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!"
Contact Us
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!
David Quairiere
Guitar, Banjo, UkuleleDave Quairiere David began his musical journey at the age of 10 when he learned to play the flute in elementary school. At the age of 13 he took up the guitar, studying with Dave Provance. David Quairiere has now been playing for over 43 years. As one career highlight, in 1994 David had the amazing opportunity to play on the second stage at the 25 th Anniversary Woodstock Festival in Bethel NY, performing with the rock band Empathy. David has opened the show for national acts such as Pat Travers, Ted Nugent and Bad Company. David has been teaching private guitar lessons for over 20 years and has had several former students that have continued the performing legacy playing with such acts such as Snake Father, The Katrina Lynn Band, and Sean Ski. David is an accomplished player and teacher, welcoming both beginner and more advanced students.
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
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.”
Kelsey Kotun
Voice, Piano, Flute
Kelsey (Weightman) Kotun has been working as a certified music educator in western Pennsylvania for over a decade! She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Westminster College of PA, a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from Edinboro University of PA and a Principal Certification from Penn West University. Mrs. Kotun spent the first six years of her career teaching secondary music in Waynesburg, PA, where she directed choirs, bands, and colorguard/visual ensembles in grades 7-12. She is currently employed as an elementary music specialist in the Greater Latrobe School District where she teaches K-6 general music, 5-6 choir, and serves as a mentor teacher/teacher leader for her department. Kelsey has sung for numerous collegiate, community and religious events and still performs regularly around the area as a guest performer and conductor. In addition to singing with the Westmoreland Choral Society, where she directors the Children & Youth Choir, she is a paid section leader of the Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg. She is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, and the Westmoreland County Music Educators’ Association.
Christine Campbell
Piano
Christine has been playing the piano since the age of four. She graduated from Duquesne University’s School of Pharmacy but never abandoned her passion for music. While at Duquesne, she studied piano with Gladys Stein. After graduation, she began her career at Abbott Laboratories in Illinois as a research pharmacist while also working part time at a local middle school teaching piano. There, she worked as a rehearsal accompanist for various student competitions and provided the accompaniment music for the yearly musicals at the middle school. During her time in IL, she studied with Dr. Olga Bornovalova. Christine was also an accomplished oboist who performed in the Waukegan Symphony while living in IL.
After spending several years in IL, she returned to her hometown and taught at local music stores in the Pittsburgh area. She continues to study piano in Pittsburgh with Inessa Beylin. She enjoys teaching and playing duets with her students. She has taught both children and adults and hopes that she can instill the love of music in all her students.
Kirsten Edwards
Piano
Kirsten began piano lessons at age 6 with her elementary school music teacher in Navarre, FL.
In Junior High, her passion for music led her to pursue other instruments such as guitar, cello,
clarinet and oboe. She performed in several bands as a keyboardist, singer, and guitarist
throughout grade school. While in high school, Kirsten took lessons with the director of the
piano program at Shepherd University, Dr. Yu-Hsuan Liao. In her junior year, she was accepted
into the Governor’s School for the Arts for piano performance.
After graduating from high school, she went on to study music education at George Mason
University where she studied piano under Dr. Anna Balakerskaia, and started teaching piano
lessons and providing accompaniment for the university. She has taught students of all ages,
beginners and advanced students. After her first year of college, Kirsten transferred to West
Virginia University to pursue a music business degree, and was awarded a full creative arts
scholarship for piano. There, she continued teaching piano lessons independently and at a
local music store to adults and children. In 2022, she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts
degree in music, and has continued teaching piano lessons in hopes of passing on her passion
for music to others
Voice, Guitar
Tyler Carson is a trained operatic tenor and performing artist hailing from Franklin Pennsylvania.
Through the years, Tyler has been involved with numerous, rock, metal, alternative, classical, and party bands throughout Western Pennsylvania. Currently, he performs live as a vocalist with the Pittsburgh based, City Heat Band, lead guitarist for the Franklin-based band Coversome, lead drum set/percussionist for Erie, Pennsylvania based, Flagship Steel Band, as well as lead singer and lead guitarist for Tyler Carson Music of Franklin, Pennsylvania.
Richard Beatty
Brass
Richard Beatty grew up in Westmoreland county. Has been playing brass instruments for 40
years. He attended Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania for his Bachelor’s degree in Music
Education and Euphonium Performance. Attended Duquesne University for Post Graduate
Credits in Music Technology. Taught in public school districts in South Carolina and
Pennsylvania. Is currently in the Delmont Area Concert band as a playing member and assistant
director.
Rick Hofsher
Guitar
Ricky Hofscher is an experienced guitarist with 27 years of playing experience. As an accomplished player with a
great feel and musical sensibilities
and as a leader of men, Ricky is a great addition to the B&R team. Ricky started taking guitar lessons under Drew Bentley
when he was in 4th grade and studied through high school. Ricky holds a B.A. in psychology from Penn State, an M.A.
in psychology fromChatham University, and is currently finishing his graduate work in social psychology
through Liberty University. He has guest lectured at Penn State New Kensington campus in
various psychology classes, as well as participated in various symposia and presentations at
conferences across the United States and Canada. He has published work on veteran’s PTSD
issues and the mental health care of men.
Ricky has worked as a graduate counselor at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, as well as
a graduate neuropsychological technician at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.
Through his graduate work, he has written papers on the psychological benefits of learning
music throughout the lifespan. He understands the importance that music can have on the
neuroplasticity of the developing brain. Music can be thought of as a combination of language
and mathematics; both are extremely beneficial for a healthy mind.
Ricky served in the army as a sergeant in a reconnaissance unit in the 82d Airborne Division’s
4th Brigade Combat Team. His leadership training as a non-commissioned officer in the
paratroopers has influenced his professional demeanor and behavior across all of his areas of
interest.
In his spare time, Ricky enjoys reading, writing, sketching, and working on building his electric
guitar. He also enjoys watching movies with his dog, Boone.
