Bradley Birkle
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Bradley is a multi-instrumentalist from Lapeer, Michigan. He first picked up bass in 2012 and took to guitar seriously a year later. Brad has played in a wide variety of settings such as rock, big band, orchestra bass and solo classical guitar. He has since earned his bachelor's degree in guitar performance from Eastern Michigan University in 2021. Currently, he writes, performs, and records music with his band, Social Meteor, where he plays guitar, bass and sings. Additionally, Brad is experienced with drums, piano and baroque lute.
Caden Cox
Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher
Caden is a vocal and guitar teacher at School of Rock Canton. He was a student in School of Rock Canton's House Band before graduating and beginning to work as a teacher at the age of 18. As a child, Caden gained vocal experience through classical training and performing musicals on stage. In his teens, he took an interest in playing guitar and began learning to play. Caden listens to and enjoys just about everything, but especially loves alternative rock and grunge music.
Emma MacWilliams
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Emma MacWilliams is a well-rounded musician from Livonia, MI, who has enjoyed playing music since as early as 2016. She was referred to School Of Rock Farmington in early 2019 and has loved the school ever since, performing in various shows the school offered at the time, and joining the school’s houseband. Wanting to become a part of what made her a better musician, she joined the staff at Canton. Emma specializes in guitar and bass, and has experience in all other instruments here at School Of Rock.
Gayelynn McKinney
Drum Teacher
Gayelynn McKinney began playing the drums at the age of two. Although she received much of her musical training in the Detroit Jazz scene, she also
obtained her Bachelor of Music degree from Oakland University. Gayelynn has recorded projects with the group Straight Ahead, (of which she is a cofounder) Ralph Armstrong and Marcus Belgrave just to name a few. She has recently recorded solo projects called “It's About Time,” “McKinFolk The New Beginning,”and “Zoot Suit Funk.” Gayelynn McKinney's many awards include: 2014 Kresge Artist Fellows recipient, with the Group Straight Ahead and McKinFolk, a Grammy Nomination, Detroit Black Music Award recipient, and Detroit Music Awards for best jazz composer. Gayelynn McKinney has had the opportunity to travel extensively and play at many famous jazz festivals including Montreux-Jazz Fest, Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, Olympics, and the Kennedy Center. She has also performed as a side musician with such notables as Benny Golson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diane Shure, Jason Marsalis, Freda Payne, Roy Ayers, Geri Allen, Marcus Belgrave, Chaka Khan, Roy Hargrove, Randy Brecker, Rick Margitza, Larry Coryell, Ralphe Armstrong, Steve Turre, Kevin Mahogany, James Carter, Tim Ries, (The Rolling Stones Music director) and “Speech” of “Arrested Development.” Gayelynn is also the last drummer to tour with Aretha Franklin. While performing with Aretha Franklin, Gayelynn had the distinct honor to play for presidential hopeful, Hilary Clinton. She also performed at Tribeca Film Fest featuring a tribute to Clive Davis.
Jerry Heiss
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Jerry Heiss is a musician and songwriter from Ypsilanti, MI. A player of the guitar and drums since 2007, Jerry has over a decade of experience performing throughout the Southeast Michigan area. Jerry has experience playing a variety of different styles, including rock, metal and jazz. He received a certificate in Music Production from Washtenaw Community College. Jerry is currently performing as the vocalist/guitarist for his own band, as well as the drummer for another group. He is a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher and drum teacher at School of Rock Canton.
Jonathon Meyer
Singing Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Jonathon Meyer is a guitarist, bassist, synthesizer/keyboard player, and songwriter from Canton, Michigan. He got started playing music while attending Salem High School through forming bands by playing guitar and bass with peers and by playing bass for the schools jazz band. In 2018 he graduated from Salem and in the same year, formed a band called Read the Sun. The band has currently completed two projects with Jonathon playing guitar and synthesizer titled "Music for Birds" and "Living Thru" as well as one tour in summer 2019 at the time of Living Thru's release. Jonathon is versed in playing the styles of Classic Rock, Grunge, alternative rock, Punk/Pop-Punk, Blues, Jazz, as well as psychedelic, progressive, and experimental rock.
Kevin Knupp
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher
Kevin is a Detroit-based recording artist and songwriter, with a long history of playing multiple instruments. Kevin grew up singing at home and in the Boy’s Choir and continues to sing live acoustically on his own, in bands, and in the recording studio. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where he studied Drums, Music Theory/Ear Training, and Music Business.
Kevin is also skilled on the keyboard, having studied improvisation in his private lessons for so many years. He gives private vocal lessons out of his home in Waterford. Kevin has produced over 7 solo albums and multiple group projects and has a passion for writing lyrics. Kevin also enjoys listening to old and new music, and his favorite bands are Tool, Radiohead, and Led Zeppelin.
Lorelei Gabriel
Singing Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Alexa Gabriel is a musician from Northville, MI. She has an Associate of Science degree in Sound Recording Technology from Schoolcraft Community College and is currently attending Eastern Michigan University. Alexa is currently the lead singer and guitarist in her band, as well as the guitarist for another. She taught dance to kids from 2011 to 2017 and has been teaching guitar for two years. Alexa is a guitar teacher at School of Rock Canton.
Riley Bean
Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher, Drum Teacher
Riley has been playing drums since a young age, both in more formal school settings and with bands around the area. He began producing solo electronic music under the name Beanstalk in 2013, and has played drums set for Michigan funk group Liquid Thickness since 2017. His other main passion is growing organic/natural food, as he is the co-owner of Vibrant Acres farm in South Lyon. At school of rock and privately, he teaches drums, keys, and vocals and loves working with kids of all ages.
Scott Burek
General Manager
Scott Burek has spent his life working with kids and helping them develop their full potential. Over the years, Scott has worked as a coach, summer camp instructor, high school teacher, and middle school principal. After more than 25 years working in public education, he decided it was time for a change and has come to School of Rock Canton as the General Manager. A music fan since he was a kid, Scott has always had a large music collection. He enjoys traveling, attending concerts and listening to all types of music.
Chris Marek
Owner
Chris Marek is a former principal for both Plymouth-Canton and Wayne-Westland schools, but always dreamed of being in the music business. After more than 26 years in education, Chris retired and built School of Rock Canton in 2019 and bought School of Rock Farmington in 2021. A guitar player from Muskegon, MI, he has played since age 11. Chris quit guitar lessons early on after being forced to sight read "Hot Crossed Buns" when he wanted to play Led Zeppelin songs. He loves the School of Rock Song First approach, where students play songs they love and learn reading and theory along the way. Chris is the owner of School of Rock Canton and Farmington.