Steve McKay
Owner
Steve McKay is our Owner and Rhythm Coordinator at School of Rock Alexandria. After 28 years as an IT Project Manager and Systems Engineer in the fast-paced Washington DC area, Steve decided to mix his skills learned running major IT projects with his love of live music to open School of Rock Alexandria in Alexandria, VA.
Along with his extensive management skills, Steve has been playing drums and managing events for 30+ years. This lengthy span of performing in bands has given Steve immeasurable experience with band management, event management, promoting and marketing skills.
One of Steve’s proudest moments in drumming actually occurred in a high school jazz band. What should have been a brief drum solo during his high school holiday concert turned into a several-minute drum solo, which caused the auditorium full of students to erupt in chaos and school faculty to rush the stage. Apparently, Steve was the most popular guy in school after his extended drum solo. Steve has since become an advocate for the arts, music education, small business/franchising, and has even spoken on Capitol Hill on the importance of music education in our communities.
Andrew Kroepel
General Manager
Andrew is a Michigan transplant with a BMus in Education and an MA in Music with an emphasis in composition. Since 2008, he has been dedicated to music education, sharing his passion for performance and creativity with students of all ages. Outside of teaching at School of Rock Alexandria, Andrew composes video game music, blending his love of interactive storytelling with his background in classical and contemporary styles.
A tuba player by training, he also hopes to one day pick up the bass guitar. His musical tastes span genres from Beethoven to The Black Keys, reflecting his belief that great music comes in many forms.
Daniel Batres
Music Director, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Daniel’s love for music began when he was just a child. He started playing piano when he was nine years old. When he finished high school, he began his music studies at CENAR, National Arts Center, there he discovered Beethoven, Chopin, Strauss, and his favorite Johann Sebastian Bach.
After completing his studies at National Arts Center, he continued at ESARTE now with a focus on contemporary music such as rock and pop. It was in ESARTE where his love for teaching music was born. In ESARTE Daniel learned the art of band ensemble, choral conducting, and he developed as a music teacher.
With extensive experience teaching young children and adults, Daniel has a passion for education. At School of Rock, he is motivated and enthusiastic, with a strong desire to provide excellent instruction. In his free time, he really loves outdoor activities, like walking and running. He also loves sports like football and soccer, and his free time he favorites thing to do is spending time with his family watching cartoons and anime.
Lillian Ding
Studio Coordinator
As Studio Coordinator at School of Rock Alexandria, Lillian ensures the smooth day-to-day operations of the school, including class scheduling and event logistics, as well as front desk support to students and parents. Lillian earned her Master degree in Fine Arts specializing in ceramic sculpting.
At home, she enjoys singing and bird watching. At work, she is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all music lovers ready to ROCK!
Jorge Flores
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Jorge was born in Lima Peru, started as a drummer first in his high school years, then his grandfather gave him his first guitar and lessons, that’s when he discovered that guitar had to be his main instrument from that moment on.
After many years of studying and playing different genres of music (from rock to metal, funk, prog rock and all in between) he decided to share his knowledge and started working for School of Rock Alexandria. It's been over five amazing years so far. His main influences and inspiration are Dream Theater, Steve Vai, Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Santana & Billy Sheehan.
Shahin Sharifi
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Most of Shahin Sharifi's experience has come from live performance. Both on stage as an artist and behind the scenes as a technician, Shahin has consistently played in working acts for over 30 years with very diverse musical styles and interests. He is a guitar and bass guitar teacher at School of Rock Alexandria.
Jamie Moore
Vocal Teacher
Jamie is a vocalist with experience in songwriting, vocal production, audio engineering, and artist development. The start of her music journey was singing with family and playing woodwind instruments in school. She later worked as a background vocalist and performer, bringing passion to a variety of genres, while also teaching music to students as young as two years old. One of her favorite parts of teaching at School of Rock Alexandria is teaching the basics in a creative way that will leave an imprint on her students, all while making everyone smile and laugh.
Malerie Gamblin
Vocal Teacher
Malerie is a dynamic vocal teacher who brings a unique blend of real-world rock experience and professional teaching expertise to the School of Rock Alexandria. As the lead vocalist and co-founder of a nationally touring pop punk/alternative band, Malerie knows firsthand what it takes to own the stage. With experience performing at genre-focused events and beloved venues like Baltimore Soundstage and Jammin Java, she specializes in pop punk and easycore vocals, from powerhouse belts to emotional clean harmonies.
Whether you're just finding your voice or ready to level up your vocals, Malerie combines genre-savvy performance coaching with healthy vocal techniques that ensure your sound is strong, sustainable, and stage-ready. She’s excited to work with passionate students who want to grow not only as vocalists, but as confident performers.
Randy Greer
Drum Teacher
Meet Randy, a high energy teacher that uses positive vibes to make learning fun and memorable. Randy's last 30 years have included several concert tours, playing all over the US and United Kingdom. He plays drums for the album "Twist of Fate" by Joss (Independent) and was an early pioneer of the "Open Handed" drumming style. Influences include: Kenny Aronoff, Billy Cobham and Neil Peart. You can find Randy enjoying Earth Wind and Fire, Incognito and Rage Against the Machine.
A Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Randy's love and loyalty to his country is only equaled by his loyalty and dedication to his students and School of Rock Alexandria family. If you see Randy, give him a motivating fist bump!
Cristiano Rice
Drum Teacher
Cristiano began his musical journey as one of the very first drum students at School of Rock Alexandria when the school opened its doors in 2019. As a dedicated student, he grew not only in skill but also a passion for music, becoming an integral part of the School of Rock community. Outside of music, Cristiano is a soccer referee and is pursuing his college degree in kinesiology.
Today, Cristiano is a proud School of Rock alumnus who continues to pursue his love for performing. Along with fellow alumnus Chris, he is a member of the band Spunt!, where he brings his energy and talent from the rehearsal room to the stage. His story reflects the School of Rock mission, turning students into confident, lifelong musicians.
Jim West
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jim has been teaching drums for over 20 years and studied with the legendary drummer Alan Dawson. With more than two decades of professional performing experience, he brings energy, expertise, and a love for music to every student he teaches. In addition to drums, he also teaches keyboard + piano at School of Rock Alexandria, providing a well-rounded musical foundation for students of all ages and skill levels.
Joe Jordan
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Joe has been teaching at School of Rock Alexandria since 2022, specializing in drums, guitar, and bass. Outside the classroom, he is the vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter for the progressive alternative rock band JJX, based in Philadelphia, PA. His career has taken him on tour across the U.S. with Oxymorrons and onto the stage with the legendary punk band Pure Hell. Joe is passionate about sharing his love of music with students, making every lesson fun, inspiring, and full of energy. His enthusiasm, humor, and big smile always create a positive and engaging learning environment.
Eric Forthman
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Eric Forthman, a musician and teacher, began playing guitar at age 13. His early influences were diverse, including classic rock, folk, and bluegrass. He has played in a wide variety of bands, mostly lead guitar with an affinity for intuitive and improvised playing. He has also studied guitar, piano, music theory, and jazz composition at the college level. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Eric currently provides instruction in guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard + piano at School of Rock Alexandria.
Charlie Verderame
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Charlie is a guitar and bass guitar teacher and has been at School of Rock Alexandria for six years. Charlie has been playing music his whole life. Charlie took piano lessons for ten years as a kid, played alto saxophone in his junior high and high school band, and has been playing guitar in various groups around the country for fifteen years. Charlie enjoys playing metal, rock, blues, jazz, country, classical, electronic, hip hop, and many other types of music.
Chris Tuttle
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Chris started as a guitar student in 2022 and has since grown into a teaching musician while pursuing a college degree in Music Education. A proud School of Rock alumnus and great addition to the School of Rock Alexandria team, Chris brings both passion and dedication to our community, inspiring the next generation of musicians. Alongside fellow alumnus Cristiano, he is a member of the band Spunt!, where he showcases his artistry and dedication to his craft. His journey is a shining example of how passion, education, and community can come together to shape not just skilled performers, but inspiring role models for future generations.
Jack Darnell
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jack Darnell is a privately trained saxophonist with over fifteen years of playing experience. He is also a privately trained pianist, and a self-taught guitarist and singer of over ten years. He studied classical and jazz saxophone and music theory under Jared Metzger, a graduate of the Jacob’s School of Music at Indiana University. Jack is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he was a four year member of the Band Of The Fighting Irish, playing in the university’s marching, concert, jazz, and varsity hockey bands.
After graduating, Jack moved to Washington, DC in 2022 and started the independent rock band Fake Radio, in which he sings and plays guitar, piano, and saxophone. As an advanced player, he has helped teach and lead his peers throughout his time in each band. Jack’s teaching philosophy is informed by his broad musical background. He has played a wide spectrum of music throughout his journey, including classical, jazz, rock, soul, folk, and pop. His exploration of these diverse musical traditions has led him to pick up multiple instruments, including saxophone, guitar, piano, and singing.
Jack strives to create an empowering and creative learning space at School of Rock Alexandria, guiding students to develop and follow their own musical instincts, while equipping them with the essential theory and techniques they need to flourish. He believes the heart of any good musical education is musical appreciation and aims to inspire a lifelong love of music in each of his students.
Galen Henderson
Vocal Teacher
Galen Henderson is a dynamic singer-songwriter who has been performing since a young age, nurtured by a deeply musical upbringing. With a father who was a successful songwriter and musician, Galen developed a strong foundation in music early on, shaping a distinctive artistic voice rooted in storytelling and emotional authenticity.
Galen has been featured as a spotlight artist with the Songwriter's Association of Washington, showcasing original work that blends heartfelt lyrics with her memorable melodies. A dedicated admirer of Taylor Swift, Galen draws inspiration from her narrative-driven songwriting, bringing that same sincerity and connection to every performance.
Galen specializes in working with younger children, having had an extensive background in childcare and teaching, and loves nothing more than helping students unlock their own voice at School of Rock Alexandria.
Mika Green
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Mika Green is a guitarist and vocalist known for blending metalcore intensity, pop-punk energy, and electronic textures into a sound that’s both powerful and dynamic. She performs with Kick Rocks, an electronic rock band pushing genre boundaries with their high-energy performances and bold sonic style.
Originally from Marlton, NJ which is just outside Philadelphia. Mika grew up immersed in music, taking lessons from a young age and developing a deep connection to guitar-driven sound. Before stepping fully into performing and teaching, she worked at WSOU, a renowned metal radio station, where she gained firsthand experience in the heart of the heavy music scene.
When the pandemic hit, Mika adapted by teaching guitar, helping students stay connected to music during uncertain times. Outside of music and teaching at School of Rock Alexandria, she’s a passionate visual artist who enjoys drawing, jewelry making, and is currently learning the art of tattooing.
Toti Garcia
Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Toti Garcia began playing bass and drums at a young age, developing a deep appreciation for rhythm and musical expression early on. In addition to his passion for music and production, Toti is an avid soccer player and coach, bringing the same sense of teamwork and discipline from the field into his musical work at School of Rock Alexandria.
Influenced by artists such as Deftones and inspired by genres like funk, indie, and house music, he values the way music connects people and helps them find comfort and confidence in their creativity. Based in the DMV area, Toti is familiar with the communities of Woodbridge, Springfield, and Washington, D.C., and is fluent in both English and Spanish.