Our Experienced Music Teachers
All of School of Rock Northshore’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.
CR Gruver
Owner
CR Gruver began his classical training at the age of 9, and by 13 he left formal instruction as a top student to immerse himself in the world of rock and funk. The next four decades were dedicated to perfecting his craft, touring the country relentlessly, and building a successful performance career. He is currently a member of the national touring band New Orleans Suspects in addition to being the owner and operator of School of Rock Metairie (New Orleans) and School of Rock Northshore. His experience as a national touring professional and seasoned Music Director makes him an ideal owner of School of Rock, as he’ll be able to impart decades of wisdom and knowledge to his students and faculty.
Kate Parker
Studio Coordinator
Kate Parker was inspired to start her saxophone career in elementary school after finding a role model in Lisa Simpson. Through joining School of Rock in Chatham, NJ she discovered she had a passion not only for the saxophone but also for singing, and picked up flute and piano along the way. During her time in AllStars she played iconic stages across the country including festivals like Lollapalooza and Summerfest. Kate developed a love of working with kids to build their confidence and help them shine through teaching Little Wing classes and working as a writing tutor for elementary and middle school students. Whenever she wasn’t buried in books, working towards her degrees in Political Economy and English at Tulane, she wrote folk songs and jammed with friends at NOLA spots like The Willow and Neutral Ground. Kate is currently working on an EP with another former School of Rock AllStar.
Russell Loeffler
Bass Teacher
Russell started playing guitar at 10 years old and switched to bass at 15. Growing up in Central Louisiana, his music career started playing in clubs around the Central Louisiana area. When opportunity arose, relocated to Los Angeles, CA. While playing with several bands he found himself playing The Roxy, The Central, Thai Iced Tea and many others in the LA and Orange county areas. After his fill there, he found his way to the AZ desert and resided in the Phoenix area for several years. During the “desert years,” Russell served many years on his church worship team and then into the country music scene where he spent time playing with several different country bands. Russell relocated back to his roots in Louisiana and found himself in the Northshore area. There have been many obstacles to overcome over the years but his faith in God alone sustained him through the trials. Music has been one of the things that helped make him who he is today.
Jess Troske
General Manager
Jess is a Louisiana native and the current General Manager for the School of Rock- Metairie and up-and-coming School of Rock- Northshore location. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in English Literature from Northwestern State University and is pursuing a Masters in Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University. Jessica has a strong background in non-profit, financial and operations management and has worked in these capacities in both non-profit organizations and in higher education in New Orleans and Denver, CO. Her love for music began when she was a child where Rock was always playing at home. She played the flute in high school and college and always sought out new music. Jess loves a live show and attends as many as possible. She is a strong believer in the arts and the power music plays in the long-term effects on the growth and happiness of children and their families and has seen, first-hand, how the power of the School of Rock mission positively benefits children; building confidence and community. She is excited about bringing School of Rock's dynamic music program to the Northshore and looks forward to creating a community-driven program for our young musicians and their families.
Luke Harvey
Guitar Teacher, Bass Teacher
Luke began playing music at 11 years old when he attended his first music/performance summer camp. A few years later he and three friends from camp started a band called Tonight The Prom. With all members starting the band at around 15 years old, Tonight The Prom had quite the come-up and was featured on Chicago’s (at the time) most popular rock and alternative radio station which propelled the band to new heights. At it’s peak, Tonight The Prom was playing shows at some of the most prestigious venue’s across Chicago Illinois. From The Metro and the House of Blues all the way to the Warped Tour in 2007 & 2008. By 2009 the band had graduated high school and went their separate ways until Luke toured with his former bassist’s new bands (Victorian Halls and Hello Americans). With the onset of COVID and dwindling opportunities to perform, Luke has taken to working on music remotely, teaching and recording his own tracks at his own pace for the love of the game.
Maddie Appel
Vocal Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Madeleine (Maddie) Appel began her music/performance career at 8 years old with vocals and piano lessons. With a strong and colorful training in Musical Theatre, Rock, Jazz, and Classical, she very quickly fell in love with performing. Both in 2019 and 2020, Maddie competed internationally at ITF, in which she received all Superior Ratings for her vocal performances. Previously, she has directed young age groups in both musical theatre and music-specific settings. Maddie believes music to be a universal language and takes pride in the privilege of passing that on to students.
Britt Gondolfi
Guitar Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Britt Gondolfi got her start with music in the 8th grade but her passion for music took off when she became a preschool teacher at a Reggio Emilia Preschool in Atlanta. Bringing music into the classroom became one of her greatest pleasures and joys. In her spare time, Britt is a full-time mom, law student, and part-time research assistant for the Bioneers, a non-profit organization supporting Native American Environmentalists. Her biggest artistic aspiration is to form a Built to Spill cover band.
Jeremy Delle
Bass Guitar Teacher
Jeremy Delle was born and raised in the small town of Covington, LA. He started learning the bass guitar at 14 years old and by the age of 16, he was playing in nightclubs all over the Northshore/New Orleans area. Jeremy's background includes over 26 years of teaching experience and 30 years of performing professionally. He organized a Relay for Life and American Cancer Society fundraising festival, Rock for Life, held at Hammond's Cate Square in 2009 with Bryan Lee as the headliner. Jeremy has played with a number of bands including The Remedy Krewe, The Atomic Thunk, Dang Bruh Y, Space Trumpet, Dr. Green & the Funk Machine, Noel & the Missing Links, and. Mojo Buddha, He currently plays with The Grayhawk Band and he is also working on a new solo project.
Jeremy has opened for 3 Doors Down, Incubus, and Astral Project, and has played sold-out shows at the House of Blues Parish Room and Howlin Wolf. He has also performed at the New Orleans Jazz Museum in a concert that was recorded for an album to raise funds for underprivileged children to get musical instruments. Jeremy's true passion is teaching music, making new music, and performing music live.
George Schindler
Guitar Teacher
George Schindler has been playing guitar for over 20 years, and if you ask him, he'll tell you that he thinks it's pretty cool. George is a lifelong resident of the New Orleans area (Go Crusaders!) who spent entirely too much time at Loyola University where he left with credentials that are not at all related to guitar or guitar playing (an oversight on his part). While in college, George began teaching guitar to kids and teenagers while starting a band, Third Time's the Charm, with whom he would play for the better part of 10 years.
Professionally, George has spent most of his time as an educator, combining a year in the classroom and nearly a decade in public history. Throughout his life, his love of music and passion for a particular six-stringed instrument has never waivered or waned. George is thrilled to bring his talents and experience to bear at School of Rock Northshore and to foster and nurture the talents and passions of the next rock stars!