OUR STAFF
Rock Island Sound has one-stop music stores in Rye and Tarrytown, both staffed with the area’s top musicians and music teachers offering music lessons, summer music camps, and instrument repairs. Our music teachers in Tarrytown and Rye specialize in all types of music, from classical to jazz to rock. Whether it’s piano, singing, or guitar lessons, the goal of Rock Island Sound is to provide the best experience for all students and customers through knowledgeable staff, expert instruction, great service, and community outreach through music camps, and instrument repairs at our Tarrytown and Rye locations.
Emanuel received his first guitar from legendary Irish rocker Brush Shiels when he was a young lad and started playing soon after. He was already writing songs by then and singing leads for Church/School choir performances, winning the national “Slogadh” group competition under the tutelage of well known Irish musician, Declan Masterson.
After High School, Emanuel studied Bel Canto singing with Frank Merriman and Edwin Williamson and played most of the venues in the Dublin area including The Baggot Inn, Whelan's, The DA Club etc.
He then began teaching music/technology at Dublin City Arts Center before coming to New York where he has continued as an instructor and working musician to this day. Emanuel’s favorite thing is creating his own music. He is an accomplished songwriter working to release his first album.
EMANUEL CREGAN
Daniel Criado Cabrales is an award winning musician, educator and composer who has performed across the United States, South America, and Asia. Daniel holds a bachelor in music education from UIS University and a master degree in Jazz Studies from SUNY Purchase. He has also collaborated with notable musicians including Grammy Award-winning Master Saxophone Player David DeJesus, the Birdland Big Band, Brandon Lee, Grammy Award-winning pianist Manuel Valera, Pete Malinverni, the legendary drummer Leon Parker, the renown bassist Doug Weiss and shared the stage with the Jazz super star Jon Faddis, to name a few. He has acquired highly-sought after positions in prominent venues including Birdland Jazz Club, one of the most prominent jazz clubs in the world, as well as at The Side Door, Cleopatra’s Needle, Bonafide Club, Performing Arts Center at Purchase. Daniel has also been featured on distinguished recordings including “Carry On (Unplugged)” by Big Ska Band, featuring the Daytime Emmy Winning producer Joe Ferry and the 1989 Grammy Winner for Best Hard Rock Performance, Corey Glover.
DANIEL CRIADO
OSCAR DESIDERIO
Oscar is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and music educator based in New York. He received a Bachelor of the Arts degree from SUNY New Paltz in Jazz Studies and in Music Theory/Composition. Oscar has years of experience teaching guitar, piano and music theory to students of all ages.
Oscar first became involved in music through the study of violin and rock, blues, and jazz guitar. While attending college, he picked up piano and became interested in music composition. Since then, Oscar has composed numerous solo, chamber and symphonic works for acoustic and electronic instruments.
SEAN DONOVAN
Sean is a lifelong musician and songwriter who has sang and played guitar in various bands since the age of 12. He has released several albums and EP's both as a solo artist and as a member of the band If But When, all of which are available on Spotify. His original songs have been featured on 107.1 The Peak and the sports cable channel SNY.
GANDHI GONZALEZ
Gandhi Gonzalez was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At a young age he started taking piano and music theory lessons in the prestigious Dina Music Education School. Later he studied drums and piano at the Murabak Music School. Gandhi has also been tutored by notable Dominican musicians like Ezequiel Francisco, Wellington Valenzuela and Francisco Javier Vargas. In 2003 he joined the rock band TKR, with whom he recorded two albums and was nominated for a Casandra Award. Gandhi graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music.
ANDREW KNEBEL
-
Andrew Knebel is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music/University of Hartford where he was a student of Steve Larson. He holds a Bachelor's degree in viola performance and music education. He has participated in master classes with John Largess (Miro SQ), Chauncey Patterson (Miami SQ), and Heidi Castleman. In addition to teaching violin at 4 schools in Southwestern CT, Andrew is a member of the Eastern CT Symphony in New London, CT.
Alan Lighty is a Classically trained musician who has been teaching guitar since 1972. He is a multi-instrumentalist with a Master's Degree in Composition from Yale University.
As a recipient of several Council of the Arts Grants, his compositions have been performed around the world. An expert in fingerstyle Country Blues Guitar.
ALAN LIGHTY
Kim holds a Masters Degree in Music Therapy from SUNY New Paltz. She has worked as a licensed music therapist for over six years. She teaches guitar, piano, ukulele and voice. You will also recognize Kim from her other role as the manager of the Rye location