The Newtown School of Music

Our Instructors

Sonny F

Sonny Facenda

Owner - Drums, Trumpet, Saxaphone

Sonny has over 40 years of teaching experience and has spent time directing concert, jazz, and drumline bands. Sonny is the band director at the St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School and Villa Joseph Marie High School. 

Steven Kaplan

Piano, Saxophonist, woodwinds, Trumpet, Brass

Steve is a music director at Summer Swing Orchestra and Big Band Express MA in Education and Performance.

Kyle Perella

Guitar, Ukulele

Kyle is the lead guitarist for the band Levee Drivers, based in Philadelphia. The band released its first full-length album, Motel City Honey, in September 2017. 

Emily Guglielmi

String Instuments

Emily has a Bachelor of Music, a Bachelor of Music Education, and a Masters’s Degree. She has taught strings for over 30 years. Emily participates in multiple orchestras. 

Francis Danis

Piano and Vocal

Francis has nearly 20 years of experience, with a focus on Jazz Piano, Cuban Music, and Latin Jazz. He currently offers Piano and Vocal lessons for all ages and playing abilities…

.

Beth Vilismeir

Woodwind

Beth is an expert with the clarinet and was the band director for over 30 years for Holy Ghost Prep. She plays with four different symphonies. 

 

Brad Gragilla

Piano and Vocal

Brad has a Bachelor’s degree from Temple University, where he majored in piano and minored in vocal. Brad has taught for over 20 years.