Student Showcase

Robbie Mac's Drum Studio is proud to announce that we have the most region winners awarded in New Jersey for the last 2 years and we strive to meet the dedication to nurture the talents of every student. Congratulations to all the students who have shined as drummers.

	Josephine is 12 years old and in the 6th grade at Rutgers Preparatory School Middle School. 2022 - 2023 - Percussion Ensemble, 4th overall
		Nainana is 14 years old and in the 8th grade at Monroe Township Middle School. 2021 - 2022 - Symphonic Band, 4th overall
	Krishna is 14 years and is in the 8th grade at Woodrow Wilson Middle School - North Edison. 2022 - 2023 - Region Symphonic Band, 3rd overall
		Shali is 12 years old and is in the 7th grade at Woodrow Wilson Middle School North Edison. 2022 - 2023 - Region Wind Ensemble 2nd overall.
	Aayush is 17 years old and is a Junior at J.P. Stevens High School. He placed 4 chair overall Region Band, 3rd chair overall All State Band and NJMEA Region and All State Band Program. 2020/2021 accepted into the All Eastern Band / Orchestra Program.
		Oliver is 12 years old and in the 7th Grade at Edison Intermediate School. He placed 7th Overall, 1st chair Symphonic Band and CJMEA Region Band program.
	Hirday is 13 years old and is in the 8th Grade at John Adams Middle School is North Edison. He placed 14th overall, 3rd Chair Symphonic Band and CJMEA Region Band Program.
		Benjamin is 11 years old and is in the 6th grade at Metuchen Christian Academy. He placed 3rd Chair Percussion Enssemble.
	Brandon is 17 years old and is in the 12th grade at J. P. Stevens, North Edison. 2021/2022 - Regions Symphonic Band, 9th overall, All State Wind Ensemble, 4th overall. 2022/2023 - All State Orchestra, All Eastern Orchestra
		Liam is an 8th Grader at Roosevelt Intermediate School. Liam has been playing drums 2 years and his first Audition placed Number 1 overall, and was 1st Chair Wind Ensemble. What an accomplishment.
	Andy is 13 years old and in the 8th Grade at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in North Edison. He placed 2nd Overall, 1st chair Percussion Enssemble and CJMEA Region Band Program
		Ethan is in the 8th Grade at John Adams Middle School in Edison. Ethan placed 4th overall in the Percussion Ensemble.
	Vignesh is in the 8th Grade at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. He placed 17th overall and placed 7th chair in the Wind Ensemble.
		Shreyes is 15 years old and is a Sophomore at J.P. Stevens High School. He placed 6th chair overall Region Audition, 4 chair overall All State Audition. NJMEA Region and All State Band Program. 2020/2021 accepted into the All Eastern Band / Orchestra Program.
	Shravan Venkat is a 7th Grader At Woodrow Wilson Middle School. Shravan placed 9th overall and placed 2nd Chair Percussion Ensemble.
		Rishi is 18 years old and is a senior at JP Stevens High School in North Edison. He placed 2nd overall Region addition. 2nd Overall All State Audition. 2 chair Wind Enssemble NJMEA Region and All State Band Program.
	Michael Carlton, is a junior at Westfield High School. Michael made the Region Symphonic Band playing Timpani.
		David is in the 8th grade at Woodrow Wilson Middle school in Edison. He placed 5th overall in the Percussion Ensemble.
	Johnny is in the 8th grade in Woodrow Wilson Middle school in Edison. He placed 6th overall and 4th chair in The Wind Ensemble.


		Brendan is a Senior at David Brearley High School in Kenilworth NJ. He made 3rd Chair Orchestra. Brendan was invited to Audition for the All States Band. On December 12th for 2015 - 2016. He made David Bradley High School Drums — Captain.
	Joseph is 12 years old and in the Seventh Grade at Washington Middle School, Harrison NJ. Joseph auditioned on February 6th 2016, and was 7th overall in the Orchestra Band. On September 2015 he auditioned for the Jazz for Teens Program at NJPAC, Newark NJ.


		Mayank is 17 years old and is a Junior at J.P. Stevens High School. Mayank placed 1st overall Region & All State Band, 1st chair Wind Enssemble and NJMEA Region and All State Band Program. 2020/2021 accepted into the All Eastern Band / Orchestra Program.


	Darin is 12 years old and is in the 7th grade at Woodrow Wilson Middle school in Edison. Darin is in Region Windows Ensemble in the 9th Chair.


		8th grader at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Edison. Placed number 2 overall in Middle School Region Band Auditions. Shruti also placed 2nd Chair in The Wind Ensemble.


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	Varun made the 2017 All Eastern band this year. Varun currently studies jazz at the Manhattan School of Music. He was accepted to the Lincoln Center Youth Jazz program in New York City. He also placed number 1 overall in the NJ Divison 2 region auditions. Varum will be 1st chair in The Wind Emsemble for 2014. Varun is in the 11th grade at JP Stevens High School. Although he plays multiple instruments like Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drums and Violin, he is the most passionate about playing drums. He has been learning music since he was 3 years old and wants to be a musician. He has been selected for the Region Band - 2013 and is also a member of his school orchestra and jazz band. He is also enrolled in a Master's certificate program in Berklee College of Music, Boston.




		Jackie placed 13th overall in the NJ Division 2 region auditions putting Jackie in the 4th chair Symphonic Band for 2014. Jackie is 14 years old and is 5th overall in Percussion. He plays in the Percussion Ensemble. Jackie is in the 8th grade and goes to Rooselvelt Middle school in Westfield New Jersey.


	Alex made the region band last year made the audition for The Jazz for Teens Program at NJPAC in Newark NJ. My only other students to make that Program were John and Robbie McNamara. It is a honor to play with the best kids in the tristate area.



		Rob McNamara attended Montclair State University and studied Music Education with a concentration in Jazz Studies. Throughout his five years in college, Rob has played drums for the Montclair State Jazz Ensemble, West Side Story, the West African Drumming and Dance Ensemble, jazz combos and off Broadway shows in New York City. At the age of 16, Rob taught percussion privately with his father. This is where Rob developed his love and passion for music education. During his time as a student teacher, Rob was able to receive hands on experience on education working at Arts High School and Abington Avenue School in Newark, NJ. Upon receiving his Bachelor's in Music Education from Montclair State University in May of 2018, he also received the Award for Outstanding Student Teacher and Music Performer. Shortly after graduation, Rob was hired as the new Instrumental Band Teacher at Abington Avenue School in Newark, NJ. There he teaches PreK-8th grade students musical instruments and holds concerts throughout the academic year conducting the band and orchestra.


	In The U.S. Pacifis Fleet Band would like to welcome abord our newest percussionist, Musician 3rd class John McNamara, from Kenilworth NJ. Prior the enlisting in the United States Navy, he tought at J.P. Stevens High School in Edison, NJ. Ridge High School in Baskingridge, NJ., and was a freelance musician in New York and New Jersey. He enlisted in the Navy as a Culinaty Specialist and served five years abord USS Pickney. He then cross-rated and attended the Naval School of Music, Virginia Beach, VA.



		My Former student Harry Smith appears in a short film called Passions where he talks about his passion of Jazz drumming. I am so Proud to see that Harry has grown as a musician from when he first started with me. His Father Dave Smith has said that I have been a big influence in how he turned out music wise. When Harry was in the 7th Grade at Terrel Middle school in Scotch Plains, NJ. he placed 4th and was in the Region Band.

	Passions. from Isaiah Mackson on Vimeo.


	Patrick attends William Annin Middle school in Basking Ridge NJ. In the 7th grade Patrick scored #5 overall in Mallets and was placed in the Region Percussion Ensemble. In 8th Grade Patrick scored #2 Overall, again placed in The Region Percussion Ensemble.



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