Our Experienced Music Teachers
All of School of Rock Gahanna’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.
Jef Shaffer
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher
Jef Shaffer is a live musician, recording artist, producer, and podcaster. An Ohio native, Jef moved from Cincinnati to Columbus when he was 13 years old and has been proud to call Central Ohio his home for over three decades. Additionally, Jef is a father to two amazing adult children.
Jef started singing and theater at a very early age, adding piano and trumpet to his musical repertoire at age 12. When he was 14, Jef began learning guitar and within a year, started a small rock band with school friends as the guitarist and lead singer. He has never lost his passion and excitement for live performing since.
Jef is multi-instrumental, proficient with every instrument offered by School of Rock, which can be evidenced by his 2020 EP solo release, "Ghosts," for which he performed all instruments/vocals in addition to engineering and production of the album.
Notable accomplishments include performing on The Buckeye Cruise for Cancer (2015-2020), performing the national anthem for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Crew, and Clippers, as well as appearances on Good Day Columbus and the Wags & Elliott Show.
As Music Director, Jef brings a passion for both music and instruction to School of Rock, always striving to challenge and motivate his students with structured lessons, clear expectations, positive and constructive feedback, and just the right amount of fun.
Andrew Decord
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Andrew DeCord is a professional musician and recording artist from South Jersey who moved to the Columbus, Ohio area when he was 18 years old. Specializing in guitar, he also plays drums, piano/keys, and bass guitar. Andrew became a professional musician at the young age of 15, playing in multiple bands but ultimately being the drummer in the band Us+Them, a Pink Floyd tribute act. He played at many venues in Philadelphia and also the surrounding area. Andrew was a student at School of Rock Cherry Hill for three and a half years and was part of the first advanced team there. Andrew enjoys teaching younger students while helping them develop their own career paths and guiding them to success. He is a multi-instrumental teacher at School of Rock Gahanna.
Glen Siggers
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Glen Siggers was born in Frankfurt, Germany but was raised in Mobile, Alabama. He began his musical journey at the age of 16. Throughout his musical career, Glen has played with a plethora of seasoned musicians and opened for B.B. King, George Clinton, Three Dog Night, The Wailer, Mitch Rider, Flock of Seagulls, and Herbie Hancock just to name a few. Glen was also the touring drummer for Frankie Goes To Hollywood for 15 years. After moving to Columbus, Ohio, he played with Clutterhouse, Za Unitt, The Angry Men, and The Lovebenders. While with The Lovebenders, they were the feature band of The Buckeye Cruise for Cancer pediatric cancer organization. Glen is now starting a new journey with acoustic performances.
Jon Upchurch
Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher, Rehearsal Director
Jon Upchurch has had a passion for music from a young age. He began taking piano lessons when he was 8 years old before moving on to drums at the age of 10. During his teens, Jon played in a couple of different bands in high school, where he not only played drums, but was also keyboard player and lead singer. He originally joined School of Rock Gahanna as a parent, with his daughter taking vocal lessons. After seeing how excited his daughter got about the school, however, he decided to join as an instructor to share his passion for music with others.
Jon Suh
Rehearsal Director
Jon Suh is a guitar player who has been involved in the Columbus music scene since 2009. He has 15 years of playing experience, 10 years of performing experience, and five-plus years of teaching experience in all genres. After graduating from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor's in Music Business, Jon performed with his band Harmless Habit in venues throughout the Midwest. As a guitar teacher at School of Rock Gahanna, he has the recording, performance and business experience to show students how to be performers in today’s music industry.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together
For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.