Lessons

For over 10 years, Main Street Music & Sound has partnered with the area's best teaching outfit, Bentley & Romito Professional Music Lessons. Most music stores offer music lessons, Bentley & Romito specialize in them! Their teaching staff is enthusiastic and committed to supporting a student's growth through music.

Do you have a child who wants to start their first instrument?
Maybe you’ve always wanted to play but just never got around to it?
Have you been playing for a while and need help getting over roadblocks or taking your playing to the next level?

-Lessons Available for all ages and skill levels
-Private Lesson Rooms
-Comfortable Waiting Lounge with WiFi
-We strive to go beyond an individual lesson experience by offering a variety of different programs that bring students together

"One month of music lessons can lead to a lifetime of joy!"

Drew Bentley

Guitar, Ukulele, Banjo, Mandolin

Drew has been playing the guitar for about 37 years. He taught his first guitar lesson in 1986, while learning music at C.C.A.C. Only a few years after studying Jazz guitar at Duquesne University, Drew was able to make guitar instruction his full time occupation. Drew has been a full time guitar teacher since 1997. Eight years into full time private teaching, in 2005, Drew established, and still operates, Bentley & Romito Professional Music Lessons. He continues to offer private lessons, with a sustained passion to share music.

Mr. Bentley held the guitar instructor position, for introductory guitar, at the Community College of Allegheny County and was the guitar instructor at Camp Jam, Pittsburgh in 2011. Drew has studied the guitar with: Joe Negri, Ken Karsh, Mark Koch, John Maione, Bill Purse, and Jim Held. While teaching guitar at Bentley & Romito, Drew has been active in the community by sponsoring the guitar club at Penn Middle school, being a career day speaker at Franklin Regional, and running the Bentley & Romito PTARC open stage. Along with guitar instruction, Drew has been busy making a name for himself by recording and performing live music. Drew has performed with a few dozen bands over the years, in hundreds of venues, and in multiple states. He currently plays with: the Drew Bentley Band, doing original rock, blues and jazz; City Heat, a variety dance/wedding band; Dreamscape, a variety dance/wedding band,  JD Strum and he performs solo shows as well, original music, instrumental popular tracks, jazz and acoustic, singer songwriter.

Drew released “Bold Horizon” in 2019, an instrumental album of original music. The album has received much love, national album reviews, and radio airplay. Another original project, JD Strum, released an original record, in 2004 entitled Just Another Story. The record was cowritten by Mr. Bentley. JD Strum opened for Dave Matthews, Sister Hazel, Brett Michaels (Poison), Kansas, Deep Purple, Carbon Leaf, and Low Millions. With the Kiger band, Drew has shared the stage with Gretchen Wilson, Big and Rich and Molly Hatchet. He has performed on many radio stations, most notably 102.5 WDVE, on the Morning Show. Drew has also released an E.P in 2011 of original music. Drew was the winner of the Guitar Center “King of the Blues” Contest three times; 2005 and 2006 and 2009, for district 802. With JD Strum, he won the Pittsburgh Songwriters Contest in 2004, along with multiple other contests for prizes and studio time.

After you sign up, listen to Drew’s music at drewbentley.com and read his story at drewbentleysongs.com, sign up for his email list, check show dates, see gear photos and much more. Be sure to take a look at “Drew Bentley Guitar”, Drew’s YouTube guitar lesson channel for additional instruction! I love and strive to share what I’ve learned from 25 years of teaching private guitar lessons! I really enjoy teaching one on one and want to help as many people as I can along their path of learning to play guitar. I teach lessons on a multitude of different topics, techniques, and songs from many genres, styles. My goal is to help the brand new student from purchasing the right axe, learning to play their very first song, all the way to the advanced player looking to take it up a notch. Teaching guitar is the most rewarding career possible. Many of my students have gone on to study guitar in a university setting and or have carved out a successful performance career of their own.  I look forward to being your guitar instructor! 

CJ Masciantonio

Guitar

CJ Masciantonio was a former student of Drew and has grown into a successful touring musician in multiple musical projects. He has teaching experience from his time at Guitar Center and from students he has taken on in his spare time.

CJ’s musical career has taken him to countless countries around the world including Japan, Australia, Russia, Canada, most of Europe, and all over the US. He has played shows and festivals that have have garnered crowds of over 15,000+ people with the acts that he plays with. Such groups include the viral Star Wars heavy-metal themed band Galactic Empire and his own group known as Tethra. CJ has been involved with projects that have achieved millions of plays on Spotify, live TV spots, DVD releases, radio air time, and more.

CJ is also an endorsed artist with Schecter Guitars and Neural DSP.

CJ has also been involved in artist collabs and hired help for other groups as a live performer, ghostwriter, music producer, mixer, and more. In addition to his musical career, he has also obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and has continued to study music independently to further sharpen his skills.

CJ is able to teach aspiring guitarists from beginner to advanced levels of playing. Learn the essential fundamentals of guitar or more in depth areas, particularly those that involve shredding and metal-style playing such as sweeping, picking techniques for soloing, tapping, rhythm playing, and more. CJ can also help aid you in other genres, learn your favorite songs, write your own music, and get you on a path to find fulfillment and joy in your guitar journey.

Philip Graziani

Guitar, Bass Guitar

Philip Graziani has been playing electric, acoustic and bass guitar for the last twelve years, teaching privately for the last six. Philip is also an accomplished drummer and piano player as well. Philip primarily teaches electric guitar, using pop music or whatever students are most familiar with to help build their foundation, along with learning the basics, reading music etc.

Philip believes that music is easiest to learn when students are familiar with it, so he prefers to teach students what they listen to most. Philip has been in several bands, he has played with Aubrey Burchell, Nate and The Happy Hour Kids, Saturn VI, Cardboard Masterpiece, kaeleber, Ryan Scott Music, as well as playing in worship bands for the last seven years. I currently play at Greensburg Alliance Church and with The Luke Weltz band and Birds.

Brian Weaver

Guitar

Brian Weaver is a Musician, native to Pittsburgh, PA, who works in the fields of Instruction, Composition, and Live Performance. From the time that Brian started working as a Music Instructor, he’s had the opportunity to work with a variety of Students, including individuals who have special needs, vision impairment, elementary age, adolescents, young adults, adults, as well as retired age Students.

Thanks to the opportunities of getting to meet and work with such a diverse group of Students, Brian has gained a deep appreciation for all individual’s goals and seeks to be a compassionate and empathetic Instructor, while also providing opportunities for Students to challenge themselves to reach new heights in their adventure with Music.

Leading by example, Brian himself has been actively performing Live Music for over two decades in Cover Bands, Jazz Ensembles, Music Duo’s, and even as an Independent Artist performing his own original Compositions by means of solo Acoustic Guitar, as well as through the use of a Loop Pedal and other various instruments, including but not limited to Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele, Djembe, and Cajon.

In 2014, Brian released his debut album, entitled Brand New Morn, which features 12 original instrumental pieces, composed for solo Acoustic Guitar. He’s currently in the process of writing and recording his upcoming album, Mountain Flower. After recording and releasing his debut album, Brian graduated from Seton Hill University in 2017 with a B.M. in Music Therapy.

As a result of extensive training throughout the course of his education and continued learning and experience gained in the real world, Brian has become a well-rounded Musician with over a decade’s worth of experience working as an Instructor, capable of teaching Students of all ages and experience levels. Just Keep Strumming!

Summary:

Areas of Instruction: Acoustic Steel-String Guitar, Acoustic Nylon-String Guitar, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, and Ukulele

Education: B.M. in Music Therapy, Seton Hill University (Greensburg, PA), 2017

Expertise: Reading Chord Charts, Tablature, and Notation, as well as learning Music Theory, Ear Training, Composition, Improvisation, Songwriting, and Home Recording

Genres of Interest: Classical, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Pop, Soul, Jazz, Blues, and Classic Rock

Morgan Stouffer

Piano

Morgan Stouffer is a 2012 graduate of Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania where he obtained a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy. While at Seton Hill, he sang the role of Monostatos in Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” and has since performed extensively with the Seton Hill University Choir, the Seton Hill University Chamber Singers, and the Westmoreland Choral Society. As an accomplished pianist and organist, Morgan serves as director of music at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and Madison United Methodist Church, both near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Throughout his career as a church musician, he has worked extensively with various church choirs. He has conducted several choral groups and has also served as adjunct choir member of the Westmoreland County All-Star Choir. From September 2013-September 2014, Morgan was the choral scholar at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick, Ireland where he was the tenor section leader. During his time at St. Mary’s, Morgan sang in Faure’s “Requiem,” and Stainer’s “Crucifixion.” Morgan most recently completed his Master of Arts degree in Ritual Chant and Song at the University of Limerick, Ireland. While there, he sang in Lucernarium: the official ensemble of the MA in Ritual Chant & Song and Sonas: the University of Limerick Global Choir

Jennifer Thompson

Piano, Voice, Brass, Woodwinds

Jennifer Thompson was born and raised in Munhall, PA, and has spent her entire life either performing or teaching music. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Music Education. Her primary instrument was voice with a secondary concentration in piano and clarinet. She studied voice with Roland Wyatt, vocal coach of Manhattan Transfer, and Dr Sarah Mantel. Jennifer has been teaching privately for over 20 years. Prior to graduating from IUP, she taught for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh as an Instrumental Band Teacher for
8 years. She was also the Music Director for Anne Ashley UMC for 13 years. Jenn was the Vocal Director for the Steel Valley Musical Program for 8 years, who won numerous Gene Kelly Awards including Best Musical during that time, and Assistant Band Director for the Steel Valley Marching Band for 8 years, who also were very successful during that time.

This past year, Jennifer also directed the inaugural worship choir for the Cornerstone Ministries Christmas Program. She is presently a music teacher for the Penn Trafford School District, teaching Elementary Music, Instrumental Lessons, and Elementary Chorus. When not teaching she enjoys spending time with her husband, 7 children, and 2 dogs.cating with a student of any age to play the Piano, The Most Beautiful and Expressive Instrument”!

Paul Kettren

Piano

Paul has been playing Piano/Keyboard for 65 years starting at the age of 6, taking private lessons in his hometown, Youngwood, PA. Paul’s interest began with his Father who also played Piano. In his Father’s early 20’s he did a short 6 month tour in New York City playing on CBS Radio (before TV), and cut 6 records with hopes of “making it”.
In elementary school, Paul expanded his musical interests and started Clarinet and Organ instruction. Paul knew in high school that he wanted to be a live performing musician with the arrival of the British Invasion Combo Groups, and it was a great time to get together with friends, by learning, sharing, and playing music together.
In 1973, Paul resumed Piano instruction with Jazz Legend Frank Cunimondo of Pittsburgh, learning intense theory and playing techniques. By studying with Frank, it inspired Paul to share his knowledge and experiences to begin teaching Piano to others. Later in the 1970’s Paul accepted an offer to perform full-time in a Touring Show Band playing 6 nights a week throughout the United States.
After touring, Paul went back to teaching Piano, Organ, Guitar, and Bass Guitar at the former Latrobe Music and Sound. Currently Paul is performing with AEW, “An Evening With” (Allman Brothers Tribute Band), and “Crawdad Joe” (Classic Rock, Soul, Funk, and Blues).
“It gives me a great feeling of satisfaction communicating with a student of any age to play the Piano, The Most Beautiful and Expressive Instrument”!

Dane Whatule

Drums

Dane has been playing drums for about 21 years. He has played in many churches as far back as 1998 with styles ranging from afro-cuban gospel to jazz and traditional hymns to contemporary music. He is currently the drummer for Alec Henderson Band, playing classic rock and original music. Dane has also played with East Coast Turnaround, the fathers of trucker rock, Shiva Skydriver, an orignal progressive rock band and Renegade Ridge, an outlaw country act, as well as sitting in with many others. Dane has opened for acts such as The Clarks, Great White, Land of Oz, Seven Bridges and more. Dane has recorded with the Alec Henderson Band on his album “On Holiday”, taking inspiration from a wide variety of artists such as; Gavin Harrison of Pineapple Thief and King Crimson, Brann Dailor of Mastodon, Gene Krupa of the legendary Benny Goodman orchestra as well as many others, Dane has a broad base of drumming styles, techniques and application. Dane has given private lessons since 2010, teaching a miriad of ages, styles and skill levels.My love for drums and their place in music stems from listening to big band and swing records with my grandfather John Whatule, an accomplished accordion and piano player. We spent many evenings playing traditional hymns with a swing and jazz feel. There are few experiences like grooving and vibing with another musician. To me that is what drums are all about. Solid and steady beats are pivotal to being a great drummer but feel is equally, and in some cases more, important. Many drummers can teach the fundamentals of percussion, my goal is to teach my students how to feel the music and connect with fellow musicians.

Elliot Ratliff

Brass, Woodwinds, Orchestral Strings

Elliott Ratliff is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa and has dedicated his life to music. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education and Trombone performance from Edinboro University of Pa. He received his Master’s degree in Music Education from New Jersey City University. He has been a music teacher for the last 11 years, teaching in private schools as well as teaching private music lessons in Brass, Strings, Woodwinds, Beginning and Intermediate piano, music composition, and singer song writing in various music stores/studios all over Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.

He is also the Brass instructor for the Steel City Drum and Bugle Corp and a music teacher for Chatham University Music and Arts Summer Day Camp. He is a member and elected delegate/representative of the Pittsburgh Musicians Union Local 60-471 and a Vice President of the Eastern Conference for the American Federation of Musicians of the US and Canada. As a professional trombonist, he has performed with Harold Betters, Roger Humphries, and Nelson Harrison. He has also performed with various jazz groups like the Bone Forum Big Band and the Jazz in Your Face Big Band in Johnstown, Pa. He is also the band leader/booking manager of the Steel City Jazz Katts jazz ensemble. He has also performed on the Netflix TV show Archive 81. He also lives by the moto, “Music is not what I do……….It’s who I am.”

Brad Thompson

Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion

Brad graduated from Indiana University of PA with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education. His major instrument was trumpet and he minored in voice. Upon graduating, Brad spent all 31 of his professional teaching years with the Steel Valley School District. As a student himself, Brad was selected to participate in the John Philip Sousa International Honors Band, that performed in Washington, DC with the “President’s Own.” During his tenure, he taught General Music K-8, Chorus 4-5/6-8, Beginning Band 4-5, Middle School Band 6-8, High School Band 9-12, HS Jazz Band, Music Technology IIV, and Music Appreciation 9. Brad was also the Music Director for Steel Valley’s Musicals that won several Gene Kelly Awards. Brad also directed several Elementary Musicals (Aladdin, Annie).

While at Steel Valley, Brad was the marching band director for 18 years. He built the program into a perennial powerhouse. From 1998-2008, the band was 6 time TOB Chapter 8 Champions and 2 time USSBA Western PA Champions. In 2007, the band finished 9th at the USSBA Northern States Championships and was awarded the USMC Esprit de Corps Award at the same championships. The band also participated and placed at the 2008 USSBA National Championships held at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

Brad had quite a few of his band students achieve high individual honors on their instruments. Some of Brad’s students were part of his private lesson studio and they as well achieved high individual honors. These students participated in such events as the MENC All-Eastern Honors Band, PMEA All-State Band, PMEA All-State Orchestra, PMEA All-State Regional Band, PMEA All-State Regional Orchestra, PMEA District Band-East, PMEA District Orchestra, PMEA District 1 Honors Band, and PMEA Junior District Band-East.

Brad presently enjoys spending time with his wife J.