 keylab teachersÂ
Adrian Cohen
Piano, Guitar, Drums, Songwriting, Music Production, Music Theory, Performance Coaching
Adrian is a pianist specializing in rock, jazz, and beginning classical piano, and is the founder and director of Keylab. He has opened for or performed with legendary artists such as Terence Blanchard, Larry Coryell, K.D.Lang and the Charles Neville Quartet, and has written music for PBS and NPR. Adrian has recorded two albums under his own name, and has been teaching piano and music related subjects for over 30 years.
Chris Petro
Piano, Drums, Guitar, Bass, Songwriting, Production, Ukulele,
Chris is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer based in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from the prestigious jazz program at the University of North Texas in 2016 and has been a full time musician since, keeping a busy and varied schedule of performances, teaching opportunities, and studio work. As an educator, Chris believes in creatively utilizing each student’s unique interests as the lens to explore and communicate musical concepts — balancing learning and having fun in a highly personalized way.
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Jonathan Starks
Piano, Songwriting, Drums, Music Production
Jonathan Starks is a drummer, producer, and pianist originally from Phoenix, AZ. He received his Master’s degree from New England Conservatory in 2020, and now lives in New York City. He stays busy playing drums in several bands, producing records, DJ’ing, and teaching music lessons. Jonathan is a passionate educator, with an adaptable approach tailored to the individual goals and needs of any student.
Julia Gay
Guitar, Piano, Voice, Violin, Ukulele, Songwriting, Production
Julia is a classically trained musician from New Jersey who began studying violin at Carnegie Hall when she was 3 1/2 years old. She was a violinist in the New Jersey Youth Symphony as well as other chamber groups. Julia comes from a family of musicians and specializes in violin, guitar, piano, and vocals, but also teaches songwriting and basic music production. She is an active performer in and around NYC, playing at venues such as The Bowery Electric and The Nest. Julia enjoys composing original music and is passionate about sharing her love of music with students of all ages and skill levels through her kind, patient, and adaptable teaching approach.
Matthew Ryals
Guitar, Piano, Music Production
Matthew Ryals is a performing musician, sound designer, and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. He holds a bachelor's degree in instrumental performance from Arkansas State University and a master's degree in classical guitar from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Matt has led masterclasses at universities, designed educational programs for studios in NYC, and mentored hundreds of students of all ages and skill levels in his fifteen-plus years as an educator. Teaching is a core part of Matt's creative life, and his approach centers on nurturing self-expression, developing solid technique, and fostering a well-rounded music education for his students. Matt has a kind, supportive teaching style that adapts to each student's goals and learning needs whether they are a complete beginner or professional musician looking to level up their skills.
Tim Fenton
Bass, Guitar, Piano, Drums, Violin, Cello, Music Production
Tim is a dedicated bassist, guitarist, and composer based in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to a Master of Music from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory, Tim has over eight years of diverse teaching experience in guitar, bass, and piano. Tim is passionate about making music education enjoyable, instilling a strong technical foundation while tailoring his approach to each student's goals and learning style. Tim works with students of all ages, and has prepared many of his students for recitals, juries, and auditions for USC and UCLA. Tim seamlessly navigates between jazz, pop, and R&B genres, and has performed with esteemed artists including Peter Erskine and Eddie Henderson, as well as various pop and R&B musicians. His compositions, which blend traditional jazz elements with contemporary influences, have earned him recognition as a finalist in the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award.
Zak Walker-Kahne
Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Songwriting
Zak Walker-Kahne began playing jazz and rock guitar as a kid before focusing his studies on the piano. He graduated from Bard College, where he studied Jazz composition and performance under the direction of John Esposito. Zak is also a singer-songwriter. He released his debut album "Passenger Side" in November 2021 and is currently enrolled in a master's program in songwriting at NYU. He has taught music lessons for the past 4 years to students ranging in age from five to eighty four, and loves sharing his passion for music with students of all skill levels.