Instructors

Trumpeter and flugelhornist Anthony Fazio, a native of Staten Island, NY, is a two time Rutgers University graduate with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance. There he studied under the tutelage of Joe Magnarelli, Joe Mosello, Conrad Herwig, and Ralph Bowen. Anthony currently plays lead trumpet for the Grammy Award-winning Charles Mingus Big Band, where he has performed regularly in New York, toured internationally, and recorded on the Grammy nominated album “The Centennial Sessions”.

He also performs with NBC’s Saturday Night Live house band, Roy Hargrove Big Band and previously for the Captain Black Big Band, Cab Calloway Big Band, and subbed on the Broadway show "Prince of Broadway.” He has performed internationally at venues such as the North Sea, Vittoria, Umbria, and the Alhambra jazz festivals, as well as The Kennedy Center Jazz Club in Washington, D.C. He performs regularly at NYC jazz clubs such as DROM, The Django, Blue Note, Birdland, The Jazz Gallery, Jazz Standard and Smoke Jazz Club.

After graduating from Rutgers University, Anthony began a career of teaching his craft to students of all levels, ranging from beginners to professional trumpet players. His teachings focus on the fundamentals of embouchure development, range, endurance, and technique. It is a step by step approach to learn how the air, tongue, and chops work together, providing a detailed analysis of each. Anthony's desire and passion to spread his knowledge of trumpet playing inspired him to write his first book, Get A Grip- A Mental and Physical Approach to Playing Trumpet. Anthony also currently teaches at the College of Staten Island and owns Victory Music Studio, a staple for musical instruction within the Staten Island community for over 30 years.

     You can hear Anthony perform on Monday nights with the Grammy Award-winning Charles Mingus Big Band at DROM in NYC!

Sylvia is an award winning classically trained soprano from Staten Island, New York. In her music education she earned a Bachelor of Arts in music and a Master of Music (full scholarship) as a Vocal Performance major. Sylvia’s teachers included mezzo-soprano Mignon Dunn and soprano Janet Pranschke.

Sylvia currently sings for multiple professional organizations including the New York Philharmonic Choir, directed by Malcolm J. Merriweather. She is a staffed section leader and soloist at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in Central Park and is an original member of Concord Choral Consortium (C3), a semi-professional choir in Staten Island, directed by composer and conductor Roger H. Wesby.

Sylvia teaches voice and piano- and is also a certified meditation teacher. Sylvia enjoys teaching baroque style singing, opera, choral singing, musical theater, and art song. Sylvia’s piano education started at Victory Music’s original location at age 14 where she studied with the late jazz pianist Vincent Ruggieri.
Sylvia has taught hundreds of students from ages 5-88 for over 6 years. Her students have been accepted into schools such as LaGuardia High School, Susan E. Wagner High School, Wagner College, SUNY Purchase and more.

Mason McDowell is an award-winning pianist, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor, an alumnus of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, and a recent graduate of NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Program. He has over 10 years of experience as a piano instructor and voice teacher, and has both a BFA and MFA in Music Composition. As a pianist, he has a strong background in jazz, classical, and many other contemporary styles. He has performed on stages all over New York both as a soloist, band member, in orchestras, and as a music director. As a singer, he has performed with Grammy-Winner Kirk Franklin, Broadway veterans Lori Wilner (Fiddler on the Roof 2015) and David Lowenstein (On the Town, Seussical), and in his own work as a singer-songwriter. In his capacity as a writer, he has written a full-length musical, released two EPs, as well as one full-length Album, which was Mastered by 7-time Grammy Award winning engineer, Silas Brown. You can listen to Mason’s work on Spotify, iTunes, and Apple Music. He is thrilled to be able to share his love of music through teaching, and is honored to be a part of the talented Victory Music family.

Daniel Erdahl is a seasoned performer and educator with over 25 years of professional teaching experience. 

Daniel was immersed in a world of music growing up in a family of musicians. During high school Daniel was dual enrolled in Seminole State College, under the mentorship of renowned classical guitar composer Rex Willis. After obtaining an Associate's Degree, he pursued studies at the University of South Florida, delving into everything jazz, and ultimately earned a BA in Music from Florida State University. His time at Florida State University included a focus on commercial music, recording, technology, arranging, and performance, all enhanced by a minor in business that broadened his perspective on life as a musician.

Post-college, Daniel's experiences ranged from working with Parliament Funkadelic in George Clinton's private studio to managing live sound for country artists in Tallahassee like Jake Owen. 

Currently based in New York City, Daniel continues to teach and perform regularly. As a father, Daniel's daughter's love for music inspired him to create music classes for toddlers, demonstrating his commitment to sharing the joy of music with all ages. 

Teaching Philosophy:

When it comes to teaching, my priority is tailoring the lessons to the specific goals of each student. Whether you seek music for fun or have ambitious aspirations, I will provide you with the tools necessary to accomplish your objectives. I believe in teaching through the music that resonates with my students, whether that’s Beyonce, Metallica, Bach, or any other genre. The underlying concepts of music remain the same, and my goal is to ensure that you can play the music you love while also exploring new musical horizons. 

My own diverse musical background enables me to teach different types of guitars, including electric, acoustic, and nylon/fingerstyle. I am proficient in classical guitar, blues, bluegrass, rock, metal, jazz, and country. 

One of my favorite aspects of teaching is witnessing individuals progress from one milestone to the next, it brings me immense joy. I take pride in nurturing new musicians and guiding them through their musical development, as well as helping long-time musicians broaden their horizons. 

If you choose to embark on a musical journey with me, I am committed to guiding you towards your goals, fostering your love for music, and witnessing the growth of your musical abilities.

Haley Vogel is a passionate theatre professional with experience as a director, educator, performer, and stage manager. Additionally, she served as the Assistant Director for the Mainstage production of Me and My Girl at Wagner College in Spring 2024, where she was integral in directing and coordinating the musical. With experience working in children’s theatre, Haley has led workshops and camps for organizations like the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and Grand Central Dance Academy, focusing on fostering inclusive environments and adapting lessons to meet the needs of all students, including those with special needs.

With her B.A. in Theatre Performance at Wagner College, Haley’s training includes extensive acting, voice, and dance studies with renowned instructors such as Michele Pawk, Wendy Cavett, Kimberly Schafer, and Lisa Karlin. She is a North Carolina Governor’s School alumnus, specializing in Choral Music, and has performed in numerous productions, including A Grand Night for Singing, Rebel Genius, Beauty and the Beast, and Fiddler on the Roof. Haley’s talents have earned her recognition, including being named Grand Champion in Charlotte’s Got Talent and a Best Featured Performer Nominee at the Blumey Awards. She has also showcased her vocal abilities at Lincoln Center in the NYC Broadway Dreams Foundation Showcase and performed at major events like the Charlotte Thanksgiving Day Parade and NBA games as a featured soloist.

Outside of her performance career, Haley has acquired technical experience in theatre, working as an usher and wardrobe crew member at Wagner College and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. She is also has special skills in bass guitar, cheerleading, and hula hooping! Haley is committed to inspiring creativity and building confidence in the next generation of performers while continually refining her craft as a theatre professional.

Drummer and percussionist Carter Bales has a Bachelor’s in jazz performance from the New School. He has studied with Bob Gullotti, Nasheet Waits, Charli Persip, Andrew Cyrille and Reggie Workman. Carter has toured extensively throughout the United States as well as in Europe and Japan. He has performed or recorded with many artists in various musical styles ranging from Jazz, Funk, Rock, Hip Hop, and Caribbean music. He appears on over 40 albums and has played with John Popper, Jason Crosby, Dave Schools, Rogerio Boccato, Scott Metzger, Joey Williams, Teddy Kumpel, Ayumi Ishito, David Bertrand, Akira Ishiguro and Dan Edinberg. Carter has been teaching private and group lessons for much of the past 20 years. 

Isabella Mazzola is a music educator at Victory Music, where she teaches guitar, bass, drums, and piano. She has been teaching at Victory Music since 2022. Isabella has had a passion for music since her childhood, falling in love with the guitar and song writing in the 6th grade. She played electric bass in the IS72 band where she won awards in music from a young age. She was a member of the Susan E. Wagner High School guitar ensemble for four years, studying guitar and double bass under the guidance of Joe Maniscalco. At Wagner, she attended several masterclasses with esteemed classical guitarists such as Ben Verdery and more. She was elected overall director in the Susan E Wagner Sing program for three years, where she wrote songs, acted, and performed in the pit alongside the band.

In May 2024, Isabella graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in music education. During her time at Brooklyn College, she studied double bass under Professor Anthony Morris and guitar under Professor Lars Frandsen. Her studies encompassed a wide range of musical genres, including classical, jazz, and Brazilian music. Isabella also performed in the Brooklyn College Orchestra and Guitar Ensemble.

As part of her degree, Isabella spent several months teaching at Curtis High School. She worked alongside Patricia Calabrese, teaching the guitar ensemble, chorus, and modern band. This provided her a great deal of hands-on experience with students from varying musical backgrounds, as well as exposing her to new teaching methods. 

Outside of her academic work, Isabella plays in an alternative rock band called “Emerson Hill.” The band recently released an EP featuring professionally recorded original music. She has performed at notable venues such as Sounds of Brazil, the Cutting Room, the St. George Theater, and the Triad Theater.

Isabella’s teaching philosophy is to create a warm, welcoming environment for her students to have fun, learn from their mistakes, and make improvements week by week. It is her goal to nurture any passion that her students may have for music. She teaches students of all ages and looks forward to meeting anyone who wishes to study with her.

Joshua Joseph is the vocal and piano coach at Victory Music. Joseph has taught students with ages ranging from 5 years old to 70 years old and has been doing so since 2016.

Joseph has a bachelors degree in music education with a concentration in voice from CUNY Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music. Joseph is a classically trained vocalist who has performed at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, and many other venues in the New York City area. 

He is also a music teacher at McKee High School in Staten Island. Joseph teaches music technology courses and is currently teaching a class on the different jobs in the music industry. 

Joseph is a choir director and singer for his choir, Orthodox Chamber Choir. He and his choir have sung for dozens of weddings over the course of six years. They have paved the way for future young choirs in the Indian Orthodox Church.

John Africano is a double bassist, electric bassist, and guitarist studying music education at Brooklyn College. He is a graduate of Tottenville High School's class of 2017, and will graduate Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in June of 2021. Currently a student of Professor Anthony Morris, John seeks to further his education by achieving an Advanced Certificate in Music Education after graduating.

John has performed for the Brooklyn College Conservatory Orchestra and is a current member of the Staten Island Community Band, where he plays the double bass. Outside of academics, John is the bassist for local band SLMBR, who has released an EP in 2019 consisting of professionally-recorded original music. John has also played guitar as a ringer for numerous plays and musicals when called upon, for high schools and extracurricular programs alike.

Nathan Seldin, is a classically-trained baritone with 6 years of conservatory experience. Before starting his journey as a singer, he has been playing piano since he was 9 years old.

Education:  He received his Bachelor in Music during the year of 2020 from “Mannes School of Music” and afterwards he decided to further his education at “Manhattan School of Music.” This granted him a Master’s degree in Music during the spring of 2022. Prior to conservatory, Nathan Seldin studied at “Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art, and Performing Arts” where he majored in voice throughout the full 4 years of his high school career.

Performance History:  Outside of an academic setting, Nathan is an active singer who performs in a wide variety of different styles. Such styles include Opera, Musical Theater, Jazz, Pop, Rock, etc. He has given many solo concerts, and partaken in full productions such as: “Beauty and the Beast” (the role of Gaston), and “Orpheus in the Underworld”(the roles of Pluto and Mars). In addition to full-length shows and solo concerts, Nathan has also performed for charity events such as “Trident Festival Inc. ‘Save Ukraine’ Fundraising Concert” and in 2019 he was featured as a soloist in the American Debut of “Last Train to Tomorrow” by Carl Davis at Lincoln Center.

Study Abroad:  From an extracurricular standpoint, Nathan has repeatedly traveled to Europe to advance his artistry through a combination of Young Artist Programs and Linguistic Studies opportunities. He has toured the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy back in July of 2018 and has given 6 concerts during his stay. Important contributors for his aptitude in Italian and German can be traced back to his initial visits to Verona, Italy and Berlin, Germany. It should be noted that in Germany, he undertook mentorship in Cabaret and the Art of Mono Performance. Conclusively, studying abroad and continuous application led Nathan to develop a fluency in Italian and German. He is also able to speak Russian due to his bilingual upbringing.

Teaching:  Paving way into the field of pedagogy, Nathan Seldin has been teaching Voice and Piano privately for 6 years now. He has worked with an extensive range of students of varying skill sets and ages. He is always happy to explore any sort of musical interest that his students may have and is ecstatic to help ameliorate/develop their relationship with it.

Adam Alvarez is a versatile musician and experienced educator specializing in saxophone, piano, and music theory. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, he brings a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to both performance and teaching.

Adam has studied privately with renowned musicians Mike Lee, Michael Morreale, and Chris Garone, refining his skills in both jazz and classical music. As a performer, he has played in a variety of settings, from small ensembles to large bands, with a repertoire that spans jazz, contemporary, and classical influences. He can frequently be found performing with Michael Morreale and has presented original compositions and arrangements at venues such as the Hop Shoppe, Marine Park Coffee, and Anyway Cafe, as well as the CUNY Jazz Festival and the CUNY Undergraduate Research Conference.

As an instructor, Adam teaches saxophone, clarinet, and jazz improvisation, guiding students of all ages through fundamental technique, theory, sight-reading, and ear training. His approach balances structured learning with creative exploration, helping students develop strong technical foundations while encouraging musical expression across various styles.

Adam is currently accepting students for private lessons. Whether you're looking to build a solid foundation in technique, explore improvisation, or refine your musicianship, he is committed to helping students achieve their goals.