Our Team
Student safety is a top priority at ShamRock!
Our ShamRock staff has been well trained in abuse prevention through the Praesidium Academy to create a safe environment for everyone. Duty to Report, Abuse Risk Management and Social Media/Electronic Communication Safety are just some of the programs our team has completed the training on.
In addition, every staff member must pass a nationwide background check and is fully vaccinated. There are windows in every lesson room for all to observe, and also 24 hour security monitoring throughout our school.
Roy Van Tassel
Drums, Guitar, Bass
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Roy Van Tassel is the Founder/Instructor of RVT Music. He is a dedicated, professional instructor and musician with 30 years of experience teaching comprehensive drum technique as well as being a successful live and studio drummer.
A knowledgeable, highly skilled technical drummer, he has studied under such drum masters Karl Latham and Jack Kuhn. He also has a rich musical education in a number of instruments and techniques including 2 years of classical guitar study under Carol Hamersma. Roy is a hands-on teacher with extensive experience tailoring fun and enriching lessons for students of all ages and skill levels. Individual lessons center on proper technique, coordination, and music sight reading. His patient teaching style along with the comfortable learning atmosphere of RVT Music help students develop the skills they need for a rewarding life in music.
Beyond teaching, Roy has played drums for several notable original and cover bands from 1992 to present. He currently plays in WTF!?!, The Earthgrinders, and The Vinyl Attic. Past bands include Ghost Orgy, Suit of Lights and Screwhammer.
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Kristina Rigamonti
Voice, Piano, Beginner Guitar, Ukulele, Group Vocal Ensemble,
Preschool Music
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Kristina Rigamonti joined ShamRock's staff in early 2016 when she was hired on the spot after giving a performance at a ShamRock event. Kristina’s passion for music started at a young age. Coming from a musical background, she gave her first live performance at age 7 and began studying voice shortly after. Throughout the years she has picked up other instruments along the way.
In 2018, she graduated with honors from William Paterson University’s Music Department where she studied Popular Music and Music Management. She was the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Senior in Popular Music Award. During her time at WPU, she performed in various choirs and ensembles. She notes WPU’s “I Want My 80’s” shows as a highlight of her career, where she got to work closely with former Lady Gaga producer, Rob Fusari, and Taylor Dayne (Tell It to My Heart).
Kristina’s favorite music to perform and listen to is Rock N Roll but she has a taste for a wide range of genres. She has performed in original bands in the past, but you can currently find her fronting local cover band, The Mugshots.
Outside of teaching music, she enjoys going to concerts and playing with her dog, Shayla.
Kristina strives to bring out the very best in her students and loves watching them grow and succeed. She is their biggest fan!
Zack Smith
Guitar, Bass, Drums, Ukulele, Adult & Student Rock Bands
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Zack Smith has been teaching lessons at Shamrock since January 2015. He started playing guitar at the age of 11 when he taught himself how to play Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones by ear. He is also self-taught on drums and bass. He was a student of Shamrock’s very first Summer Camp program in 2009.
Throughout high school he participated in jazz band, concert, and chamber choir. He went on to study music at William Paterson University and graduated in 2018 with a degree in Popular Music Studies and Music Management. There he was a member of the New Music Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, and Studio Ensemble. He was also lucky enough to have shared the stage with Darryl “DMC” McDaniels during 2 fundraising 80’s tribute concerts.
Zack has performed in original bands and currently plays in various local cover bands including AC fn DC. His favorite genre is Rock & Roll. Outside of teaching and playing music, he enjoys going to concerts and hiking with his dog Hannah.
Vince Genella
Guitar, Bass, Drums
Vince Genella has been working consistently in the music business for over 25 years. Recording, performing, teaching guitar, and working as a clinician at trade shows and music stores all over the country. Over the years Vince has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some fantastic Artists such as Stuart Hamm, Larry Mitchell, Lou Pallo, Rob Balducci, Johnny Highland, Ace Livingston and Greg Martin.
As for influences, Vince admits his taste has developed into something far too broad to be identified by any single guitarist or style of music. This variety has given his style of writing and playing a depth and durability that does not fall apart after the third or fourth listen. His instrumental compositions are led by searing melodic technique and passionate, fiery leads through mature song-oriented hooks and progressions.
Currently Vince is recording his first solo CD, a collection of all instrumental guitar featuring some fantastic musicians
Over the past 25+ years as a teacher, Vince has taught hundreds of “kids of all ages” how to play guitar and bass, along with music theory. He has given over 50,000 individual lessons! He was the very first instructor at ShamRock.
Whether teaching, recording, or performing, Vince gets the job done and has a blast doing so! “It’s all about fun and the love of music. I’m grateful to be able to do what I love!”
Nick Arrechea
Piano All Levels
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Nick is a recent graduate of William-Paterson University's jazz piano studies program, earning him a Bachelor of Music, a minor in Music Entertainment Industries, and even being awarded the Mulgrew Miller Memorial scholarship in acknowledgement of his academic and musical performances.
While at William Paterson, Nick studied under some of the greatest jazz pianists of the modern era; Bill Charlap and Harold Mabern to name a few. During his time there, he participated in a number of exciting performances and events such as Brave New Radio's "Braveathon" program, several Jazz Room performances as an opening act, and even making a studio record with his trio.
Starting at age 5, Nick has nearly 20 years experience of playing under his belt, though not all of it was jazz and classical music! Nick also loves picking up songs to play from the shows he's watched, or the video games he's played. As a strong advocate for music from all sources, he believes there's something to be learned from any song, anywhere! Whenever he's not practicing or playing piano, Nick likes to read anything from philosophy to manga, take hikes when it's sunny, and play video games!
Rea Hyseni
Violin, Voice, Piano
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Rea Hyseni joined the ShamRock team in January of 2023 with enthusiasm to help students achieve their musical goals. Her passion for singing began at the early age of 4, and she has been playing violin since the age of 6. Also having been classically trained in piano, Rea’s musical experience has shaped her into a versatile artist today.
Rea was involved in her high school’s audition vocal groups, performing at local venues, and more notably, Radio City Music Hall. She was also involved in her high school’s orchestra, string ensemble, and choir. A portion of her musical experience was also gained from performing and learning in Balkan ensembles at music and arts summer camps. Rea is currently majoring in Jazz Studies with a focus in Vocal Performance at William Paterson University.
Growing up mainly listening to and playing Balkan folk music, it has broadened Rea’s understanding of what music can sound like. She shares true adoration for a wide range of genres that cannot be condensed in just one sentence. In her free time, she enjoys folding origami, writing her own songs, and spending time with her silly tuxedo cat, Caesar.
Efficiency, personal growth, self-
confidence, and a safe environment are some of Rea’s greatest values that she promotes in her teachings, and she is excited to help more students along their musical journeys!
Giovany Vega
Piano, Brass & Wind Instruments
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Gio has always had a deep love for music, beginning his journey at age 11 when he picked up the piano and found opportunities to perform at church. He attended PCTVS to study music, where he picked up the trombone and gained experience in Concert Band, Marching and Jazz Band.
During high school, he joined the Jazz for Teens program in Newark, receiving trombone lessons from esteemed teachers like James Burton III and Earl McIntyre. This experience fostered a deep understanding and appreciation for jazz and Latin American genres. He also participated in an All-Age Drum and Bugle Corps before attending William Paterson University to study Classical Trombone Performance. He has had numerous opportunities to play and gig with various groups, including big bands, orchestras, chamber groups, salsa bands, brass quintets, a tuba-euphonium ensemble, community bands, and even sang in a chamber choir.
Currently, Giovany teaches all brass, winds and piano, working with and teaching students of all ages, from very young to older adults, drawing from a rich and diverse musical background. He focuses on a fun approach to learning, emphasizing patience, understanding, and an openness to help. Aside from music Gio loves long-distance road trips, and fishing.
Frankie Revis
Guitar, Bass
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Frankie Revis has been playing the guitar since he first learned at Shamrock at age seven. He grew up listening to The Beatles, in fact the first song he learned to play was a song by The Beatles called “Twist and Shout”. As a student at ShamRock, he played with other students to rave reviews at The Fest for Beatles Fans when he was only 10 years old.
Frankie is also proficient on Bass, Drums and Piano. As a former student at Shamrock, he studied music theory and now specializes in Rock, Funk, Jam and Blues Genres.
Throughout the years Frankie has been gaining an exponential amount of live experience playing and performing in multiple cover bands as well as his current original band, Ordinary People. Outside of playing and teaching music he enjoys going to concerts and hanging out with his family and friends.
Jessica Hughes
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piano, Oboe, Bassoon
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Learning piano at the age of six, Jessica has been a lifelong musician. At age nine she took up the clarinet and at fifteen, her desire to be unique and “play what no one else plays” led her to learning the bassoon. In high school, she had to opportunity to perform on clarinet, bassoon, oboe, and piano. She had the opportunity to compose multiple pieces for clarinet ensemble and wind ensemble.
Due to her many years of piano lessons, Jessica has a strong music theory foundation. Her high school band directer even checked with her to see if he was teaching one of his theory lessons correctly! She then pursued her goal of becoming a music educator by getting a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, focusing on clarinet and bassoon. She studied clarinet with the prestigious Andy Lamy, first chair clarinetist of the New Jersey Symphony, and bassoon with Dr. Bob Wagner who performs all throughout the tri-state area.
After graduating, Jessica has been asked to perform with the William Paterson Orchestra, directed by Sandra Dackow, for the last 8 years. She has also worked as a marching band instructor at Passaic County Vocational School giving one-on-one lessons as well as group lessons on clarinet, oboe, flute, and saxophone.
In her free time, Jessica performs with a multitude of ensembles throughout New Jersey. These ensembles include chamber, orchestral, wind, marching, and jazz. Her most recent performance was with the William Paterson Symphony Orchestra performing in Carnegie Hall. She enjoys reading “Attack on Titan,” a Japanese manga series and going to concerts. Her favorite was Almost Queen.
Our Staff
Ruth Krieger
Ruth brings decades of service experience to ShamRock as our front desk lesson coordinator. After retiring early from her Call Center management career, she soon began to look for opportunities to work part time back in a face paced and fun environment.
She now brings her love of music along with her service experience to our front desk.
When she isn’t coordinating lessons & welcoming ShamRock families, she spends time as an officer of ADOPT, a 501c3 organization raising funds for the needs of the Pequannock Township Animal Shelter. She manages and creates content for the Shelter’s social media. Ruth enjoys spending time with her Family, dog Max and reminiscing about growing up in Coney Island, Brooklyn!
Katie Bellman
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Katie has been a student for nearly 10 years. She currently takes guitar lessons with Zack but has also studied saxophone at ShamRock. In 2019, she won the MVP Shammy Award and was the recipient of 2019 PTHS ShamRock Scholarship.
She currently attends SUNY Oneonta as a Childhood Education Major and is a teacher assistant to our Summer Camp programs, our front window artist, and event photographer.
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Bella Basile
Bella has been a student at ShamRock for 6 years. She takes voice lessons with Kristina, is the lead singer in our Advanced Teen Band, Flip Thru, and is an assistant in the Group Vocal Ensemble. She has won 9 Shammy Awards.
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Bella loves being on stage and enjoys writing her own original songs that she plans to record in the future!
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