James Deveau
Music Director, Vocals Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar + Bass Teacher
James is a Yankee turned Georgia boy. Born in Syracuse, NY, he moved to Georgia as a kid and has been here ever since! He can play anything with strings. When he's not at School of Rock East Cobb, James plays all around town with JERB, The Fixins, and also writes and plays his original music.
He first got into music thanks to a plastic toy saxophone he had as a kid, and that early spark eventually turned into a lifelong passion. These days, artists like Tyler Childers continue to inspire him along with Pink Floyd, Fleet Foxes, Vulfpeck, and Tears for Fears. James also does work in audio production, plays a mean game of tennis, and loves dogs. Fun fact: he is colorblind!
Jack Lovell
Studio Coordinator
Jack Lovell is the studio coordinator at School of Rock East Cobb, where he helps keep things organized and running smoothly for students and staff. He grew up surrounded by music thanks to his dad, and that early influence stuck. His favorite band is Primus, and he draws a lot of creative inspiration from Jack White. One of Jack’s most memorable live shows was seeing the Melvins perform with two drummers, a concert that left a lasting impression. Outside of music, he’s got a unique talent: Jack is a world-class Irish dancer, bringing rhythm and precision to more than just the studio.
Alec Schor
Guitar Teacher
Alec is a guitar teacher who’s been hooked on music for as long as he can remember. His journey into guitar started when he first heard Master of Puppets when Metallica appeared on The Simpsons. That moment stuck with him, and he’s been playing ever since. He’s a big fan of Deftones, and finds a lot of inspiration in the creativity of bands like Radiohead. One of his favorite concert memories is seeing The Contortionist live, which made a big impression on him.
Alec loves helping students at School of Rock East Cobb find their own rhythm and voice on the guitar, whether they’re just starting out or looking to level up. He’s all about making the process feel natural and fun, just like his own experience with music.
Allen Brackett
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Allen teaches piano and drums at School of Rock East Cobb. Allen was inspired to pursue music from being raised in a musical family. He has been passionate about music ever since.
Some of Allen's favorite bands include Rush and Tower of Power, and his go-to song is "The Camera Eye" by Rush. He draws inspiration from David Garibaldi, the drummer for Tower of Power, and says one of his favorite concert experiences was seeing Tower of Power live.
Casey Prezioso
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drums Teacher
With a journey that began around ten years old, Casey has transformed a childhood love of music into an exciting and thriving career. From electrifying live performances to soulful studio sessions, he has shared the stage and recorded with an incredible lineup of bands and artists. It’s not just about the music for Casey, it’s about inspiring, teaching, and building meaningful connections with others at School of Rock East Cobb.
Chip Mattiford
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Chip's love for music started with listening to classic rock, and that passion has only grown over the years, leading him to teach guitar, bass guitar, and drums at School of Rock East Cobb. Some of his biggest influences include Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio and Sum 41, and his favorite song is “Versions of You” by Alkaline Trio. One of Chip’s most memorable concert experiences was seeing Roger Waters’ The Wall tour live!
Fun fact about Chip: his high school baseball team at Pope High School won the State Championship in 2013!
D'Andre Thigpen
Drum Teacher
D’Andre is a talented drum instructor at School of Rock East Cobb. Growing up in a family full of singers and musicians, music has always been at the heart of his life. Inspired by legends like Stevie Wonder, Queen, and Prince, D’Andre brings both skill and passion to every lesson. One of his all-time favorite songs is "The Man I Love" by Art Tatum, and a standout concert memory for him was Usher’s 8701 Evolution Tour in Memphis.
Fun fact: D’Andre can identify phone numbers just by hearing the tones, and he’s quick to catch when movies get the 911 tones wrong!
Riley Hough
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Riley has been absolutely thrilled to work with the amazing students and staff at School of Rock East Cobb since March 2024! He teaches guitar and bass guitar with a true passion for helping students grow and find their musical voice.
With experience playing in various bands and writing for other artists as a session musician, Mr. Riley brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to his teaching. He feels incredibly lucky and grateful to also be a working actor and musician in the vibrant Atlanta music scene. His positive energy and dedication make every lesson a fun and inspiring experience!
Robert Camacho
Drums Teacher
Robert is an international drummer with over 33 years of experience performing in the U.S. and Latin America. Passionate about music since childhood, Robert loves witnessing the joy that students experience at School of Rock East Cobb when they master a new song. He’s shared the stage with renowned European rock and metal bands, headlined major festivals, and appeared in several metal magazines. Beyond music, Robert is also an accomplished photographer, capturing moments both on and off stage.
Ryan Pailthorpe
Drums Teacher
A former School of Rock East Cobb student turned drums teacher, Ryan was first inspired by watching videos of legends like Keith Moon and Ringo Starr as a kid. His favorite band is Vulfpeck, and his go-to song is Simple Step. He’s inspired by drummer Nate Smith, and one of his favorite concert memories is seeing Vulfpeck (or Foster The People!).
Sam Boatwright
Vocals Teacher
Vocals teacher Sam brings a deep love for music and performance into every lesson at School of Rock East Cobb. He’s inspired by artists like Prince and D’Angelo, though picking a favorite song is nearly impossible for him - there's just too much great music out there.
Sam grew up surrounded by music, especially the songs his parents loved, which sparked his own passion for singing early on. That connection to music eventually led him to perform professionally, including time as a principal production vocalist for Norwegian Cruise Line. He’s been to countless concerts and says he’s loved every single one. As a teacher at School of Rock East Cobb, Sam is all about helping students find their voice and grow their confidence, whether they’re new to singing or looking to take things to the next level.
Saoirse Russell
Vocals Teacher
Saoirse (pronounced seer-shuh) plays gigs around town and works on her personal music in her spare time. A fun fact about Saoirse is that she was a student at School of Rock East Cobb several years ago, and a member of our House Band. Her favorite color is purple and she has a kitten named Beef. A couple of her vocal influences are Stevie Nicks and Ann Wilson. Saoirse's creativity and energetic personality bring so much joy to the school!
Stuart Lyle
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocals Teacher
Stuart teaches guitar, bass guitar, vocals, and is a rehearsal instructor as well at School of Rock East Cobb. He started playing music in the eighth grade, and his favorite bands are St. Vincent, Metric, Led Zeppelin, The National, and Pink Floyd.
Tyler Walker
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Tyler is a seasoned musician with over a decade of professional experience, playing guitar and bass since a young age. Throughout his career, he has toured the country, performing with notable bands including The Orange Constant, Tand, The Fixins, and Harvey Funkwalker.
Known for his passion for improvisational jam music, Tyler draws inspiration from iconic artists such as The Grateful Dead, Phish, Widespread Panic, Paul Simon, Jim Croce, Billy Strings, and Prince. His unique musical style blends technical skill with a deep love for live performance and storytelling. He loves collaborating with as many musicians as he can, teaching at School of Rock East Cobb, and has a knack for creating harmonies. He’s also got a pretty mean falsetto.