BEN BARNETT Music Director, Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Vocal Instruction
Ben Barnett has twenty three years experience as a guitar/bass player. Raised on Heavy music through the 80's and 90's he developed as a young man, the inability to say no to a gig. From punk to metal to folk music to hip hop and back again Ben has kept busy with whatever he could do to keep a guitar in his hands.
As the founding member of the Portland based "Kind of like Spitting" (Barsuk, Hush records) which in it's eleven year existence produced ten full length albums and countless compilations and split releases, Ben was a tour machine. His love affair with smelly vans and gas station coffee has taken him around the country over fifty times and earned him an international reputation as a hard working independent musician with a history of not just listening to, but playing a diverse range of compositions.
Ben has also played in a number of other projects. The Thermals (Sub Pop), The John Vanderslice Band (Barsuk), Corrina Repp (Hush), The Unsounds (Audio Dregs), Novi Split (Hush), City on film (Polyvinyl), and has worked on a number of musical projects with Death Cab For Cuties's Ben Gibbard.
Ben's musical life has come full circle as of late. Once a champion of angst in pop music, his addition to the Rock School has inspired him to return to his roots, play heavy riffs again and purchase a Jackson "Warrior" model guitar. As a teacher he focuses on the fundamentals of imagination and it's role in one's ability to handle their instrument.
Kris Kierulff (aka Kris K) General Manager
Known to all as Kris K, Kris began his career in the music industry in college as the concert coordinator for the Associated Students Productions at Western Washington University. Meanwhile he pursued a degree at Fairhaven College in Communinty Development: Youth Empowerment through Artistic Expression. Since graduating Kris has covered many facets of the music industry. Working as a booking agent for Aero Booking, Kris represented bands such as The Decemberists, The Thermals, Aqueduct, Rocky Votolato, Kind of Like Spitting, The Velvet Teen and is still the responsible agent for U.S.E. Kris has also seen his share of the road touring with Death Cab for Cutie, The Eels which included Europe and tour managing for Architecture in Helsinki. Kris has also worked at The Showbox and as a production manager and talent buyer for Chop Suey as well as helping production for the Bumbershoot Arts festival. Recently Kris has dabbled a little in playing live as a ukulele player for Thieves of Kailua, yeah you read that right, Kris plays the ukulele! He also spins records at various parties and clubs around Seattle.
Sam Damage Guitar / Bass
Sam Damage is a guitarist/musician. His philosophy stresses "feel" and "soul" playing. Some describe him as a "guitarist's guitar player..." that is, his comfort zone lies in the manipulation of sound rather than the struggle to operate his instrument. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He currently plays/participates in numerous projects around the Seattle area. He is also active in the session playing community.
The entire sonic spectrum is at our disposal, and if we can channel the higher power, and become a medium for music, playing becomes like taking dictation. Trust the universe...and also do your homework! - Sam
Michael Knight Drums
Michael Knight's love of music stems from the diverse musical
background of his family, who have instilled in him a rich
appreciation from day one. Raised in a musical environment (his mother
and grandmother played music professionally) he seemed to excel
naturally at any instrument he picked up. After brief yet promising
explorations with trumpet, guitar, and piano, he eventually discovered
his one true love...DRUMS!!
Michael has been studying, playing, and performing drums and
percussion non-stop since the age of 11. Making a conscious effort to
acknowledge the entire scope of the art form, the range of his
experience includes traditional concert and marching band percussion
to Latin and West African hand drumming technique as well as many
different styles and genres of music played on the drum kit.
Over the years he has played and performed in many different bands and
musical groups. Currently his main project is local favorite "Handful
of Luvin", who have consistently packed-in crowds, headlining premier
Northwest venues such as; The Showbox, The Tractor, Numoes, The
Crocodile, The Triple Door and many more. In recent years H.O.L. has
emerged as a highly anticipated national touring act, performing in
many states across the country. The band has shared the stage with
many well known acts including; Brett Dennin, Carbonleaf, The
Clumsy Lovers, Vicci Martinez Band, The Samples, Korby Lenkar, Left
Hand Smoke, and Flowmotion to name a few.
It is Michael's goal to pass on this love of music to up-and-coming
musicians, future generations, and the world!
Sean McCotter Bass, Guitar
Well versed in the jazz and classical realms, Sean has studied both trumpet and piano at a college level, and is very well versed in the harmonic theory behind both traditions. Additionally, he has been playing both bass and guitar for about 10 years. Sean is a member of local Seattle band, The Globes, with whom he has been performing professionally for 4 years. Under the moniker For Years Blue, Sean's group won the EMP’s Sound Off Competition in 2007, the most competitive and largest underage band competition in the Pacific Northwest. Sean has continued to play with the group, performing at festivals, like Bumbershoot in 2007, and at venues such as the Showbox, High Dive, Doug Fir Lounge, and Neumo’s.
As a musician who can hold his own in nearly any genre of music, from bebop to funk to modern rock and even metal, Sean is a valued member of the team. Focusing his lessons on bass technique, theory, and versatility as a musician in general, Sean strives to help his students develop into monster players who understand what they’re playing and why it works, so that they can foster their creativity in their own playing and find their own unique voice.
Phil Gustavson Guitar
The son of a jazz saxophonist, Phil grew up surrounded by working musicians. He spent his nights falling asleep to rehearsals and many others out with his father’s bands at the local jazz and blues venues, getting up to play piano with the group on some tunes. A classically trained pianist, Phil got his first guitar at age 12 and learned to play at the hip of the musicians around him. By age 15 he was playing his first show with a three piece punk band and became immersed into the local music community.
He moved on to become a DIY concert promoter and sound engineer in Eastern Washington, playing in many rock bands along the way. Phil has since traveled and lived in Egypt while receiving his undergraduate and graduate degrees. In his time in the Middle East he has met, learned from and performed with many Arab and Bedouin musicians, giving him an intercultural understanding of melody and rhythm.
Phil now plays in Seattle based gypsy jazz quintet Hochiwichi and drops in on guitar at local clubs and recording sessions.
Aaron Samuels Keyboard / Vocal Instruction
Aaron Cadam Samuels, a.k.a. "Maestro" survived 30+ Chicago winters before heading the call of the wild Pacific North West. He is a classically and rag time trained pianist but much prefers guitar playing and singing nowadays. Teaching and inspiring are as much of a passion for Aaron as writing and performing music, and so The School of Rock is a natural progression on his journey towards music bliss. Aaron performs regularly at local venues around Seattle.