David C.
Owner, Show Director, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
David is the owner and a show director at School of Rock Rochester NY. He is an active member of the Rochester music scene, either music directing or pit directing youth musicals at various public and private schools or playing Americana, alternative country, and rock with the Genesee Revelers.
David is a multi-instrumentalist and plays the keyboard, bass, and guitar, and sings. He is thrilled to provide young musicians the opportunity to perform and learn about music.
Alexis W.
General Manager, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Alexis is the Assistant General Manager, Music Director, keyboard + piano instructor, show director, and vocals teacher at School of Rock Rochester, NY. She has played the piano for 20 years and studied privately under her instructor Deborah Williams for about eight years. Alexis has been involved both casually and professionally in Rochester community theatre since she was 14 years old, and still performs in her free time. Alexis has a great love for classical music and opera, but listens to a variety of music from classic rock to show tunes. When she’s not teaching, Alexis spends her evenings with her four cats and partner.
Celina V.
Music Director, Assistant Studio Coordinator, Vocal Teacher, Songwriting Teacher, Show Director
Celina is the Assistant Music Director, Studio Coordinator, Rookies and Little Wing Program Director, and teaches Vocals & Songwriting here at School of Rock Rochester NY. She is first a vocalist of over ten years, accompanying herself on guitar and/or keyboard + piano. She has been performing from a young age and went on to study commercial music & jazz for a few years at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina. She has also taken part in variety shows like High Steppin' Country where she displays the vocal skills she has developed over years of private practice.
Celina picked up teaching because she loves to help raise motivated leaders in the forever-growing music industry. She is a songwriter with a love for indie music outside of School of Rock and enjoys performing and seeing live music often.
Nathan B.
Studio Coordinator
Nathan is a DJ first, music collector second, and composer/producer third. He has been performing for over ten years all over the country. On top of attending Columbia College Chicago for Audio Engineering and Music Business, some of his other recent milestones are a two year residency at Subterranean in Chicago, DJing SOBs in New York, working at three different studios as a studio coordinator and gear technician, and being a featured performer and composer at the Jay Pritzker Pavillion in the summer of 2022. He has performed at over 200 events and engineered five albums in the last three years, and wants to keep making music with, and for, his friends and family, including at School of Rock Rochester NY.
Paul C.
Drum Teacher, Show Director
New York/Philadelphia drummer Paulie funky, hip style of drumming drives the groove of acid jazz quartet FlashBamPow, a WNY-based group known for blending complex jazz fusion, soul-drenched psychedelic jamming, eastern ragas, and old top 40 tunes.
From Broadway to the Bronx, Philly to Rochester, Paul has worked with some incredible musicians and mentors. Now he shares his skills as a drum teacher at School of Rock Rochester NY.
Paul O.
Bass Guitar Teacher
Paul is an award-winning graduate of Berklee College of Music and a bass guitar teacher at School of Rock in Rochester, NY. He has spent many years touring as a bassist and producer both nationally and internationally, working with a wide variety of music styles and artists. His productions have received national and international airplay, premiering on networks such as MTV, BET, VH1, BBC Radio, BBC Television, and NBC. He also enjoys working with local Rochester artists!
Rozlyn M.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Rozlyn delivers a clear sense of her innermost thoughts using raw vocals with nothing held back. The effortless power of her voice combined with honest and unapologetic lyrical content leaves listeners feeling a genuine emotional connection.
Back in Rochester teaching at School of Rock Rochester NY, after studying vocal performance, songwriting, and music business at Berklee College of Music, she cultivates a timeless soul feel that blends R&B, jazz, pop, and rock. Her biggest influences include Amy Winehouse, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Erykah Badu, Moonchild, H.E.R., Grace Potter, Carole King, Joss Stone, and Pj Morton.
Helana B.
Vocal Teacher
Helana is a seasoned performer with a passion for storytelling through music. Helana has her BA in Music as well as certifications in classical voice performance and language studies. She is excited to share her love of music, performance, and artistry with the School of Rock community. Her experiences working in a multitude of settings, with students of all ages and abilities, have enriched her life and influenced her individualized teaching approach at School of Rock Rochester NY.
Ryan S.
Rookies Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Ryan is a Rochester based guitarist and singer/ songwriter.
He has been playing all around upstate NY for over ten years and has release several full length albums of original music. Ryan was educated at Finger Lakes community College and has an endless passion for music, including teaching at School of Rock Rochester NY.
Olivia C.
Rookies Teacher, Little Wing Teacher
Olivia is a former graduate of Ithaca College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Music with a focus in Biology. She has been passionate about music since middle school, performing in solo festivals, musicals, choirs, and operas. Her favorite genres include J-Rock and classic rock, and she enjoys art, reading, video games, and all things Disney—especially Star Wars. Before joining School of Rock Rochester NY in 2024, Olivia participated in the Disney College Program as a Park Greeter at Magic Kingdom.
Strider O.
Guitar Teacher
Strider is a Rochester-based guitar player and teacher. A graduate from FLCC with over nine years of guitar under his belt, He enjoys many different styles of music and guitar playing and has a passion for teaching at School of Rock Rochester NY. He is actively playing in a local rock cover band Plunger.
Kyle K.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Kyle brings a fun and comfortable vibe to every lesson at School of Rock Rochester NY, making students feel at ease while they learn. A graduate of prestigious institutions like Eastman, Berklee College of Music, and The Collective School of Music, Kyle has studied and performed in a variety of styles, ranging from doom metal to Japanese pop.
As a versatile multi-instrumentalist, he is also an accomplished drummer who has played in jazz and Latin jazz clubs. Kyle’s diverse musical background and approachable teaching style make his lessons both engaging and inspiring.
Sam M.
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Samuel is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and music teacher from Long Island, NY. He has a BA in Jazz and Commercial Music with a concentration in Popular Songwriting from Five Towns College, and a Masters in Music Education from Nazareth University. Samuel has been teaching private lessons since 2018, and has over 20 years experience playing guitar and keyboard + piano. More recently, In 2017, he picked up the drum kit during his undergraduate studies at Five Towns to complete the rhythm section of their Great American Songbook ensemble.
Originally inspired to learn the piano so he could play songs from the soundtracks of his favorite Super Nintendo games, his influences cover a wide range of genres from Classic Rock and Jazz, to Alternative Country and Power Pop. When he’s not teaching at School of Rock Rochester NY, Samuel loves spending time with his wife Wendy and dog Max, playing board games with friends, and rooting for his beloved Mets and Jets.
Alyssa K.
Vocal Teacher
Alyssa is a vocal instructor at School of Rock Rochester NY, known for her bright personality and positive teaching approach. She brings creativity and enthusiasm to every lesson, helping students find confidence in their voice and performance. In addition to teaching, Alyssa works professionally in media as a writer, combining her love for storytelling and the arts to inspire her students.
Ian U.
Guitar Teacher, Rock 101 Teacher
Ian serves as a Rock 101 group teacher and guitar teacher at School of Rock Rochester NY. With a passion for music education and performance, Ian helps students develop their technical skills, confidence, and creativity both on stage and in the classroom.
Arden T.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Arden (they/them) is a Rochester-based collaborative pianist, holding a BA in Music from Nazareth University. They have a passion for teaching and working with musicians of all ages. Arden has spent the last few summers working at a fine arts camp in the Manistee National Forest in Michigan, and they love getting the chance to connect with students on both a personal and professional level. They have performed in a wide variety of ensembles on piano, but have performed on voice, violin, and the French horn as well. In their free time away from School of Rock Rochester NY, Arden enjoys reading, playing video games, and competitive horseback riding.
Dan H.
Drum Teacher
Dan H. is a drummer and recording engineer originally from North Carolina, now based in the Rochester area. He earned his Bachelor’s in Music Technology from UNC Asheville, where he studied audio engineering and developed his musicianship through private instruction and ensemble work in Brazilian Jazz, Funk Fusion, Percussion Ensemble, and his favorite—Yacht Rock.
After graduating, Dan moved to the NC Triad and performed professionally at local venues and festivals, playing both original music and covers, including memorable projects like a Guitar Hero tribute and a Green Day tribute. He also worked in local recording studios as both an engineer and session drummer, and now, when not at School of Rock Rochester NY, continues his work remotely from his home studio, providing drum tracks for artists around the country.