Alex Everdeen
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Alex Everdeen is a guitar, bass, and drum instructor at School of Rock East Lansing. He picked up his first guitar when he was 10 years old and still has a hard time putting it down. Over the years, he picked up French Horn, drums, bass guitar, trombone, trumpet, and saxophone. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Michigan State University and has performed with many prestigious ensembles, such as the MSU Wind Symphony and the Spartan Marching Band. He is an avid musician with a passion for finding the newest cool sounds.
Benjamin Martin
Drum Teacher
Benjamin Martin teaches drums at School of Rock East Lansing. He began playing drums in elementary school, in both concert and marching band. Two years after graduating he joined a local rock band, "Mr. Denton on Doomsday", that has toured regionally, nationally, and continues to perform today. Benjamin has 15 years of experience performing in shows and is excited to teach students not only how to practice, but also how to perform for an audience.
Brian Alspaugh
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Brian began playing guitar since he was 14 years old and hasn't stopped yet. In addition to guitar, he also plays drums, bass and keys. He has been playing gigs since 2003. He is the guitarist and primary songwriter for local band Mr. Denton On Doomsday, an avant-garde rock 4 piece. Mr. Denton has performed at several national tours in support of their release "Origami Trail". Mr Denton performed in front of over 10,000 fans at the Common Ground festival in Lansing alongside Three Days Grace, All That Remains and P.O.D. At the Rockapalooza Festival in Jackson, they shared the stage with Candlebox, Saliva, Mushroomhead and many others.
Colin Griffin
Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Music Director
With over three decades dedicated to music, Colin is a seasoned musical director renowned for his profound impact on the global stage. From commanding recording studios to electrifying performances across continents, his career embodies a relentless pursuit of musical excellence.
Colin honed his craft by studying percussion and composition at the esteemed Chicago Academy for the Arts, where he cultivated a deep-rooted understanding of rhythm and structure. This foundation laid the groundwork for his diverse musical journey, allowing him to navigate various genres and styles with finesse seamlessly.
A hallmark of Colin's approach is his mindful perspective on learning, which transcends technical mastery to embrace the nuances of musical expression. His openness to multiple perspectives enriches his musical interpretations, making him a dynamic collaborator and a sought-after mentor.
Beyond personal achievement, Colin is passionately committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. His mentorship philosophy ensures that aspiring artists learn and innovate, instilling in them the importance of building upon musical legacies. He believes in providing young talents with the knowledge and confidence to forge their paths while acknowledging the giants whose shoulders they stand upon.
As Colin continues to inspire and innovate, his legacy resonates through every note played and every musician mentored, shaping the future landscape of music with each generation he influences.
Kaitlyn Riel
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Kaitlyn is a graduate of Central Michigan University with degrees in music education and musical theatre. She hails from the Lansing area but has recently returned from New York City, after performing in Bridging the Gap Cabaret series at 54 Below in Manhattan. She has previously performed at Midland Center for the Arts as Edwin Drood (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) and Bay City Players as Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes), and is excited to be a vocal and keys instructor here at the School of Rock East Lansing!
Mandy Waltz
Drum Teacher
Mandy Waltz is a drum teacher at School of Rock East Lansing. Mandy started drumming when she was 10 years old, and did drum line, jazz band and orchestral band throughout high school, but had the most fun when playing with her friends in rock bands. In 2014, she graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Writing and Communication, again finding she had the most fun playing in rock bands with her friends. Since then she has toured all over the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK and continental Europe, and is looking to do even more with her main band, Rodeo Boys.
Maura Drinkert
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, and Vocal Teacher
Maura teaches piano, bass, and voice at the School of Rock in East Lansing; she is also the main instructor for the Little Wing and Rookies classes! Maura is a current student at Michigan State University and is earning her bachelor’s in both music education and composition. Outside of School of Rock, Maura also teaches early childhood music at the MSU Community Music School in East Lansing and works as an official composer under ASCAP!
Maura loves working with the brilliant students at School of Rock! She believes that music, of any genre or setting, brings people together; it offers students a chance to express themselves in a safe environment and community that they might not have anywhere else.
Michael Pierce
Guitar Teacher
Michael Pierce is a guitar teacher at School of Rock East Lansing. He has been playing guitar from a young age, and has been actively performing and teaching since 2012. Michael graduated from Aquinas College in 2017 with a degree in Classical Guitar Performance, and he has studied with many world-class guitarists. Michael currently performs and tours with the rock band Conrad Shock and The Noise, and soul-pop band August. He also plays solo classical guitar for weddings, corporate parties and private events all around West Michigan.
Michelle Drake
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Michelle is a Michigan native who just can't seem to stop singing. While earning her degree in vocal performance from Indiana Wesleyan University, Michelle sang with the IWU Chorale and toured across the United States, Mexico, and Italy. Though she started her singing journey in musical theater and opera, she is eagerly expanding her musical knowledge as a vocal instructor at School of Rock East Lansing.
Michelle found out about School of Rock while directing music for School of Rock: The Musical in East Lansing, which partnered with the school for the use of their talented young musicians. Working with these amazing students has been inspiring to Michelle's musical journey, and she is excited to help each student find their voice, put on a show, and grow as a musician.
Nick Mills
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Nick Mills is a Lansing-based musician and educator who has been writing and performing music since the 2000s. He is a voice teacher, piano instructor, drum teacher, and bass guitar teacher at School of Rock. Nick began playing the piano at 7 years old and spent his teens learning drums, bass, production, and music theory. He has since written and recorded over 300 original songs across a wide variety of styles, and written and performed original scores for two short films. Nick earned his bachelor's degree in Music Education from Central Michigan University with an emphasis on vocal music, and he is excited to help students to grow their passion for music, express themselves, and work as a team through the power of rock.
Tommy McCord
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Tommy McCord is a Lansing-based musician with nearly two decades of performing, recording and touring experience. At School of Rock East Lansing Tommy is a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher. Tommy has toured the continental US, Mexico and Canada multiple times as a guitarist and singer in the bands The Plurals and Drinking Mercury, and has overseen over 100 independent music releases as a co-founder of the record label GTG Records. Tommy also has experience as both a live sound and recording engineer and can be found behind the mixing desk at venues like Mac's Bar, The Avenue Cafe and the studio space for GTG Records.