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.
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 5th 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 the School of Rock in 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Mikayla Phelps
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 you can find her humming along to almost anything!
Mikayla has some experience under her belt with high school choir, but also started taking vocal and guitar lessons with our school. Not only is she excited to assist our students in becoming rock stars, she'll be on the journey with them!
Inna
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
With over 25 years of experience in music education and performance, Inna Gontsa is a passionate and accomplished educator specializing in piano, voice, and choral direction. Her formal music training began at the prestigious Moscow Conservatory of Music (2008–2014) and continued with a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from California State University, Sacramento (2014–2020).
From 2000 to 2025, Inna has worked as a music and vocal teacher, choir director, and music program director, inspiring students across a wide range of ages and skill levels. She is also an experienced performer, both as a solo pianist and vocalist, and as an accompanist for choirs and soloists.
Whether leading an ensemble, developing a school music program, or coaching individual students, Inna brings dedication, artistry, and a student-centered approach to all aspects of her work. At School of Rock Folsom, she believes music is not just a discipline, but a lifelong language of expression, connection, and growth.
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!
Mady
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Mady was raised on rock and roll and was a singer from the start. She quickly started some gigging bands in high school and eventually followed her musical passions to college where she got a music degree in vocal performance. Throughout her years as a working musician, she has played a variety of gig settings including private shows, pubs, restaurants, and wineries, and performed national anthems for various collegiate and professional league sports including the MLB and NBA leagues. Outside of singing, she has played guitar, bass, piano, harmonica, and ukulele in professional settings.
She was introduced to teaching in high school and continued to teach privately through college and was the lead counselor and coordinator for Cal Poly SLO Music Camp for high school-age students. She is also involved in various music festivals, both based on classical and popular music. She is still actively playing music in Sacramento, the Bay Area, and the Central Coast in addition to teaching at School of Rock Folsom.