OUR TEAM

Choosing the right teacher...

Lauren Canna

Advanced Voice

Choirs

ASM Director

Monday-Friday, Pitman location

Ms. Canna holds a BM in Voice from Rutgers University and an MM in Choral Conducting from Temple University. She has completed additional studies at Westminster Choir College and Rowan University. Owner of AfterSchool Music, Ms. Canna maintains a selective studio of students.

She is the former conductor of the Garden State Girlchoir, (a part of the Commonwealth Youthchoir Systems and cousin to the renowned Pennsylvania Girlchoir). She was the Program Director of the Pitman Recreation Theater for many years. She has taught voice and conducted the choir at Cumberland County College for 10 years, has taught at Buena Regional High School, Cape May Technical High School, and the New Jersey School of Music.

She is especially proud to have taught over 25 local music teachers and maintains a warm and collegial relationship with many of her former students and their families. Many of her students have become professional performing musicians, music academics, working actors, music therapists, and studio musicians.

Ms Canna is a great choice for 6th-12th grade developing singers with some previous experience, although dedicated beginners are fine as well. Adult singers and those looking to improve their classical, musical theater, or pop/jazz singing. Ms Canna's approach is centered in solid, healthy singing technique.

Ms Canna teaches Monday through Thursday in Pitman.

David Van Antwerp

Piano

Guitar

Voice

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Pitman Location

David has been working as a music educator, choir director, and musician for over 30 years, but his love of music began in his childhood with his studies of the piano, guitar, and voice. As a student, he sang with various honors ensembles in New Jersey from regional, state, and national choruses as well as performing as a guitarist and pianist in various school, church, and community groups.

David holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Rowan University. David applied his musical experience and training to the community in a variety of ways, including Church Musician / Choir Director (Our Lady Queen of Peace in Pitman), Music Therapist, and Director of Choral Activities at Washington Township High School.

In all of his roles, he has provided one-on-one, small-group, and large- group musical activities, instruction and performance leadership.

Along with his directorial responsibilities, David has also taught guitar class, music theory and composition, and music appreciation.

Mr Van Antwerp is best for piano and guitar students who are committed to regular practice and who are goal-oriented. He also teaches male singers. His methods are rooted in solid music pedagogy. He accepts students of all ages, but will do best with students who are committed to lifelong music study.

David teaches Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in Pitman.

... is an important step in ensuring the success of your lessons. Music teachers can have a profound impact on their students - we all strive to build a relationship that lasts years. Where else does a student find dedicated one-on-one attention from an adult who isn't a parent every week for years? Our teachers are committed to helping their students overcome challenges, face their fears, develop discipline, and grow as both musicians and well-rounded people!

Christa Conklin

Saxophone

Clarinet

Beginning Piano

Monday-Thursday in Pitman

Ms. Conklin holds a BA from Rutgers University in both Music Performance and Communication and an MALS from Monmouth University. She worked in the education department of the New York Philharmonic and, while at Lincoln Center, played with Juilliard chamber ensembles as a classical saxophonist. This allowed her the joy of performing in Alice Tully Hall.

In addition to studying woodwinds, and playing them in wind ensembles and big bands, Ms. Conklin played electric bass guitar in jazz ensembles and pit bands. Providing private instrumental and french language instruction to students led her to prefer to teach outside of the classroom and inspired her to homeschool her own children. Ms. Conklin is also a published author.

Christa is excellent with beginning piano students - particularly K-5th. She has a background in homeschooling and is a YA author, so she has a great rapport with our little ones. She is a very experienced saxophone player and accepts beginners through adults. Additionally, she works with beginning and intermediate clarinetists.

Christa teaches Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in Pitman.

Jessica Nelson

Voice

Piano

Wednesday in Pitman

Ms. Nelson enjoys teaching both voice and piano. She is a professional singer of opera and art song, and has sung with various companies - Delaware Valley Opera Company, New York Opera Forum, and Bohème Opera of NJ, to name a few.

Some of her favorite roles include Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, and Musetta in La Bohème, a role she studied and performed in part at the Manhattan School of Music Summer Voice Festival. Jessica completed her Master of Music degree in vocal performance at Temple University. She holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Delaware and Rowan University.

Jessica teaches singers of all ages, and has a strong pedagogical background in classical technique. Her focus is on healthy, age-appropriate singing and on the building of solid musicianship. Jessica will do well with a committed singer who is dedicated to long-term study.

Jessica teaches on Monday and Wednesday in Pitman.

Mike Skalski

Guitar

Tuesday in Woodbury, Wednesday, Thursday in Pitman

Mike Skalski has an extensive background in both teaching and music. Following 19 years of elementary school teaching, he returned to Rowan University to complete his degree in music therapy.

He currently works with patients that are in hospice care to provide them with music therapy, playing music from various chapters of their lives and collaborating with them to create a custom song that tells a part of their story.

He taught guitar lessons independently before joining AfterSchool Music where he can combine his experience of teaching with his passion for music.

Mike makes guitar learning fun. With his background as an elementary teacher and his current work in music therapy, he has a knack for meeting students of all ages where they are. He uses reliable teaching methods while allowing students to follow their interests. Mike does very well with students of all ages. He is friendly and approachable for K-5th, but is great with teens (he has a few teens of his own) and relatable for adult students.

Mike teaches Tuesdays in Woodbury, Wednesday and Thursday in Pitman.

Jackie Caprio

Voice
Thursday in Pitman

Jackie holds a degree in Vocal Music Education from The College of New Jersey, and a Masters in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. She was a vocal and general music teacher for the Mount Holly School District for the last 17 years. During her time in Mount Holly she has directed multiple choral groups and all school musicals. She has a passion for musical theater and classical repertoire alike. Jackie prides herself on building strong relationships with students that help them reach their full potential. She now teaches music for the Washington Twp public schools.

Jackie has been a performer with Princeton Pro Musica, Moorestown Theater Company, and various churches in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer counties.

Jackie is a very personable and experienced teacher who we have known for decades - she was once a student of ours! We're thrilled to welcome her back. She is equally adept at working with teens as she is at working with K-8.

Jackie teaches Thursdays in Pitman

Sunshine Jones

Guitar

Tuesday in Pitman

Sunshine Jones is an accomplished vocalist, guitarist, musician, and songwriter that shines either solo with an acoustic guitar, or fronting a full band with her electric guitar. Sunshine has been studying music since the age of six. She began with piano before picking up her first guitar at the age of 14. Having continually studied guitar, voice and piano throughout her life, Sunshine recently sought to complete her formal classical music education and completed her degree at Rowan University in Spring 2021. At Rowan, Sunshine studied classical voice and guitar. and is now a certified music teacher k-12 in NJ. Sunshine is currently a choral director in Millville NJ and continues to teach voice, guitar and piano students in her private studio.

Sunshine maintains a girls and women-only studio for advancing guitar students on Tuesday evenings in Pitman. Students should be at least one year into their guitar studies.

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Cynthia Smith

Piano
Monday in Woodbury

Tuesday in Pitman

Cynthia has 30 years of teaching experience on the piano, specializing, but not limited to, classical piano.
She has had many years of classical piano training under some of the finest teachers in South Jersey.
While careful attention is given to develop reading skills, timing and rhythm, expression and articulation,
composition and performance are also a priority.
She is also a recording artist, musician, producer, publisher, composer and arranger for Cynthia Smith
With Smitty’s Kitchen and The Colonial Hearth Players. See https://smittyskitchenmusic.com/ , and has
included students on recordings. Genres include Celtic, Blues, Latin, Indie, etc. As well as piano, she
plays Irish whistles and flute, dulcimer, bodhran and djembe.
With a strong understanding that a solid classical foundation is necessary, she will start piano students
and advance them through the levels, carefully choosing music for each individual student to enjoy.
Duets and group performances are part of the curriculum also, making for a well-rounded musician, who
can truly enjoy music in whatever aspect they choose to move onto.

Cynthia works with student of all ages and brings her creativity to her lessons.

Erika Holland

Voice and Piano

Thursday in Woodbury

Erika Holland received her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Columbus State University and a Master of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College. Ms. Holland has over 10 years of experience teaching children from infant through high school ages, including group music classes and private voice and piano lessons.

She has sung with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Westminster Choir, Westminster Symphonic Choir, and as a core singer with the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia. In addition to her accomplishments as a choral singer, she has been a soloist with Westminster Choir, Westminster Symphonic Choir, and the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia.

She attended the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria and the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia, and placed 2nd at the Georgia NATS competition. Ms. Holland is currently a preschool teacher, mother of two children, and the soprano choral scholar at Christ Church.

Erika specializes in healthy singing technique - setting her students up with a strong foundation. She teaches all ages at our Woodbury location

Alexis Goeller

Piano

Friday and Saturday in Pitman

Alexis is a recent graduate of Immaculata University with a B.A. in Music, concentration in piano and a minor in psychology. Her interest in Music Therapy and her experience with special needs children makes her an asset on our teaching staff. She started studying when she was 8 years old and has participated in multiple recitals and performances. In college Alexis participated in chorale, woodwind ensemble, clarinet ensemble, and concert band, all the while studying piano. Also while in college, Alexis began her teaching career. She loves working with children of all ages and abilities. Alexis believes learning an instrument of any kind should be a fun and relaxing experience!

Alexis is an accomplished pianist and music therapist who specializes in teaching piano from beginner through advanced. She has a particular report with our little ones. As a music therapist, Alexis is exceptionally adept at working with students on autism spectrum, students with ADHD, or with other behavioral and learning differences.

Alexis teaches Friday and Saturday in Pitman.

Kimberley Shea

Voice and Piano

Tuesday and Wednesday in Pitman

Mrs. Shea's love for music began at a very young age.

Her love of Disney musicals, singing at mass, and school musical productions led her to begin taking private voice lessons during middle school.

During her junior year in high school she was accepted to Westminster Choir College where she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Music Education.

She has taught for over 23 years in the tri-state area and is an avid performer of Classical, Jazz, and Musical Theatre.

Mrs. Shea, known as a compassionate educator, especially enjoys teaching private voice lessons and beginning piano lessons.

In her spare time she enjoys day trips with her family, reading a good book, or snuggling on the couch with her cat Hermes.

Kimberley teaches singers of all ages, and has a strong pedagogical background in vocal technique. Her focus is on healthy, age-appropriate singing and on the building of solid musicianship. Kimberley sets up young students on a solid singing and music-reading foundation.

Kimberley teaches on Tuesday and Wednesday in Pitman.

Bio coming soon!