meet OUR TEACHERS
Current Teaching Faculty
ASHLEY BOWEN MONDRAGON
| STUDIO OWNER | VOICE | PIANO |
| MUSICAL THEATRE | WOODWINDS |
Ashley, the artistic director, vocal coach/instructor and piano instructor at Rockstar! Studios, has been playing and performing music for over 30 years. She earned her BA in Music from the Conservatory of Music from Kean University focusing on classical voice. Her primary instrument, in the beginning of her career, was saxophone, specializing in Jazz Improvisation. Ashley has been teaching voice for over 22 years creating a niche with Musical Theater performers as well as Rock, Pop and Classical Singers both on a professional and recreational level!
Ashley was previously the Musical Director for the JP Stevens Theatre Company for 19 years, as well as the MD for the Academy of Performing Arts in Scotch Plains and numerous studio and community theatre productions. Ashley specializes in Vocal Coaching, Instruction and Health and all of her vocal students are taught with a foundational combination of classical and contemporary techniques focusing on strength, posture, breathing, articulation, vowel placement and diaphragmatic support. In addition to technique, there is also a heavy focus on confidence, performance skills, individualization of the voice and encompassing a variety of styles and range building.
Her students not only become well trained singers and performers, they also build confidence, social and public speaking skills, as well as decreasing performance anxiety and nervousness for all levels of skill and interest for the precollege, college and professional singer! She has a unique and out-of-the-box way of teaching her students, regardless of their experience level. Ashley brings a new edge to all of her lessons and individualizes each one to help bring out the best version of themselves in everyone who walks through her door!
DAVID MONDRAGON
| GUITAR | BASS | UKULELE | PIANO |
MUSIC THEORY |
| COMPOSITION | ROCK BAND |
David received his bachelor's degree from Kean University in Classical Guitar Performance and has been teaching Guitar, Bass, Piano and Music Theory/Composition for over 25 years. He has been playing music since he was 9 years old and originally started on the clarinet and piano, then fell in love with the guitar at age 11.
Since his teen years, David has been a member of the hard rock/heavy metal band E. Town Concrete, touring the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan. The band's music videos were featured on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball, several Playstation video games, and on a Budweiser commercial for the 2004 U.S. Olympic team.
David is also a member of long time friends and veteran rockers,
40 Below Summer, taking the country by storm with continuing tour dates. Additionally David performs with numerous other bands as well as experience playing acoustic, & electric guitar, ukulele, banjo and mandolin in Musical Theatre Productions.
DARLENE RICH
| ACTING | YOGA | COLLEGE PREP |
Darlene Rich is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYC, Thomas Edison State College, and The College of New Jersey. She began her yoga practice as a part of the acting training (movement for the performer) while attending AADA; continuing both yoga and acting studies through formal degrees and certification programs. Her philosophy follows the age old adage- when you teach something you then, and only then, begin to master it.
Darlene holds degrees in Literature, Theatre, and Masters in the Art: Teaching Secondary English as well as a Teaching Certification for K-8, Theatre and Speech and Communication.
Darlene’s acting/performing credits - gratefully too many to list- includes Off-Broadway world premiere’s including Visions of Kerouac at the Lion Theatre, NYC, and The Hunting Scenes of Lower Bavaria at the Vandam Theatre NYC. Darlene was a resident member of the Shelter West Company under the Artistic Director and mentor, Judith Joseph.
While working as a professional actress Darlene continued her studies at HB Studios with Frances Chaney, Aaron Frankel. Austin Pendelton and William (Bill) Hickey. She studied voice with James Gassett and continues her vocal training with Ashley Mondragon.
She also studied dialects with David Christopher. Darlene was introduced to yoga in 1974 in Manhattan while attending the Academy of Dramatic Arts. Yoga has continued to be a integral part of her life moving from be a student of yoga to a teacher in 2004 with her 200 hour YTT. She has continued to become certified in many styles and practices including, Yin Yoga, Masala Restorative Yoga, Yoga for Trauma and Addiction and is currently completing her Kundalini Certification. She has studied with Shiva Rae, Angela Farmer and Emily Conrad as well as many other wonderful instructors throughout the years.
Darlene is thrilled to be leading the Acting Program at Rockstar! Studios, bringing to the private sector her teaching and directing skills of theatre, musical theatre, improvisational theatre, Shakespeare studies and yoga for the performer that she honed for the past 25 years at JP Stevens High School.
KIRK GERITANO
| ACTING | IMPROV |
| MUSICAL THEATRE |
Kirk Geritano is a professional actor and teaching artist. A NJ native, Kirk began performing on stages at the tender age of six years old, getting his start with Michael Taubenslag and Taubenslag productions.
After continuing his theatrical and vocal studies under Ms. Rich and Ashley at JP Stevens High School and being a Rockstar Alumni, he chose to make theater his living and obtained his BFA in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University. Since graduating college and entering the professional arena, he has been part of several National and regional touring shows for young audiences with George Street Playhouse and ArtsPower.
He then established a working relationship with the National Yiddish Theater in NYC. This led to him being an original cast member in their Drama desk-winning Off-Broadway Yiddish version of Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Joel Grey, as well as many live and virtual cabarets and staged readings.
As a teaching artist, Kirk has worked across NJ with children of all ages at places such as Taubenslag Theater Camp, AMARD&V, and various virtual workshops for schools. Kirk believes fiercely in the power of theater to change lives, and relishes every opportunity to bring the magic of theater into the lives of kids and adults everywhere!
AIDEN HORNE
| GUITAR | BASS | ROCK BAND |
| GUITAR REPAIRS |
Aiden Horne has been a dedicated musician who has been playing guitar for 7 years. He is a Rockstar! Alumni and has studied with the terrific staff of Rockstar! Studios for a number of years specifically with David and Ashley Mondragon in guitar and voice.
Aiden is currently enrolled in Kean University for a degree in Music Education and is studying classical guitar. Aiden currently performs in the metal band To Be Decided and is the rhythm guitarist and vocalist.
Through his time as a student at Rockstar! Studios, he has learned valuable techniques and information that he proudly carries with him into his educational and professional endeavors and even more so into the lessons he teaches his students. Aiden is extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the rockstar team!
AMANDA DIAZ
| DANCE | ACRO |
Amanda Diaz is a 25 year old dancer from New Jersey.
Amanda always had a love of dance and choreography from childhood. She began dancing at the age of 12 in public school and began studio training at the age of 15.
She is currently attending Raritan Valley Community College pursuing an AFA in Dance.
Amanda is an alumni company member of Transcendence Dance Collective, has been in video shoots for dance, has competed at World of Dance, and is preparing for more projects in the future!
She loves teaching and performing in the art of Contemporary and Acrobatics/Contortion and is now very excited to bring these styles plus more as she expands her teaching career as a new member of the Rockstar! Family!
JANE HELK
| DANCE | BARRE | PILATES | HIIT |
| FIRST AID/CPR INSTRUCTOR |
Ever since childhood Jane has loved to move! She started dancing and that led to a degree in Dance Education from Hofstra University. She has since performed works by Claire Porter, Freespace Dance, and successfully ran two dance programs. Jane is also certified in Pilates, Fusion Workouts, Holistic Nutrition and Holistic Health and Wellness Coaching. When she’s not teaching you can find her outside with her family and pets or snuggled with a book and cup of tea
Guest Teaching Artists
LAURA BELL BUNDY
| ACTING | MUSICAL THEATRE |
Laura Bell Bundy is an actress, a producer, a director and a mother. At the age of 9 years old, Laura Bell had her stage debut at Radio City Music Hall. Since then she has originated the stage roles of Tina in Ruthless (Outer Critics/ Drama Desk Nominations), Amber in Broadway’s Hairspray, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical (Tony Nomination), played Glinda in Wicked and recently received an Ovation nomination for her role of Charity in Reprise 2.0’s ‘Sweet Charity.’
She’s appeared in over 100 hundred episodes of Television including roles on Perfect Harmony, Good Behavior, American Gods, How I Met Your Mother, The Guest Book, Angie Tribeca, Idiotsitter, Hart of Dixie, Fuller House, Documentary Now, AJ & The Queen, and Anger Management, and over a dozen television pilots that were not picked up! Films include Dream Girls, Jumanji, Life With Mikey, Adventures of Huck Finn, After The Reality, and the award winning Beauty Mark among others.
"LBB” has toured in concert worldwide since 2010. She's penned hundreds of songs as an EMI/Sony songwriter (2009-2016) including her Universal Records album, Achin’ & Shakin’ which debuted on Billboard’s Top 5 Country Music Chart, and has a gold record in Norway. She was nominated for CMT Breakout Video for Giddy On Up. Her Big Machine album “Another Piece Of Me” received rave reviews in 2015 with all four music videos written, directed, & produced by Bundy. Her music has been featured in several video games including Just Dance 3, Just Dance Now, and Guitar Hero.
LBBTV is Bundy’s production company founded to forge her own creative path, launching successful sketch comedy web series Cooter County & Skits-O-Frenic with millions of views on Youtube including her comedy song “You Can’t Pray The Gay Away.” She has directed over 30 sketches and music videos. Laura Bell developed “Mashville” for Netflix as creator, composer and lyricist. She is currently developing ‘Girl Time’ — a women’s history sketch comedy show for Free Form as creator, writer and executive producer.
LBB is the founder of Double Standards, a non-profit that supports the equal treatment of women.
TAYLOR LAUDERMAN
| ACTING | MUSICAL THEATRE |
Taylor Louderman made her Broadway debut originating the role of Campbell Davis in BRING IT ON: The Musical by Lin Manuel Miranda, Tom Kitt, and Amanda Green. She went on to play Lauren in KINKY BOOTS on Broadway, and most recently originated the role of Regina George in Tina Fey's MEAN GIRLS on Broadway for which she received a 2018 Tony Nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.
She currently plays 'Tami' on NBC's KENAN alongside Kenan Thompson. Other television credits: THE GOOD FIGHT (CBS), SUNNY DAY (NickJr), EVIL (CBS), PETER PAN LIVE (NBC), and HIGH MAINTENANCE (HBO).
Taylor wrote a teen musical with pals Hannah Kloepfer and Nat Zegree which premiered in 2019 at Ozark Actors Theatre in Rolla, Missouri. She also founded WRITE OUT LOUD: a songwriting competition for young, new Musical Theatre writers. Taylor volunteers at Ozark Actors Theatre in Rolla, MO where she participated in her first professional show at the age of ten.
EMILY PHILLIPS
DANCE | MUSICAL THEATRE
Emily Jeanne Phillips graduated Cum Laude from Muhlenberg College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Arts Administration. She has been dancing for over 28 years;
Professional dancer in New York City Award winning tap choreographer at national dance competitions such as Starpower, Revolutions, Showstoppers, Kids Artistic Review, and more. Choreographed tap dance music videos that have been featured on Broadwayworld.com. Featured on Season 9 of So You Think You Can Dance, where she advanced through to vegas week. Teaches master classes at Colleges and Universities. A principle member of the Shelley Oliver Tap Dancers Company in Allentown Pennsylvania.
Trained at the Jill Justin Dance Alliance in Edison, New Jersey.
Emily has a passion for developing the talents of young, aspiring dance students by offering them challenging and award winning choreography.
MATTHEW PETRUCELLI
ACTING | IMPROV
Matthew Petrucelli is a New Jersey native actor and educator. He received his BFA in acting from Montclair State University, and is currently working towards his MFA in acting at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. He holds his New Jersey Teaching Certification as a Teacher of Theater for grades K- 12. He taught and helped build the drama curriculum at BRICK Peshine Academy in Newark, NJ. Matthew also spent a year training at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London where he received extensive classical training.
As an actor, Matthew has performed in various productions in the US and Europe ranging from musicals, plays, and devised original works. Matthew was seen in J.M. Meyer’s Bride of the Gulf at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure both in London on the Globe Stage, and in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Matthew has been in various musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, and Annie.
Matthew is a graduate of JP Stevens High School, and a former student of Rockstar! Studios, where he was taught and mentored under Darlene Rich and Ashley Bowen. He is excited to work alongside such talented faculty, and to be part of the Rockstar! team.
TESTIMONIALS
"My 8 year old daughter has been taking piano and voice lessons with Ashley for a couple months now. The amount of solid music theory foundation that my daughter has already learned is stunning. My daughter is excited for her weekly lessons and practices without us reminding her almost daily. Ashley truly makes the learning experience wonderful for her and meets her on her level throughout the process. No pressure. A fantastic learning experience through and through. My 8 year old daughter has been taking piano and voice lessons with Ashley for a couple months now. The amount of solid music theory foundation that my daughter has already learned is stunning. My daughter is excited for her weekly lessons and practices without us reminding her almost daily. Ashley truly makes the learning experience wonderful for her and meets her on her level throughout the process. No pressure. A fantastic learning experience through and through."
Eric M.
Ashley's approach as a vocal coach is to make me the best version of myself rather than making me fit into a mold of what I "should" be. That's very unique. And beautiful. I'm so grateful!
Claire M.
CONTACT US
ADDRESS
350 Mountain Avenue Suites 1 & 2, Middlesex NJ 08846
Monday: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday: 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday: 3:00 PM - 5PM
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ABOUT
Rockstar! Music & Performing Arts Studio is a professional music lesson and performing arts studio specializing in voice, piano, guitar, bass, drums music theory, music composition, recording and audition preparation. As well as a full dance program, theatre classes, acting coaching and classes, yoga and fitness. Our educated and experienced teachers offer intense and professional training to each individual student in a private or group setting, as well as unique techniques to make our students the best in their craft.
HOURS
Monday: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday: 3:30 - 7:30PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM - 12 PM
Sunday: Mornings By Appointment
Classes 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
ADDRESS: 350 Mountain Avenue Suites 1 & 2, Middlesex NJ 08846
Email: info@rockstarmusicstudios.com
Telephone: (732) 203-5365
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