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Princeton Music Lessons Team
Meet our teachers
At Princeton Music Lessons, we're proud to have a team of experienced and passionate music instructors who are dedicated to helping our students achieve their musical goals. From guitar lessons to piano lessons, voice/singing lessons, drum lessons, ukulele lessons, and more, our team has the expertise and knowledge to guide students of all ages and skill levels. With a commitment to personalized instruction and a focus on fun and engaging learning, our instructors create a supportive and encouraging environment where students can thrive. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your skills to the next level, our team is here to help you achieve your musical dreams. Get to know our talented instructors today and discover why Princeton Music Lessons is the premier music school in Princeton, NJ.
Please note that we are now serving Plainsboro, NJ, West Windsor, NJ, Skillman, NJ, Hillsborough, NJ, Bordentown, NJ, Yardley, PA, and more!
Jonah Tolchin
Guitar Teacher / Owner
Jonah is a proud Princeton native with a story of musical success that continues to unfold. At 20 he signed to the prestigious label, Yep Roc Records. His music has been streamed over 30 million times in 78+ countries. He has spent the last 10 years developing multiple crafts including songwriting, guitar, and music production. Jonah has toured the world playing his songs and collaborated with legends such as Jackson Browne and Rickie Lee Jones. He has made a name for himself in the Los Angeles music scene where he works with A-list session musicians producing records for developing artists. The musicians he works with play with artists such as Fiona Apple, Ben Harper, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Beck, etc. Jonah has worked with Grammy winning engineers and musicians, and also is a voting member of the Recording Academy. He is known not only for his career as a songwriter, producer, and recording artist, but also as a guitar player. Jonah has been written about in NPR, Guitar Player Magazine Japan, Rolling Stone Germany, American Songwriter, Uncut, MOJO, No Depression, Pop Matters, etc.
Jonah loves teaching one on one guitar lessons to complete beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. His students will learn the skills of improvisation, foundational music theory, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, fingerpicking, songwriting skills, basic audio recording, and more. Most importantly, over time they will learn how playing music can be a tool for self-discovery and empowerment in all aspects of life.
As of 2024, Jonah now lives in Yardley with his wife and daughter.
Kyle St. Sauveur
Voice / Piano / Theory
Kyle proudly takes pleasure in encouraging students of all walks of life to reach their highest potential - whether that be performing their favorite song on stage, or exercising their creativity in making original music. His unique and organized approach to instruction sets him apart from the rest! He has a passion for understanding all learning levels, and is thrilled to provide a fun and goal-oriented environment to you or a future student’s lesson!
Kyle Saint-Sauveur is a recent graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. He was a double major in both the Vocal Performance and Music Theory/Composition programs, but grew his passion towards composition during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Kyle received his Bachelor’s in Music Theory/Composition with a voice concentration in May 2023. During his undergraduate studies, Kyle collaborated with his fellow colleagues, however most notably being commissioned by the Westminster Community Orchestra and by Morrisville Presbyterian Church for various chamber and symphonic works.
In his compositional studies, he was a protégé of various professional and well-accomplished composers such as Dr. Joel Phillips, Dr. Jay Kawarsky, Dr. Ronald Hemmel, and a descendant of famous educator Nadia Boulanger Dr. Stefan Young. He was proud of various awards including the Julianne Phillips Scholarship, the C. Johnson Scholarship, and the R&R Young Award. He competed in the Westminster Collegiate Composition Competition, earning first place in 2020. His compositional style relates mainly towards neo-classical music, and jazz fusion. Kyle’s favorite band is Kansas, and one of his many favorite songs is Galactic Funk by Casiopea.
Currently, he is an active performing artist and church vocalist for Morrisville Presbyterian Church in Morrisville, PA, and Mater Ecclesiae Parish in Berlin, NJ. Kyle continues to write sacred and chamber music, as well as exploring opportunities for the orchestra. His end goal is to write for movies, television, and various entertainment.
Kyle has worked as a private instructor for 3 years, and is excitedly beginning his second year of institutional instruction. He plans to expand and develop his studio by writing original work for those to use for educational purposes, and collaborate with recording studios and fellow composers.
Sign up for a trial lesson with Kyle today and begin your musical journey.
Mark Blair
Guitar / Piano / Ukulele
Mark Blair is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and music teacher hailing from Ellicott City, Maryland. He began exploring his passion for music around age 15 when he first picked up the guitar on a whim. Since then, he has branched out to other instruments, including piano, bass, and ukulele. He initially began his guitar journey by learning various styles of rock and eventually branched out to classical guitar. He is currently working on improving his jazz chops on guitar and piano as well. He has an immense appreciation for all of the above styles of music, with a particular affection for 90s alternative rock.
Mark holds a B.A. in music theory and composition from Goucher College, located in Baltimore, MD. In recognition of his academic achievements, he received the Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg and Robert Hall Lewis awards in music in 2015 and 2016, respectively. After graduating from Goucher in 2016, he moved to Brooklyn, NY and joined the faculty of Brooklyn Music School. Throughout his tenure there he worked as a private lesson instructor, ensemble director, choir accompanist, and group class instructor. Over the past couple decades, he has performed solo and in various bands on guitar, piano, and bass around Baltimore and NYC. In 2023, he relocated to Trenton, NJ, and continues to teach and perform in NJ and NYC. He enjoys spending his down time honing his skills on each instrument, writing music, playing retro video games, and having fun with friends.
As a teacher, Mark strongly believes in tailoring his teaching style to match the needs of each individual student. With an approach that emphasizes critical thinking, he strives to cultivate a fun and challenging learning environment for each and every new student that comes his way. He is very grateful and excited to be part of the PML team!
Mark offers lessons in both Yardley, PA and Princeton, NJ*
Santo Rizzolo
Drums / Guitar
Santo Rizzolo born in Jackson, New Jersey is an American drummer and musician. His love for music and the drums began around the age of twelve when his father purchased him his first
snare drum at a local garage sale. Santo has been playing drums professionally for over 15 years sharing the stage and recording with many artists such as The Village People, Steve Forbert, Dana Fuchs, David Bryan, Matt Oree, Nicole Atkins, Brielle Von Hugel (Finalist on The
American Idol), Remember Jones, Dead On Live, JT Bowen, Arlan Feiles, Jackson Pines, Matt Wade Band, Play Date, Tara Dente, Brother Andrew, and Mike Montrey Band to name a few. Santo is currently plays and tours nationally with Atlantic Records artist Joe P.
Santo has been teaching for over a decade and has a deep-rooted love for sharing knowledge of his craft and watching students grow into great musicians. His passion for the fundamentals of the instrument, from rudimental studies to drumset performance is infectious and makes
learning new concepts very enjoyable. Adept in a wide range of diverse musical styles such as Rock, Funk, World music, Hip Hop/ R&B, Jazz, and Country, Santo can take a student in any direction they’d like and form lesson plans and practice routines that best suit their individual
needs.
When not teaching or touring, Santo enjoys writing and creating songs in his basement studio in Princeton, New Jersey.
Brandon Broderick
Guitar / Ukulele / Beginner Piano
Brandon Broderick is a Music Performance and Music B.A graduate from Rutgers University. He has been teaching students of all ages for over 10 years and teaches several instruments including Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Vocals, Piano and Music Theory. Brandon is also ABRSM certified for the ABRSM Music Theory Exams. He teaches all styles and genres (rock, pop, jazz, acoustic, folk) and is open to teaching all students of any difficulty level or any age. On top of that, Brandon is a full-time musician and performer and has performed solo and with many bands over the last 15 years
Eamon Dingle
Guitar / Piano / Violin / Viola / Mandolin / Banjo / Ukulele
Eamon was born and raised in Metuchen, New Jersey. He picked up his first instrument at eight
years old with classical violin. This quickly transitioned to performing in churches and state
orchestras and learning fiddle style. From there he wanted to play and study any instrument and
genre he came into contact with. He has now taught and performed on both acoustic and electric
guitar, piano, violin, viola, organ, electric bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and lap steel guitar. He
has gained experience playing all genres on each instrument --ranging from classical and jazz to
funk, rock, country, gospel, blues and various forms of traditional music from other countries.
He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Bloomfield College in Creative Arts and Technology,
specializing in composition, instrumental performance/recording and sound effects for film and
animation. He earned his Master’s Degree from NJCU in Multi-Style Strings Performance,
specializing in guitar and violin.
Eamon has been a music teacher for over 15 years and has experience instructing beginner
through advanced students ages ranging from four years old to adult in guitar, electric bass,
violin, viola, piano, ukulele, mandolin and banjo. His past roster includes students who go on to
audition and be accepted to college programs of their choice, join community orchestras and
form their own bands, as well as understand how to improvise, sightread and be able to perform
for theatre gigs. He also has experience teaching students of all ages with developmental and
physical disabilities and always makes sure every student feels included, accepted and able to
learn.
He loves providing an individualized approach for each student and emphasizing the presentation
of musical concepts in an easy to understand manner. His goal is to always enable learners to be
well-versed in any genre they choose and help them find their unique voice in interpreting pieces
or composing their own. He always focuses on making sure each student is able to understand,
perform and enjoy all aspects of practicing and playing.
When he’s not teaching, Eamon performs as a solo musician, accompanist, band member and
orchestral member on all the instruments he plays. He continues to compose for indie films and
podcasts, transcribe and arrange music, as well as perform for weddings, special events, and
record studio work for indie bands.
Sydney Pérez
Voice /Guitar / Piano / Ukulele
Sydney Pérez is thrilled to teach with Princeton Music Lessons. She recently earned her
Master’s in Vocal Performance at the Longy School of Music of Bard College in May of
2024, and she has served as a Teaching Artist with the Boston City Singers and at the
esteemed Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. Sydney earned a Bachelor of Music in
Choral Music Education from the University of Texas Butler School of Music, studying with
Dr. Cynthia Morrow. She has taught private voice lessons for six years, and she studied
piano, guitar, and ukulele throughout her undergraduate career to further support her
students. Sydney has also worked as an Elementary Music Teacher, where she taught
music theory and instrument fundamentals to over 500 students.
An avid performer, her highlighted operatic roles include the title role in Princess Ida,
Gertrud in Hansel und Gretel, El Duende in Maria de Buenos Aires, Belinda in Dido and
Æneas, and Aline in The Sorcerer, with covers of Amore in Orfeo ed Euridice, Vitellia in La
Clemenza di Tito, Diana in Orpheus in the Underworld, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, and
Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Sydney has premiered four roles in brand new compositions,
including Alma Menckenberg in The Audition Fever with the Butler Opera Center,
COMPUTER in XOR at the Cohen New Works Festival, and the title role in Lori: A
Micro-Opera for our Stolen Sisters, a new opera of which she is the librettist. Her greatest
happiness comes from expanding accessibility and diversity in music education and
performance.
Greg Federico
Drums / Piano / Theory
Greg Federico received his B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova University. Having over 30 years of performance experience in varied musical styles with an emphasis in jazz, Greg has studied drums and percussion instruments with such notables as Peter Jarvis, John Riley, Richie Morales, Dick Weller, Joe Mekler, and Tony DeNicola. His musical studies have also included classical piano instruction by Joe Riccardi and jazz piano instruction by John Coates, Sr. Additionally, Greg is a respected music transcriptionist and engraver, and he has worked behind the scenes with jazz guitarist, composer, and 20-time Grammy award winner Pat Metheny, assisting the legendary musician in editing and scoring two songbooks published by Hal Leonard Publishing: "Orchestrion - The Complete Score" (released in March 2011) and a revision of "The Pat Metheny Songbook" (currently in production at this time). Greg has independently released five CD recordings consisting primarily of original music and has been awarded many accolades as a composer from various songwriting competitions over the past 19 years. As a performer, he has had the good fortune to play with several accomplished jazz artists including Pete Levin, Mike Richmond, Jack Grassel, Tony Cimorosi, Eric Olsen, Dave Edwards, B.D. Lenz, Ron Velosky, and Steve Girardi. Though "home" for Greg is considered the New Jersey corridor between Philadelphia and New York City, he has also toured the Midwest on several occasions to promote his CD recordings. Greg has been teaching professionally for over 32 years.
Kevin Clifford
Drum Teacher / Co-Founder
Since age 10, the drums have been Kevin’s life passion. Exposed to jazz and classical music at a young age, he quickly became obsessed with melodies, harmonies, and rhythm. His mother Luci Clifford, a classically trained pianist and teacher, was a model of musical expertise and passion. As he began to take the drums more seriously, she emphasized the importance of practice, but more importantly, the expression of joy and individuality when playing an instrument. It is this joy that Kevin wishes to share with his students.
As a student of Julliard percussionist Peter Saleh, he studied a variety of drum set styles as well as a rigorous classical percussion repertoire on marimba, timpani, xylophone, and snare drum. His studies with Mr. Saleh culminated in a senior year concert when he performed a Mozart marimba concerto accompanied by a full orchestra at Rutgers University. During high school he won outstanding soloist awards in jazz band and was nominated as a Carnegie Hall Young Musician. He graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans where he studied with first-call drummer Wayne Maureau and performed in the top Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band with a performance at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. In New Orleans Kevin also wrote, sang, and played with folk, modern/traditional jazz, funk, hip hop/electronic, and singer/songwriter acts at various clubs and festivals before moving back to his hometown of Princeton.
Kevin’s private students are exposed to all styles of drumming from rock and roll, hip-hop/r&b, electronic, Latin, African, and jazz, but not before they learn the essentials and rudiments of technique, dedicated practice, reading, dynamics, and time. Lessons are enhanced with opportunities to play-along with students’ favorite songs, playing hand drums, and other fun activities. Kevin accepts students of any age or experience. His students never cease to amaze him, and he learns more about the beauty of music and life in every single lesson...but only if they practice!!
In addition to teaching music for the past ten years, Kevin is a professional musician, singer/songwriter, and co-founder (with Jonah Tolchin) of the band Dharmasoul. Their first recording Lightning Kid has over 550,000 streams on Spotify, and the song “Love Again” is featured on the official Blues Roots playlist. They play in Philadelphia and New York and tour nationally. To learn more, go to dharmasoulband.com and follow them on Facebook/Instagram.