Big Bang Music Center

Our Instructors

Craig Buchman-Drums

Craig Buchman, owner of Big Bang Music Center, is a professional drummer with over 30 years of teaching experience. His motivational method and enthusiastic approach to teaching ignites his students interest in learning new skills and techniques while inspiring them to reach new levels of personal achievement. Craig encourages all his students to explore and develop their own creativity and style through the art of drumming. As a professional drummer and recording artist, Craig’s talent and dedication to his craft has earned him the respect of well known leaders in the music industry. It has rewarded him with many opportunities and successes. Throughout his career Craig has been an integral and contributing member of numerous bands which have performed in many top clubs and venues. Living a musician’s dream he toured Europe playing before crowds of up to 60,000. Always valuing the importance of setting and achieving personal goals, Craig’s philosophy is to challenge oneself. With that in mind, Craig created an original drum solo which was selected for him to perform in world renowned drummer Carmine Appice’s “Drum Off Competition.” His talent was rewarded when he placed as a “Top 10 Finalist”.

Brydon Bullock-Drums Lessons

Brydon Bullock is a drummer, composer, producer and professional musician from Central New Jersey. He has been studying the drumset for over 10 years. He spent seven of those years studying with renowned drum instructor Joe Bergamini as well as spending time learning from legendary drummers Bernard “Pretty” Purdie and John Riley. He currently attends Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, majoring in Jazz Performance in Drumset. There he is studying closely with the legendary drummers Victor Lewis and Robby Ameen. As both of Brydon’s parents are musicians he was surrounded by a love of music at an early age, and naturally became infatuated by anything and everything related to music. Brydon has honed his skills in a variety of styles including Rock, Prog Rock, Jazz, Funk, Pop, and New Wave. While also playing styles such as Latin, Afro-Cuban, and R&B. Brydon has played in various Rock and New Wave groups throughout New Jersey and New York along with spending time playing drums for various musicals. He currently plays around New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania as a Jazz, Rock, Pop, and Funk drummer, along with performing in Mason Gross’ various jazz ensembles, including the Rutgers Mingus Big Band. Brydon also has spent time working in his high Schools Marching Band and learning a variety of Concert Percussion including Marimba, Timpani, and more. Brydon believes every student can find their own voice in the music and their instrument. He believes every student is their own person and it’s important for them to enjoy it and find a love for music in their own way.

Jesse Becker-Guitar, Bass, Ukelele, Guitar Ensemble

Jesse Becker is an accomplished guitarist from Hamilton Square, New Jersey. Jesse obtained his Associates Degree in Science with a concentration in music while studying with the noted guitarist and head of the Mercer County Community College music department, James Kelly. He has since completed his Bachelors of Music in Jazz at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of The Arts. While pursuing his degree, he studied under the world-renowned jazz guitarist Vic Juris. He has also studied with the famed Pat Martino during his college years. Throughout his studies and experience, Jesse has developed an expansive repertoire, as well as impactful teaching methods, for his students. He teaches a diverse array of skill sets, from beginners to advanced, on the guitar, bass, and ukulele. His teaching methods help to spark knowledge, passion, and discipline towards the study of music. His musical experience ranges from rock, classical, jazz, funk and more. In addition to being a teacher, Jesse is also a performing musician who has performed at weddings, bars, rock venues, banquets, and jazz clubs. Jesse strives to inspire, educate, and allow the students the freedom and capacity to explore the music they love.

Sarah Martin-Strings

Sarah has obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Caldwell University, specializing in the violin. She has played in many ensembles including the Summit Symphony Orchestra and the August Symphony Orchestra and has 15 years experience performing. Teaching violin has always been her passion. She especially enjoys tutoring and encouraging beginner to intermediate learners. Sarah is determined to find success in every student and will differentiate to find the best learning method for her students. Practice and patience makes perfect!

Gianna Cappello-Vocals

Arts at Rutgers University studying Vocal/Choral Music Education. She has been passionate about music for as long as she can remember and participated in choir, musical theater, pop, and jazz ensembles throughout her K-12 education. Currently she is a third-year member of the Rutgers University Kirkpatrick Choir where she serves as its Vice President. Gianna also performs as a vocalist for Rutgers’ Latin American Cultural Music Ensemble and is an active member of Deep Treble, Rutgers’ premier co-ed a cappella group, where she serves as the Public Relations Manager. Gianna’s vocal experience spans pop, acappella, jazz, musical theater, mixed and treble choir (including state and regional ensembles), and classical art songs and opera. She is passionate about sharing the joy of music with others and aspires to ignite that same passion for music in her future students.

Kat Rich-Vocals

Kat Rich is currently a fourth-year student at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where she is studying Vocal Music Performance with a minor in Music Technology. She is also pursuing studies in Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers’ Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Kat has loved music since childhood and participated in numerous vocal music groups throughout high school. As a university student, she has been a dedicated member of Rutgers’ Kirkpatrick Choir for four years and has been studying vocal pedagogy for the past year. Kat’s vocal experience spans pop, a cappella, barbershop, mixed and treble choir, art songs, oratorios, and opera. She is committed to helping you achieve your best possible sound using only the healthiest and most sustainable vocal techniques.

Hriday Parikh-Saxophone

Hriday Parikh is a senior music education student at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) with focuses in composition, performance, and music technology. He primarily plays clarinet and bass clarinet but has also played saxophone and flute. At the College, he has been a part of various ensembles such as the wind ensemble, wind orchestra, orchestra, jazz ensemble, clarinet ensemble, and pit bands for musicals. In his study of clarinet with Joshua Kovach, he has been an active member of the clarinet studio and in 2024, won the annual concerto competition, performing Geraldine Green’s bass clarinet concerto with the TCNJ Orchestra. As part of his composition studies, he had the opportunity to give world premieres of two original compositions with the wind ensemble and a chamber orchestra in the Fall of 2025. Currently, he teaches clarinet privately, is working as a teaching fellow with the Eastern Winds Symphony Youth Band, and is super excited to teach woodwinds at the Big Bang Music Center! His teaching goals are aligned with the individual needs of the students. Collaboratively with his students, he aims to provide them with tools to advance in their unique musical journey and make life-long connections with and through music.

Nick Peters-Drums and Piano

With over 10 years of teaching experience, Nick is a passionate music educator specializing in piano, percussion, and music theory. Since 2014, he has worked with students of all ages and skill levels, teaching in both group and one-on-one settings. Nick holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Theory and Composition from Montclair State University, where he was recognized with the Outstanding Undergraduate Composer Award. His expertise spans piano (Western Classical, Pop, Rock), drum set (Pop, Rock, Progressive Rock), and concert percussion, as well as marching percussion. Nick takes a patient, methodical, and student-centered approach to teaching. He believes in building strong fundamentals and encourages critical thinking through the use of open-ended questions, allowing students to reach conclusions on their own terms. Through both his teaching and music arranging, he has elevated numerous high school band and percussion programs across New Jersey, leading many of them to great success, including winning multiple national championships. Whether guiding beginners or advanced musicians, he tailors his lessons to meet each student’s unique needs, ensuring they grow confidently and enjoyably.

Mary Jewell-Piano, Clarinet, Recorder, Basson, Oboe, Flute, Trombone

A high honors graduate from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Music degree. After graduation, Mary continued clarinet studies with the late Kalmen Opperman of New York City, and studied piano at the Settlement School in Philadelphia. Mary has a great interest in fulfilling the student’s interest, training in all phases of music, including theory as it relates to performance, and promoting a love of music. She has taught music for over 40 years on piano, clarinet, recorder, saxophone , bassoon, oboe, flute, trombone and music theory. Mary has performed with the Rutgers Collegium Musicum, The Plainfield Symphony, and the Brio Wind Ensemble. She is currently performing on clarinet with the George Krauss Memorial Band, the Central Jersey Wind Ensemble, and on the piano with the Summer-Swing Orchestra.

Anthony Shields-Piano

Anthony Shields is a piano/keyboard player, singer, and songwriter from Hillsborough, NJ, with nearly 15 years of experience playing and 3 years of regular performing. Having studied all styles of music from Classical, to Rock, to Jazz Fusion, he now particularly leans into artists like Billy Joel, Elton John, The Allman Brothers Band, Pink Floyd, and the Grateful Dead. His teaching approach focuses on 5 pillars: rhythm, tone, harmony, technique, and ear training. He combines these pillars with a list of songs that are based on the student’s own musical interests, which builds the appreciation of all types of music, as well as the skills necessary not only play songs, but to improvise and compose their own music as well.

Chris Diaz-Rock Jam and Guitar

Chris has been playing instruments for as long as he can remember, beginning at a very young age with the violin before eventually transitioning to the guitar. He is not only a staff member here at Big Bang Music Center but also a dedicated student, having taken guitar lessons with Jesse and currently studying drums with Craig — together those lessons add up to more than a decade of instruction. Chris is a singer and songwriter under the name Christian Zero and has played extensively around NJ, PA, and NY, including multiple shows at The Stone Pony with his band Strange Authority, where he served as singer, lead guitarist, and manager. He has opened for notable acts such as Enuff Z’Nuff, We Came As Romans, The Ghost Inside, Scotty Austin (formerly of Saving Abel), and Johnny Craig (formerly of Dance Gavin Dance). Outside of Big Bang, Chris teaches at a local school and is actively working toward his Bachelor’s degree in Music Production while continuing to write, record, and perform.

Manny Blanco-Electronic Repairs

Manuel C. Blanco, resident amplifier engineering tech at Big Bang Music Center since 2007. I

have been involved with music, electricity, electronics, automotive-mechanics and audio engineering since I can remember. Inspired by my father Cesar M. Blanco, an electrical-electronics engineering technologist (EET) with a concentration in radar systems, who got me involved at an early age, 6 years old, in Manzanillo, Cuba, with the construction and repairs of various electromechanical projects such as; R.F. Yagi-Uda antennas, vacuum tube circuits, crystal radios, electromagnetic coil winding of motors, transformers, and dynamos by hand, and automotive electronics… “His tool box was my toy box!” I received my dual degree, Bachelor of Science in Physics (B.S. PHYS) from Seton Hall University, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S. EE) from New Jersey Institute of Technology, where I also received my Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (M.S. EE), in 1998, 2000 and 2004, respectively. I have performed research, development, and circuit design analysis in various industries such as: Vacuum Tube and Solid State Audio Amplifier Design, Wireless R.F. Mobile Cellular Telemetry, Aviation and Aerospace Power, and LED Solid-State Lighting. Professionally I am the Senior Electrical Design Engineer, a distinguished staff scientist., where I develop and direct new strategic product design initiatives from marketing requests that directly impacts the company’s portfolio in broad markets such as medical devices, food & beverage, automotive, flat panel displays, semiconductor devices, and material processing & conveyance. I have five patents in the areas of design, control and calibration methods of articulated high density switch mode power supplies, high frequency magnetics, analog and digital circuit design as applied to the fields of electrostatics, hydrostatics, and electrohydrodynamics (EHD) neutralizing and charging systems.

I am an active fraternal brother of Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity Inc, alumni and a member of the: Audio Engineering Society, Society of Physics Students, Sigma Pi Sigma, Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi, and The Order Of The Engineer. I am Senior Member of the IEEE, Region 1, Princeton/Central Jersey Section and member of the IEEE Power Electronics, IEEE Industrial Electronics societies and Consultants Networks. Manuel enjoys repairing, designing and building Vacuum Tube and Solid State Audio Amplifiers which he plans to commercialize in the future, as well as offer Tube Amplifier Building Workshop Sessions. He is also an avid tournament chess player and certified chess coach as a registered active member of the United States Chess Federation.