Jenny Case Music Director, Master Instructor: Bass, Guitar, Keys, Vocals
Jenny is a do-it-all experienced rocker. A graduate of Music Tech College (now McNally Smith Music College), she is a singer/songwriter who rocks on the bass, guitar, keys and with her voice. Jenny's been playing professionally since 1991 in many rock/alternative/experimental bands and has toured the U.S. with various groups. Currently, she plays with the bands Run At The Dog, The Snaps and Terry Eason. She's been teaching private guitar, bass, and keyboard lessons for the past 15 years, as well as helping songwriters/bands write and record their own music.
A professionally trained vocalist, you can hear her voice on radio and TV commercials for Wisconsin Dells and Treasure Island Casino. She is a board member of the non-profit organization, Women In Music MN (WIMMN), through which she founded the Twin Cities first Girls Rock Camp and co-hosts a monthly all-women's jam. As a staff songwriter for the Songs of Love Foundation, she has written and recorded over 200 songs for critically ill children, and she is an active member of the ICS songwriting club, Bulletlodge.
Her influences include Queen, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Jellyfish, Beatles, The Ramones, and Trey Parker.
Jenny has been teaching at Paul Green School of Rock Music, St. Paul, since it opened and was promoted to Music Director in March 2007.
Krister Pihl Master Instructor: Guitar/Bass & Assistant Music Director
Born and raised in Sweden, Krister came to the U.S. in 1994 (more specifically the Twin Cities) to attend Music Tech (now McNally Smith College of Music). Having fallen in love with the music scene here, Krister made the Twin Cities his new home.
As much as he loved the Cities, his love for any one band was fickle and he often played in multiple bands at once, just as he continues to do today.
Krister can be seen on lead guitar and vocals with Palace and Bakkus. His previous bands included Trick Daisy, Bull, Jasmine Cain, Cain's Alibi, Empty Heads, Mirrored Image, Jam Scam and our very own Jenny Case's band called Jenny Case Band.
Though Krister and Jen no longer perform together they have reunited as teachers/music directors here at the School of Rock. Not only does Krister bring amazing guitar teaching experience his skills include theory and composition, sight singing and reading, finger board theory, rhythmic dictation, ear training, composition and digital recording, pre- and post-recording production.
Krister co-wrote, performed and produced an album entitled "Sanctified" with Cain's Alibi and is currently working on his first solo album.
Nick Zielinski Master Instructor: Drum
Nick is masterful on the drums having earned his Masters of Music Degree from the University of Michigan and currently plays with six bands. He's schooled in many genres of music from rock to jazz to orchestral and he has significant teaching experience from private lessons to university classes.
In addition to teaching at School of Rock, Nick is a substitute teacher at McNally Smith College of Music. He has also taught percussion at University of Minnesota-Duluth, was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for music classes at the Residential College of the University of Michigan and was a Clinician in Drum Set for the University of Michigan Jazz Percussion Studio Class.
At the High School level, Nick has served as a Clinician in Percussion at the University of Minnesota-Duluth High School Honor Band Festival, for the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensembles in the Schools Program, for the Superior Senior High School Summer Program, the Duluth East Senior High School Summer Program and the Esko Senior High School Summer Program.
Nick has also taught percussion at the John Duss Conservatory, was the Percussion Ensemble Director for the North Shore Summer Music Experience and served as a Clinician in Improvisation for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
Nick is as much a student of music as he is a teacher. Along with his Masters degree, he holds a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance with a Minor in Jazz Studies from University of Minnesota-Duluth and has studied privately under world class musicians such as Dr. Michael Gould, Susie Ibarra, John Santos, Steve Houghton, Jim Black, Dave King, Dr. Michael Udow, Dr. David Schmalenberger, Steve Kimball, George Eldridge and Scott Newcomb.
Nick says he continues to pursue music and drumming "as a means to improve myself and to constantly exercise my creativity." His creativity is getting exercised with his participation in SIX bands including ARP of the Covenant, Brenda and the Holsum Family Fiscal Planner, Kilometers Davis, Rontana, Stefan Kac Quartet and Rebel Yellow. He has also played with About Ouch, Marginalized and Whoopsy, The Number F, 33 Husky, YLM and Skul Rayd.
In addition, Nick has shared the stage with a diverse group of national and international acts such as: Happy Apple, Oliver Lake, Les Georges Leningrad, The Benevento/Russo Duo, Geri Allen, John Hollenbeck, Theo Bleckman, and Doc Severinsen.
Pamela McNeill Vocal Instructor
Versatility has been the key to Pamela McNeill's success. Whether it's singing for 50 people in a small acoustic room in Excelsior, MN, to belting it out for 50,000 screaming fans at The Tokyo Dome in Japan, she knows what the gig calls for and how to get it done.
Singing for as long as she can remember, she began playing piano by ear when she was 7 and started formal lessons on her Grandma’s Hammond Organ at age 8.
She joined her first rock'n'roll band at 15 as a lead singer and "played every dive between Winona, (MN) and Canada that existed – and LOVED it!"
Moving to London shortly after high school, she quickly immersed herself in its rich music scene. Soon she was performing at the Royal Albert Hall, singing at "The Royal Variety Show" for the Queen and appearing on BBC’s "Top of the Pops" and in music videos as a backing singer for British Pop Star Rick Astley.
After honing her songwriting skills in England, she moved back to America when major publishing labels came calling. Eventually signing with Windswept Pacific in Los Angeles, her career as a singer/songwriter began to blossom.
Besides songwriting for her own solo career, she has had songs recorded by various artists including Wynonna (Judd) and Instrumental icon Yanni whose album "Tribute" earned her a platinum album award. Another song, "Troubled Waters" was featured on CBS’ "The Young and the Restless." In 2004 she was nominated for "Female Singer/Songwriter of the Year" on JustPlainFolks.com. This popular international contest had over 100,000 entries.
As a session singer, her voice has been featured on many well–known commercials and ads throughout the US. Her song "The Gift" became the national theme song for the United Way and its NFL partnership in 1999-2000.
She has released 3 CD’s: 1999’s "2 Sides To Every Sky," 2002’s "American Breakup" and in 2007 she released the critically acclaimed "Nightingale." Her five-piece band tours regularly in support of Pamela's music and has developed a fervent following in the Midwest. She's shared the stage with blues legend Etta James, Little River Band, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Bachman Turner Overdrive, and Boston.
She owns her own record label, "SweetHeart Records" and a state-of-the-art Recording Studio called "The Chalet" along with her musician / producer husband Dugan McNeill.
Currently, Pamela is working on 2 new solo albums and hopes to release the first one within the year.
Her "successful music career" is also acknowledged in the book "Music Legends - A Rewind on the Minnesota Music Scene," written by Martin Keller and released in 2007.
Along with her career as an artist, Pamela has a great passion for teaching. She is one of the founding faculty members of IPR (the Institute of Production and Recording) in Minneapolis and played a key role in helping to develop their curriculum. She has been an instructor for over 6 years at IPR teaching Vocal Production, Songwriting and Digital Recording (she is Pro Tools Certified). She is also an instructor at Globe University in Woodbury, MN where she teaches Artist Management and Live Performance.
Helping her students to realize their full potential in the many aspects of the music business is, according to Pamela, "the perfect way to give back for all of the amazing opportunities I’ve been given!"
Trent Shaw Guitar, Vocal and Keys Instructor
Trent born into and raised from a musical family and continues the tradition as musician, performer, and educator. A graduate of Augsburg College Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a Bachelors in Music Education, he has formal and self-taught education in voice, piano, and guitar. Trent has been playing professionally since 1989, and has played with his current rock band, "Shaw Brothers" since 1993, around Minnesota. He has library of original music and currently works as a booking agent for various clubs and bands. He has taught guitar, bass, drums, and piano lessons at the Chaska School of Music for 10 years.
Trent is gifted with listening abilities, performance, and how to inspire students to make the most of his or her talents in rock music. Trent has directed the Chaska Community Children's Choir, Hidden Oaks Middle School Choir, and has performed in several plays at Normandale College. He also works in sound reinforcement; recording technology, and composition. Trent’s musical influences are endless, but love’s rock and ability to make rock meaningful and successful.
JR Hartley Guitar and Bass Instructor
J.R. Hartley has enjoyed over 2 decades as a both a live performer and studio musician, touring the Mid-West, and playing in almost every venue in the Twin Cities area. He has enjoyed playing with legendary musicians from the likes of Prince, Peter Frampton, and Robin Trower. He co-produced Adam Levy's studio project, which became the Honeydogs.
Currently J.R. plays with BUZZ, Best Kept Secret and is forming a Bob Marley Tribute Band.
He has held seminars, appeared as a guest speaker and taught classes at many of Minnesota's fine musical institutions including McNally Smith (formerly Music Tech). Adding to the invaluable hands-on experience, J.R. studied at the Universities of Minnesota and Montana.
As a music instructor, he brings a positive approach to bass & guitar technique, combining ear training and theory into a learning process that's flexible and fun while preparing his students to take the stage with the Paul Green School of Rock Music.
Brian Metreyeon Guitar Instructor
California born Brian Metreyeon started playing guitar when he was 20 years old; much later than most rock musicians. But his musical appetite quickly became voracious, leading him to first graduate from Guitar Institute of Technology and then complete a B.A. in music from Cal State –Chico where he studied classical guitar.
Following graduation Brian taught guitar at various studios in Northern California. Somehow he was convinced to leave the epicenter of rock to come to Minneapolis in 2003 where he continued to teach private lessons while performing in a variety of styles including solo classical guitar, rock, funk, r&b, and bluegrass.
In addition to teaching at School of Rock Music, Brian is currently on staff at McNally Smith College of Music and performs with the variety band Shelby’s Voyage.
Who does Brian count among his favorite musicians? Given his broad playing interests, it’s no surprise his favorites also span the genres. Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Allan Holdsworth, Dream Theater/John Petrucci, Scott Henderson, Tribal Tech, Brett Garsed, Shawn Lane, Van Halen, Danny Elfman, Pink Floyd, The Police, anything funky, 80's music from Dokken to Duran Duran.
Julian Zampieri Guitar Instructor
Julian M. Zampieri was born and raised in Brazil where he began an intensive study of classical guitar at the age of 10 with Edmar Alvarenga Miranda, music professor at F.A.M.E.S. (College of Music of Espirito Santo, Brazil) and also one of the greatest classical guitar players of the south east coast of the country. Soon after he started to take off as a classical guitar player he developed an interest for other music genres in which he became proficient at: such as Bossa Nova, Pop, and Jazz, but mainly Rock And Heavy Metal, thus adopting the Neo Classical guitar Playing style. At the age of 15 he moved to the U.S., particularly to the state of New Jersey where he attended both, the Piano and Classical Guitar Ensembles of Elizabeth City and played with various local Rock and Heavy Metal bands mainly as a lead guitar player. He also gave guitar lessons to young kids from the city he resided in. Julian moved to the state of Minnesota to attend McNally Smith College of Music, in Saint Paul. He has toured through the Midwest with his band called Eyes Of The Blind (formerly known as Locally Owned), in which he also acts as a producer. He now continues to give guitar lessons and perform around the twin cities area.
Alexander Young Drum Instructor - Sub
At just 23 years of age, drummer/percussionist, Alexander Young has been actively studying and performing music for over 14 years. In addition to studying at both the University of Minnesota – Duluth and McNally Smith College of Music, his roster of instructors includes such local drumming notables as Steve Goold, J.T. Bates, and Marv Dahlgren. Other teachers include Nick Zielinski, David Schmalenberger, Matt Novachis, Eric Strom, Dave Stanoch, Dave Hanzel and Paul Steuber. Over the last several years he has taught percussion both privately and at various Schmitt Music locations. He also spent time teaching percussion at Hopkins West Jr. High. His wide array of performing experiences range from professional orchestras to Tony award winning pit orchestras, featured marimba soloist to full percussion ensemble, large improv-based avant-garde ensemble to a Downbeat Award winning vocal jazz ensemble. Currently, he can be found performing nationwide as a freelance drummer and with one of Minneapolis's hottest rock bands, This World Fair.
Kristen Beckman Regional Manager
Kristen is both a business person and a musician. She is a graduate of St. Cloud Business College with a degree in business. Prior to joining School of Rock, she was the Marketing Manager for a national manufacturer where she managed retail accounts such as Wal-Mart and Target.
She also has a background working with kids through Partners in Prevention, a Teen Mentoring program for rural Minnesota Jr. High and High School Kids.
On the music side, Kristen was a vocalist in the local band "SHIFT". Her husband, Dave, currently plays bass in the band "Maitiera". Both Kristen and Dave belong to the local musician's co-op, Area-52.
In addition to music and kids, Kristen has a love for ferrets. She is an activist in education and protection of ferrets through her work as Administrator for EverythingFerret Forums and by volunteering time at a no-kill, non-profit ferret shelter called "In the Company of Ferrets" and she provides a loving home to two pet ferrets, Meko and Koa, and her cat, Mouser.