Bea
Owner
Bea has called Northwest Arkansas home for over 18 years. Coming from a rich musical heritage, Bea recognized the unique needs of NWA students seeking a performance-based music education. With a blend of over 25 years of successful corporate experience and a business degree, Bea launched the School of Rock in Fayetteville in 2016 and expanded her musical vision by acquiring the School of Rock in Bentonville in 2021.
According to Bea, owning a School of Rock is the most rewarding and successful endeavor she has ever undertaken. Her schools are constantly filled with laughter, music, and joy, making them much more than just businesses—they are vibrant communities where students thrive and find their musical voices.
Jen
General Manager
Jen brings a unique blend of artistic creativity and passion for music to her role as General Manager at the School of Rock in Bentonville. From a young age, she has cultivated a deep love and connection to music, which complements her talents as an artist and painter.
At the School of Rock in Bentonville, Jen finds fulfillment in enhancing the lives of young musicians, merging her artistic skills with her dedication to fostering musical growth. She channels her creativity both on canvas and through her work, inspiring and nurturing the next generation of musicians.
Jen's commitment to creating a supportive and enriching environment for students reflects her belief in the transformative power of music and the arts. Her role as General Manager allows her to combine her passions effectively, ensuring that the School of Rock in Bentonville continues to be a place where creativity flourishes and musical talents thrive.
Eric
Music Director
Eric began his musical journey at the age of 13 in Arkansas, quickly immersing himself in the local music scene. Inspired by the local acts he admired as a kid, Eric embraced the opportunity to seriously study music, including theory during high school, and expanded his repertoire to include vocal music, setting the stage for his future in music education. Eric pursued vocal music education at both Arkansas Tech and the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith, participating in multiple choral groups and jazz ensembles.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Eric has played in rock and roll bands ranging from heavy metal to pop-punk, showcasing his love for all genres of music. He currently plays bass and tours with the progressive metal band Terminus. He takes pride in his ability to blend theoretical knowledge and technical skills from various genres and apply them to his current projects.
At the School of Rock in Bentonville, Eric brings this diverse expertise to his students, catering to their varied musical tastes. His passion for music is evident in everything he does, making him a dedicated and inspiring instructor who continuously shapes and enriches the lives of his students.
Amanda
Vocal Teacher
From LA to Amsterdam, Amanda's musical journey has spanned every genre imaginable, from country and R&B to rock, classical, and even Tejano. Her diverse repertoire and remarkable talent have led her to share the stage with iconic R&B and pop legends, including Destiny's Child, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson. For a period,
Amanda performed as a replacement member of the legendary girl group En Vogue, bringing her extensive experience both on and off stage to new heights.
As an accomplished actress, Amanda has graced the stage in productions such as Ain't Misbehavin', Anything Goes, and Dream Girls, along with numerous successful gospel and off-Broadway plays. Her versatility and talent have earned her rave reviews, particularly for her 18-song symphonic tribute to Whitney Houston, performed with countless symphony orchestras across the country.
Amanda's online presence is equally impressive, with over 130 million views collectively on Facebook and more than 10 million on YouTube. At School of Rock, Amanda's wealth of experience and passion for performance inspire and empower her students, making her an invaluable part of the team.
Matthew
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Matthew brings a wealth of expertise and passion to his role as a guitar and bass guitar teacher at the School of Rock in Bentonville. He honed his skills at McNally Smith College of Music, specializing in guitar performance. Over the years, Matthew has played a diverse range of genres, including rock, Latin, and blues, showcasing his versatility as a musician. Currently, he channels his creative energy into his metal band, Endfall, where he not only performs but also records and mixes the band's song demos.
Beyond his musical pursuits, Matthew has a keen interest in photography, videography, and video editing, adding another layer of creativity to his repertoire. His multifaceted talents and dedication to his craft make him an inspiring and engaging instructor, always ready to help his students explore and expand their musical abilities.
Max
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum, Vocal Teacher
Max's musical journey began at the age of 5 when he first picked up the guitar, igniting a lifelong passion for music. In seventh grade Max joined School of Rock, introducing him to singing, a newfound passion that he continued to cultivate through his high school's Chamber Choir and later in Schola Cantorum at the University of Arkansas. In 2022, Max earned a bachelor’s degree in music business with a focus on classical voice training, reflecting his dedication to both practical and artistic aspects of music.
Max's musical adventures have taken him to prestigious venues across the globe, including performances in England, Scotland, Serbia, and most notably, Carnegie Hall in New York City. Drawing inspiration from a wide spectrum of genres, Max emphasizes the importance of exploring diverse musical styles to nurture a well-rounded musical perspective.
Outside of his academic and performance pursuits, Max is an active member of his band, Pillar Reef, with whom he released an EP of original music in 2021. His dynamic experiences and deep passion for music enrich his teaching at the School of Rock in Bentonville, where he inspires students to discover their own musical journeys and embrace creativity in all its forms.
Jenny
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
A Fayetteville native, Jenny is a versatile musician and educator who teaches keys, guitar, bass, and drums at the School of Rock in Fayetteville, with a special emphasis on keys. Her musical journey began with an impressive start, ranking number one in the state on xylophone during her high school years.
Jenny's musical path evolved as she pursued classical training and later transitioned into a singer-songwriter role in recent years, showcasing her diverse talents. Alongside her musical pursuits, Jenny holds a doctorate in natural health, specializing in musicians and children's health. Her holistic approach integrates a love for music with a commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and fostering a positive mindset among musicians of all ages.
Jenny's passion for teaching is evident in her dedication to inspiring students to explore and excel in their musical endeavors. Let her expertise and enthusiasm guide you on your musical journey at the School of Rock in Bentonville.
Erin
Drum Teacher
After 44 years in California, Erin embarked on a new musical journey, moving to the South to embrace both fatherhood and a teaching career. His passion for playing drums and performing began at the age of 12 and has been a cornerstone of Erin's life ever since.
Since 1988, Erin has been actively involved in the music scene, jamming and touring across the western and southern states, performing at clubs and festivals. Throughout his career, Erin has had the honor of sharing the stage with numerous legendary bands and musicians, including collaborations with members of The Grateful Dead and saxophonist Martin Fierro.
Erin's musical influences span a wide spectrum, encompassing rock, funk, soul, metal, Latin, groove, jazz, reggae, disco, dance, country, bluegrass, and hip-hop, among others. His diverse background fuels his goal of bringing joy to people's lives through music and passing on his extensive rhythmic skills and knowledge accumulated over the years.
At School of Rock, Erin inspires his students with his passion for music and dedication to nurturing their musical talents, ensuring they develop a deep appreciation for rhythm and musical expression.
Sarah
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Sarah has been a working (live) musician in NWA for over 15 years. While she is strongest on guitar and vocals, Sarah is also proficient on bass, piano, harmonica, and drums. She signed on as an instructor at the School of Rock in Bentonville, Arkansas in November 2022 to share the skills learned during her music career with the next generation of musicians.
Sarah was enrolled in private piano lessons from the ages of 6 to 12, where she learned the fundamentals of music theory. She strummed a guitar for the first time in the ninth grade; once her father taught her to play some chords, she never put it down. After graduating from Hendrix College, Sarah migrated to New York City, where she performed weekly in the East Village. Soon, she relocated to Austin, playing legendary locales, including The Continental Club, Saxon Pub, The Cactus Café, Momo’s, and Austin’s annual SXSW music festival. Finally settling in Fayetteville, Sarah quickly gained recognition throughout the region.
After winning a total of five Ozark Music Awards and 11 Northwest Arkansas Music Awards (NAMA), Sarah earned a spot in the NAMA Hall of Fame. So far, Sarah has released four albums of original music. As a music instructor, Sarah is always willing to go the extra mile to make sure her students are comfortable with the material they are learning, confident in what they have been taught, and most importantly, having fun!
Sarah-Marie
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Hailing from Hot Springs, Sarah-Marie is a dedicated music teacher specializing in keys, beginner bass, and beginner guitar at the School of Rock in Bentonville. She embarked on her musical journey at the age of 5 as a classically trained pianist and has since cultivated a deep passion for music education.
Sarah-Marie holds a bachelor's degree in music from Hendrix College and brings over five years of teaching experience to her role. At the School of Rock in Bentonville, she guides groups such as Little Wing, Rookies, and Rock 101, providing students with a nurturing environment to explore their musical potential.
Her teaching philosophy centers around providing students with a creative outlet for expressing their emotions and discovering their unique identities through music. Sarah-Marie believes in fostering a sense of self-confidence and creativity in her students, empowering them to embrace their musical journey with enthusiasm and purpose.
Outside of teaching, Sarah-Marie enjoys spending time with her cats and diving into novels, finding inspiration and relaxation in literature and the companionship of her pets.
Luke
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Luke is a dedicated and versatile musician with over 12 years of experience, mastering guitar, vocals, bass, and keyboard.
Luke's musical journey began at the age of 9 but it wasn’t until he became a School of Rock student and joined his school's House Band that his hobby became a passion. After attending School of Rock for five years and graduating high school, Luke continued pursuing his passion for music by studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. At Berklee, Luke studied under and received mentorship from world-class musicians such as Victor Wooten, Tomo Fujita, Scarlett Keys, Christopher Wares, and Abigail Aronson-Zocher.
Some of Luke's accomplishments include being certified as a professional guitarist by the Berklee Guitar Department, having over 80 hours of studio time at Berklee’s multiple recording studios, and performing at the Boston Symphony Hall. Currently, Luke is earning a degree in professional music studies with a minor in music business.
Luke’s musical background and history with School of Rock allow him to provide a teaching experience that is unique to him. He strives for his lessons to have a balance between positive words of encouragement and direct critiques.
“The goal is to get there, not to get there today.”
Megan
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Megan grew up listening to her dad improvise blues guitar solos, and she sang along to artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Foreigner. Megan took guitar lessons in her teen years but ultimately decided to pursue the trumpet to get into higher education. She is a classically trained trumpet player, with two degrees from the University of Arkansas in music education and trumpet performance.
During her undergrad, Megan realized that her true love for music lay in the less formal approach of the rock genre, so she came to School of Rock. Since then, she has found joy in helping students find their connection to music. Megan believes that any engagement in music, regardless of instrument, has a positive and lifelong impact on students.
Tyler
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Tyler’s passion for music was sparked on a fateful Christmas Day when, at the age of 12, his dad gifted him his first Led Zeppelin album. Two years later during a vacation, he picked up a guitar—and never put it down. These pivotal moments set the course for his lifelong journey in music. Tyler began teaching himself to play his favorite songs, devouring guitar tabs and new music while honing his ear and technique. Over the years, Tyler has played in various bands spanning multiple decades and genres, which helped shape his diverse musical tastes and style. He currently performs with Gone Country, a local '90s country band, as well as in an original music project. Tyler's goal is to share the joy of listening to, appreciating, and experiencing music on a deeper level. For him, playing music with others creates a sense of connection and bliss that is unmatched, and sharing that joy is what motivates him every day.