Gwen
Owner
Gwen has always been drawn to music, rhythm, sound, and stories. She mastered the mixtape at a young age and has produced plenty of playlists in the decades since. School of Rock is the music school she wanted for her little one, but also the music school she wanted for herself. Music is a powerful learning tool, but also pure magic. The dialogue shared, the confessions made, the stories told… Gwen is excited to share the magic in new and exciting ways through School of Rock Grand Rapids.
Joshua
General Manager, Drum Teacher
Joshua started playing rock n’ roll concerts during his freshman year of high school as the drummer for the legendary, if not mythical, metal band: Coal Black Horse. While he never forgot his roots, he has since expanded into many new musical avenues. Today, Joshua is equally at home in an orchestra, jazz combo, theater, or rock n’ roll band and performs actively in and around West Michigan. He has performed with groups such as the Grand Rapids Symphony, Opera Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Ensemble Montage, and many other jazz and chamber groups.
Joshua's musical endeavors have brought him across the United States from New York City to the Grand Canyon, as part of Make Music New York, Baltimore’s Mobtown Modern Series, Detroit’s Strange and Sacred Noise, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, and many others. As an educator, Joshua is passionate about spreading his love of music to people of all backgrounds. He has seen firsthand the value in dedicating one’s time and energy to the arts and hopes to share that with anyone and everyone that he can. Joshua received his bachelor's degree in Music Performance from Grand Valley State University and his master’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Tennessee.
Matthew
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Matt is a multi-instrumentalist and record producer with over 15 years of experience in writing, performing, and recording rock music. He is currently a guitar, bass, keyboard, beginner drums, and singing teacher at School of Rock Grand Rapids. Matt cut his teeth in Lansing’s own Mac’s Bar during high school and has since played over 300 shows in 35 states with bands such as Jason Alarm and The Devil’s Cut.
Since 2011, Matt has been recording, mixing, and mastering music for local and regional musicians as well as producing original instrumentals for select artists. Currently, he records at Cold War Studios and at his home studio in downtown Grand Rapids.
Scott
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher
Scott began performing at the age of 15, studying at Interlochen Center for the Arts, Grand Rapids Community College, and Grand Valley State University. He has been a musical director and band leader for more than 30 years and has produced work for the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Circle Theatre, Actor's Theatre, West Michigan Jazz Society, and more.
Scott has also written and directed several original and concert version shows including "Let It Be," "The Music of: Queen, Woodstock, Stephen Schwartz, and Andrew Lloyd Webber," "Men of Motown," and "Divas of Soul."
Makenzie
Studio Coordinator, Drum Teacher
Makenzie is a drummer and audio engineer from Traverse City, MI. They are a graduate of Grand Valley State University, where they studied percussion and earned their Bachelor of Arts in Music. They also attended Grand Rapids Community College, where they completed their Associate's Degree in Recording Technology.
Makenzie has toured across the country with many different bands including Flashover, Okaycool, and Narrow Arrow. They are excited to join the School of Rock community and guide and encourage students on their path toward creating and sharing music with others.
David
Drum Teacher
David is a drummer/percussionist from Petoskey, MI. From an early age, David gained his performance experience through touring with the Petoskey Steel Drum Band across Michigan. In 2016, David joined the local rock scene playing with bands such as Fathom XIX, Conrad Shock and the Noise, St. Sinner Orchestra, and Lipstick Jodi.
David earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Grand Valley State University in 2019 and was a recipient of the Arthur C. Hills Performance Scholarship. He maintains an active freelance schedule as a studio musician, performer, and educator across the greater Grand Rapids area.
Connor
Bass Guitar Teacher
Connor has been playing and teaching in the music industry for over 15 years and has performed with a multitude of musicians spanning many genres. He spent his early years playing piano, trumpet, and bass guitar. At age 18, he narrowed his focus to the bass guitar and received a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in bass guitar performance from the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. Connor is excited to share his knowledge and passion for music with as many people as possible!
Hailey
Drum Teacher
Hailey is a drummer and musician based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is a graduate of Grace Christian University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Music and Technology. Hailey has taught locally and internationally, while also performing on stage across the nation with her band, The American Hotel System. She is most looking forward to helping students discover a passion for music and a particular instrument.
Samantha
Guitar Teacher
Samantha is a performing musician and community enthusiast raised in Muskegon, Michigan. They highly value inclusion and representation within the music community. Samantha knew music would be a lifelong passion when they joined an orchestra program in elementary school.
Their main instruments are guitar, cello, and singing but they love playing all instruments! Samantha has worked with children at local schools and community centers for the past decade, and actively performs across Michigan under different projects such as "Reggie" and "Charlie Darling."
Katie
Little Wing Teacher
Katie is a music teacher originally from New Hampshire. She graduated with a degree in K-12 Music Education from Calvin College and has taught in classrooms and private lessons for over a decade. Katie is excited to build young musicians' knowledge of music and performance skills through movement, play, and exploration.
Whitney
Singing Teacher
Vocal coach Whitney is a classically trained singer who has been performing since the age of 6. She received 15 years of choral training, including a week at the Royal School of Church Music in England, and three years of collegiate choir. She studied singing under Lansing's Judith Evans, training in classical, musical theater, and pop music before transitioning to rock music.
Whitney has been performing in local bands for over two decades and is well-known as the lead singer of the '80s cover band Starfarm, which has been voted mid-Michigan's best cover band for over a decade.
Reagan
Guitar Teacher
Reagan is a guitar instructor who began on violin and bass guitar, before finding his passion of playing rock with acoustic and electric. He spent his free time as a teen busking covers and originals and has more recently worked with church bands and small ensembles as an instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and sound engineer. Reagan is a recent graduate of Calvin University and the CMC program in Nashville, as well as a current Lighting Director at the Pyramid Scheme.
Jake
Music Director, Guitar Teacher
Jake is an experienced guitarist and educator from West Michigan. He began performing in his hometown of Muskegon before he was even old enough to drive himself to gigs. Since then, he has performed with a variety of local bands, taught private guitar lessons, and worked as an English and History teacher in several area school districts. Jake is passionate about sharing the joy of music with young people, and he loves watching School of Rock Grand Rapids students grow and develop into incredible musicians!
Luis
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Born in the Dominican Republic, Luis began his piano studies when he was 6 years old. Luis attended Estudio Diná de Educación Musical from the ages of 7 to 19 until his successes in piano studies and competitions gave him the opportunity to come to the United States to study piano further. He then attended Grand Valley State University, where he studied under Dr. Giuseppe Lupis and received his Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance.
Since graduating from GVSU, Luis has had teaching experience with Grand Rapids public schools and North Muskegon public schools, where he has accompanied both choirs and solo ensemble performers. While Luis was trained mostly in classical piano, he also enjoys playing jazz and transcribing movie and video game soundtracks.