By Rafe Gomez
School of Rock Princeton’s Z Team band, which is comprised of some of the school’s top young student musicians, will be keeping a busy performance schedule in July.
The Z Team band members, who range in age from 8 to 17, will perform a diverse repertoire of favorites by such bands as Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Bow Wow Wow, The Doors, The Who, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, and many more.
“Our Z Team Band has the same demanding performance itinerary as many professional musicians,” says Michael Vlaanderen, general manager of School of Rock Princeton. “When you see them tear up a stage with their energy and incredible skills, it’s hard to believe that they’re students in an after school music program.”
The Z Team rehearses for several hours each week at the School’s location in Hamilton. The Z Team’s members also take weekly private lessons at the school as well rehearse for themed “Performance Program” concerts, which take place in the fall, winter, and spring. Upcoming “Performance Program” shows in September include tributes to Pink Floyd, Queen, and Jane’s Addiction.
School of Rock Princeton’s Z Team includes Anant Murty (14, guitar, Plainsboro); Dre DiMura (17, guitar/drums, North Brunswick); Peter Tonti (15, guitar, Hamilton); Princeton Junction’s Zack Wilks (17, bass) and Divya Menezes (17, keyboard/vocals); Alex Fells (17, drums, Newtown); Lawrenceville’s Angie Applewhite (13, guitar/vocals) and Nealon Edgar (14, guitar); Robbinsville’s Dan Karlin (15, drums/guitar), Mike Kowalski (15, guitar/bass/vocals), Karaline Rose (16, bass/vocals), and Sofi Spatola (15, guitar/vocals/bass); Ragav Mehrotra (8, drums, Princeton); Mackensie Stricklin (17, drums, Pennington); West Windsor’s Eli Bramnick (12, guitar/saxophone/vocals); Anjali Nair (17, vocals/guitar), and Katie Henkel (17, keyboard); Chris Seeland (15, bass, East Windsor); Cole Evans (17, guitar, Crosswicks); and Garrett Manyoky (15, guitar, Mercerville).
School of Rock Princeton Z Team’s July concert schedule is as follows (additional dates TBA):
Wednesday, 7/14
FreedomFest State Fair (Allentown, NJ)
Tuesday, 7/19
Stone Pony (Asbury Park, NJ)
Thursday, 7/22
Gathering of The Vibes Festival (Bridgeport, CT)
For more info about School of Rock Princeton’s Z Team Band, including updates to their performance schedule, click here.

