Multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and educator Thomas Stratton has been heavily exposed to many styles of music since childhood and continues to integrate that influence into his every day approach to the art form. "Looking back it feels like each person in my life who I am close to offered a unique influence in terms of exposure to different eras and styles," he recalls. "From big band to punk rock and everywhere in between, I feel lucky to appreciate all that is out there."

A veteran of the road, Thomas has performed live in three continents, with special emphasis on the entire United States, and continues to actively take the stage at any given evening. "Performing live will always be the aspect of music that gives me the biggest thrill. I have found over the years that regardless of the stage or size of the audience, it is always possible to tap into the energy that makes the experience so special."

His unwavering love for music and tireless work ethic are an essential aspect in his approach to teaching as well. "My goal is to demonstrate how this art form is available to anyone who has the desire. With some dedication and a lot of passion, any person young or old can achieve great things. There is no greater joy than when a student overcomes their first great hurdle. You can see the gratification in their eyes, and I'm sure you can see it in mine as well."

Soundwaves' engineer Andy Acton has over 30 years experience in music. As with any sound professional, he started out as a player first, and discovered his love for creating recordings and live sound as the journey progressed. Andy recalls, "The progression from playing on stage to sound engineering was very organic. There was honestly no thought involved; it just seemed like the next step." Not one to take his time for granted, he dove head first into recording first in his basement, and built things up until he became a bona fide talent in the recording process.

He continues, "The biggest misnomer that gets past around this field is that sound engineering is a science more than anything. I couldn't disagree any more. There are obviously elements of science in sound that we cannot ignore, but the bottom line is that this is an art form. Interaction with the artist is an essential factor to the final product." Anyone who walks through the control room door at Soundwaves will see this practice first hand. This approach is the cornerstone to our entire creative philosophy, and can be observed during any given session, large or small.

Kevin Bryan is a singer songwriter, who has played guitar in the signed group Socratic (Drive Thru Records) for over 10 years. Kevin and Socratic has played along side acts such as the All American Rejects, Incubus, The Offspring, and The Plain White T's. After years of creating his own music Kevin has since began to share his knowledge of song structure, song writing, and recording with the younger generations. Working with both local NJ based bands and national touring acts he has discovered there is always something to be shared with your peers in other musical groups. At the age of 26 Kevin's short career has already included dozens of local acts and four internationally released albums, and now that he has found a home in near by Union, NJ at Soundwaves Academy his experience and knowledge is easily accessible to all bands no matter their size or budget for their project.

Lesson Coordinator Chris Brown comes to Soundwaves Academy with 35 years playing experience, and 7 years teaching guitar full-time. Chris teaches individual and group lessons, and comes to Soundwaves Academy to build a program bringing the student from individual lessons to group lessons with other students to performing in venues as a professional. He has taught several seminars at Westfield Adult School in Westfield, NJ, and brings both basic guitar skills like playing chords, strumming and playing simple songs, and music theory, including scales, intervals, triads, chord scales, arpeggios, advanced chords, and especially soloing. With more than 1,000 live performances under his belt, his goal is always the practical real world application of these skills as a performer. He is a founding member of the popular local band Brother John Brown.

Khy Garner hails from Roselle where he has been a private vocal coach for 15 years. He is a co-founder of Mystic Vision Players, a local community theater based in Linden, N.J., and serves on the board of HTC productions of Jackson, N.J. Having taught in the Maplewood and East Orange school systems, Khy decided years ago to teach privately, so that each student could get the one on one attention they deserved. Being a performer himself, Khy teaches his students how to be ready for the stage at all times and helps them prepare for auditions for Broadway, American Idol, school auditions, and community theater shows.

Guitarist and educator Michael Slaff's educational background mends formal training with practical playing experience. This is essential in his approach to teaching students of any level. Michael elaborates, "Priority one for me is to get students to surpass any apprehension associated with playing on a stage. I feel it is much more practical to be proficient at playing guitar first. As studies progress, there is a lot more associated. Reading, theory, harmony, and the like all will follow." Congruent with the ideals of Soundwaves, this approach has proven effective in many applications. Students want to practice when they see that they are making progress with their playing.

Michael's training on guitar has made him proficient in not only rock and blues, but also in jazz genres across the board, as well as theatre ensemble playing. "I have a special love for improvisation. There is something about playing off of the musicians you share the stage with that really does it for me. It forces you to use your ear more than any other way of playing I have come across."

Classically trained bassist and composer Alex Blitz brings a multitude of contributions to the Sound Waves staff of instructors. His experience ranges from the stage pit band, to the funk combo, to the straight ahead rock band, and everywhere in between. In 2007, Alex was nominated for an Asbury Park Music Award for "Best Bassist." The field consisted of only the highest caliber players in the crowded scene of the Jersey Shore.

Despite this impressive array of distinctions, he remains entirely simplistic in passing on his skills to the next class of players. "You should never strive to be the best," says Alex. "To me, the only thing that matters is the love of playing your instrument. It noticeably permeates into the quality of your playing." He has been involved full time with the Kean University Jazz Ensemble since 2005, and continues to be a crucial contribution to the band's prestigious rhythm section. In addition to the electric bass, he also is an avid player of the upright double bass.

John is a 26 year veteran of the New York, New Jersey club scene with Whirling Dervishes and on the west coast with Velocity Son, playing The Bitter End, China Club, Village Gate, Ritz, CBGB, Webster Hall, Bottom Line, Stone Pony and others. His bands have opened for The Fixx, Patti Smith, Goo Goo Dolls, Billy Squire, Porno For Pyros, Jewel, Psychedelic Furs, Romantics and more. John studied with Chris Groger of TT Quick and is currently a student of Matt Patella. Lessons will focus on development of skills associated with rock drumming, live and in the studio. Studies will include sticking techniques, 4 way independence of hands and feet, endurance and control.

A Self-taught pianist, with over a decade of experience playing the piano. David is also a composer and an educator. He has received formal training in saxophone and guitar, versed in various styles from jazz, rock, blues, metal, and classical. David has preformed and toured with bands along the east coast as a hard rock and metal keyboardist. He has also studied at North Bennet Street School located in Boston for Piano Technology and is a certified Piano Technician.

Concert photography has been a passion of Kevin’s since he took his first concert photos of Black Sabbath in 1975 with a Kodak Instamatic. He received his degree in Marketing Art & Design from MCC in 1979, focusing on photography. His freelance work includes sporting events, corporate portraiture, stage shows and stints with local newspapers. His photos have appeared in the following publications and DVDs:

• Cranford Chronicle
• The Eagle
• Patch.com
• Relix Magazine
• Hittin' the Web with The Allman Brothers Band
• GratefulDead.net
• Chuck Leavell - Between a Rock and a Hard Place
• Gratedful Dead - An Illustrated Trip
• Cream - Classic Artist DVD
• Roy Buchanan - Kevin Loftus Documentary

Kevin continues to shoot bands where cameras are permitted, and not permitted. His current tastes remain with some of the old time classic rockers as well as blues, jazz and folk. Kevin is excited about working with Soundwaves Academy and welcomes the challenge of photographing a new breed of up and coming musicians.