The Modern Music Academy

Rob Cuozzo has been teaching Guitar for over 30 years. His dedication to teaching can be found in his students who learn to not only play the instrument, but learn the finer points of reading music. Rob started playing guitar at the age of 14 while studying with Rob Hall - a local jazz teacher. By the age of 18, he was studying with jazz great: Vic Juris. Rob attended Jersey City State College where he studied  Classical Guitar under Joe Owens. After college, Rob became a fixture on the local music scene playing along side such national acts as Foreigner, White Lion, and toured with the band Tyketto. 
 
Rob now plays and teaches locally in Northern New Jersey and always looks forward to sharing his knowledge of the instrument with students of all experience levels.

Michael Joseph Alworth is a graduate of Montclair State University with a degree in Vocal Performance. He is an active performer in the Montclair area of musical theatre and opera. Recently credits have included Theo (Midnight Madness), Caiaphas (Jesus Christ Superstar), Bass soloist (Mozart's Requiem), Baritone soloist (Alzheimer's Stories), and Frank (Die Fledermaus). Michael is a resident of Caldwell and has been teaching at The Modern Music Academy since June 2016.

Peter has been performing and teaching for the past 21 years.  During the day he teaches K-5 General/Vocal Music at PS-6 in Jersey City heights.  He has been teaching with The Modern Music Academy for 6 years.  He currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education/Voice from Westminster Choir College and a Master’s in Opera Performance from The Boston Conservatory.  He has sung in the most sought after concert halls on the East coast: The Academy of Music, Philadelphia; Avery Fischer Hall, NYC; Carnegie Hall, NYC; NJPAC, Newark and many more. Peter can play and teach voice, guitar, bass guitar, piano, trumpet and ukulele.  

Jaime Maraviglia is an active Teaching Artist, having choreographed and directed youth theatre in local church, school and camp programs, and professional regional theaters. She graduated from Wagner College with a BA in Theatre Performance and a minor in Dance. Jaime received her dance training at the New Jersey School of Ballet in Livingston where she performed as a Junior Company member in The Nutcracker with the professional NJ Ballet company. As a performing artist, her most recent stage credits include Legally Blonde at The Barn Theatre in Montville, Trial By Jury with Light Opera of New Jersey, and Aesop's Fables with The Women's Theater Company. In 2014, she was a part of the national tour of Buddy- The Buddy Holly Story as an actor/musician. She teaches a range of dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater at a variety of levels. She currently teaches lessons in voice, acting, piano, and ukulele here at The Modern Music Academy.  In addition, Jaime is a Music Together instructor at local preschools and West Essex Music Together as well as a yoga instructor. She is a lifelong resident of the Caldwells, and participated in local theater and music programs throughout her youth. She enjoys nurturing students, building confidence and creativity, and igniting their passion for the arts! 

Joseph Segura has completed his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in Classical Guitar at Montclair State University. He has been studying guitar for the past 11 years and plays various styles including flamenco, classical, blues, and rock. Prior to attending Montclair State, Joseph earned his associates degree in music at Bergen Community College. He is also a trumpet player having been involved in various marching bands with one of the highlights being a performance at Giant Stadium. Joseph is currently active in Montclair State’s campus band and, in his spare time, performs his original music.

Anthony is a professional drummer and percussionist from New Jersey.  Anthony has performed with artists like Amapola Dry, Float the Witch, and Scarecrow Collection.  You can find him currently performing with Cat London, Bill Vivino in the Billy Stone Band, Groove Street Entertainment, and Rich Aveo.  Anthony has a Bachelor of Music degree from Montclair State University with a focus in classical, contemporary, and new music as a percussionist. 

Graduating from Montclair State University with a degree in Vocal Performance, Chris learned and mastered healthy vocal technique along with a plethora of musical knowledge. Being well versed in multiple instruments like piano and trumpet has also expanded Chris's musical education into a wide range of fields, making teaching a natural process. When not singing or teaching, Chris also works as a voice actor and digital entertainer.

Alex Pulakos is a professional producer, musician and educator. A graduate of City College, Alex majored in Jazz Performance, with a concentration in guitar. Alex began playing music on cello, and then picked up the guitar, and later, piano.  Since the age of 15, Alex has played and taught professionally in various settings, and recently some of his first placements on major recordings. Alex believes that music and the arts are essential to our way of life and expressing ourselves, and that it is vital that we give children instruction in the arts to create growth in all levels of society, and growth within ourselves to become better human beings.