Brian
General Manager
Brian Jones is the General Manager of School of Rock Folsom and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entertainment Business Management. With more than a decade of experience in the entertainment industry, Brian brings a unique blend of operational leadership and real-world music industry expertise to the school. His passion is creating opportunities for musicians of all ages while fostering an environment where students can build confidence, develop their skills, and experience the excitement of live performance.
Beyond School of Rock, Brian is the founder and owner of Balor Entertainment, a talent agency representing artists, musicians, and personalities throughout the entertainment industry. He also spent over 10 years producing and managing large-scale events, overseeing celebrity talent, production logistics, and live entertainment experiences for thousands of attendees. His extensive background in artist management, event production, and entertainment operations allows him to connect classroom learning with the realities of the music industry, giving students and families a deeper appreciation for the opportunities that music can create.
Carl
Drum Teacher
Returning to the School of Rock team after a brief hiatus, Carl brings over 45 years of musical experience to this unique performance arts school, focusing on the development of students of all ages from the lesson rooms to the stage. Carl was a founding member of the legendary hardcore punk band Ill Repute. The band was inducted into the Ventura County Music Awards Hall of Fame (along with Chuck D from Public Enemy) in 2014. Ill Repute's music is heard worldwide, including songs featured on the Netflix programs Glow and Stranger Things. Through the years, he has worked alongside famed pop/punk record producer Jerry Finn (Green Day, Blink-182, Rancid).
Carl's drum experience expands into other genres, including orchestral, community concert band, Dixieland swing, and Scottish Pipes and Drums. He has performed and competed with the Silicon Valley Pipe Band, an award-winning competitive Scottish bagpipe and drum group based out of Saratoga, CA.
Carl also has experience performing with other instruments including clarinet, saxophone, mandolin, and guitar.
Mikayla
Studio Coordinator
From singing in her carseat along to Smash Mouth's All Star all the way to School of Rock Folsom, Mikayla has loved music for as long as she can remember. If the tune is catchy she will be humming along to almost anything!
Mikayla has some experience under her belt with high school choir, but also started taking vocal and guitar lessons at School of Rock Folsom. Not only is she excited to assist students in becoming rock stars, she'll be on the journey with them!
Alice
Studio Coordinator
According to her mother, Alice started singing when she was born. Alice can remember a tune after hearing it once and she is a one-woman band in the car!
All jokes aside, Alice started taking singing seriously in the fifth grade after a music teacher in summer school encouraged her to follow her dreams. From then on you couldn't stop her, taking choir in school, honor choirs, and solos for end shows in high school all the way to college.
Now Alice works at School of Rock Folsom and can't wait to see where it takes her.
Xander
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Xander grew up in Folsom and music has always played a huge part in his life. He discovered his love of music through singing in choir groups from junior high to college, performing in high school theatre productions, and forming his own original band when he was in college. His biggest inspiration for getting into music was The Beatles.
Xander has recorded music at Skywalker Sound, performed with the Folsom Symphony Orchestra, and played at venues from the Boardwalk to Ace of Spades to Cal Expo State Fair. Xander has been singing for over 15 years, playing guitar for over 13 years, and playing bass guitar for over three years. He can pick up most instruments fairly quickly as well.
Xander was a Behavioral Technician who worked with those on the spectrum of autism prior to joining the School of Rock in Folsom as a guitar and bass guitar instructor.
Xander recently graduated from Sacramento State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies in May 2023. He is passionate about music and loves helping others. With his knowledge of music and experience working with kids, Xander is honored to be a part of School of Rock Folsom and excited to inspire students to grow and become amazing, talented musicians.
Noah
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Noah is an experienced music teacher with a diverse background in the industry. With years of experience as a touring musician and a session player, Noah brings a unique perspective to his teaching method. He has played with a variety of local bands and artists spanning all genres.
Noah has been teaching private music lessons for many years and is skilled at tailoring his approach to his students' learning styles. His expertise spans across multiple genres and instruments, including guitar, bass, and ukulele. In high school, his passion was further solidified by participating in concert, marching, and jazz bands all four years.
Noah is passionate about music education and strives to help his students achieve their goals and reach their full potential as musicians all whilst making it as fun as possible. He is so excited to be a part of the team at the School of Rock in Folsom!
Trent
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Trent studied at Musician’s Institute – a 1-year vocational, performance-based program based in Hollywood. He teaches fundamentals like theory and improvisation while the student learns to play songs they like. He enjoys all styles and specializes in classic rock, blues, pop, and gypsy jazz. A veteran of the northern California music scene, Trent plays clubs and theaters with a Pink Floyd tribute band and recently played a live radio set of original music. Select recordings can be found on SoundCloud.
Max
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Max has over 15 years of music experience and is eager to share what he has learned over the years with students who share his same passion for music. He took 10 years of private guitar lessons himself, and has performed with several bands at various venues since 2008. He has a performance background in metal, rock, as well as funk and R&B. Aside from guitar, he is also an experienced songwriter and producer, attending American River College in Sacramento CA, ultimately receiving a certificate in audio production. Max has taught music to all age groups, in classrooms and privately.
Randy
Drum Teacher
Randy is thrilled to be a part of the School of Rock in Folsom! Music education and performance have been big in his life throughout the years, and he is so happy to be taking this next step in a lifelong journey of helping others discover all the joy and excitement that music has to offer.
Randy has been playing drums since he was 11 years old. Now, at the age of (much older…), he seeks to share all that he has learned along the way. Randy has played in concert, jazz, and marching bands, earning all-state honors in high school. He also played in a few garage bands and recorded an album in his early twenties.
Playing was always fun, but teaching is where Randy's passion lies. He has helped instruct large, award-winning music ensembles, and worked in smaller settings, teaching kids how to play drums in a rock band.
Randy lives in Orangevale, is married, and has three sons.
Nick
Drum Teacher
Nick is a drum instructor at the School of Rock in Folsom who also attends college and creates songs. He started his musical journey on a set of drums from Facebook Marketplace, with his first song ever learned being ATWA by System of a Down. He leaped in skill during his 4 years of drumming, 2 years of vocals, 8 seasons of performance group, 1 year of membership in School of Rock Roseville's house band Hazmat, and collaboration with other musical programs and events. Nick has also gained knowledge of the musical world with his experiences in his former rock band Ultraviolet, and former metal band Gore. He now writes music, plays local shows with his current band Final Straw, and attends college classes full-time at American River College.
Anthony
Drum Teacher
Anthony is a drummer-composer from Santa Rosa, CA. With a BA in Music (options in Music Industry, Percussion Performance, and Composition) from Chico State, Anthony has a broad range of music industry experience as a producer, artist manager, band leader, stagehand, roadie, event technician, and extensive performance experience as a drummer, percussionist, trumpet player, and singer in a capella choir.
Anthony studied music under Rick Clifford, Dr. Beth Anne Turner, Rocky Winslow (Former touring member of the Maynard Ferguson big band and sideman for the Temptations and the Who), Dr. Chris Navoratte, and Dr Royce Tevis. He studied drums under Rick Cutler (Tommy Tutone) and George Marsh (David Grisman Quintet, Mose Allison, Jerry Garcia, Joe Henderson, and Terry Riley) and currently studies with traditional New Orleans jazz master Benny Amón.
Anthony has played in various big band and small jazz ensembles, corporate/wedding bands, indie rock bands, backing bands, studio bands, salsa orchestras, touring bands, symphonic orchestras, and other freelance opportunities. Since graduating in 2022, he has discovered his love for teaching music and has been enjoying the musical community at School of Rock Folsom!
Jessa
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jessa earned her BA in Music from Saint Mary’s College of California. With a focus on vocal technique and performance, she took part in the glee, chamber, and vocal jazz groups alongside working on her solo technique and putting on her senior recital in the spring of 2023. She also took piano classes and strengthened various techniques, both classical and contemporary, in order to supplement this.
Jessa has loved music and performing for a long time, but her exposure to Estill Voice Training during her time at Saint Mary’s has allowed her to explore the full potential of the voice. Previously a voice and keys instructor at the School of Rock in Walnut Creek, she is ready to continue her journey at the School of Rock in Folsom. She is excited to work with students as they discover what they are capable of and to help them achieve their goals!
Jamie
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jamie is a lifelong lover of music and sings every day. She studied vocal music at Belmont University, and has been a part of multiple vocal jazz and acappella groups since middle school. She has enjoyed being a worship leader and singer/songwriter, sitting in with bands, and loves singing harmony. Her main instrument is voice, but also plays guitar, piano, and violin. She is a big music theory nerd, is ever looking for new music to explore, and seeking opportunities to play with others. Jamie teaches vocals and piano at School of Rock Folsom.
Sophia
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Sophia has over ten years of professional training in piano and violin and has performed internationally, earned awards in competition, and composed original music. She has also studied voice through private instruction and performs in worship settings, giving her experience in classical, contemporary, worship, pop, and operatic styles.
Sophia teaches piano and vocals to students of all ages and experience levels, tailoring each lesson to fit their goals and interests. Drawing from her experience in orchestras, bands, and worship teams, she encourages students to build confidence, strengthen their musicianship, and enjoy making music with others.
Outside of teaching at School of Rock Folsom, Sophia enjoys photography, videography, baking, and exploring new places.