Our Experienced Music Teachers
All of School of Rock Philippines’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.
Darrell Joseph Uy Villanueva
Music Director
Teacher Darrell or Boski to those close to him is the Music Director of the school. He plays all the instruments – voice, guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums. He started playing the piano at age 4. At age 5, he could play several simple pieces and started taking private piano lessons at age 8 from a music teacher who teaches in University of the Philippines College of Music. But it was when he was 13 when he found his instrument—the guitar. When he bought his first electric guitar, he enrolled in Yamaha School of Music to enhance his knowledge in guitar. Since then, he had been refining his skills through research and experience.
He has been in several bands both from the underground rock scene and the showband industry. He was the vocalist and guitarist of the bands Inquisition, Tension, Pedros Cannabis, Satiba, and Living Stones Band and became vocalist and guitarist of the showbands Kearney Street, Chicken Abortion, Milan, It Makes Us 1, and Cute Addiction. Presently, he is trying to form an acid jazz band.
He joined the school as he notices the kids nowadays do not share the same discipline that old musicians have. His main goal is to revive the old school attitude of hard work and perseverance so that we can create great music. He’s very thankful that there is a School of Rock that can help him share his knowledge, skills, and discipline and pass it on to the next generation. Hopefully, one or more of his students can make a name in the music industry.
Paul Magat
Drum Teacher
Paul Magat is one of our drum instructors. He also plays the guitar, bass, and a little piano. He started playing the drums at age 15 because of the bands The Dawn, Anakbayan, and Pen-Pen. He took formal lessons with well-known and respected drummer Edmund Fortuno but his personal experimentations and research has been the vital key in achieving his excellent technique.
His first band was a punk rock band in high school. Since then he has been a member of several death/progressive metal and grindcore bands KNK, Sucket7, Befall, Disabuse, Saipek, Trancendent, MTE, and Quantum. He also infiltrated the showband industry when he joined Gladys and the Boxers and Groove Society. He also sessioned for several international bands namely Proletar and Funerus. He is also a sound engineer.
Paul joined School of Rock so he can share his skills and perspective in music and so he can inspire and hone young and aspiring musicians. His goal while in school is to help his students reach their full potential and expand their creativity. Eventually, he would like to establish proper mindsetting that is applicable not only in learning the drums but in his students’ everyday lives.
Eric Larena
Guitar, Bass, Drum and keyboard teacher
Eric is one of our resident instructors. He plays guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums. He started playing music when he was 16 years old. Eventually, he took a 3 year music conservatory course in Yamaha Integrated Music School Major in Guitar and Minor in Piano that further enhanced his knowledge and skills.
He has been in numerous band as he is a veteran in the showband industry. He was a member of the bands Dama, Noah’s Will, Aria Band, First Play, First Part, Th3, Piccolo, Gladys and K and the Boxers, Jeff n Icer, Cookies and Cream to name a few.
He joined School of Rock mainly because he wants to pass on not just the knowledge and skills that he learned but also the discipline to the next generation. He wants to see his students excel in their own respective instruments.
JUDAS JAVIER
Drum Teacher
Jude is one of our drum instructors. He started playing the drums when he was in grade 5, as influenced by his friends in a church band. He started playing with his church band called Worship Band and have been playing professionally since the year 2000. He played with the bands Ventt, The Collar, El Pedro, and many others. Presently, he is a freelance session drummer for nightly gigs and events.
He joined School of Rock because he wants to share his knowledge and experience in making music. It would be his delight if he sees his students reach their dreams in the music industry.
BARBARA JEANNE
guitar and singing teacher
Barbara Jeane Bufete Ponciano, Teacher B to her students, Bijei to her colleagues, is our resident female voice and rhythm guitar instructors. She started playing the guitar when she was in 3rd year high school. But interesting enough, she has been singing since she learned to talk. This must be because her father was a folk singer back in the day. She studied conservatory of music major in voice at St. Scholastica’s College and was the vocalist of the bands Kreme Soup, Novus Luna, and presently, Persephone. She is a composer, music producer and an artist of GMA Network. She joined School of Rock because she is one with the school’s belief that the best way to learn music is to perform music. Her personal goal as an instructor is to give her students a great music learning experience.
SOL MARIANNE SANTOS
guitar teacher
Marianne is one of our guitar instructors. She plays the guitar, bass, keyboard, ukulele, violin, and drums. She started playing musical instruments in the 5th grade. She grew up being exposed to musical instruments being playing a lot in her house as her dad was a music teacher. Her father’s music fascinated her although the former never really tried to influence her.
She earned a certificate and a diploma in Advanced Guitar in Music Theory from Shaw Academy of Ireland. She also had a multiple masterclasses with different guitar techniques. She has been in numerous underground bands such as Pokke, BSE, Fastpace, Bad Omen, Disoblige, Low Grade Frequency, and Offensive Bastards. Coming from those experiences, she would like to extend her knowledge and experience to the next generation and share in the happiness of making music. A composer and an arranger, she is now ready to guide her students in making their own music.
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.