Sam Vana is a Jersey-born, NYC-based musician and performer who has been playing guitar for over 15 years. He is trained in a variety of styles, including acoustic, electric, rhythm, lead, fingerpicking, and classical guitar. He has also played with a myriad of bands, ranging from Clapton and Beatles covers to worship music to plain old garage rock.

Sam is experienced in teaching guitar to all ages and levels, including children and teens. Whether you're a first-time instrumentalist looking to set a solid foundation, or a wearied rocker hoping to freshen up your technique, you're in good hands with Sam.

As a performer, Sam has a BFA in Actor Training from The Hartt School in Connecticut, as well as training from the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York and classical training from Drama Studio London. He has performed in theaters across the country on national tours, including the Goodspeed Opera House and Hartford Stage. Sam is also a singer-songwriter and released his debut EP on Spotify in 2021, on which he plays guitar, bass, and sings.

Sam is of the firm belief that anyone can learn how to play the guitar if they approach it with openness, curiosity, and consistency. As a teacher, his goal is to cut to the root of your passion for the instrument, and give you the tools to explore that passion to its fullest potential. Do you want to accompany yourself while you belt your favorite songs? Learn how to play your favorite solos and licks with ease? Develop your ear to learn anything just by listening? You came to the right place. Playing music should be, above all else, fun! And Sam will help you turn that fun into real results.

Justin Stoney, the Founder of New York Vocal Coaching, is an internationally-recognized voice teacher and vocal coach. One of the leading voice teachers in today’s music industry, he has appeared on the NBC Today Show, CBS, Fox News, Fox 5 New York, The Insider, and frequently as a guest on Huffington Post Live’s interviews of celebrity singers. His teaching has been featured in publications such as Esquire Magazine, Newsweek/The Daily Beast, SELF, NME, Fox News Magazine, Discovery News, Medical Daily, UK’s Daily Mail, Tech Times, and Backstage Magazine.

Justin has taught as a master teacher of pop/rock/R&B and musical theatre for the NYSTA Comparative Vocal Pedagogy program, has been featured by the Learning Annex as a guest expert, was published as the vocal coach in residence for Voice Council Magazine, and has given master classes throughout the US and internationally. A born teacher, Justin has worked enthusiastically with a vast array of students - from beginning singers to celebrity clients, Broadway singers, and recording stars. Justin has worked with literally thousands of singers in New York and holds a strong reputation internationally, with private students from over 60 countries. Mr. Stoney has trained not only singers, but also other Voice Teachers from all over the world through the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification program.

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