Harrington Park Man Experiences the Healing Power of Rock n' Roll

Harrington Park’s Anthony Sicuranza, a 23 year-old broadcasting major at Bergen County Community College, is living proof that the righteous and raucous rhythms of rock n’ roll can help heal the mind, body, and soul.

Every Wednesday, Anthony attends class at School of Rock in Tenafly, a performance-based music education program, where he learns songwriting and vocals with his teacher Stephen Kellner. Kellner helps Anthony to learn classic anthems by Anthony’s favorite artists, such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, Lynryd Skynyrd, John Fogerty, Kid Rock, and his favorite band, Kiss.

“I enjoy working with Steve at School of Rock because he encourages me to express myself through my lyrics and the music that we work on together,” says Anthony. “The experience has been beneficial to me because it’s fun and I love it.”

Kellner has been working with Anthony for the past two years, and enjoys the relationship as much as Anthony.

“Anthony’s an amazing character,” says Kellner, who is also a professional recording engineer for such artists as Wyclef Jean, Cedella Marley, Bobby Womack, and Lenny White. “He puts everything into his singing, and his improvement since I began working with him is exciting to see and hear.”

Karyl Sicuranza, Anthony’s mother, also sees the benefits that Kellner’s instruction and the unique School of Rock Tenafly curriculum have brought to Anthony, who has cerebral palsy.

“Along with helping to develop his singing skills, School of Rock has been valuable for Anthony in other parts of his life,” says Karyl. “It’s given him more confidence, taught him how to speak more clearly, and the songwriting instruction has helped him put his thoughts to paper. His Wednesdays with Stephen are without a doubt his favorite day of the week”.

Anthony’s not satisfied to just work on music in a classroom setting: he’s also eager to take what he’s learned to the stage. He’s been invited by Steve Avillo, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the popular classic rock cover band The Past Masters, to sing Kiss’ “Rock and Roll All Nite” at the group’s performances at area rock clubs. Anthony loves the opportunity to share his vocal chops with The Past Masters and the audience.

“The Past Masters play a lot of my favorite songs, and it’s exciting when Steve invites me up to perform with them,” says Anthony. “The band is amazing and they have a lot of energy. Getting on stage with them is always awesome.”

IMAGE: Kiss member Paul Stanley (L) with Anthony (R) at a signing of Stanley’s book “Face The Music: A Life Exposed” at Bookends in Ridgewood in April ‘14.