Jora and Adam Bart
Owners
Before opening School of Rock Plymouth, Jora worked in the sports and entertainment industry for 20 years, lived and worked in Hong Kong for a brief stint of time, and managed a band for fun in her early twenties. She produced publicity campaigns for a multitude of national and international events and served as the publicist for a world-class arena, a convention center, and a historic auditorium that hosted the likes of Elvis, Prince, and Dylan. One of her favorite hobbies is meeting new people. A big parenting goal for her is that her three kiddos grow up to be kind…and that they love music! Opening a School of Rock combined her passions for music, people, and making a difference.
Adam is a lifelong student of music, and had tried his hand at lead guitar, drums, piano, bass, vocals, and songwriting. In his younger days, he was in a band (that Jora managed) and had quite a few years playing smaller venues and shows in the Twin Cities. He is currently an academic advisor at North Hennepin Community College and enjoys helping students recognize and achieve their dreams. He finds that studying guitar and composing original music is a source of relaxation, and loves spending time with his children no matter what the activity.
Gabs Semansky
General Manager
Gabs Semansky is an experienced musician who started piano lessons at 6 years old and quickly fell in love with playing and performing. Throughout his childhood and into adulthood, Gabs’ excitement for music has led to countless hours of private instruction for keys, bass guitar, guitar, and almost every brass instrument.
This experience has allowed Gabs to take the stage with many bands ranging from punk to folk to blues outfits. As his skillset grew, so did the impetus to share that knowledge with the world. Gabs has volunteered for several music camps throughout the years and has served as an instrument instructor and the Music Curriculum Coordinator for the nonprofit Rock the Rez! since 2020.
Cameron Skinner
Guitar Teacher
Cameron Skinner is a guitarist with over 17 years of experience. He is self-taught in advanced music theory and plays many different genres including Rock, Funk, Jazz, Blues, and Ambient. He has recorded an album with his band and performed in many venues around the Twin Cities.
Cameron also has extensive experience with synthesizers and enjoys making complex programs and sounds on them. He makes music from his home studio and has studied audio engineering and acoustic science. Cameron's greatest passion is sharing the treasures of music with others and he has a deep love of how it brings people together.
Carly Sachs
Vocal Teacher
Carly Sachs is a graduate of the University of South Florida and grew up with a passion for music. She has always loved the stage and performed in musicals, concerts, and a capella groups from elementary school through college.
Carly moved to Minnesota to be closer to family and is excited to be part of the School of Rock Plymouth team as a vocal instructor, Rock 101 Rehearsal Director, and an instructor of our Little Wing and Rookies programs.
Emily Hitchings
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Emily Hitchings is a Music Education major at Gustavus Adolphus College and has a passion for teaching and performing. She is a multi-instrumentalist who learned her first instrument at 12 years old and discovered her love of music from an early age.
At Gustavus, Emily was the treasurer for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, a group that toured internationally and regionally as well as recorded two albums. Emily has extensive experience teaching music both in the classroom as well as private lesson settings. She is currently finishing student teaching and working towards her K-12 Instrumental Music Education license. Emily loves working with kids of all ages and believes in the importance of music education for everyone.
Tanner Bergersen
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Tanner Bergersen currently plays tenors with SKOL LINE (the Minnesota Vikings drum line). He joined his school band at a young age and has enjoyed making music ever since. He toured the Midwest with the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps and spent a year performing on the West Coast with the world-class Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps.
In his younger years, Tanner taught himself how to play guitar after being inspired by the Guitar Hero video game and constantly studied music performance, strategies for practicing, and learned a multitude of other instruments. He received a degree in Music Therapy from the University of Minnesota, and hopes to spread the knowledge he's gained during his musical endeavors to his students...and to never stop learning himself.
Tommy Bare
Studio Coordinator
Tommy Bare is a self-proclaimed lover of music and enjoys being lighthearted to try and help people feel a little bit better about life. He taught himself how to play guitar and piano, and his favorite genres of music include Folk, Soul, Classic Rock, and Indie.
When Tommy was around 12 years old, he found an album with four weird hippie dudes crossing the road. After listening to it, his mind was blown by the sounds that these guys had made, and told himself right then and there that one day he was going to make great music just like them. Tommy hopes that by working at the School of Rock in Medina, Minnesota, he can help students feel like the rock stars that inspire them.
Tori Holub
Studio Coordinator
Tori Holub is a singer-songwriter and musician with a background in audio engineering and music production. Especially influenced and fascinated by the sounds of the '60s and '70s, she is passionate about sharing the music she loves with everyone around her, and can't wait to do this through her journey at School of Rock.
Brett Tennyson
Guitar Teacher
Brett Tennyson is a multi-instrumentalist who began playing music at a very young age. He studied Music Performance and Elementary Education at North Central University in Minneapolis and began teaching music in 2011.
Brett is currently in several bands that perform throughout the Twin Cities. His experience in early childhood education and his passion for music are a perfect pairing for School of Rock.
Spencer White
Guitar Teacher
Guitar teacher Spencer White comes to School of Rock with over 20 years of musical expertise! Active in the indie-rock Minneapolis music scene since 2011, he brings a deep understanding of the instrument, theory, and extensive performance experience.
Spencer's passion for teaching is evident through years of self-study, classes, and through providing informal lessons to students of all ages. Pronouns: He/Him
J.J. Sivak
Guitar Teacher, Music Director
J.J. Sivak earned a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies and Philosophy from Loyola University New Orleans before heading out to sea. He spent years on the open water working in the cruise industry for Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, touring internationally as a showband orchestra musician and Music Director. He has performed as the lead guitarist in various cover bands such as the Rolling Stone Rock Lounge, the BB King's All Stars, and Post Modern Jukebox on Deck. In the Twin Cities, J.J. has also worked as a live sound technician, wedding DJ, and music educator at Spark School of Music and Brighter Minds Music.
Music has taken J.J. all over the world (40+ countries), but most recently, he's called Duluth home. Some of his hobbies include recording and producing at his home studio and creating original electronic music. J.J. is committed to sharing his enthusiasm for music of all kinds with students of all ages and is so excited to be starting a new musical journey at the School of Rock in Plymouth.
Allie Casad
Vocal Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Allie is a Minneapolis Community and Technical College graduate with an associate's degree in sound arts and brings a strong background in audio engineering to School of Rock Plymouth. Allie's journey in music education began at School of Rock Eden Prairie, where they advanced through the program to join the House Band and eventually took on an assistant directing role.
Allie is working on a personal music project called Manic Kin and plays bass in the local band 1947. They are passionate about teaching rock and roll, especially its history and the role of women, and aim to inspire and educate young musicians in a supportive environment.
Rob Fletcher
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Rob joins the School of Rock in Plymouth with a wealth of musical accomplishments and teaching experience. A graduate of DePaul University School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Percussion, Rob has performed extensively, including as the house band drummer for Princess Cruises. He has taught privately and at various music schools in Chicagoland, the Twin Cities and abroad, including School of Rock Oak Park. Rob's diverse background in performance and education makes him an invaluable addition to the School of Rock Plymouth team.