Chris Soucy General Manager/Instructor of Things with Strings
Chris Soucy has been composing, performing, producing and recording professionally since 1982. He attended the Berklee College of music in 1988 and began a career as a band leader, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, educator. He has a BA from Rutgers University in NJ and a Masters in Education from Smith College in MA.
Chris has been a touring and recording member of The Sally Taylor Band (the daughter of James Taylor and Carly Simon), has toured with several Broadway shows as a member of the orchestra, including ABBA's "Mamma Mia!" and Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Starlight Express," and most recently has toured and recorded with Universal Records/Everfine Records artists Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers.
In his 10+ years on the road Chris is proud to say he has played most of the best clubs, theaters and arenas in the US. He is equally proud to have played most of the worst dives, saloons and holes-in-the wall in North America as well!
An in-demand sideman, Chris gets called for projects of all types in Colorado. He has performed with the oldies group the Shangri-La's (best remembered for their 60s hit "Leader of the Pack"); accumulated countless TV and movie credits, including songs in movies such as the Jim Carrey film "Me, Myself and Irene" and performances on Oprah's "Oxygen Network."
Throughout his career, Chris has shared the stage with, opened for or toured with: Carly Simon, Los Lobos, Jefferson Starship, Elvin Bishop, Art Garfunkel, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Kenny Rogers, Vonda Shepard, Maria Muldaur, Junior Brown, The Flaming Lips, Marshall Crenshaw, The Continental Drifters, O.A.R., Carbon Leaf, Lifehouse, The Pat McGee Band, Livingston Taylor, Dan Hicks, and many others.
Dave Foret Bass Instructor/Director of Positive Vibes
From deep in the swamps of Louisiana comes David Foret. Given his first guitar at age nine by his parents, Dave began learning his chords a few at a time from his grandfather during grand-daddy's weekly visits to the family shack. He soon began to jam with friends playing Rock & Roll, Country, Cajun and Zydeco. Awash in a sea of talented guitarists in the music-rich environs of deep south, Dave heard his calling to play bass when one of his band members cried out, 'Hey Dave, you suck on the guitar. You should play bass!' Realizing that there were fewer bassists around and that the instrument could actually lead to a lot of work, he became a student of the Low End and has made it his passion ever since.
Dave has toured all over North America, Europe and Asia laying down the fat grooves for such artists as blues guitarist Tab Benoit; 60's icon Mitch Ryder; guitar pioneer James Burton; Colorado Zydeco practitioners The Zukes Of Zydeco; and Cajun fiddle legend Doug 'the Raging Cajun' Kershaw. Dave produced two cd's for Kershaw on London’s Cooking Vinyl Records.
Dave keeps busy in the local Colorado band Tempa and the Tantrums and co-produced their latest record. Dave sez: 'Cherish your friends and live every moment like it is your Last!'
Greg Burgess Guitar Instructor/Master of the Heavy Arts
Yikes....what this fella does to a guitar is just plain unnatural and wrong.
Classically trained. Suzuki certified. Shred metal approved. And gentle as a lamb.
Go figure....
Jessica Soucy Office Mangler
Greeting all School of Rock visitors with her beautiful smile, Jess keeps all of us musicians in line and she keeps the office running smoothly. Though not a musician herself, she does have an inexplicably vast and almost encyclopedic knowledge of 80's alternative music.
Woody Potter Drum Instructor
Woody Potter has a passion for rhythm. "It is the heart beat of the world and all its people." It drives his creativity and fuels his love of music. He is intuitive, primal, thoughtful and understanding in his playing. He strives to build a sense of personality while playing, giving his beats an identity within the song, musicians and moment. "Music should be a reflection of the people playing it, as a drummer I am always trying to rehumanize the modern sound." Experience with styles ranging from classical, jazz, latin, world, country, fusion, rock, metal, punk, hardcore, ska, dance, and alternative have given him a love for finding and creating music that is just a little beyond main-stream. "..but I love Pop Music too!" He finds fullfillment in music that is rich in dynamic and subtlety. "Just really simple stuff most of the time." He has an emphasis on groove and feel, and is determined to help kids feel comfortable and confident.