Instructors

The teachers at Hickey's Music School are dedicated to music: to making music, to teaching and performing music; they are selected based on their skills and unique abilities, and their passion for others to be able to make music and enjoy doing it. They are all active professionals, playing and recording with their own ensemble, and together represent a diverse background of music experience to offer to their students.

Ryan Vanderhoof, is the Director of Hickey's Rock School  and conducts bands, teaches guitar, bass, voice as well as music theory and songwriting. He has a BFA in Classical Guitar Performance from Ithaca College, and is a former member of the band Akron/Family with whom he wrote five albums of original music and toured internationally. His music appears on film and TV including the late Robin Williams film 'The World's Greatest Dad' and UK primetime show 'Skins'. In 2014 he released a five song EP 'Seahorse Memoirs' and is currently working on a full length solo album, as well as playing guitar for the reggae/funk band 'Road Man' featuring Jon Petronzio from Ithaca reggae legends 'John Brown's Body'.

Drum instructor Zaun Marshburn  is an active musician and teacher in the Ithaca area with roots and skills in Alternative, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, Jazz Fusion, Rock, R&B, and Funk. Zaum has played in Wingnut, Orbiting Art Ensemble, Black is Green, Stone Cold Miracle, MSZM and well as with local artists Mary Lorson and Hank Roberts. Zaun's studio includes two drum sets and sound equipment allowing students to interact both with the teacher and with music of various styles.

Bob Keefe  has taught guitar for over four decades and teaches all styles and all levels of guitar. Classically trained, Bob holds a Masters and PhD in Music from the University of North Texas. For the past 23 years, Bob has maintained an active guitar studio of about 35 students a week in the Ithaca and Lansing, NY. Bob is an active performer in jazz and rock bands and his performance history goes back over four decades. He performs regularly with the Backtalk Band and with his new band Bob Keefe and the Surf Renegades.

Nate Marshall  is a popular area musician, guitar instructor, staple of the children's' music scene in central New York as well as an accomplished juggler, known as Nate the Great. He has toured extensively throughout the U.S. in a variety of venues from theaters to cafes and farmer's markets to street corners. In 2007, he released "Fame by Frame" with Nate & Kate and, in 2010, released his solo album "Throwaways Stowaways and Drifters". As a solo performer, Nate carries on the folk music tradition of song and storytelling with a modern twist of humor and musicianship steeped in a number of genres including swing, blues, Americana and jazz.

Bo Lipari fell in love with the ukulele the first time he picked one up. A long time musician, Bo entertained European audiences in the 1970's playing American folk music on guitar, mandolin and fiddle. Returning to the States in 1980, he played with the popular local square dance band the Razor Lickers, as well as the occasional solo performance. Over the years he has played many styles of music including blues, jazz, and rock and roll. Bo thinks that playing the ukulele is the most fun you can have on four strings and enjoys teaching and helping players improve their skills. His private lessons and workshops provide a fun and effective way to learn if you're new to the uke, or an advanced player looking to deepen your knowledge of this versatile instrument.

Tim Ball  has taught violin and fiddle in the Ithaca area for more than 10 years. Specializing in New England and Irish-American fiddle music, he is well known for a sensitive approach that allows him to traverse a wide range of styles. Tim tours throughout the northeast with his Celtic trio Arise & Go, and contra dance bands Center Street and Tempest. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Ithaca College, and has also studied Suzuki Pedagogy.