About our Composers
Sonia Kiernan is a music educator, lecturer, and pianist. Sonia began studying piano at the age of 7. By the age of 10 she had made her television debut with the New Jersey Network’s Youth Talent Showcase. Continuing her musical studies through high school, Sonia went onto receive a Bachelors and Masters in Piano Performance from Florida Atlantic University under the tutelage of Dr. Irena Kofman.
During her studies at FAU, Sonia was the treasurer and president to FAU’s Collegiate Music Educators National Conference (CMENC). After graduating with her Masters, Sonia went on to accompany West Palm Beach’s Opera Restoration Project as well as serve as accompanist to the Florida Vocal Association. Upon her return to New Jersey, Sonia was invited to perform at The Company Theater group’s Benefit Concert featuring several Broadway singers and veterans. She remains an active performer and accompanist in the Tri-State area.
In 2017, Sonia founded the Piano Workshop at Bergen County. She is currently a member of The National Guild of Piano Teachers and NJ-MEA (Music Educators Association) with students participating in both organizations. She has also served as judge for the National Guild of Piano Teachers student evaluations. Students of Sonia Kiernan have been selected to perform at Teatro Italian Academy at Columbia University, Carnegie Hall, and have been accepted to Tri-M National Music Honor Society. Sonia has also been invited as a speaker on music education at Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA) and the New Jersey Music Teachers Association (NJMTA).
With her fifteen years of music education experience and working with hundreds of students with varying repertoire, Sonia creates pieces for students of varying levels and styles, as well as develops resources for teachers and families. These pieces and resources serve as a great part of any student’s development and education.
Guitarist and award winning film/video game composer John Kiernan grips audiences globally with heart wrenching compositions, unbridled guitar virtuosity and a mastery in an array of genres. His fans describe his work at the sit-down session of guitar virtuosos Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen and Andy James with composer Hans Zimmer.
John has composed hundreds of original pieces and works for various purposes, such as education and visual media such as TV and movies. He has written over 150 pieces of original music in the combat sports/professional wrestling ecosystem and can be heard frequently on stations such as TNT and TBS, as well as on promotions such as AEW, Ring Of Honor, and various others. He is also the in house composer for the United Wrestling Network.
John’s self-released rock instrumental album “Of Oceans” in 2013 showcased his unique blend of memorable melodies with dynamic, vigorous compositions. His work has allowed him to the stage with acts such as Slash, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Gus G (current guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne), Foxy Shazzam!, and other notable acts. John also represented Ernie Ball and Gravity Guitar Picks at his performance at The annual NAMM Show in 2015.
As a composer for video games, film and television, he started his own music composition company Sound Kettle Productions. His compositions have won multiple awards at ZedFest 2014 and ShriekFest 2013 & 2014’s “Best Original Score” categories with award winning director Anthony Mezza’s “One Last Kiss” and “Cut To Pieces”. John’s music has been featured in national commercials, such as Pennsylvania’s FOX News’ Mother’s Day 2014 announcement. John as recently completed music for the 2016 feature film “Star Crossed Lovers” and is the official composer for the animated series, “InGame”.
During his time at Florida Atlantic University, he worked closely with acclaimed composer Stuart Glazer, Grammy Award Winning producer Michael Zager, and Latin GRAMMY Nominated producer Alejandro Sanchez-Samper. John has also studied under the tutelage of Italian composer and guitarist Daniele Gottardo (virtuoso Steve Vai’s choice of favorite modern guitar player) and Guitar World/Premiere Guitar Magazine’s columnist and Chimaira guitarist Emil Werstler.
John currently teaches private lessons along with our music technology class. His lessons have been known to cover modern music industry pillars such as performance, stylistic versatility, technology and modern business practices of the music industry. From the age of ten years old, John has followed a musical direction that demands musical expression, technical virtuosity and modern and fun teaching methodologies that he imparts upon his students.
Endorsements include : Ernie Ball, Balaguer Guitars, Jim Dunlop Guitar Products,
BluGuitar Amplification, and Xvive Audio.
