Born and raised on Long Island, New York, John LaMattina started his playing career at the age of seventeen with the music of the Beatles as an early influence. He first studied at the Amato Music Studios in West Islip, N.Y. with Bob Brown as his first teacher. Three years later he studied with Al Miller in Plainview, N.Y. John credits Mr. Miller with the insights to project him into a musical career. Recently his friend, advisor and encourager, Dom Famularo, has influenced him in the application of skills and communication as a musician and teacher.John teaches in his drum studio in Lawrenceville, Georgia teaching many students weekly. .