Jayme Neto
General Manager, Owner
Jayme brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in broadcast and digital media, having served as General Manager of Telemundo 49. While his professional career has been rooted in media, music has always been his greatest passion.
As the owner of School of Rock Clearwater, Jayme has combined two lifelong goals—owning his own business and building a career centered around music. He is committed to creating an inspiring environment where students can develop their musical skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of performing.
Jayme holds a bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, a certificate in Music Business and Technology from Berklee College of Music, and a master's degree in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University.
A vocalist and guitarist, Jayme enjoys exploring every genre of music and is always on the lookout for new artists and sounds. He loves sharing that enthusiasm with students, families, and the entire School of Rock community.
Matt Aaland
Music Director
A guitarist at his core and a multi-instrumentalist by nature, Matt brings a lifetime of stage, studio, and global performance experience to the students of School of Rock Clearwater. His musical journey began with punk rock rebellion, but a transformative high school mentor, John Syverson at Fargo South, opened the door to jazz, igniting a devotion to improvisation that defined his artistic identity.
That passion carried him through formal training at North Dakota State University (Music Education, under Dr. Matthew Patnode) and Berklee College of Music (Guitar Performance, studying with Chris Buono and Sal DiFusco). As a touring musician with the U.S. Army Band, he performed across the world on guitar, bass, and saxophone. And his time spent in the music industry in Los Angeles and Las Vegas showed him the inside of the professional music world.
A blues and jazz purist who found his way into metal, Matt also holds a deep reverence for punk, alternative, '90s grunge, and the raw energy of early 2000s emo. That genre-fluidity fuels his core belief: improvisation is the truest test of musicianship, and the music can speak across any boundary.
Since joining the School of Rock family in 2017, first in Geneva, IL, then spending five years at St. Pete before landing in Clearwater, his philosophy has never wavered. He treats young musicians at School of Rock Clearwater not as students to be molded, but as full artists who happen to be younger. His role isn't to dictate how music should be played; it's to help direct their already-burning passion into a voice that is unmistakably their own.
Britney Lopez
Studio Coordinator
Britney is the Studio Coordinator at School of Rock Clearwater. Her appreciation of music reaches back to her childhood, raised in a Latino household and listening to artists such as Juan Luis Guerra, Celia Cruz, and Marc Anthony on repeat. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida and has worked within ocean and shark conservation and education since 2024, running field experiences and research trips through the coasts of Tampa Bay. Britney has many years of customer service under her belt, with work ranging from veterinary pet care to managing custom candle experiences, and is excited to get to see all of the hardworking students reach their goals and rock out on stage!
Sarah Cedro
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Sarah has been playing the piano and singing since she was 12 years old, starting with classical piano training and slowly gaining the skills to play guitar and bass. She has won consecutive piano competitions in her youth and went on to perform within Collegiate A Cappella groups through her time in college. She joined School of Rock in 2025 as a student and later on became an instructor for School of Rock Clearwater, teaching students of all ages how to embrace their love of music!
Dylan Chee-a-tow
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Dylan is a teacher at School of Rock Clearwater and has been playing drums for over 20 years, starting out playing in Florida Air Academy's Drum and Bugle Corps and then in the school band and stage band at Bishop's College School in Quebec, Canada. He graduated from the Player's School of Music in Clearwater, Florida in 2012 and has been recording and playing around the Tampa and St. Petersburg area for over 15 years. He has been teaching private lessons since 2013 and is knowledgeable in many styles ranging from rock, reggae, jazz and latin.
Connor Fass
Drum Teacher
Connor fell in love with drums at the age of seven after spotting a drum kit in a music store window. By age ten, he joined the Patel Conservatory’s rock band program and got his first taste of performing live on stage.
His love for classic rock artists like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and AC/DC propelled him into his high school marching band and later to Berklee College of Music and SPC’s MIRA program (Music Industry & Recording Arts). He also studied under John Blackwell, the late drummer for Grammy Award-winning artists Prince and Justin Timberlake.
In addition to his wide-ranging experience in styles from rock to funk to prog, Connor also produces music under his self-launched solo electronic project, Oxidose, where he blends his rhythmic foundation with experimental sound design to create immersive, high-energy tracks. Connor is a drum teacher at School of Rock Clearwater.
Taylor Williams
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Taylor was born and raised in St. Petersburg and has experience performing in various choirs throughout her childhood. She has been a part of School of Rock for over three years, starting as a Performance and House Band student at School of Rock St. Pete and now working as one of the instructors at School of Rock Clearwater. She is currently studying at SPC Gibbs for Music Education and works with our youngest students to prepare them for their future musical journeys!
Santiago Mora
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Santiago Mora is a 19 year old guitar and bass instructor who has been loving music since youth! He has over five years of guitar experience and over three years of bass playing. He also loves directing band rehearsals and jamming along with whomever no matter the age or genre! He originally comes from Seattle, Washington, and is ethnically Costa Rican.
He is a fluent Spanish speaker and loves dogs and cats. He is super excited to receive new students and loves how both the student and him learn throughout the curriculum at School of Rock Clearwater.
Susan Dalzell
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Susan was born in Auckland, New Zealand and since childhood had dreamed of performing jazz in the USA. She has resided in Tampa, Florida permanently since 2010. Having started her professional career at 11 years old playing for weddings and playing as a soloist and in bands, Susan sang in various Musicals such as ‘Hair‘ and was Finalist in the New Zealand Television Talent competition which led to television performances and hosting her own television show.
She moved to Australia, where she played as resident Pianist/Vocalist at the Sydney Hilton and various other five star hotels. She played in bands at various clubs as well as toured with the Australian ‘Misfits ‘and various rock bands.
Susan has completed the Royal Schools Curriculum of Music in London for Piano, Voice and Music Theory and has taught for over 20 years at various private high schools, music schools and home studio, teaching many students to university entrance level. To name a couple…Robin Zander, vocalist from ‘Cheap Tricks’ daughter Sailor Zander, now at Emerson College in Boston, and Caleb Lattimore received a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Susan has taught voice from the Seth Riggs technique for Pop and Rock, Melissa Cross Death Metal Techniques, to Musical theatre, R&B and Jazz. Her piano styles are Modern, Rock and Jazz. She also teaches classical beginners piano and voice and gives the students a good grounding in Music Theory and technique at School of Rock Clearwater.
“I enjoy teaching all music styles and have taught 5 to 80 year olds. My student’s success is my success!”
Ani Hesse
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Ani Hesse is a School of Rock alum from California and has been a professional singer/multi instrumentalist. 20 years of being a musician, Ani plays classical piano, electric bass, acoustic guitar, drums, bongos and congas and has had the honor of singing the National Anthem for major league sports such as the LA Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, Tampa Bay Rays, and The Miami Dolphins.
From her School of Rock days, she’s been in Performance programs, summer camps, and House Band. Once she graduated out of the program, Ani was a Top 15 billboard charting artist with her original latin dance songs and performing all over America from local venues to main stages. Working as a full time music teacher at School of Rock Clearwater during the day, Ani strives to give her students the tools they need to become the best musician and person they can be!