Ben Wells
Music Director, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Drums Teacher
School of Rock Salt Lake City Music Director Ben Wells is a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer based in Salt Lake City. He has performed to thousands, received awards for his artistic endeavors, and has been recognized in the local scene for his music. He has collaborated with artists across the US, produced and written an album, and helped produce a stage show at Thriller Park here in Salt Lake Valley.
Ben is a Berklee College of Music graduate. Having received his BA in multidisciplinary concentration, he has command over a wide gamut of musical concepts and techniques, both academically and in his artistry. Ben embodies the culture, collaborative spirit, and dedication to artistic excellence that defines the world-renowned college.
“The reason we play music is to express what words cannot describe, developing and discovering our own unique sound over the course of our lives. By understanding the 'how' we can better appreciate the 'why' of music. Through passion and dedication to our craft, we create new ways to express. As artists, it is our duty to share that with the world.”
Moon Ray
Guitar Teacher, Vocals Teacher
Moon was born and raised in Salt Lake City. Since they were a teenager, they have been performing in various groups and venues throughout Utah, including the 2015 Crucial Fest.
Moon has been playing guitar for 14 years and teaching consistently for five. They have played guitar for local bands Somebody/anybody, Chac Xol, and their current project Sleepy Moon Ray. Moon plays with their original group at various venues, open mics, and festivals; including Faedom Fest 2023, 2024, and 2025. They studied guitar performance at the Snow College Horne School of Music.
Moon has a deep passion for songwriting, playing the guitar, and singing. They feel deeply fulfilled when they have the opportunity to play a role in teaching, guiding, and uplifting future generations at School of Rock Salt Lake City.
Aubrey Derbidge
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Aubrey Derbidge is from Farmington, New Mexico. She has been playing the violin for 15 years and the piano for 12. She also loves to sing and has been singing as long as she can remember. Aubrey has lived in Utah for about a year and just finished her first year in Violin Performance at the University of Utah.
Beginning with All state Choir in New Mexico in late elementary school and early middle school, she is now in the University of Utah Philharmonia. She has played in many orchestras in New Mexico, including New Mexico All State Orchestea, San Juan College Orchestra, and San Juan Youth Symphony.
Some of Aubrey’s biggest musical accomplishments are playing a Bach Partita on the violin in Germany with a violin studio, and playing a concerto in a community college orchestra. She teaches keyboard + piano at School of Rock Salt Lake City.
Ian Painter
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Ian Painter is a musician, composer, performer, singer, songwriter, music producer, and teacher at School of Rock Salt Lake City. He has been obsessed with music since taking keyboard + piano lessons at age seven. He has studied guitar, ukulele and piano for the last ten years and recently graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor's degree in Commercial Music and a certificate in Music Technology.
His studies have led him to new opportunities, such as playing in a number of local bands like Crush and Finch and the Magpies, editing tracks for college plays, and composing for local films and video games. In addition, Ian produces his own music under the alias Verus, consisting of EDM, acoustic, and rock styles.
Matt Skaggs
Bass Guitar Teacher, Drums Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocals Teacher
Matt is a guitarist, songwriter, drummer, and DJ based in SLC, UT. He has been involved in the local music scene for over a decade and currently hosts Beat Garden on 90.9 KRCL every Thursday.
Being from a musical family, Matt has been writing, conducting, and performing for most of his life. Currently he plays drums in a psych band called Losvii and with soul singer, Alexander Galore. Matt was formally the lead guitarist and singer for a rock trio called The Cold Year.
He specializes in guitar, drums, audio engineering, and songwriting, and teaches at School of Rock Salt Lake City.
Megan Allman
Vocals Teacher
Megan Joy Allman is a seasoned singer, songwriter, recording artist and performer with nearly two decades of experience.
You might recognize her from American Idol, where she wowed the nation and landed in the Top 10 in 2008 before touring the country. Since then, Megan has released four full-length studio albums, created a 23-song visual album, shot multiple music videos, has performed live countlessly and dropped tons of singles—both for her own projects and for many other artists.
She even earned a platinum record in Australia! Megan is a Salt Lake Native with a passion for music and a love for inspiring young performers, bringing energy, creativity, and real-world experience to every session at School of Rock Salt Lake City.
Riley Allen
Vocals Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Originally from Ogden, Riley Allen is a teacher at School of Rock Salt Lake City specializing in vocals. She has ten years of experience in vocal performance across a wide range of genres and styles, including Jazz, Pop/Rock, Classical, and Theatre.
Riley is studying vocal performance, vocal pedagogy, and composition at Westminster University. She performs in two ensembles: The Westminster Chamber Singers, and the Westminster Opera Studio. Riley also plays guitar and sang in the local band, Grandprix, in 2023. In Grandprix, Riley sings lead for local shows, including an opening show for the Flaming Lips. She also recorded vocals for their second EP: Cherry.
Riley is primarily a singer, but is experienced in songwriting, music theory, guitar, electronic music, and audio production. She was recently awarded the Katie Nelson Arts Practicum Grant in 2025 to compose, record, and produce her own EP. Riley is on track to release her debut EP in September 2025.