Jeff Hayes
Owner, Manager
Meet Jeff, School of Rock Asheville Owner and Manager. (pronouns: he/him/his)
Inspired by a lifelong passion for music, Jeff has performed in many bands in many genres in his lifetime, including blues/rock, classic rock, pop, and alternative rock styles as a rhythm and lead guitarist. Always a promoter of music, Jeff owned Island Blues restaurant and music venue in St. John Virgin Islands from 2008 to 2012 and promoted both local and state-side bands for nightly entertainment. After moving from the island to Asheville in 2012, Jeff played in various local bands and performed in many of the local venues until Hurricane Helene shut things down in September 2024. It was around that time he discovered the School of Rock.
Amazed by the skill and confidence of such young performers he set out to learn more about the program, the community and the opportunity to open a school in Asheville. It all came together at Summerfest in 2025, when after seeing the amazing School of Rock AllStars performances, he signed the franchise agreement for the School of Rock Asheville.
“Since then, things have taken off in ways that I never could have imagined. From finding the perfect location, and the dream staff, to the amazing support from both the local and the School of Rock communities, I could not have wished for a better opportunity to spread the joy of music to others.“
Mike Healy
Music Director
Meet Mike, School of Rock Asheville Music Director. (pronouns: he/him/his)
Since 2010, Mike has called Asheville home, where he’s been raising his family in Asheville's beautiful mountain community. He’s also the drummer in the band Papadosio, a staple in the touring festival scene across the country for the past two decades. With years of experience as a drummer, business manager, and teacher, Mike is thrilled to join the School of Rock Asheville community and help the next generation of musicians flourish. After all, music is life!
Chloe Hayes
Studio Coordinator
Meet Chloe, School of Rock Asheville Studio Coordinator! (pronouns: she/her/hers)
As our administrative focal point, you will likely see her at the front desk most of the time, scheduling your rehearsals, events, and getting to know each and every one of you!
Chloe has been playing music since she was six years old and has been hooked ever since. Originally playing violin, she moved on to guitar, bass guitar, and even plays some banjo. Her real passion and love for music comes from singing. One of the things she loves most about music is the connection it brings between people you’ve never met before. Being able to connect through music, whether you’re participating or just listening, is so special, and Chloe can’t wait to foster community through the love of music in such a cool place like Asheville.
Fun Fact! Chloe shares a birthday with the talented David Bowie, and can’t go one birthday without listening to him!
Magda Criswell
Assistant General Manager
Meet Magda, School of Rock Asheville Assistant General Manager! (pronouns: she/her/hers)
As a teenager, Magda was a School of Rock student herself, and began working at the School of Rock in Charlotte shortly after graduating. She has worked for over five years as an assistant manager, studio coordinator, and teacher at School of Rock Asheville while being active in the larger Charlotte music community.
She worked particularly with her band, heckdang, as the vocalist, bassist, and lyricist; touring across half the country and getting signed to an independent label. After the pandemic, Magda decided to pursue higher education, and just graduated from UNC Asheville with honors and academic distinction in both English and Music degrees. While a primary vocalist, she also plays bass, keys, some guitar, and has recently been challenging herself with learning cello.
Magda loves all genres of music and is particularly interested in stage craft, the social impact of rock music, and sharing the magic of music and performance. She can’t wait to share her knowledge, experience, and passion for music with the Asheville community. Rock on!
Zachariah "Zak" Mahoney Hoffmann
Show Director, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Meet Zachariah "Zak" Mahoney Hoffmann, Show Director and teacher at School of Rock Asheville. (pronouns: he/him/his)
Zak is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and educator with nearly 30 years of musical experience. Throughout his live performance career, Zak has shared the stage with Jason Newsted, Flogging Molly, and regional favorites such as The String Assassins, Killbillies, Mobile Homies, Antony Payne, The Nouveaux Honkies, and The Micha Scott project.
Zak's teaching career began in 2011 at School of Rock North Palm Beach, where he honed his skills as a music teacher/band director and has been a dedicated music teacher ever since. He balances his time between performing in two active bands and helping the next generation of musicians grow both on and off the stage.
Music has been at the center of Zak's life since childhood. He spent countless hours practicing his instruments, writing songs and performing, which remains to this day his greatest passion.
Currently, as a music teacher and band director at The School of Rock Asheville, Zak is excited to help students discover their own musical talents, build confidence, and experience the excitement of performing live.
He believes every student has the potential to grow as both a musician and a person when they're encouraged, challenged, and having fun.
Luca Fiore
Vocal Teacher
Meet Luca Fiore, vocal teacher at School of Rock Asheville (pronouns: they/them/theirs)
Luca has been a lover of music from a young age, taking an interest early on in singing and composing. Over their years of practice and performance, they’ve developed a vast set of vocal skills within different styles. For the past few years, they’ve been learning to play guitar, and they love to jam out on just about any instrument, including bass guitar, clarinet, and trumpet. Their knowledge and abilities span a multitude of genres such as folk, rock, jazz, blues, and soul to name a few. Luca has always had a great passion for live music, and loves performing in bands and as a solo artist in their hometown of Philadelphia. Currently, they are majoring in music at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC.
As a former student of School of Rock, Luca understands the gift that is music and the importance of passing it on to younger generations. With past experience in teaching kids and a genuine love of all things musical, they are ready to share their knowledge and their joy. They are thrilled to be back as an instructor and can’t wait to rock out with everyone!
Grace Bates-Toulson
Vocal Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Meet Grace Bates-Toulson, teacher at School of Rock Asheville (pronouns: she/her/hers)
Grace is one of the advanced vocal coaches and instructor for the Little Wing and Rookies programs at School of Rock Asheville.
Raised in Nashville, TN, Grace’s love of music was fostered at a really young age. Singing in a band named Flashback as the face of Little Kids Rock (rebranded to Music Will) from 5th-8th grade, she performed at The Ryman Auditorium as well as other esteemed venues like the Wildhorse Saloon. She was a member of the Vanderbilt Blair School of Music Choir for two seasons and studied theatre and choir at Nashville School of the Arts high school while also writing songs and poetry.
After graduating, Grace formed a band under the moniker Gracie & The Valley and released an EP and her debut album, Chrysanthemum. She performed at multiple venues throughout the city and had her album release show at the highly regarded venue The Basement. Since moving to Asheville, NC, she continues to write poetry and music, recording and performing occasionally.
Outside of School of Rock, Grace is a professional wedding singer in the band Emerald Empire, owner of Willow & Wheel - Floral Design & Pottery, and a professional nanny of 10 years. With a deep passion for kids and child development, Grace is a powerhouse of imagination and specializes in curiosity over criticism. Her decade of nannying has inevitably instilled the love of music and the foundation of rhythm and pitch into the lives of every kid within her care.
Devoted, inspiring, and adaptable, Grace is a wonderful teacher and instructor of all ages. Student focused and individualized, she is driven by the purpose of enriching people’s lives through the study and catharsis of music. Grace is a highly passionate artist with a deep loyalty to living an expansive, creative life. She can’t wait to guide and encourage students in the growth and commitment to theirs!
JC Hannon
Drum Teacher
Meet JC Hannon, Drum teacher at School of Rock Asheville (pronouns: he/him/his)
JC is a professional musician with over 16 years of dedication to his primary instrument, the drums. Growing up, he was heavily involved in School of Rock. Being a student from 2011-2017, He participated in countless Performance Programs, four years of House Band, and two years of AllStars. His years at School of Rock led to him learning guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard + piano, shaping him into a multi-instrumentalist.
JC went on to attend Florida State University, earning undergraduate degrees in commercial music production and human resource management, as well as a master’s in business administration. While in school, JC made his living as a professional musician. He worked for over five years as the drummer for weddings and corporate events, Tallahassee cover bands, a live karaoke band, as well as a handful of original musical projects
After graduating from FSU in 2024, JC returned to West Palm Beach and continued to work as a professional musician picking up gigs across Palm Beach, Martin, and Broward counties, while also teaching back at his home School of Rock in Palm Beach. He is dedicated to original project Strictly Liquid, which brought him to Asheville for its wonderful music scene. JC is passionate about inspiring the same musical development in his students through the School of Rock method!
Quinn Sforza
Bass Guitar Teacher
Meet Quinn Sforza, bass teacher at School of Rock Asheville (pronouns: he/him/his)
An Asheville native, Quinn is a multi instrumentalist, songwriter, and performer. Playing the bass guitar since he was nine years old, he has spent many years in the local Asheville scene refining his skills. Inspired by the technicality of progressive, jazz, and classical music, but also the soul of funk and rock and roll, he blends styles all across the board into a unique fusion of genres that you won't hear anywhere else.
Quinn writes everything from Solo classical etudes, to heavy metal/prog infused rock. Specializing in technique, theory, and philosophy he has a vast range and is excited to share it with students.
Juca Camera
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Meet Juca Camera, keyboard + piano teacher at School of Rock Asheville (pronouns: he/him/his)
Juca Camera is a Brazilian/American pianist and composer born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Growing up in a musical family, Juca had a special bond with music that made him want to express himself and share his ideas through musical language. At age 7, he was exposed to the piano and drums without much focus, but this musical spark was beginning to take hold early in his life. When he turned 14, he started practicing and learning piano more seriously to pursue a life in music. His main passion has been connecting people with music and creating an atmosphere with his piano playing for a temporary escape from “real” life.
Since 2020, he has focused on searching for different sounds and genres in his musical career. His main inspirations stem from classical composers, such as Debussy and Ravel, to more modern composers, such as Chick Corea and Elijah Fox. He started his new jazz trio: the Juca Camera Trio, in which he plays a blend of Modern Jazz, Funky R&B, and Traditional Swing. His playing seamlessly blends genres such as jazz, impressionism, and Brazilian music, and he continues to push the boundaries of both his playing and these genres. In 2025, he released his debut piano solo album, “Contrails,” a ten-song album of all original compositions.
Zach Jones
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Meet Zach Jones, drum, guitar and bass teacher at School of Rock Asheville (pronouns: he/him/his)
Zach is a multi-instrumentalist from Atlanta, Georgia. He started playing drums at five years old, and picked up guitar and bass shortly after. Zach has been playing professionally since 13 years old, and prides himself on being a stylistically diverse musician. He boasts a distinct specialization in the genres of rock, funk, jazz, and bluegrass. He is also an avid songwriter, sound engineer, band leader, and teacher. There are very few positions in the field of music that Zach has not held professionally. He is intensely focused on sharing and growing the music community here in Asheville, North Carolina.
Aaron Austin
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Meet Aaron Austin, Guitar and Bass teacher at School of Rock Asheville (pronouns: he/him/his)
Aaron is a guitarist, producer, songwriter, and educator with over two decades of performing and teaching experience. He has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe as a member of Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast, sharing stages with nationally recognized artists and performing at major festivals and renowned venues. As both a performer and producer, Aaron brings a deep understanding of musicianship, tone, improvisation, songwriting, and live performance.
Passionate about helping students discover their own musical voice, Aaron creates a supportive, engaging environment where players of all ages and skill levels can build confidence, strengthen their technique, and develop a lifelong love of music.