Christina Olson Studio Manager, Little Wing and Rookies Director
Christina Olson is a classically trained singer, voice actor, and performer. Her love of music and performing drew her to the theatre, where she went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Nebraska Wesleyan University. After spending a few years in Chicago performing and juggling multiple jobs, her journey brought her to Fort Collins. Here, Christina has had the opportunity to pursue multiple passions, including voice acting, becoming a yoga teacher, and getting back to her musical roots. Though well versed in many musical genres, Christina grew up in a family where the morning routine was always set to a soundtrack of classic rock and roll - so she is really a rocker at heart. We are thrilled to have Christina as part of our School of Rock family, and to support her quest to help young students discover their love of music!
Jordan Pasquin Music Director
Jordan Pasquin is a Drum Set performer and educator based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. He has been playing for 17 years, and in addition to performing across the country, he maintains a busy teaching schedule that includes students of all ages and skill levels. His diverse performance background and Bachelor’s Degree from Berklee College of Music allow him to authentically teach a wide array of styles and techniques, while focusing on helping his students achieve their personal goals. Jordan strives to demonstrate how music can be healthy for you physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Jordan is known for his work performing with Write Minded, Cary Morin & Ghost Dog, and I Am The Owl. He also works regularly as a session musician for countless other artists across all genres. He takes great pride in all he does relating to music, including helping other artists sound their best as a Drum Tech for The Blasting Room. Jordan is grateful for the impact music has had on his life and loves passing on the joy of music to his students.
Mike Shamrock Assistant Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Michael Shamrock Robertson Jr., an American guitarist, was born into a military family that took him from coast to coast before finally settling in Fort Collins, Colorado at the age of 21. His earliest musical memories are of singing Billy Idol's "Mony Mony”, watching Michael Jackson's movie Moonwalker, and watching his dad, cousin, and their friend playing "Hotel California" at a backyard BBQ. He soon became mesmerized by the unique sounds of Rage Against the Machine, Tool, and Jane's Addiction. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, picking up bass soon after.
Shamrock's devotion to music is undeniable. His close friends, band members, and community acknowledge him as a guitar virtuoso. In 2009, he was recognized as the best guitarist and songwriter by KRFC's Night Howler JJ Johnson. He's been involved in numerous award-winning bands, such as 20XIII, AutoFate, Pretty Noise, Guerrilla Radio (Tribute to Rage Against the Machine), Sonic Temple (Tribute to the Cult), and Sabotage (tribute to the Beastie Boys) just to name a few! The mix of both original and tribute bands highlights Shamrock's versatility and diligent focus on his craft.
Shamrock's hard working disposition is shown through the countless acts and projects he delves into. On top of being currently active in six different bands, he utilizes his free time honing his technique, ear training, writing, and recording music, while also promoting his album "Not I!" Said the lil’ mouse.
Looking forward, he anticipates pushing 20XIII and his solo band, collaborating with other artists, and is especially excited about teaching his craft as an instructor at School of Rock Fort Collins.
Jake DiFebo Singing and Keyboard Teacher
Jake discovered his love of singing in the eighth grade when he tried out for a rock opera and soon realized he had some potential. A few years of choir later he decided to major in music, and after applying to a number of colleges he chose to attend UC Santa Cruz for Vocal Performance. In his now eleven-year career as a singer, Jake has performed musical theatre roles, opera roles, sung in an a cappella group, and been featured as a soloist on a record.
Throughout his journey as a singer, Jake discovered his love for teaching. Now he is a Master's student in Music Education and Composition at Colorado State University. Nothing makes him happier than helping people to express themselves musically. Jake obsesses over a new band all the time, but his all-time favorites include: The Beatles, The Who, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Muse, Radiohead, Nirvana, Kung-Fu, Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead, Phish, Yes, CHON, System of a Down, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Rush - and honestly far too many more for this short bio. Ask him about music and he will gladly talk your ear off!
Jacob Maestas Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher
Jacob Maestas has been playing rock, funk, ska, and punk in and around Colorado since he was 15 years old. In the short time since he’s built a solid musical resume that includes performing at major festivals like Taste of Colorado, and presenting TedX talks on how music education changes lives for the better. When it comes to teaching, Jacob tailors his approach to the uniqueness of each and every student, helping them to find their own unique musical voice.
Michael Millan Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Michael is a keyboardist and vocalist based in the Northern Colorado area. He recently graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Piano Performance from the University of Northern Colorado, and has been an active musician since his freshman year. Michael has had the great opportunity to study jazz piano under Dana Landry, Tom Amend, and Annie Booth, all active musicians in the Northern Colorado scene and beyond, and to study voice under Jenna McLean.
Having started playing classical piano at the age of 5, playing in jazz groups since middle school, and taking vocal lessons in college, Michael is well-versed in multiple genres of music. He has played in/for big bands, small modern jazz ensembles, salsa bands, musical theatre pits, and singer-songwriters.
Michael is excited to be a part of School of Rock Fort Collins, and he looks forward to making connections and guiding the next generation through their musical journey!
Leanne Allen Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher
Leanne has been dabbling in the arts since childhood. Starting with ballet lessons at age 4 and adding piano lessons at age 7, she felt very at home. She began writing songs and her piano teacher encouraged her to perform them at recitals at ages 8 and 9. Throughout junior high and high school, Leanne focused primarily on vocals, joining the church choir and chorus at school. At age 16, she was hired as a dancer at a theme park, and went on to major in dance during her first year of college. She got a degree, got a job, got married, and had 3 kids - but before long, the inner artist in her begged to return. Leanne once again started writing songs, playing piano and singing - and began teaching piano, guitar, vocals, and songwriting workshops. She released her first project of 10 original songs, a CD called “Grace”, in 1999 - and a second 6 song EP, “The Light in You” in 2014. Leanne is thrilled to be joining the School of Rock Fort Collins team, and looks forward to helping a new generation of students to learn, play, and love music!
Don Cruickshank Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Since he was a wee lad, Don Cruickshank’s life has revolved around music. His uncle, who was a rock n’ roll road warrior, would stay as his family’s house in between attending such legendary events as Woodstock and the Monterey Pop Festival. Upon departing for his next concert, his Uncle would often leave stacks of his extensive vinyl album collection with Don for safe-keeping. This gave him the opportunity to devour all the great music created by the legendary artists of that era. He’d put on his Uncle’s headband and moccasins, and rock out to those records over and over again - declaring that he would learn to play music just like them. And he did.
For the next 50 years, Don played with countless musicians in amazing venues all across the county, and has not slowed down - continuing to home his skills to this day. You can truly say that music is in his blood! Don is now thrilled to be at School of Rock Fort Collins where he can share his passion for music with the next generation of rockers.
Ethan Christi Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Ethan Christi is a Fort Collins native and multi-instrumentalist specializing in drums and bass. He started playing djembe at the Fort Collins African drum and dance collective at 11 years old, playing shows around northern Colorado and becoming immersed in the culture of rhythm at a young age. Ethan later took up bass and drum set, and now gigs and tours with a wide variety of bands.
People in General is Ethan’s main project, a jazz-pop 4 piece that won the FoCoMa peer award for Best New Band of 2019. For the past 3 years, Ethan has also played drums in the Grace Kuch Band. During that time, the band has toured across the United States, and has played shows like BB King’s Blues Club in Memphis Tennessee and the main stage of the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena Arkansas.
Ethan has always had a fascination with the different rhythms and styles from cultures across the world, and tries to incorporate the different types of drums and percussion into his play style and teaching style. To Ethan, the best part of teaching is to open student’s eyes to the diversity and impact of music across the world, and get them motivated to find their own purpose in playing music.
Lucy Logan Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher
Lucy discovered her love of singing in middle school, singing in choirs and musicals, and began taking voice lessons as a freshman in high school. She participated in All-State Choir, Thescon, and NATS, where she placed 2nd in the classical category. She is now a junior at CSU studying vocal performance and is excited to dive into the world of teaching lessons herself, after taking them for many years. This is her first professional teaching gig, and she is so excited for the future and to be joining such a wonderful team of musicians who share her love and passion for music. But above all else, she is excited to share that with her students, and to get them singing like a rockstar!
Brian Zitti Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Brian Zitti's musical journey first started with the saxophone when he was 10 years old, and eventually led to him picking up the guitar after high school - and he hasn't put it down since! Cutting his teeth in the Fort Collins music scene, in addition to rock Brian has gained experience playing bluegrass, Americana, folk music, blues, and more. His band Lucid Blues has played on numerous Fort Collins stages including the Aggie Theatre and the historical Mishawaka Amphitheatre. After adding drums, bass, and piano to his musical arsenal, he is now focused on composing songs for the band and producing music on his own. He believes music allows communication through sound that words cannot deliver, and hopes to inspire, heal, and move people through his playing. Teaching others and helping them on their own musical journey brings great fulfillment to Brian, and he can't wait to help students at School of Rock grow so they can share their experience with the world.
Devin Johnson Studio Coordinator, Little Wing and Rookies Teacher, Rock 101 Teacher
Devin Johnson found her love for music in Flint, Michigan where she was raised. When not in school, she was constantly attending acting, flute, and classical vocal lessons. Her summers were spent participating in musical theatre programs in South Philadelphia, where she also discovered a love for performing. Although her background is primarily in musical theatre, Devin is very much a classic rock enthusiast, thanks to her aunt who ensured that she listened to famous bands from the 70s, as opposed to the 2000s pop that was flooding the radio at the time. Ironically enough, she's also a massive Taylor Swift fan as well. To accompany her vocal capabilities, Devin is learning piano and guitar, and she has also taken up writing music in her free time. Devin accredits her love for music and performing to the instructors that taught her in her youth, and she is incredibly excited to be sharing the same enthusiasm with her students.
Kyle Krueckeberg Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher
Kyle Krueckeberg has been playing guitar, bass, and singing professionally for over 20 years. Over that time he has been involved in numerous projects that have covered a multitude of different musical styles. Kyle is currently the bassist and vocalist for Fort Collins based punk metal band, I Am the Owl, as well as his solo project, The Dark Lake. He brings with him a wealth of experience in other musical skills, including live sound, recording, mixing/mastering, and songwriting - and can’t wait to apply those skills to teaching the next generation of rockers at School of Rock Fort Collins.
Hannah Rust Front Desk, Little Wing and Rookies Teacher, Rock 101 Teacher
Hannah can’t remember much of her childhood that doesn’t involve music and singing. Growing up, she partook in voice and flute lessons, and music theater programs, performing in any talent show or on any stage that would have her.
During her teen years, she joined School of Rock as a student herself, experiencing the full program as she worked her way up into House Band, and eventually graduating from the program. She also marched flute in the Loveland High School Crimson Regiment, and became principle player of her Wind Symphony.
She currently is lead vocalist of the rapidly growing progressive metal band HYGEIA, in which the band had originally formed from the House Band at School of Rock Fort Collins.
Connor Piburn-Burbach Bass Guitar Teacher, Drums Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Connor has been playing bass since age 13. Initially inspired by the likes of Korn and Red Hot Chili Peppers, Conner has grown his musical repertoire to include jazz, rock, and punk. He now adds Charles Mingus, James Jamerson, and Darryl Jennifer to his list of influences. Also an avid skateboarder, after a skating related arm break and surgery he turned his focus to honing his guitar skills by learning every song ever recorded by Nirvana. Currently Connor is playing in three post rock projects in Fort Collins, and is excited to share his skills with the next generation of musicians at School of Rock!