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 Kenny Helmstetter holds the belief that working a mixing board is just as much a part of creative expression as playing a guitar solo, or singing at the top of your lungs. Kenny particularly has a huge place in his heart for sound recording. "Recording music is the ultimate joy for me. While some may find it tedious, I truly love starting with a basic track and building to the very last overdub. The engineer is the only person in the entire process who is invariably involved in every step of the process." He continues with insight on doing live sound reinforcement, "Musicians on stage are constantly living in the moment. What most people don't understand is that the sound engineer is doing just the same, but happens to be off the stage and out of the spotlight."

In addition to his skill behind the scenes, Kenny boasts a 25-year playing resume that is equally as impressive as his technical skill. His stage experiences range from small packed out bars, to festivals and amphitheaters, and even as a show band member in Atlantic City. This eclectic exposure pays dividends as far as offering a perspective of a player who has seen just about everything. In the end for Kenny, sound is where his passion has settled. "Doing sound is as exhilarating as playing ever was. When everything is clicking and all the players are happy, there is a spark I feel that is completely unique."

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, played thousands of shows on three continents, in every state on the continental U.S. and in 5 countries. Kevin and Socratic has performed along side acts such as the All American Rejects, Incubus, The Offspring, and Dashboard Confessional. 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 both 2008 and 2009 Alex was nominated for the Asbury Park Music Award, "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.

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.