Ones to watch: 5 Lakehouse Music Academy Alumni Making Big Waves

Lakehouse Music Academy has been a creative hub for young musicians along the Jersey Shore, helping emerging artists develop their craft, build community, and take their first steps into real gigs. From band rehearsals to performances at iconic local venues like The Stone Pony and Asbury Lanes, the academy has played a role in shaping a new generation of talent.

These five alumni have taken those early experiences and turned them into thriving careers across the music industry. From online virality to major-label signings and national tours, here are five Lakehouse Music Academy alumni making big waves in the music industry right now.

Tanner Grigoli

Hailing from Long Branch, NJ, Tanner Grigoli is a self-described “Jersey Shore pop boy” whose path into music started early at Lakehouse Music Academy. Grigoli was placed straight into a band with his brother, picked up a guitar, and never looked back. During his time at Lakehouse, Grigoli played gigs at iconic local music venues including The Stone Pony, House of Independents, The Saint, and Asbury Lanes.

Grigoli started posting covers and original music on TikTok in late 2021, and the response was quick- his polished vocals and pop instincts helped him amass 213K followers on the platform. That momentum carried him into original releases, with his debut single “Love You Right” showcasing a clean, pop-forward sound reminiscent of Shawn Mendes and Charlie Puth. The track helped push his Spotify listenership past 37,000 monthly listeners and left fans begging for more.

The mix of online traction and real-world experience caught industry attention, ultimately leading to a record deal with Atlantic Records in January 2026. While still in the early stages of his career, Grigoli’s vast success makes him one worth keeping an eye on as his discography continues to grow.

Abby Kenna

Abby Kenna is a Los-Angeles-based alternative pop artist known for her raw honesty and candid lyricism. She emerged in 2018 with three self-produced singles from her bedroom. Kenna later expanded her sonic palette through releases like “Letters,” “Black Coffee,” and her EP From the Bathroom Floor, recorded at Lakehouse Recording Studios and supported by MoTo Records.

Blending early 2000s rock influences with contemporary alt-pop, Kenna has built a cult following through her more recent releases, including “Soft” and “Be Cool.” Her debut EP Spit! Released February 7th, 2025, which further showcases her vulnerability and unfiltered authenticity as an artist. She currently reaches over 13,000 monthly Spotify listeners and more than 11,000 followers on TikTok through her personal and music content. 

In addition to her music career, Kenna hosts Chef’s Choice, OnesToWatch’s podcast where she interviews rising indie artists through curated music discovery and personal conversations. Kenna is also a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where she studied Songwriting and Recording Technology. She continues to expand her artistry and has upcoming tour dates, including a sold out show at The Echo in Los Angeles alongside Dev Lemons. 

Kevian Kraemer

Kevian Kraemer is a New Jersey-born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose blend of music styles captures the feeling of an endless Jersey Shore summer. Inspired by his hometown of Asbury Park, Kraemer’s music channels a vibrant, guitar-driven sound reminiscent of modern indie-pop artists such as The Backseat Lovers, Dayglow and Bad Suns. He first developed his artistry at lakehouse Music Academy as a drum student, where he immersed himself in the local music community and expanded his musicianship across piano, saxophone, bass, ukulele, and the guitar, which became central to his music career.

Kraemer first gained major traction with early releases like “Rug,” “Sweater,” and “Buddy,”before a viral TikTok snippet of his song “Fly,” propelled him to nearly 2 million global streams. His debut EP Seventeen introduced his standout single “Attention,” which has surpassed 14 million streams on Spotify and helped secure his signing to Atlantic Records in early 2025. 

Kraemar continued building momentum with his debut album Jersey or Mars later that year.

Now reaching over 270,000 monthly Spotify listeners and an ever-growing social media following, Kraemar continues to expand his rapidly growing audience through his vibrant releases. His newest single “you woke me up” releases February 6th.

izzy lamberti

Izzy Lamberti is a New York City–based drummer and Berklee College of Music graduate who has built a name for herself both on stage and online. She first picked up the drums at just five years old and later began studying at Lakehouse Music Academy at age 11, where she was inspired by the musicians and mentors around her, including instructor Steve Honoshowsky. During her time there, Lamberti developed a strong foundation across a wide range of styles, including pop, rock, funk, R&B, jazz, Brazilian, soca, and samba. Her years of practice and performance helped shape her into a versatile drummer comfortable for live gigs. 

Lamberti has since performed on stages across the country, supporting artists such as Flo Rida, Yung Gravy, and Dylan Matthews, while also collaborating with emerging acts including Aidan Bissett, Rachel Grae, and Hayes Warner. Beyond live performance, she has built a massive presence online by sharing drum covers and musician-focused content across social media, growing a combined following of more than 2.6 million people. 

Her influence has also led to partnerships with major music brands like Zildjian, Vic Firth, Gretsch, Remo, and JBL. Whether performing live or connecting with fans online, Lamberti continues to push her craft forward while helping shape the next generation of drummers.

TEEN IDLE

Teen Idle is the indie rock project of New Jersey–based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Sara Abdelbarry, whose atmospheric sound blends perfectly with her deep-rooted lyricism. Abdelbarry first began writing songs at 15 while studying at Lakehouse Music Academy, where being surrounded by working musicians and a thriving local music scene inspired her to pursue songwriting more seriously.

Early in her songwriting, Abdelbarry drew inspiration from legendary acts like Fleetwood Mac, whose emotional songwriting and strong melodies helped shape her approach to music. As her sound evolved, her more recent work reflects the influence of artists such as Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, and Slowdive, blending classic indie rock with a more modern alternative style.

Her debut EP Insomniac Dreams quickly gained traction on college radio, reaching #10 on WRSU and remaining in the station’s Top 30 for five consecutive weeks. She expanded that momentum with her debut full-length Nonfiction, released via Boston-based indie label H1 Massive, which charted nationally on college radio shortly after release and even landed a few spots under Foo Fighters. Singles from the project also received airplay on influential stations including KEXP, KXLU, and DKFM, further cementing Teen Idle as a rising voice in indie music. 

Her sophomore album A Heart So Tender is slated for release in May 2026- an ambitious record that blends elements of pop, country, rock, and singer-songwriter traditions.