Great Music Lessons and Great Student Experiences Begin With Great Teachers

Alyssa Rodriguez is a dedicated woodwind private lesson teacher with a passion for helping students of all ages achieve their musical goals.

Alyssa holds a degree in Music Education from Montclair State University. She has been teaching flute, clarinet and saxophone at Piero’s Music since 2020. Whether guiding students to master a new song, preparing for college auditions, or simply experiencing the joy of making music, Alyssa fosters a fun and supportive learning environment. Her approach combines professionalism with a friendly, student-centered focus to ensure that each lesson is both educational and enjoyable.

Elyse Carafa is a versatile teacher, who specializes in teaching flute and piano.

Elyse enjoys helping students to find their voices and to discover their ability to express themselves through music. She embraces the idea that music is an art form that truly brings people together.

Elyse has a degree in Music Education from New Jersey City University, and she teaches at a grammar school when she’s not giving lessons at Piero’s Music.

Q: What do you love about what you do?
A: As a flute and piano teacher, I truly love the way music brings people together. It’s such a joy to see students express themselves and find their own voices through music.

Q: What would you say to someone who is interested in playing but hesitant to start?
A: My advice is to remember that everyone starts somewhere, and the most important thing is to enjoy the process. Music is about self-expression and is meant to be fun!

Steve Smith is a teacher of string instruments at Piero’s Music. While guitar instruction may be the biggest component of what he teaches, he also offers lessons in violin and mandolin. 

For Steve, music is about a shared experience, and sharing music with others through instruction is a part of his job he cherishes. He loves catching someone’s “a-ha moment,” which can be new every time because the meaning of music is different for each individual. 

If you’re just curious about music, Steve would encourage you to “give it a go!” He is up front that learning an instrument takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but that he tries to make learning a fun experience for everyone.

Phyllis Zuckerman teaches piano at Piero’s Music, where she is among the most experienced instructors on staff. 

Phyllis has had a long and distinguished career as a teacher, both in teaching private lessons and in teaching in public schools. One of the attributes that she has developed in her career is to remain patient with students. “To me, there’s no such thing as something someone can’t do. I will keep trying. This idea defines my approach to taking on a new student. I love teaching! I love to see the ‘a-ha’ moment from a student. The look of pride when they accomplish something is wonderful.”

Phyllis continues to teach outside of her work at Piero’s. She is an 11-time honoree in Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

Phyllis Zuckerman prides herself on having a lot of patience with her students. “To me, there’s no such thing as something someone can’t do. I will keep trying. This idea defines my approach to taking on a new student. I love teaching! I love to see the ‘a-ha’ moment from a student. The look of pride when they accomplish something is wonderful.

“Learning music expands a person’s horizons. Regardless of the instrument you will end up playing, starting with the piano is the best because you can learn the fundamentals. If you remember the Sound of Music, Julie Andrews and the children play and sing one of the most basic and memorable songs ‘Do-Re-Mi.’ This song is used to teach the Von Trapp children the major scale. This is an example of how the piano can be tied in. It’s a very simple song to play on the piano – any child can learn it within their first few months of taking piano and will remember it for the rest of their lives. 

“What I find interesting is how many adults do better as students than children because they have come to lessons to learn for themselves. Kids are often doing it for their mom and dad. I understand this because I went through it myself. Then it started clicking for me and I started winning awards. After that, it became even more fun and fulfilling.”

Leonardo L. Leuci is a piano teacher at Piero’s Music.

When he’s not teaching students at Piero’s, Leonardo is the Director of Choral Music at Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School, where he oversees the school’s five vocal ensembles and music directs its annual spring musical.

A lifelong piano player, Leonardo began accompanying singers and playing in churches when he was 13. He graduated from New Jersey City University, with a degree in Music Education. Leonardo has accompanied many concert vocalists and instrumentalists, and continues to regularly collaborate at events like recitals, religious services and weddings.

Leonardo L. Leuci is a classical pianist from Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. He began accompanying singers and playing in churches when he was thirteen, and later went on to attend New Jersey City University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. During his time at NJCU, Leonardo fell in love with being a collaborative pianist and took as many opportunities as possible to learn and grow as a collaborator.

In April of 2018, Leonardo was selected to accompany classical vocalists at Weill Recital Hall in New York City. Since then, he has accompanied many vocal and instrumental recitals, performing repertoire from a variety of genres and time periods. Currently, Leonardo continues to collaborate with musicians at a variety of events, including recitals, religious services, weddings, and many more.

Leonardo is currently the Director of Choral Music at Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School, where he oversees the school’s five vocal ensembles and music directs its annual spring musical.

Jose Bello is a guitar instructor at Piero’s Music. Jose approaches guitar by encouraging students to have fun and pursue whatever style of music they most enjoy with the goal of being able to play their favorite songs on guitar.

Jose has five years of teaching experience, and he works to bridge between classical approaches in guitar instruction and more modern methods. Jose’s feeling when it comes to learning guitar is to invest in instruction, and not to overspend on an instrument.

Jose studied Music Education at New Jersey City University, where he was a student of Dr. Ana Maria Rosado.

Jose Bello is a guitarist from New York who is now based out of North Jersey. Jose has studied with Dr. Ana Maria Rosado at New Jersey City University, specializing in Music Education.

With a formal background in classical guitar and five years of experience in one-on-one teaching, Jose’s focus as a music educator is to bridge the gap between the traditional methods of classical guitar with a modern approach. His particular method begins with imparting first-hand experience teaching, a pedagogy that is wholly defined by the belief that anyone can play guitar. Jose’s lessons are individually tailored to each student with both a focus and emphasis on harnessing and expanding upon the student’s current strengths, gradually exposing them to new information, expanding their understanding of musical concepts and theory, while always providing a highly encouraging, patient and positive environment where students are allowed to learn at their own pace.

In addition to providing a fun and encouraging environment to learn in, Jose’s lessons are primarily focused on helping students to achieve their goal of being able to play their favorite songs on guitar. His digestible and methodical approach ensures that every lesson makes progress toward student goals and interests, which are balanced alongside imparting essential musical knowledge, concepts and techniques.

All types of music are welcomed, and Jose believes in an approach where students are encouraged to learn and explore music. Besides a genuine interest, a guitar and willingness to learn, the only thing that is required for lessons is an open mind.

Joseph Saylor teaches drums at Piero’s Music. He remains as enthusiastic about teaching the drums as he was when he first started playing the drums at the age of 11. Joe emphasizes hard work and the joy of playing music to all his students.

Joe holds a degree from NJCU, where his major was Music Business and Jazz Drums. While attending university, Joe was a part of the ensemble groups NJCU Jazz Orchestra, Pop/R&B Ensemble, Latin Big Band, Nathan Eklund Jazz Combo, and Sofia Tosello Vocal Jazz Combo.

When Joe isn’t teaching, he plays with different band, including his original jazz fusion group JAAK, the Bayonne, NJ-based blues band The Reptiles, and the NYC-based rock band The Mothers of Lovers. He is also a substitute drummer for the Bottle Hill Big Band and the Marty Hoff Big Band. Joe also picks up gigs with freelance jazz trios and quartets, and you can see him at local venues like the Brightside Tavern and Moore’s Lounge.

Joseph Saylor is the drum instructor for Piero’s Music and has been playing the drums since he was 11 years old. Joseph plays with different groups including his original jazz fusion band JAAK, the Bayonne, NJ-based blues band The Reptiles, NYC-based rock band The Mothers of Lovers, and freelance jazz trios and quartets. Joseph is also a substitute drummer for the Bottle Hill Big Band and the Marty Hoff Big Band.

Joseph obtained his degree in Music Business and Jazz Drums at NJCU, where he played with ensembles including the NJCU Jazz Orchestra, Pop/R&B Ensemble, Latin Big Band, Nathan Eklund Jazz Combo, and Sofia Tosello Vocal Jazz Combo.

In his spare time, Joseph attends local jam sessions around the area at venues like the Brightside Tavern and Moore’s Lounge. Joseph ensures to emphasize both hard work and the joy of playing music to all students.

Education: New Jersey City University: B.A. Music Business, Jazz Drums

Mike Fumento wears several musical hats: a music teacher with the Bayonne Board of Education; co-owner, general manager and teacher at Piero’s Music; and a professional drummer still playing gigs.

Mike has always been musical, and decided to pursue higher education in music, at least partly inspired by his older brother Tony, a bass player in addition to being a successful electrical contractor.

Mike earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami in jazz performance and then went on the road as a professional musician. He played with blues musician Popa Chubby, indie rockers Darby Jones, and did studio work.
Eventually, he decided he wanted to teach, earned his teaching certificate at New Jersey City University, and has been teaching in the Bayonne Public Schools since.

Piero’s Music was such an important part of the life of Mike, Tony and so many in the local music scene that when the previous owner was ready to retire and considered closing the store, they decided to buy it and keep the tradition alive.