Julian
General Manager
Julian first started engaging with music in middle school, discovering music through an interest in video games including Guitar Hero and Rock Band. He began learning guitar and playing in bands with friends while developing an interest in the Warped Tour and the alternative music scene. Julian played in several bands throughout high school and college (Riboflavin, On the Upswing) and spent extensive time playing guitar and bass for various churches and youth camps around San Diego County. He now releases material under the name My Own Giant.
Julian has worked with students for over a decade, with a focus on elementary and middle school students. He earned his degree in Business from California State University, San Marcos, and joined School of Rock in 2021. He has a deep appreciation for the experience that the School of Rock program provides for students and loves to support and elevate students to thrive.
Top 5: Four Year Strong, U2, Fall Out Boy, Hot Mulligan, Less Than Jake
Luke
Music Director, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Luke has been playing drums and guitar for over 17 years! Music has always been his passion no matter what context he's pursuing it in. Early on, he had a big interest in extreme metal and similar genres, which laid the groundwork for a lot of his playing. As time passed, however, he developed a huge appreciation for groove-oriented players such as Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins) and Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree).
More recently, Luke attended Studio West and the Recording Arts Center, where he obtained his diploma in recording and music production. He has also played in several bands for more than a decade, and most recently manning the drums in heavier bands such as Skitzoids and Whatsdysmorphia. In addition, Luke has played on recordings for a wide variety of local bands and artists (Tristan Brooks, My Own Giant, Sage Avalon) as well as mixing songs for various clients.
Luke oversees School of Rock Del Mar's Performance Program, supervising progress for current groups while also planning for show seasons to come. He enjoys helping students grow into the players and performers they're capable of becoming while also broadening their musical palettes.
Top 5: Bring Me the Horizon, Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Code Orange, Alice Cooper
Will
Rock 101 Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Will is a San Diego native who has been playing guitar for over 20 years. He took up the instrument at a young age after a few years of piano lessons and eventually went on to play in a few small bands in high school and college. While getting a music degree from California State University, San Marcos, Will spent much of his free time recording music and learning how to mix, while also teaching the occasional guitar lesson.
Will began seriously teaching guitar and bass in 2022. Aside from doing lessons, he leads multiple Rock 101 classes and has been an assistant director for some of our performance groups. He specializes in many different kinds of music, but his main focuses are rock, metal, prog, jazz, and R&B/soul.
Top 5: Alice In Chains, Steely Dan, Cloudkicker, Between the Buried and Me, Animals As Leaders
Allison
Studio Coordinator
Allison began performing in musical theatre at age five before picking up bass at 16. Since then, she’s found every opportunity to fuel her love of live performance, from earning multiple awards from the California Educational Theatre Association, to performing with a variety of bands around San Diego. Over the past three years, she’s also worked in music education, where she’s helped others discover their own passion for music and live performance. Allison currently attends California State University East Bay, studying early childhood and adolescent development. At School of Rock Del Mar, she hopes to build a career creating engaging learning experiences that inspire kids to learn and grow.
Allison's top five artists are Radiohead, Pink Floyd, The Smiths, The Strokes, and Magdalena Bay.
Bryan
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Bryan started playing the guitar at 13 years old and has now been playing for over 23 years. He began by teaching himself Misfits songs and forming his first band.
Over time, Bryan's musical skills improved, leading to consistent gigging, songwriting, touring, and an overall enjoyable musical journey. While mostly self-taught initially, he later took piano and guitar lessons seriously, expanding his musical repertoire to include heavy metal, fast genres, surf guitar, and traditional rock and roll. His passion for piano, especially ragtime, adds another dimension to his musical interests.
Bryan is currently active in three bands: The Poison Hearts Action Club, Dethsurf, and the Big Attitudes. He finds deep satisfaction in the joy of playing music. Teaching at the School of Rock in Del Mar, California is a particularly cherished aspect of his life.
Top 5: The Beatles, The Toy Dolls, Iron Maiden, The Dictators, and The Ramones
Nate
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Nate has been singing since he was 5, and playing music live since he was 11. He primarily works as a singer but plays a couple of different instruments as well including keyboard, bass, and drums. Nate has multiple years of stage experience as the lead singer, bass player, and keyboardist for his band Outside the Frame and other local projects. He also actively composes music for film and experimental electronic music, graduating from San Diego State University in 2023 with a degree in Music Composition. He loves all types of music but especially enjoys electronic ambient music and heavy rock music.
Top 5: Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Royal Blood, Boston Manor, Cleopatrick
Melanie
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Melanie has been playing guitar since she was eight years old. She joined School of Rock at age eleven, continuing through middle school and high school until she graduated. Over the years, she performed in more than 70 School of Rock groups, from Performance Program, to House Band, and even AllStars. Her biggest musical inspiration is Van Halen, and being part of the Van Halen show group at School of Rock is what made her fall in love with the electric guitar.
She is now attending the University of California, San Diego, where she is studying applied mathematics. School of Rock played a major role in shaping her as both a musician and a person, and she is excited to help guide the next generation of students at School of Rock Del Mar on their own musical journeys.
Melanie's top five favorite artists include Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Extreme, The All American Rejects, Paramore
Kevin
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Kevin's been playing guitar for over 10 years and is a passionate musician and educator. He first began performing on the alto saxophone at 12 and would later take up guitar at 16 to expand his horizons. During college, Kevin started offering lessons for classmates and neighbors. After graduating, he joined a band and started playing surf rock all around Riverside and San Diego. Recently, Kevin's taken break from gigging and recording to focus on education and pursue his teaching credential in social science.
Kevin mixes his music and history interests to explore and draw inspiration from a variety of music genres and traditions. He's excited to work with students of all skill levels and musical tastes at School of Rock Del Mar.
Kevin's top five bands include Cake, Toe, Beach Bunny, Weezer, and Gregory and the Hawk.
Dylan
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Dylan started playing drums at the age of 12 after getting a small drum kit from a neighbor. He began playing constantly and knew music would become a lifelong passion. After just a short time he found himself expanding his musical interests and picked up the bass guitar too. During his freshman year of high school Dylan started his first band, playing shows all over Southern California. Since then, he has performed live regularly with various bands on both bass guitar and drums. He also spent a couple years as a session musician for a touring band. His passion for music allows him to encourage and motivate students at School of Rock Del Mar to become the best musicians they can be.
Dylan's top five bands are Avenged Sevenfold, August Burns Red, Stick Figure, Victor Wooten, and Vulfpeck.
Tyler
Vocal Instructor
Tyler is a classically trained vocalist and musician with degrees from San Diego State University and the University of California, Santa Barbara. Tyler’s musical journey began at a young age with the guidance of her mother, who introduced her to music and helped develop her early foundation. From there, she continued her training with faculty from San José State University before pursuing advanced vocal studies with professors at UC Santa Barbara and San Diego State University.
With experience performing opera, art song, musical theatre, and ensemble repertoire, Tyler brings a diverse musical perspective to teaching both voice and piano. As an educator, she is passionate about helping students at School of Rock Del Mar build strong musical foundations while developing confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.
Lessons are tailored to each student’s goals, experience level, and learning style, incorporating technique, musicianship, expression, and healthy vocal and piano habits. Whether a student is beginning their musical journey or preparing for performance, Tyler creates a supportive and engaging environment where students can explore their artistry, strengthen their skills, and grow as musicians.