TOMMY RICH Music Director / Drum Instructor
Patti Smith said "Not even being in boot camp is as tough as being in rock'n'roll." Patti Smith was never in a boot camp run by Tommy Rich. A name percussionist on the Cleveland music scene who was born eons ago, Tommy played drums in American Noise (signed to Planet/Elektra Records) in 1980, and learned what if felt like to be in a hot group for five years. Then he cruised - or rather, became a Cruiser, taking his stickwork to tour with Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, appearing on their next LP. He moved to NYC and by 1987 began playing around the NY-New Jersey circuit with a couple of Asbury Jukes, recording with ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, doing discs at the legendary Hit Factory and getting ripped off by a manager (wouldn't be the first time, wouldn't be the last time). Then Tommy felt it was his cue to go leavin' on a jet plane...He sojourned in the UK, dated a "gorgeous, deranged" English model and pilgrimaged to the original names of major rock influences: The Who, Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, Hendrix Experience. A job opening for a drummer with Youngstown glam-rockers Noisy Mama (signed to Atco) took Tommy back to NYC and back out on tour. After that band's breakup in 1994, Tommy re-joined Donnie Iris, played blues with Big Jack Johnson and the biker-circuit fave Burnt River, and even gigged with back-from-retirement pop-genius Eric Carmen. Voted Best Drummer twice in a row by the Cleveland Free Times music rag, he can now be found either playing out with Sumrada or slamming in the power trio called Big Zipper. Tommy's 'day job' is a mix of session drumming and producing, with both stateside and UK groups, the latest being the 2006 CD release "Unpopular" by Cleveland pop-punkers The Unknown. He's been up, down and all around, and now he's ready to dispense wit, wisdom and war stories in the School of Rock!
ED STEPHENS Bass Guitar Instructor / Guitar Instructor
Eddie has been playing electric bass for more than twenty years and been a part of Cleveland's rock music scene for more than a decade. You're likely to find him most nights of the week rocking out with any number of local bands.
He was named Best Bass Player by Cleveland Free Times at the 2006 Music Awards, and his band Abdullah was voted Best Metal Band by both Cleveland Free Times and Scene. Abdullah have shared the stage with acts such as Anthrax, Trouble, Fu Manchu, Brand New Sin, Faster Pussycat, Mushroomhead, Monster Magnet, Alabama Thunderpussy, L.A. Guns and Chevelle.
His original heavy-hitting sound is derived from the influences Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, Cliff Burton of Metallica,Beethoven and Stanley Clarke.
Eddie's teaching experience includes teaching bass at Cleveland Music School Settlement Summer Music and Fine Arts Camp, the Passport Project and Cleveland State University along with interactive performances for Young Audiences and Access to the Arts.
Eddie has a Bachelor of Music degree in double-bass performance and his broad-ranging talent has enabled him to play in a multitude of venues, from heavy metal, to latin jazz and the Three Tenors (REALLY!). Eddie's words to live by: Doubt everything! Find your own light.
LYLE QUIMBY Guitar Instructor
Lyle Quimby has been playing guitar in the Cleveland music scene for over a decade. His dedication to his art; instrumental rock, has led him on a journey of discovery into a variety of styles in music. Lyle views the guitar as the “ultimate instrument of expression”, yet his playing is rooted deeply in the soulful delivery of melodic blues phrasing. Lyle believes that some of the best rock music is related to the blues. Inspiration drawn from this music has influenced Lyle, and he wishes to influence his students with his philosophy and technique to prepare them for a “lifetime of enjoyment” with music. Even after years of study in music ranging from classical to country, Lyle can still be found at local jam spots performing his unique style of melodic guitar playing. Lyle plans on recording a solo album guest-starring some of his favorite local musicians in the near future.
DAVE ROMWEBER Guitar Instructor
Seeing the Beatles on television led Dave to the guitar and to rock music at an early age. A self-taught musician, Dave has been playing for decades and teaching private lessons for five years.
Currently, he owns a guitar store in Lakewood, called The Music Company and he prides himself on his extensive technical knowledge of the guitar.
Dave has been a regular in the Cleveland music scene, having performed in several local bands, including Spoyld and Dizzy Park. He also has played with cover band The Curve. Currently, he plays with local Cult tribute band Sonic Temple.
Dave is thrilled to be teaching aspiring young rockers at the School of Rock. He hopes to show his students that “it’s more than the music” -- there is a technical side to rock that is equally important.
SHAWN PERRY Vocals, Guitar Instructor
Labeled as one of the most dangerous men in rock and roll by the Hollywood foreign press, Shawn Perry teaches his students how to sonically assault the audience with their vocals and through shredder style guitar gymnastics. Over the years Shawn and his band THE LOUD have shared the stage with THE GUESS WHO? (ATLANTIC)(Swear to God) PILLAR (FLICKER) DRY KILL LOGIC (REPOSESSION) THE CHARIOT (TOOTH AND NAIL) GREENWHEEL (ISLAND/DEF JAM) AND MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISSASTER (MONO VS STEREO) just to name a few. Mr. Perry is also an artist endorser for SIT Strings, Sperzel Tuning Keys, KAHLER Tremolo Systems, and MADISON Amplifiers to name a few. In addition to rocking most triumphantly, Shawn also plans to continue acting in independent films and one day hopes to either be involved with the Star Wars franchise or become a Muppet.
JOE STEFANO Drums
Inspired by the Grunge Movement, Joe started playing drums at the age of eight. Zeppelin, Phish and Zappa were his influences through his high school years which culminated on a high note when he won the Louie Armstrong jazz award (Yes, JAZZ award). Joe has played in bands that span many genres of music including classic rock, punk, alternative, jam, progressive rock, jazz-rock fusion and reggae. He currently plays with a local funk rock band called Drop Notion.
CLAUDIA DOMAN Vocal Instructor
Claudia has been rocking and jamming on her Gretch since the mid-nineties. Look for Claudia to represent with her exceptional stage moves, and bellowing, sexy voice. She plays in a hard working band averaging 3-4 performances a week. You can also check her out on occasion playing the role of Christine McVie in the Fleetwood Mac Tribute band RUMOURS. She’s a team player with a unique energetic approach to lead singing, harmonizing and guitar playing. Check her out on: www.newdecade.com or www.rumours.us
RUSSELL RICHARDS Keyboard Instructor
Russ has worked as a professional musician for over 22 years. Most recently he has worked with Cruisin, a five-piece, Motown band.
He has toured from Thunder Bay, Ontario to Sloppy Joes in Key West Florida with a variety of rock, soul, blues and reggae bands and has recorded with a number of local artists including Colin Dussault.
MARYSA BROGAN TIGUE Vocal Instructor
Marysa has been a musician since the friendly age of 8. She joined the Singing Angels, and sang all over the United States, Canada, and Europe. She had the privilege of singing at The White House, and shared the stage with Audrey Hepburn. Marysa went on to Heidelberg College, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and English. Since then, she has been a soul-searching, freelance musician. She has recorded backing vocals for various local artists, and has performed with a number of bands including Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd Tribute), Diamond Dogs (David Bowie Tribute), and Essence Band (R&B). Marysa has been giggin’ locally with her band, The Mighty Tigues, an acoustic rock trio consisting of 2 guitars, percussion, and three-part harmonies, since 2007. She has also sat in with the likes of Eroc Sosinski, Walkin' Cane, and Colin Dussault. A lover of learning, Marysa took a sabbatical from the real world to earn her Master’s degree in Education. She is now a primary/elementary school teacher by day and a dream weaver by night. Marysa looks forward to a lifetime of teaching, making music, and lovin’ her family and friends.
KRIS MONROE Drum Instructor
At the age of three, Kris Monroe's drum career started off with him breaking his mom's soup spoons while banging on pots. After realizing that he was playing actual beats with the spoons, his parents bought him his first drumkit. Inspired by Tommy Lee and John Bonham, Kris spent hours jamming out. At the age of 11, he discovered punk rock and it was all downhill from there! From age 19 to 26 Kris spent his life touring the country with The SignOffs then with Dozen Dead Roses.
Kris's drum heroes range from Billy Cobham to Dave Grohl. "My main focus is to keep good time and to have the drums sound downright brutal!"
Kris wants all the students of SoR to experience the same joy and passion for rock n roll that he felt. Kris currently plays in The Bom Selleck fronted by his older brother, Patrick.
CHRIS HATTON Instructor
Chris is a multi-instrumentalist hailing from sunny Cleveland, OH. He came to the school of rock after musical director, Tommy Rich, saw him performing with his band The League of Proper Musicians. Hatton has been playing Bass, Guitar, and Drums for nearly 20 years during which time he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Akron. While he has sat in with musicians, played in a few cover bands, and worked as a hired gun, Hatton’s specialty is creating original music. Since 2001 he has produced at least one full length album a year, either solo or with various ensembles. His goal is to use music theory; combined with intuition, to help students understand the music they are playing and, in turn, learn to make their own.
Jared Gold
Jared Gold first picked up the bass guitar at the tender age of 14 and it has been his life's focus ever since. He was dubbed "Slappy" by the employees of the local Guitar Center where he spent his formative years thumping away for hours on end (much to the chagrin of said employees). It was there that he met the yin to his musical yang -- fellow teacher, Joe Stefano. Jared and Joe form a rhythm section so tight that it is as if they are one collective instrument. Jared has been playing in and out of local bands for almost a decade and has had the honor of sharing the stage with one of his biggest influences, funk/punk/ska legends, Fishbone. Other influences include Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Blur, and Funkadelic. He is currently in Cleveland rock band, The Stereo Riot, with Joe Stefano, Nick Ammons, and Jared Koepp.