Jazzy Ortiz
General Manager
Jazzy has been a part of the School of Rock family since she was nine years old, starting in the Rock 101 Program. Jazzy began her music career as a hard-working vocalist who excels in multiple genres including rock, pop, soul, and R&B. She still enjoys having music in her life and performing frequently at different events and venues around Miami, working as a recording studio vocalist, song writing for local artists and touring as a backing vocalist for local bands.
Working her way from a student to teacher to Studio Coordinator and now to General Manager, Jazzy is excited and dedicated to nurturing and growing the amazing culture and community as School of Rock Palmetto Bay's General Manager!
Jared
Music Director
Jared began their School of Rock journey in 2008 as a student in School of Rock Palmetto Bay's first Pink Floyd show and later joined the House Band. Graduating from School of Rock gave Jared the tools necessary to become a successful gigging musician in the Miami area at a very young age.
In 2013, while attending the Miami Dade College Music Business program, Jared formed the surf rock indie band SunGhosts with Luis Estopinan and Nik Olas. SunGhosts was voted Miami New Times Best Band of 2015, secured a record deal, and toured heavily across the United States. After completing SunGhosts’ album cycle, Jared furthered their musical education in multiple genres such as R&B, hip-hop, funk, soul, jazz, reggae, and world music.
Jared began teaching at School of Rock Palmetto Bay in 2017 and has since taught over 4,500 classes. As Music Director, they provide a curriculum suitable for all skill levels on any instrument. Outside the school, Jared works as a musical director and session musician for several record labels and tours. In addition to their role as Music Director, Jared is excited to be a part of School of Rock Palmetto Bay teaching drums, keyboard + piano, guitar, bass guitar, and vocals.
Caley Blanchard
Studio Coordinator
Studio Coordinator Caley joined the School of Rock Palmetto Bay family in November of 2025. She has her AA Degree in Early Childhood Education and is passionate about working with children. Although she does not play any instruments herself, Caley is an appreciator of the arts and an avid local music enthusiast! You can catch her supporting her co-workers all over South Florida cheering in the crowd at their shows. Caley looks forward to meeting and assisting current and new students and families to the School of Rock Palmetto Bay community.
Luis
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Luis was raised on music and instruments at an early age by his family. He has performed with various local bands and performance ensembles throughout middle school, high school, and college. All this led to becoming a full-time gigging musician in the South Florida area at a young age. Luis graduated Miami Dade College School of Music where he furthered his musical education in various genres including: Jazz, Funk, Latin, Contemporary, and World Music.
During that time, he joined the surf rock indie band, SunGhosts, with Jared Steingold and Nik Olas. SunGhosts—voted Miami New Times' Best Band of 2015—secured a record deal and toured heavily across the United States. After completion of the SunGhosts’ album cycle, Luis went back to Miami Dade College and graduated with a degree in Music Business/Creative Production. Since then, he has pursued music production and collaborated with artists in the role of music producer/composer for multiple genres. Luis has been instructing at our school since 2016 and comes to the school every day with an enthusiastic energy to teach the next generation of students and help reach their musical goals! Luis is excited to be a part of School of Rock teaching drums, keys, guitar, and bass.
Carli
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Carli is a multi-instrumentalist born and raised in Miami, FL. Carli currently sings, plays guitar, and writes songs for the band Palomino Blond. Growing up listening to bands like Led Zeppelin, The Police, The Beatles, and No Doubt, there was no doubt in Carli's mind that they loved rock music and aspired to play it one day. Fast forward through 15 years of guitar, piano, bass guitar, and vocal performance, Carli has toured nationally with their band and been teaching music to eager students for 3 years. Turning their dream into reality is something Carli aims to inspire young students with at School of Rock, all while teaching them the foundational and intermediate aspects of music, as well as the unmatched joy of performing in a band. Carli has an A.S. from Miami Dade College in Music Business with a speciality in production and has previously taught music lessons at the Mandelstam School and Miami Girls Rock Camp. Carli is excited to be a part of School of Rock teaching drums, keys, guitar, bass, and vocals.
David C.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
David is a guitarist born and raised in Miami, Florida. Growing up listening to bands like Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Rush, and The Beatles helped cement his love for music, namely rock and roll. David has a long history with music, having played in several bands ranging in genres, from metal to funk. He also spent some of his musical career in several performance bands at School of Rock as a former student.
David now plays lead guitar for the band Iliad and studies music at Miami-Dade College full-time. He aims to help many others wherever they may be on their musical journeys, while also carving his path in music. David is excited to be a part of School of Rock Palmetto Bay teaching guitar, bass guitar, and drums.
Julian
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Julian is a passionate and experienced music educator, performer, and bandleader committed to helping students develop their musical abilities. Julian’s musical journey began at School of Rock, where he first discovered his love for playing and performing. From there, his musical career took flight, and he went on to study at Berklee College of Music. At Berklee, Julian honed his skills in various genres, further expanding his musical knowledge and ability to teach others.
Julian is also the leader of his own band, where he continues to perform, arrange, and compose, offering students firsthand experience in both the creative and professional sides of the music industry. With a blend of formal education and real-world performance experience, Julian brings a unique perspective to his teaching, helping students of all ages and skill levels achieve their musical goals.
Whether you're a beginner looking to develop your foundation or an advanced player seeking to refine your technique, Julian is dedicated to providing personalized, high-quality instruction tailored to each student’s needs. His passion for music and academic and performance background make him an inspiring and effective teacher. Julian is excited to be a part of the School of Rock Palmetto Bay team as a guitar, bass guitar, keys, and drum teacher.
Alex
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Alex is a multi-instrumentalist raised in Miami and a dynamic music instructor at School of Rock. With a diverse range of musical influences including Muse, Polyphia, Radiohead, and Pierce the Veil, their passion for music is evident. Alex's innovative approach to music is showcased through their modern and unique guitar playing style, which skillfully blends elements of rap, metal, and jazz.
Having played various styles over the years, from metal to classical, Alex's versatility allows them to guide students on their musical journeys. Specializing in guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and keys, Alex is dedicated to sharing their expertise and inspiring students at School of Rock. Alex is excited to work with students as a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher, keyboard + piano teacher, and singing teacher.
Karla
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Born into a family of musicians in Venezuela, Karla was very young when she took an interest in music, first learning to play percussion instruments. At the age of eight, she saw a drum set for the first time and fell in love with the instrument, but it wasn’t until her early twenties that she got her first drum set.
Because of this, Karla ended up studying guitar, keyboard + piano, and bass guitar before drums! She developed her drum skills quite fast and got to play with professional bands after three years of intense study.
Karla traveled during her career, playing in Morocco, Spain, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia with several bands and projects until she came to America where she currently performs and teaches. Karla is excited to be a part of School of Rock Palmetto Bay teaching drums, guitar, keyboard + piano, and bass guitar!
David P.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
David spent his formative years taking drum lessons which ignited a passion for music that soon evolved into an all-consuming obsession. He was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and his musical upbringing led him to explore a wide range of instruments in his youth until he found his true passion in the bass. Immersed in every ounce of education he received throughout his adolescence, David discovered a deep love for artists like Jaco Pastorius, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, and Duke Ellington through his early music education in grade school. Throughout this education, his passion continued to grow and in his later teens, David began taking bass lessons which ultimately led to him working professionally throughout the greater Miami area.
David's journey then continued at Berklee College of Music, where he flourished surrounded by a community of like-minded peers, who ultimately encouraged him to take the plunge to move to New York City. David transferred to The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music where he received a full merit scholarship to attend. He has toured extensively throughout the northeast and some of the West Coast but was also graced with the opportunity to perform at the Bern Jazz Festival in Bern, Switzerland during his time at The New School.
Juliet
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Juliet (Joolie) has been immersed in music since the fifth grade, starting with piano and clarinet before discovering a passion for guitar. Self-taught since middle school, Joolie has honed their craft into a professional career as a performing artist. As the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Iliad, Joolie brings real-world experience from the stage to the classroom, inspiring students with their dedication and expertise.
Her journey as a self-taught musician gives them a unique ability to connect with students of all skill levels, encouraging creativity and confidence in every lesson. Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time or looking to refine your performance skills, Joolie’s goal is to help students unlock their potential and fall in love with making music. At School of Rock Palmetto Bay, Joolie specializes in teaching vocals, guitar, bass, and keys.
Alyssa
Vocals Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Little Wing Teacher
Alyssa has always loved the arts and has been passionate about music since childhood. She began singing at a very young age and instantly fell in love with it. Later, she was introduced to piano and knew that music would always be a central part of her life, sparking her interest in pursuing a future career in the field. Over the years, Alyssa has gained experience across multiple genres, further expanding her musical versatility.
She is currently studying Music Education at Florida International University, specializing in early childhood music education. She is thrilled to be part of School of Rock Palmetto Bay, where she teaches keyboard and vocals and leads our Rookies and Little Wing programs.
Emma Arevalo
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Emma is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer hailing from beautiful West Kendall. She has been a part of South Florida’s music scene for over a decade, playing for a number of bands: Palomino Blond, Gravess, Bonus, I Love You This Much, and Read Only Memory. Her music education began at ten years old at School of Rock Miami, continuing through high school marching band, and shaped further by Frost School of Music’s contemporary program. Music has always been a staple in her life, and an extremely powerful emotional outlet. Her ultimate goal as a teacher at School of Rock Palmetto Bay is to pass down her unbridled passion for music and a deep understanding of the joy it can bring.
Abrianna Lupo
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Abrianna started singing at a very young age and was instantly drawn to music. As she grew, she joined School of Rock Orlando, where she deepened her love for performing and earned a spot in the House Band. With the House Band, she toured twice and performed in over 150 shows, gaining extensive stage experience and developing a powerful stage presence. Over the years, she expanded her skills by learning guitar and piano, becoming a passionate multi-instrumentalist.
She is currently continuing her musical journey as a student at Florida International University, majoring in Music Business and Production. Now a teacher at School of Rock Palmetto Bay, Abrianna specializes in jazz and contemporary voice. She draws inspiration from artists like Heart, Paramore, and Blondie, and is dedicated to helping students build confidence, develop their musical abilities, and discover their own unique voice on stage.
Vasco Paredes
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Vasco Paredes is a multi-instrumentalist born and raised with a deep love for music. He began playing drums about seven years ago and, in that same year, picked up guitar, started singing, and later added bass and keys to his skill set. In high school, Vasco was accepted into a magnet program for percussion, performing in marching band and wind ensemble for four years. That experience shaped his discipline, versatility, and passion for collaboration. For the past five years, he has been an active part of the local music scene, playing in multiple bands, performing at venues such as the Miami Beach Bandshell and Gramps, and even touring both the East and West Coasts of the US.
As a teacher at School of Rock Palmetto Bay, his goal is to develop students’ technical skills while expanding their musical horizons, encouraging them to explore new bands, sounds, and ways of connecting with music.
Guillermo Tomas
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Guillermo Tomas is an accomplished jazz pianist and dedicated music educator whose musical path has been shaped by a lifelong passion for creativity, performance, and learning. Growing up immersed in music, Guillermo developed an early love for the piano and quickly discovered a deep connection to jazz, improvisation, and contemporary styles.
Guillermo is currently completing his Jazz Performance degree at Florida International University, where he continues to refine his artistry under the guidance of world-class faculty and building a strong foundation in jazz theory, composition, ensemble playing, and pedagogy. As a pianist, Guillermo has performed in a wide variety of musical settings and prestigious venues across Miami and New York. His performance résumé includes stages such as Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Fillmore in Miami Beach, as well as many local clubs, concert halls, and cultural events throughout South Florida. Guillermo has also appeared in numerous concerts with the FIU jazz and contemporary ensembles, contributing to R&B shows, jazz performances, Latin music concerts, and pop productions both on and off campus.
As an educator, Guillermo is committed to passing on the excitement and expressive power of music to his students. He believes in building confidence, cultivating strong foundational skills, and inspiring creativity in learners of all ages. His teaching approach is warm, patient, and rooted in real-world musical experience and he is excited to bring his teaching style to School of Rock Palmetto Bay.
Javier
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Born in Cuba to a family of musicians, Javier provides a diverse perspective on music from many styles and points of view. Since attending Berklee College of Music and performing extensively in New Jersey and NY, Javier has experienced many roles as musician, engineer and songwriter. A multi-instrumentalist through and through, he encourages students to use their ear and expand their understanding of music theory to gain command of important concepts and see the big picture, regardless of instrument. He teaches guitar, bass guitar, keyboard + piano, drums, and vocals at School of Rock Palmetto Bay.
Mark
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Mark is a musician, songwriter, engineer, and producer with a B.A. degree in music performance from Florida International University. He is best known for his work with two-time Grammy nominated band, Locos por Juana. Mark was born in Miami, FL, the son of immigrant parents from Colombia and Eastern Europe. This mix adds to Mark's unique and cultural musical taste and writing style. He was nominated in 2005 to the Latin Grammy Awards and in 2008 to the American Grammy Awards. Mark has also been nominated to the Grammys in 2012 for his work with Miami DJ, Mr. Pauer, and in 2017 for his production and guitar playing on Cuban Rapper El B’s album, La Luz. He has worked with other artists such as Collie Buddz, Juanes, Jorge Villamizar of Bacilos, ChocQuib Town, Freddie McGregger to name a few. Mark has written, produced, engineered, and played instruments on music featured on HBO, ESPN, FX, NatGeo and beIN Sports. He is excited to be a part of the School of Rock Palmetto Bay as a drums, guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard + piano teacher.