Meet the drum Staff

The founder of the RMC Studios, EJ is professionally trained in drums, guitar, bass guitar, vocals and piano. EJ is a graduate of Ramapo College where he majored in Liberal Arts as a cum laude graduate. He has had the privilege of studying under many talented musicians including JoJo Mayer, Joe Morello, Bernard Purdie and Steve Smith and guitar under Tim Quick, Dave Martone and Joe Stump.

EJ has over 20 years of performing experience. He has been composing, recording, and producing original rock & pop songs for the last 15 years. 

George Maher is completed his Bachelor's degree in jazz trumpet performance at Mason Gross School of the Arts, at Rutgers University. At school, George performed with RU's Jazz Ensemble under the direction of trombonist, Professor Conrad Herwig.

This group has had the privilege of performing at The Blue Note jazz club in New York City, and has performed with guest artists such as, Orrin Evans, Michael Phillip Mossman, Tanya Darby, and Joe Magnarelli. 

George originally hails from Connecticut where for three years of high school where he attended the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, in Hartford, CT.

At the Academy, George performed in a small ensemble under the director of Jimmy Greene, and Kris Allen. He also performed in the award winning Academy Big Band, lead by Douglas Maher. 

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George is an active musician who currently tours and performs with numerous groups. 

John has been playing piano since the age of 6 and playing drums, bass, and guitar since the age of 10. John has been teaching and instructing students on these instruments for the past 3 years. John draws his influences from many genres and artists, including Led Zeppelin, The Police, as well as D’Angelo and James Jamerson. In his free time, John writes music in various genres including; R&B, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Rock. 
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John has studied under many teachers over the years for each instrument. Most recently, John studied under Carlos Vazques of Mason Gross College of the Arts at Rutgers University, where he focused on Conga Performance. 
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This past year, John earned his degree in Education from Middlesex County College, and he will be going on to study English and Music Education at Kean University.
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John has found a passion for teaching students of any age, from beginner to advanced skill levels. His approach to teaching is student-centered: he focuses on the students' interests and needs. From there, he helps his students build the skills necessary to be able to play the genres and songs that interest them most. 

George Sheehy was born and raised in New Jersey. His first exposure to music was under the tutelage of his grandmother, who would teach him piano whenever she  would babysit. After three years of instruction on clarinet, George moved on to  guitar, an instrument he has studied for nearly 20 years.  

George was a founding member of  ong-time local stalwart Particle Zoo. Despite growing acclaim for their live show and original EP’s—as well as industry interest— the original lineup split after a year and a half together. After writing and recording several original EP’s, George took a hiatus from music. Around that time, George had taken a job with a children’s program and discovered his second passion—teaching. Following stints teaching SAT prep, and science for kids, George started as a counselor aide with the YWCA of Central New Jersey. 

Through hard work and talent, he worked his way up to Director of Children’s Programs before eventually stepping down to pursue a degree in biological sciences from Rutgers University. While not actively performing at this time, George enjoyed a return to the music scene with long-time friends Pontus Gunve, John Giordano, and EJ Gaub in the bands Harbor and Sickwell. With the establishment of RMC Studios in 2003, George found the avenue to combine his two great passions—music and teaching.

Harry Smith is a Drummer, Band Leader, and Educator based out of New York City and Central New Jersey. After inheriting his grandfathers drum set and cymbals at around 6 years old, he began his path as an artist.

In the beginning, Harry's playing was based off his studying of Orchestral, Rudimental, and Technical approaches to Percussion. His early musical influences were Jazz Drummers like Roy Haynes, Tony Williams, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Louis Hayes, and Victor Lewis,  just to name a few, in addition to enjoying his favorite rock bands such as Sonic Youth, Green Day, and The Strokes. At age 15  Harry began playing gigs in the New Jersey / New York area at local bars and restaurants.

After Moving to NYC to pursue a degree in Jazz performance at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, Harry has had the opportunity to perform and study with many of his musical influences including; Andrew Cyrille, Ahmed Abdullah, Colin Stranahan, Eric McPherson, John MacNamara, Joe Martin, Amir Ziv, Steve Johns, and Johannes Weidenmuller.

Harry is currently attending The New School for Jazz in NYC and continues to teach music. 

Stu Ottenstein has been a musician since early childhood. Music runs deep in his blood. His father was a professional musician who played in a very well-known New Jersey wedding band for over 30 years. 

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From elementary school, all the way up through college, Stu studied both piano and drums. At the age of fifteen, he started performing on drums regularly with his father’s wedding band gaining a tremendous amount of experience playing all styles of music ranging from Big Band to Motown and everything in between. 

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He has been featured in Modern Drummer magazine in a section called “On The Move” and his drumming skills have been utilized on recordings for independent films and television.

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For nearly a decade, Stu was the Drum Department Manager at Sam Ash Music in Springfield, NJ. His knowledge of drumming, drumming gear, and what it takes to be a successful musician is extensive from all of his years in the business both as a player and as a salesman.

Stu continues to perform regularly with some of the top bands in NJ, playing all types of venues and events. Some of the bands that Stu plays with are Brian Kirk and the Jirks, Moroccan Sheepherders,The Jonzes, the Joe Baracata Band, High In The Mid 80’s, Carnival Dogs, The Main Event Big Band, Guilty Pleasure, From Jersey With Love.

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Stu’s passion, technique, positive energy, and love for what he does shine through every single time he sits down behind his drums. He loves sharing his knowledge, skill, and passion with all who want to learn how to play.

Jesse brings 15 years of teaching experience. He studied piano and composition at Rutgers University on a scholarship. Jesse's musical training coupled with on-stage experience (Limelight, Knitting Factory, CBGBs) has helped him guide and inspire many musicians. 

He focuses on building a strong technical grounding on the instrument. His lessons are tailored around the student's goals and musical taste. 

In addition to teaching Guitar, Piano, Drums, Bass, Ukulele, & Voice, Jesse also teaches songwriting, music theory, and arranging. He has experience teaching all age ranges and levels. He has taught total beginners to advanced students. 

Justin Witwick is a New York/New Jersey-based teaching artist. As a recent graduate of the University of Delaware, Justin holds a degree in Vocal Performance. 

Through his studies and experiences, Justin is proficient in teaching voice in the styles of Musical Theater, Classical/Opera, Rock, Pop, and Jazz. Besides vocal training, Justin also brings his piano, drums, bass, composing, and conducting knowledge to RMC Studios. 

As a performer, Justin has held many principal roles at the University of Delaware and many other theatres. Some of his credits include; Gabe in Next to Normal, Troy Bolton in High School Musical, Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte, and Ichabod Crane in Hearts of the Hollow. Justin is still performing and auditioning as well as teaching. Every single performance is an opportunity to learn and reciprocate knowledge to create the next generation of performers! 

Anthony Alejandro Martínez (Tony) is a Music Composition post-senior at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts. He is of Ecuadorian and Spanish descent. Although music composition and the curiosity to learn piano came to him later in life, he writes in various genres. His culture and knowledge range from jazz, blues, Latin jazz, South American folklore, waltz, Caribbean, hip-hop, r&b, rap, pop, Latin music, classical, contemporary, ballads, film scoring, and hints of soul and gospel. 

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He has arranged and performed as a pianist at local Latin Jazz festivals, for the former president of Ecuador Rafael Correa at St. Johns University, and some of his works are performed at Nicholas Music Center as well as other venues at Mason Gross. He currently plays and teaches piano, Venezuelan “cuatro,” “charango” (a 10-string instrument from Ecuador), electric bass, guitar, percussion including Latin percussion, ukulele, music composition, film scoring, songwriting including musicals, and music technology and production.

Tom Frustieri is a professional drummer from New Jersey. He has performed around the globe, backing international artists and national tribute acts. His many trips include visiting United States military bases across Asia and the Middle East, performing for US Troops and international armed forces, and performing in arenas, clubs, and festival events.

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Tom is a graduate of William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies and Performance. Tom has performed with members of The Who, Kiss, Deep Purple, Alice in Chains, Night Ranger, and Rainbow to name a few. Tom currently performs with two national touring tribute acts; Slippery When Wet-NJ
Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute band and Last Child Aerosmith Experience. 

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As a teacher Tom will work with the student to customize a plan to help them achieve their individual goals on the instrument, whether they are a serious drummer or someone just looking to jam on their favorite songs. He begins by teaching basic beats and fill rhythms and as the student begins to apply them in time and to songs, their comfort, groove, and confidence grows. 

Born in Texas and raised in New Jersey, J. Taylor Leach's interest in music began at a young age. Self taught until college, his "official" studies and practicing began at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, NJ. There he obtained a Liberal Arts degree, was actively involved with the music department where he was asked to perform concerts with the faculty, in addition to playing with Bernie Worrell (Parliament Funkadelic). 
 

Upon graduating, Taylor transferred his studies to William Paterson University, where he studied jazz performance and music education, and played and studied under faculty members such as Christian McBride, Bill Charlap, David Liebman, Vincent Herring, Harold Mabern, David Demsey, James Weidman, and Cecil Bridgewater. Taylor has also studied privately with Greg "Torch" Sgrulloni, Dan Weiss, Kenny Washington, Brandon Lewis, Johnny Vadcovich, Steve Coleman, Kevin Norton, Bill Goodwin, Allen Herman, Steve Lyman, and Horace Arnold.
 

Taylor was asked to start his teaching career within months of starting college. Raritan Valley professor Steve Hudson asked him to join his teaching faculty at Hudson Music Studios as well as at his Music Camps across the tri-state area. Taylor has taught at the Octopus Music School, B Natural Music, Ben Hyman Music, the New Jersey Youth Symphony, and Steve Hudson's Music School, where he has provided master classes, workshops, group and private instruction, as well as students with special needs. 
 

Some artists he has have the pleasure of sharing concert bills with include Philip Glass, John Zorn, Vijay Iyer, Elliot Sharp, Russell Malone, Bill Charlap, and Charles McPherson. Taylor has been a drum tech for Tyshawn Sorey, and other drummers. He leads his own trio and quartet, as well as playing as a sideman. 
 

Taylor is a nationally touring artist and can be found performing and teaching regularly across the tri-state area.