Bill Lonero
Music Director
Bill brings over 35 years of professional music experience to School of Rock Castro Valley as Music Director.
When Bill heard AC/DC at seven years old, he knew he wanted to be a guitar player. From that point on he dedicated his life to pursuing a career in music. He has since recorded/performed/toured with some of his biggest influences. He has performed/recorded/toured with Cliff Williams (AC/DC), Simon Phillips (Toto/The Who/Eric Clapton), Mike Mangini (Extreme/Steve Vai/Dream Theater), Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani/Steve Vai), Simon Kirke (Bad Company), Tony MacAlpine (Solo/Steve Vai/Michel Polnareff), and Gigi Gonaway (Mariah Carey). He was a member of the platinum selling band SteelHeart as well as fronting his own instrumental rock band LoNero.
Bill has released five solo albums and is currently writing and recording his sixth album with guitar and piano virtuoso Tony MacAlpine producing. He released one album and one EP with his past band Royal Rebels. Bill has also released seven singles and has played on over 40 albums by various artists. His music has been used on Discover channel, MTV Video Music Awards, VH-1 “That Metal Show”, BBC and many more.
Bill is also the founder and inventor of Straptight strap locks, an innovative guitar strap lock endorsed by guitar legend Joe Satriani and many others.
Dylan Smith
Guitar Teacher
Born and raised in Hayward, California, Dylan started playing music at the age of 10 starting with Saxophone and Guitar then later getting into the bass and piano. His main musical influences are from rock, jazz-fusion, classic country, funk, and pop genres. Some of Dylan’s favorite artists are Phish, Led Zeppelin, Casiopea, and Michael Jackson.
Dylan began giving private guitar lessons at the age of 17 and loves sharing music with new students. He has been performing with multiple bands since junior high and loves performing original songs with friends!
Dylan’s other passion is spending time outdoors and in nature, the Mojave Desert and Eastern Sierra being his happy places. When not teaching at School of Rock Castro Valley, performing, or practicing music, he can usually be found out on the trail.
Peter Libby
Drum Teacher
Peter Libby's drumming journey started in the most rock 'n' roll way possible. Picture this: he's 13 years old, hanging around the house while his stepfather's Top-40 band is rehearsing, when Gene Pardue (who played with Eddie Money) looks over and asks, "Hey kid, want to try the drums?" That moment changed everything. Peter had a natural gift that was impossible to ignore, and by the next Christmas, he found a drum set waiting for him under the tree.
After graduating from Berkeley High School, Peter dove headfirst into music, studying Big Band at Laney College during the day and playing Top 40 gigs at night. Then came his stint came as the original drummer for Primus from 1987 to 1990 – yeah, that Primus.
From there, he hit the road with rock band Dawson & Tate, touring through the Pacific Northwest and Colorado. In 1992, Peter decided it was time to level up his game and headed to Musicians Institute in Hollywood, where he studied with drum royalty, including Joe Porcaro (the session king and father of three Toto members), Ralph Humphrey (Frank Zappa), Efrain Toro (Latin/ Afro Cuban. Jazz, Sessions and touring, Chick Corea), and Casey Schrurell (worked with Jean Luc Ponty and Chaka Khan).
Fast forward through five decades of music, and Peter's resume reads like a drummer's dream. He's played in 11 countries, hundreds of gigs, and worked with a diverse group of artists:
Some highlights from his musical adventures include Daniel Castro (original bluesman), EC Scott (pianist/vocalist), Heather Coombs Band (Americana Rock), Matt Callahan and Wild Bouquet (World Beat, Gospel Funk – including five European tours!), Stinkfoot Orchestra (Frank Zappa tribute), Slinky Thing (Steely Dan tribute, where he's both drummer and co-Music Director), Carmen Ratti Band (Blues), EBJT (East Bay Jazz Trio – his own piano trio), Karen Lovely (original artist).
These days, this San Francisco native is passing on his knowledge, teaching privately and at School of Rock Castro Valley. After 50+ years behind the kit, Peter's still going strong, sharing his passion for rhythm with the next generation of musicians.
Aaron Bumpus
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Aaron is a guitar and bass guitar teacher at School of Rock Castro Valley. A graduate of New York’s Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art, Aaron has spent over twenty-five years as a touring and recording artist. Aaron’s diverse musical background shapes a holistic approach to teaching, focused on building well-rounded musicians with a deep understanding of their instruments and their craft. Aaron helps students master technique, tone and listening skills while exploring creativity, collaboration, and confidence as performers. He is eager to guide the next generation of guitar and bass guitar players in finding their unique voice.
Lars Bauer
Drum Teacher
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Lars Bauer is a practicing drummer and musician based in the San Francisco Bay Area, teaching drums at School of Rock Castro Valley.
Lars was a School of Rock student between the ages of 12 and 18 and has been a performing musician since adolescence. Lars moved to the Golden State at 18 to follow their dreams of becoming a professional artist and drummer. They teach all genres of music, including rock, goth, pop, and funk, with their favorite drummer being Neil Peart.
Milo Diaz
Drum Teacher
Milo is a teacher at School of Rock Castro Valley with years of experience performing in a touring band founded in Los Angeles. Having traveled and played shows across multiple states, Milo brings real-world stage and studio knowledge to his teaching. He has studied music through both lessons and performance, and has experience guiding students of different ages and skill levels.
While he loves and appreciates all styles of music, Milo specializes in Progressive Metal and is especially passionate about the drums, his main instrument. Milo’s teaching is driven by his love for rhythm, creativity, and helping students unlock their own unique sound.
Justin Vanegas
Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocals Teacher
Justin brings twenty-five years of performing, writing, producing and engineering music in every genre under the Sun. A graduate of the Music department at Cal Poly Humboldt, Vanegas has spent his career working in styles as varied as punk, folk, post-hardcore, country, ska, pop, Irish, musical theater, and more.
When not teaching at School of Rock Castro Valley, he can be found working in multiple musical projects as well as running sound all over the Bay Area, including Rickshaw Stop, Castro Valley Center for the Arts, and The Fireside Lounge where he also hosts the long-running Open Mic. His approach to teaching, and music in general, is to emphasize fun, expression, and versatility combined with healthy technique as the bedrock of performance.
Erin Cherniss
Studio Coordinator
Erin dabbled in music as a child– first in violin, then in keyboard + piano. She performed in her middle school choir for three years afterwards. After graduating college, she split her time between artistic endeavors and learning the ins and outs of customer service in admin, as a legal assistant, and as a graphic designer. Before joining School of Rock Castro Valley, Erin also worked at an art gallery hosting summer camps and exhibits for the local community. With her expertise, Erin hopes to smoothly assist incoming students as they begin their musical journey!
Alisha Williams
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Little Wing Coordinator
In addition to her role as Little Wing Coordinator, Alisha is one of the vocal and keyboard + piano teachers at School of Rock Castro Valley. She started her journey in music when she was a child singing with her family, and participated in countless talent shows including school and church performances.
After graduating from a performing arts high school, she went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance from Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Later, she earned an Associates degree in Jazz Voice from the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, California.
She is now a professional musician, doing both solo and background vocal work, and playing guitar around the Bay Area. She looks forward to spreading her love of music to the next generation, hoping to further be an influence in their music journey such as music teachers in the past once did for her.