Neal Weaver
Owner
Neal Weaver is a former educator in Hall County, having taught high school English for seven years. After that, he managed his own successful insurance agency for 14 years. He has also been the enthusiastic frontman, guitarist and songwriter for one of the South’s longest running rock bands. Kickin Edgar, Neal's band, has been playing venues from Florida to Louisiana, and everywhere in between, for over 35 years. His album, "Welcome to Loserville," was recorded at the historic Southern Tracks Recording Studio and features a variety of country, blues, pop and rock n' roll tracks. Wanting a change from the day-to-day of insurance led Neal to School of Rock, where he immediately realized it was the perfect combination of business and music for him. He is truly living his passion and love of music every day, and loves sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation.
Bambi Lynn
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Bambi Lynn started as a classical musician, playing viola at an early age. She joined her first band as a singer while in high school, and it was as a singer that her musical career really began to take flight. Bambi picked up new instruments by adding guitar, keyboards, bass, and a variety of quirky instruments to her skill set. Having traveled the world as a performer, she is currently in multiple bands that perform everything from rock and pop to nerdgrass and children’s music. She is even in a Ramones tribute band and is signed to Genterine Records.
Bambi teaches guitar, voice, and keyboards at the School of Rock in Buford, Georgia. She has been known to pull people onstage at her shows to show them how to play. Her students are in good company, as she has performed with many famous artists. Bambi is excited to be at School of Rock!
Ricky Zero
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Ricky is a musician who has performed over 2,000 shows across the USA and Europe. He has been featured on over 50 albums, performed on television more times than he can remember, recorded music for cartoons, commercials, and movie soundtracks, and has been a character in comic books, cartoons, and a video game. Ricky has been playing since high school when he got his first bass guitar, and he enjoys sharing his passion, knowledge, and talent for music with others. At School of Rock, Ricky teaches bass, guitar, drums, Rock 101, and Adult classes with fun and personality.
Eric Roberts
Guitar Teacher
Eric Roberts is a professional musician from Hall County, GA. He began playing guitar at an early age, drawing inspiration from his father who was also a musician. He received a degree in music & technology from The Atlanta Institute of Music and Media with an instrumental focus on guitar. Eric serves in church bands and has played in several other bands in both the Atlanta and Athens areas. He is excited to share his knowledge of the guitar with the next generation of rockers.
Blade Hudson
Guitar Teacher, Bass Teacher, Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Born in Greenville, Mississippi and growing up on the Delta Blues circuit, Blade Hudson picked up playing guitar, drums, and bass at an early age. He's the grandson of Chicago bluesman "Little Addison." Blade is also the great-nephew of saxophonist Eddie Shaw (Howlin' Wolf). A former understudy of BB King's late drummer Caleb Emphrey Jr., Blade has worked in studios and with many artists in Mississippi and Memphis. He is currently based in Atlanta playing with several different bands in the area.
Michael Dirse
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Michael is an accomplished keyboardist having studied Music Theory at Florida International University. He continued his music profession as a performer in rock groups that toured both nationally and abroad. In addition, Michael spent many years as a freelance studio player and assistant producer recording in major studios from New York to Los Angeles.
Michael also enjoyed an extensive tenure with Sony Music Entertainment in Santa Monica, CA in an administrative role before relocating to the Ohio area where he taught songwriting as a form of music therapy for young adults with special needs. Now located in North Georgia, Michael's new music endeavors include writing, recording, teaching, and performing throughout the area.
Guido Hrovat
Show Director, Drum Teacher
Guido has been playing drums for over 25 years. He plays in several different bands including A Few Good Losers, Control the Devastator, Beast Mode, Triangle Fire, and Murder Van. Guido loves watching his students improve and seeing the joy on their faces when they perform at School of Rock's end-of-season concerts.
Judaea Peters
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Judaea has been playing piano for over 12 years. In 2019, her piano instructor encouraged her to attend the University of Georgia's Community School Music Program. Her goal is to score music for Film and TV. Judaea loves the atmosphere at School of Rock and enjoys seeing students gain a love for music.
Mark Whitmore
Drum Teacher
Mark has been playing drums for over 30 years. He currently plays in The Chillbillz and The House.
Mark loves seeing students "get it." Those light bulb moments in a beginning player's musical journey are real magic.