on television (NBC, ABC, FOX, ESPN, MTV, VH1, etc.) and in film (Touchstone, Disney, etc.)
Mike’s strengths as a teacher include his very patient and friendly demeanor, his over 20 years of teaching experience, his laid back approach and his amazing knowledge of the instrument and teaching techniques. Mike works well with children and adults. He has been teaching at the Napoli school since 1992 and is our senior guitar instructor.