Our Faculty
We pride ourselves on our world-class faculty, comprised of some of New York’s greatest music educators. All of our faculty members hold at minimum a Bachelor's degree in music, with most holding a Master’s degree as well. Four faculty members also hold doctorate degrees. Their diverse knowledge is in the areas of performance, education, theatre, music therapy, classical music, jazz studies, and more. Our faculty includes public and private school teachers, college professors, professional musicians who have toured and recorded worldwide, and seasoned music educators who have a wealth of knowledge to share with their students.
We also realize that a key factor in a successful student/teacher relationship is building a rapport between the teacher, student and parent. All of our instructors are friendly, knowledgeable, diligent, compassionate, and always encouraging to their students. In addition, they provide weekly feedback and strive to maintain open lines of communication and a good working relationship with parents and students alike. We have a wonderful group of teachers who care for their students and work very hard for them.
PETER COCO, FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Dr. Coco graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelors in Jazz and Commercial Music and soon after completed a Masters in Jazz Studies from SUNY Purchase College. After taking a few years off from school to perform, tour, and teach, he went back in order to focus on classical repertoire and graduated in 2013 with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Classical Performance from Stony Brook University.
Dr. Coco has had the great fortune to study and perform with many of the finest musicians in the world. He has shared the bandstand with Jane Monheit, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Matt Wilson, vocalist Janice Seagal of Manhattan Transfer, and guitarist extraordinaire Tommy Emmanuel, to name a few. He has also toured extensively and performed at many noted venues in New York and around the world.
Dr. Coco founded the Music Academy Foundation in 2017 and in his duties as Executive Director he oversees MAF’s many programs with a focus on a continued positive impact on the community.
DEBORAH COCO, MANAGER
Deborah manages day to day operations at the Music Academy including scheduling and billing. Formerly a school teacher, she holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and has taught third, fourth, and sixth grade. Deborah previously served as Associate Director of the Children’s Ministry at Living Faith Church.
MIKE CANNON, DIRECTOR OF MUSICAL THEATRE
Mike is most known for his role as Detective Carlos Maldonado on Law & Order Organized Crime. He is an 18 year Broadway Veteran having performed in West Side Story (Snowboy), A Chorus Line (Al), Aladdin, The Addams Family, Ghost, and All Shook Up.
Mike has extensive teaching experience and has held master classes at Seton Hill University, Theater for Young Audiences, and at various studios in New York. He has worked as a Choreographer at Lincoln Center, and as Assistant Director of A Chorus Line at TUTS Houston.
Mike is a "triple threat" performer, a seasoned actor, dancer, and singer, and he brings years of real-world experience on Broadway to our program.
He is a Long Island resident with his wife Jenn and children Cooper, Camryn, and Carson.
LISA MONDE, STAGE MANAGER
Lisa Monde is an actress/singer/musical theatre performer, director, playwright and composer. After touring with various shows and working with renowned European theatre companies, she moved to NYC to continue her pursuits.
Lisa graduated from the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, and the New York Film Academy. Since then, she has worked Off-Broadway in various plays and musicals. Recent credits include: La Cage Aux Folles (Jacqueline); Anne Frank, a Musical (Edith Frank); Romeo and Juliet, musical (Lady Capulet); The Ten Commandments musical (Bithia); The Elizabeth Taylor Story, musical (Elizabeth Taylor) among many others.
As a playwright and composer, Lisa is the author of eight staged musicals and seven plays, most of which were directed by her and produced in the US and overseas. Lisa has been teaching acting and musical theatre for the past eight years and holds a PhD in Musical Theatre Vocal Performance/Education.
Memberships include: SAG-AFTRA, Dramatists Guild of America, The Authors Guild, AFM, AGMA, NACUSA, SETC, CID (UNESCO), International Union of Writers.
Our FacILITY
Located at 42 Nassau Blvd, Suite 200, our facility is Long Island’s best. Our teaching rooms are spacious, with windows and plenty of natural light. At 4000 square feet, it also features 2 lobbies, an elevator, two bathrooms, and more, and most importantly it is ADA compliant and adheres to all building codes.
If you would like to schedule a tour of our facility, please call us at 516-292-2777.
