Tim Short
General Manager
Tim first caught the music bug when he auditioned for the marching drumline at Sabino High School in Tucson. From then on it was a love, hobby, and vocation that has continued to this very day. Tim has toured with the instrumental trio Tonescape, owned a recording/teaching/rehearsal studio in Colorado for years, and received degrees in Music with an emphasis in Percussion Performance from the University of Arizona and Colorado University. He has also performed extensively in church bands and taught music, percussion, guitar, and drums privately and corporately all over Colorado and Arizona. Tim is excited to share his love and passion for music as General Manager of School of Rock Tucson and see students of all ages enjoy the art and fun of playing with others and on stage. Tim resides in Tucson with his wife and four young children.
Phil Espinosa
Piano + Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Phil has been performing since age 10 when he auditioned for the Tucson Boys Chorus and was immediately placed in the top touring group that sang all over the country and for the President's annual White House tree lighting ceremony in Washington D.C. By high school, Phil was singing and playing keyboards with a popular local band when he was “headhunted” by a well-established group called Oracle. That band was soon picked up by national talent agency ATI and they played nightclubs and concert venues in Denver, Chicago, Milwaukee, and all points between for ten years, including a highlight of being the opening act for the international super-group Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Between tours, Phil earned a degree in music theory and composition from the University of Arizona, was an assistant opera conductor as a grad student, and then switched to a degree and career in law. But he has never stopped making music and performing, both in Tucson bands playing for conventions and charitable events, and as the director and keyboardist for CCM groups at local churches where he enjoys working with many diverse musicians, both young and old.
Phil is delighted to continue expanding students' musical horizons with School of Rock! He and his wife have five now-adult children who are very musical, including two attorneys, an environmental scientist, and a professional musical theater actor.
Jennifer Griswold
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Miss Jennifer got excited about music when she learned how to play the flute and joined the orchestra in elementary school. She began private piano lessons with her teacher in Brentwood, California, and continued her passion for fine arts by studying dance and theater in high school. Miss Jennifer studied piano, theatre, and voice and became involved in college productions while studying at Santa Monica College. Her love for poetry and folk songs inspired her to begin writing songs and she formed a band with her friends and played the local venues of Los Angeles.
Miss Jennifer relocated to San Luis Obispo with her husband and son and created the Suzuki Piano School, teaching young children for over two decades. She also performed in classic rock bands and formed a jazz ensemble that performed for public and private events. Miss Jennifer worked closely with a local dance company and was hired as musical director for children’s theatre productions including Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, and the Little Mermaid.
Now residing in Tucson with her husband and their cat, her passion for motivating and inspiring young musicians continues at School of Rock!
Lynze Rhem
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Singing Teacher
Born and raised in the heart of the music industry, Lynze has always had a deep passion for music. As a versatile artist, she currently thrives as a singer, songwriter, and producer, bringing her unique talents to various genres. With a keen ear for vocal arrangements, Lynze offers her expertise to numerous artists, helping them elevate their sound to new heights.
Alongside her studio work, she has also dedicated her time to nurturing aspiring musicians. For the past four years, Lynze has been a private music teacher, sharing her knowledge and guiding students on their musical journeys. Additionally, she proudly serves as the music teacher at the IDEA School, where she has the opportunity to shape young minds and foster their creative expression.
Music has been the driving force behind her life, and she is grateful for the opportunities it has granted her. With each new project and student, Lynze continues to be inspired by the transformative power of music and strives to make a lasting impact on the industry she calls home.
Daniel Villa
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Daniel showcases a deep passion for the guitar and basically anything with a string. Over the past decade, he has honed his skills as a guitarist, driven by his love for rock music and an unwavering pursuit of musical excellence.
Daniel has established a strong presence in the local music scene, performing at numerous shows and open mic nights, captivating audiences with his undeniable talent. However, fueled by an unyielding ambition, he aspires to broaden his horizons and take his music on tour, reaching new audiences and expanding his creative boundaries.
In addition to his musical pursuits, Daniel is currently pursuing a BS in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Music at the University of Arizona. Expected to graduate in the fall of 2024, he embraces the harmony between his academic studies and musical endeavors, merging his analytical mindset with his artistic expression.
Ruby Joe Tuck
Studio Coordinator
Ruby Joe was introduced to music of all kinds at a very young age. Since she can remember, she has felt a connection to every genre, every instrument, and every musician she comes across. Ruby Joe is a songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist herself. She was raised in Los Angeles and played in a band until she was 15 years old. She was fortunate enough to perform at venues such as The Mint, The Roxy, and The Troubadour. She is passionate about bringing her love of music to a younger generation.
Adam Holt
Drum Teacher, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Adam's passion for drumming ignited in Houston, Texas when he was 7 years old. A self-taught musician, he learned the drums by listening to the radio and soon expanded his skills to include percussion, keyboards, vocals, and guitar. In high school, Adam formed the band Temper Scarlet with lead singer Sundance Head, who notably went on to win season 11 of The Voice as part of Team Blake Shelton. After moving to Los Angeles, Adam formed a new band called Building a Better Spaceship, where he worked and recorded with Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver.
Adam has shared the stage with groundbreaking headliners like The Killers, 311, Puddle of Mudd, Hoobastank, 30 Seconds to Mars, Lifehouse, Unwritten Law, and many others. In the studio, he has collaborated with esteemed names and Grammy-winning producers such as Scott Weiland, Brian Reeves, Jim Wirt, Jeff Blue, Robin DiMaggio, Doug Green, Adam Moseley, Bruce Sterling, Greg Sartigono, Fingers & Floss, Warren G, and Jamie Adler. Drawing from diverse influences like blues, R&B, hip hop, rock, and top 40 hits, Adam has developed a distinctive drumming style. With over 200 songs written and recorded, he brings a fresh sound to his performances, captivating audiences across various venues.
Adam resides in Tucson with his fiancé, where he continues to write, play and teach music. He is thrilled to share his expertise and love of music with School of Rock students, guiding and mentoring this next generation of rock stars, fueling their dreams, and helping them unleash their full potential.
Ingrid Baumgart
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Ingrid is a self-taught guitarist who began playing in an all-girl band in high school while living in Southern California. After high school, Ingrid continued to play in bands and pursued a degree in psychology. While in junior college, Ingrid took classes in voice and joined the community choir.
As an undergraduate, Ingrid pursued Research Psychology but maintained her love of music by continuing to perform in choirs and chamber choir. Upon graduating with a B.A. in Research Psychology, she began playing many venues in Los Angeles during the punk rock era and later went on several West Coast tours and eventually, a national tour opening up for punk icons like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Bad Religion, The Melvins, Faith No More, Butthole Surfers, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, Corrosion of Conformity, The Replacements, Flipper, Frightwig, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, The Descendants and Saccharine Trust.
Ingrid returned to college and earned an M.A. in Behavioral Science with an option in Resolution and Conflict Management. That degree led to over twenty years in social work where she worked with foster children, juvenile detention, and job corps students.
Ingrid and her husband moved to Tucson in 2006 where they continue to record, write, and perform in their band, Ingrate Souls. Ingrid wants to share her love and passion for music by sharing it with Little Wing and Rookies students.
Natalie Pohanic
Singing Teacher
Natalie is a native of Tucson, Arizona, and her beginning to music was singing to lizards and honey bees in her childhood backyard, leading to explorations in classical music on cello, and a few riotous teenage garage bands.
A lifelong songwriter, Natalie makes her musical home in dream folk—songs rich with tender melody and stories of starlit desert adventures—psychedelic grunge, rock, and Ayurvedic sound healing.
Natalie studied cello performance at The University of Arizona and currently plays and teaches voice, guitar, bass, and cello.