Ben Wells
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
School of Rock Salt Lake City teacher 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.
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.
Ella Rechtenbach
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Ella was born and raised in Utah. She has played guitar for ten years and is classically trained in piano. Ella received a scholarship to study guitar at Berklee Music School and now records guitar parts for session work.
When not at School of Rock Salt Lake City, Ella loves to play lead guitar and has been in many bands, playing at local venues throughout Salt Lake City and Las Angeles.
Connor Gerson
Drum Teacher
Connor is a local musician who has been working in the Salt Lake City and Provo music scenes for going on 15 years. He’s primarily a drummer, who has performed and recorded with bands such as MotherBus (formerly Breezeway), The Medicine Company, The Wannabees, and now Will Sangster and the Fine Chaps; among others.
Connor grew up around music from the time he was born, first becoming inspired to play music by his grandparents, who played in the 60s and 70s in bands around the Los Angeles area (his grandma opened for The Rolling Stones and his grandpa had a stint playing in Grand Funk Railroad!!!) - and they continue to play in cover bands to this day.
Before joining School of Rock Salt Lake City, his journey led him to go to School of Rock Sandy, where he truly fell in love with the drums and performing, and made lifelong friends that he still plays music with. “I am very passionate about the the alternative music education that School of Rock offers, as well as the strong social connections that can be made through this program. I am very excited to help give back to the next generation of musicians, like what was given to me as a kid.”
Bear Francolla
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Bear is a bassist and music teacher who first started playing at age seven and hasn’t put the instrument down since. He grew up at School of Rock, performing in three House Bands and taking the stage at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, experiences that helped shape his style, confidence, and love for performing.
He plays a little bit of everything, but he’s especially drawn to prog, prog metal, and jazz. He spends a lot of time digging into challenging tunes, exploring new techniques, and transcribing jazz pieces to expand his musical vocabulary.
As a teacher at School of Rock Salt Lake City, he focuses on helping students find what they love about music while building strong fundamentals. He cares about creating a positive, encouraging environment where students feel supported, inspired, and excited to learn, just the way his own teachers made him feel growing up.