San Rafael
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

San Rafael

Check out all our upcoming shows & save those dates :-)   CHECK IT OUT!
Map
School of Rock San Rafael
4150 Redwood Hwy
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-877-7625
Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Friday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM - 5 PM

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 11/27/2025 - 11/28/2025: Closed
  • 12/24/2025 - 01/01/2026: Closed

Music programs at School of Rock San Rafael combine one-on-one lessons with group band practices

School of Rock San Rafael is proud to serve the San Rafael community and surrounding areas with a revolutionary education approach. With lessons from our expert instructors, students can learn to rock out on guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and vocals across genres. By jamming in a band together with friends while learning to read and play music by ear, students gain the confidence to truly be a rock star. Our students perform at community-based events and regularly play at local venues! Join the band and visit School of Rock San Rafael today!

Programs we offer

Rock 101 music program in San Rafael for kids and beginners
Rock 101
Ages 8-13

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock San Rafael's top programs for kids and beginners. Students have one weekly group rehearsal where they learn to play classic rock songs that have been simplified for beginner musicians. Additionally, Rock 101 students in San Rafael have a weekly private music lesson with an instructor who helps them learn the concepts and skills behind their performance songs.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

Our music programs for kids in San Rafael are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock San Rafael who have participated in the Rookies program can move to our Rock 101 music program once they’re ready. Additionally, students (typically ages 8 to 13-years-old) can begin Rock 101 without any prior experience. The goal of this rock program is to quickly develop a basic competence on students’ chosen instruments before moving on to our famous Performance Program.

Performance music program for teens in San Rafael
Performance
Ages 8-18

The Performance Program at School of Rock San Rafael is our hallmark music program, where tens of thousands of students enroll each year. It consists of a weekly group rehearsal where kids and teens learn by playing rock music's most iconic songs with a band composed of their peers. Students are assigned songs and parts that are tailored to them based on their age, experience and ability to learn new skills and concepts. Students then work through their parts in weekly private music lessons, refining the skills and concepts that those songs introduce. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare kids and teens for live performances. Every few months, School of Rock San Rafael Performance Program students take the stage and play at local San Rafael music venues in front of a live audience.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

School of Rock San Rafael's music programs for kids and teens are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing. All of our other music education programs focus on readying students for our famous Performance Program. This is where students develop incredible musical skills. Performance Program students have often gone through our Rock 101 program first or have some previous basic music experience. These young musicians will have custom development plans outlined by their instructors with key concepts reinforced during private lessons and group rehearsals, all with the goal of performing live at a San Rafael music venue.

Rookies music program for children in San Rafael
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock San Rafael, our music program for children with no previous musical experience (typically ages 6 to 7-years-old) is called Rookies. Rookies students have one weekly group music lesson where they learn fundamentals like chords, rhythm and song structure. Kids get to learn and experiment with multiple instruments so they can later decide which one they ultimately want to continue pursuing in Rock 101.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE OF SIMPLIFIED ROCK INSTRUMENTS TO TEACH KIDS TO PLAY MUSIC

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire students to learn and develop a strong musical proficiency. At School of Rock San Rafael, younger students who are not ready for a more comprehensive program like Rock 101 can start in Rookies. Additionally, students who have completed the Little Wing program will progress into the Rookies music program. No prior musical experience is needed for Rookies. Once your child is ready for private music lessons (typically older than first or second graders), they will graduate into our Rock 101 program.

Adult music program in San Rafael for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock San Rafael's Adult Program is for students over 18 years old who are looking to either improve their musical proficiency or pick up an instrument with no prior musical experience. As with most School of Rock music programs, the Adult Program uses a performance-based music education approach. This means the curriculum focuses on learning music concepts and applying them in a live performance setting. Our Adult Music Program includes one weekly private music lesson and a weekly group rehearsal. Every student at School of Rock San Rafael is placed in a band of fellow adults and then assigned specific songs as a way of learning key music concepts and skills. Adult students then take the stage to play at a live show in San Rafael.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency along the way. The School of Rock San Rafael Adult Program is open to all experience levels and each student will follow a customized learning plan developed by their instructor. Adult students will work together during rehearsal to prepare for a live performance at a real rock venue in San Rafael.

House Band program for gigging at local venues in San Rafael
House Band
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock San Rafael House Band music program gives students under 18 the opportunity to join a gigging band composed of fellow musicians from their school. These students perform additional live shows throughout the year. All students in the Performance Program have the opportunity to audition for a spot in School of Rock San Rafael's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at CA rock venues throughout the year.

What To Expect
  • A GIGGING MUSICIAN'S EXPERIENCE
  • FREQUENT LIVE PERFORMANCES IN COMMUNITY

The Path to Take the Stage

Performance is the core of School of Rock's educational approach. Therefore, we create additional opportunities for students to perform on stages throughout San Rafael and the rest of CA. The House Band music program allows each school's most talented students the opportunity to join a band and play routinely in front of live audiences. Once a member, students will gain real music experience associated with gigging musicians and will become leaders and mentors inside the School of Rock community.

The AllStars national tour features the best child and teen musicians
AllStars
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock AllStars Tour takes the very best students from around the world and sends them on a nationwide summer tour across the United States. Less than 1% of School of Rock students are selected each year to represent School of Rock as an AllStar. All Performance Program students are eligible to audition for this prestigious program. The intensive audition process starts off with video submissions followed by live auditions. Once selected, AllStar students will have an authentic touring experience including traveling on a tour bus, doing tour publicity and starring in nightly performances at famous venues and festivals during a two-week tour.

What To Expect
  • A MULTI-CITY, COUNTRY-WIDE MUSIC TOUR EXPERIENCE
  • PERFORMING ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST FAMOUS STAGES IN THE WORLD

The Path to Take the Stage

Becoming an AllStar is the highest level of achievement for a School of Rock student. They play on legendary stages large and small, including The Knitting Factory, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Troubadour and Lollapalooza. AllStar students often go on to have accomplished careers in the music industry. Former AllStars have gone on to become touring artists, star in Broadway musicals, get signed to record deals, become finalists on talent competitions like "The Voice" and "American Idol" and have other notable roles in the music industry.

Music Lessons in San Rafael

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock San Rafael

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock San Rafael, we offer beginner guitar lessons for kids. Our expert guitar instructors guide your child from start to finish with private instruction and weekly group band rehearsals. Every instructor at School of Rock San Rafael is an experienced musician, and they emphasize foundational music theory and technique when teaching guitar lessons to kids. Unlike other San Rafael guitar lessons and programs, School of Rock is designed to get students performing in a band.

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Adults

It’s never too late to learn to play the guitar. Similar to our kids guitar lessons, School of Rock San Rafael's beginner guitar lessons for adults utilizes a performance-based curriculum. Our experienced instructors teach adult students through popular rock songs, and teach students to play guitar in a way that’s challenging and fun. We believe the best way to learn is by doing, which is why we combine weekly private guitar lessons with group band rehearsals. At School of Rock San Rafael, we teach beginner guitar lessons for adults in our Adult Program. This program gets students performing onstage at a local San Rafael venue.

Key Concepts
  • Technique
  • Solos
  • Chords
  • Theory

Intermediate to Advanced Guitar Lessons

As students gain skills and experience, we move them along to more challenging programs at higher skill levels. Intermediate and advanced students take the skills they learned in beginner guitar lessons, and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. School of Rock San Rafael offers advanced guitar lessons for kids and adults that teach by playing challenging classic rock songs and emphasize playing the guitar in a real music venue. Our San Rafael guitar teachers will work with each student to develop a custom learning plan.

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock San Rafael

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

School of Rock San Rafael is the best option for anyone looking to learn the drums. Our beginner drum lessons get kids behind the drum kit and on their way to taking the stage. That’s why at School of Rock San Rafael we combine private drum lessons for beginners with weekly band rehearsals—it prepares students to perform live. With years of experience teaching drums in San Rafael, our drum instructors teach beginner drum students core techniques, including how to groove, play rudiments and more.

Beginner Drum Lessons for Adults

Our drum lessons for adults are designed to accommodate all skill levels. At School of Rock San Rafael, our beginner drum lessons for adults are built for musicians with little to no experience. We teach adults using the same core performance-based education philosophy as our drum lessons for kids—performing with a band accelerates the learning process. Adult students will perform live at a venue in San Rafael. Unlike other San Rafael drum lessons for beginners, School of Rock combines private drum lessons with weekly band rehearsals so students are ready to play in front of real, live audiences.

Key Concepts
  • RUDIMENTS
  • TIME SIGNATURES
  • TECHNIQUE
  • GROOVE

Intermediate to Advanced Drum Lessons

More experienced to advanced drum students need a drum lesson curriculum that builds upon foundational skills and continues to grow musical proficiency. That’s why at School of Rock San Rafael, our drum lessons are customized for each student and his or her goals. Our San Rafael drum instructors integrate more complex techniques and concepts—intermediary grooves, shifts, meters and more—into a student's individual lessons and group band rehearsal, and will also select more difficult songs for his or her live performances.

 

Kid learns to sing at School of Rock San Rafael

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock San Rafael offers beginner singing lessons for kids. Our unique, performance-based approach develops students' musical proficiency by preparing them to perform live. At School of Rock San Rafael, our vocal coaches are practicing musicians who integrate key music fundamentals—breathing, posture and more—into a curriculum based on performing with a band. Each week, beginner singing students participate in a private singing lesson and a band rehearsal.

Beginner Singing Lessons for Adults

School of Rock San Rafael teaches adults how to sing in our innovative Adult Program. Students develop vocal skills at a challenging pace designed to help you see results with every singing lesson. Adult vocalists learn how to keep tempo, stay on-key and master advanced vocal techniques for a powerful and healthy voice. Our curriculum teaches students how to sing by using popular rock songs that emphasize key concepts. Each week, Adult Program students have a private singing lesson for beginners and group band rehearsal.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • HARMONY
  • POWER
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Singing Lessons

At School of Rock San Rafael, our singing lessons for kids and adults are designed to help our students reach a high degree of musical proficiency. Intermediate and advanced singers take skills learned from previous singing lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. Our advanced singing lessons teach students to sing by performing popular rock songs that illustrate a specific vocal concept or technique. We pair weekly private singing lessons with weekly band rehearsals with the goal of getting musicians to perform live in San Rafael.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock San Rafael

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock San Rafael offers beginner bass guitar lessons for kids that blend weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. This performance-based approach results in a high level of musical proficiency because it engages and inspires students. Every School of Rock bass instructor is a practicing musician in San Rafael and teaches bass lessons for kids that get great results. Beginners learn to play bass guitar by using popular rock songs that illustrate key concepts and techniques.

Beginner Bass Lessons for Adults

Adults looking to learn bass guitar can enroll in School of Rock’s Adult Program. No experience is necessary in our beginner bass guitar lessons for adults. At School of Rock San Rafael, our experienced, local bass guitar instructors have the patience and skills to help adult students gain musical proficiency. As with all School of Rock music programs, our bass guitar lessons for adults ciriculum is performance-based, and include both weekly private instruction and weekly band rehearsals.

Key Concepts
  • GROOVE
  • TECHNIQUE
  • THEORY
  • TONE

Intermediate to Advanced Bass Lessons

Our intermediate to advanced bass guitar lessons teach San Rafael students the skills they need to become the backbone of a band. Students take skills from previous bass lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. At School of Rock San Rafael, our bass instructors use popular rock songs as a way of teaching students advanced concepts and techniques. We pair weekly private bass lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Kid learns to play piano at School of Rock San Rafael

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in San Rafael. Our curriculum is performance-based, meaning that we prepare students to perform. Our piano lessons for beginners combine weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock San Rafael, our beginner keyboard lessons for kids take key concepts and music fundamentals—finger placement, scales, key differentiation and more—and teach them through popular rock songs. This approach inspires and engages students, which results in attaining a high level of musical proficiency. Our piano teachers have years of experience teaching music in the San Rafael area, and know how to coach and motivate students of any skill level to play the keyboard.

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Adults

The School of Rock San Rafael Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the San Rafael area learn to play piano through a combination of weekly private beginner piano lessons and weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock, our piano lessons give adult students the chance to perform in a band at local San Rafael music venues, taking them out of the classroom and onto the stage.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • TONE
  • THEORY
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Keyboard Lessons

At School of Rock San Rafael, our keyboard lessons for kids and adults are designed to help students get results. Intermediate and advanced students take skills learned from beginner keyboard lessons and layer on more advanced piano techniques with concepts. Our local keyboard instructors are all practicing musicians in San Rafael, and use popular rock songs as a way of teaching complex skills. We pair weekly private piano lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Our Experienced Music Teachers

All of School of Rock San Rafael’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.

Owner, General Manager Heather Riley
Heather Riley
Owner, General Manager
Heather was born in England and grew up with a love of all things music. She was immersed in decades of British artists, sang The American Songbook at home, and performed vocals for a cover band. In the mid-80s she attended a company conference in the U.S. and discovered that she had "found her tribe" with her northern California colleagues. She has lived in the U.S. since 1991, mostly in the north Bay Area, and is a dual citizen.

Heather has had many careers including as a sales executive for computer peripherals, property manager for a large REIT, project coordinator for HP products, owner of an insurance business, HR administrator, and certified massage therapist. All roads led her to School of Rock Santa Rosa which she helped open from the ground up. Here, while utilizing her extensive customer service and business administration experience, she discovered just how important music is to her, and just about everyone else it seemed.

Heather fully fell in love with School of Rock when she joined the adult performance program as a vocalist and bass student. In 2021 she was able to realize her dream gig by establishing School of Rock San Rafael, serving Marin County.
Music Director Evan Kolesar
Evan Kolesar
Music Director
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Evan was immersed in music from a young age, picking up his first guitar at the age of 10, and going on his first tour by the time he turned 15. After high school, he attended the Musicians Institute’s GiT program where he graduated top of his class in Guitar Performance, all while being immersed in LA’s singer-songwriter scene as a hired gun, collaborator, and songwriter.

After graduating, Evan started his journey as a music educator at School of Rock West LA as an instructor, working his way up to Music Director and General Manager of the South Bay LA location. Now relocated to the Bay Area, Evan serves as our Music Director and instructs guitar, bass, and drums. Evan loves all music and has a particular interest in funk, fusion, prog, and singer/songwriter. He thinks the best thing about working at School of Rock is being surrounded by those who love music as much as he does. Outside of School of Rock, Evan loves photography, nature, video games, his partner Tiffany, and his dog Preston.
Studio Manager Cristin Seppa
Cristin Seppa
Studio Manager
Cristin Seppa has been part of School of Rock San Rafael since day one, helping build the school from the ground up into the warm, welcoming, music-filled space it is today. As Studio Manager, she ensures everything runs smoothly and makes sure every student and family feels right at home.

With some encouragement from the crew, Cristin decided to dive into music herself, picking up the bass in February 2023 and starting lessons with instructor John Woodall. What began as a way to better understand the student experience quickly became one of her biggest passions. Since then, she’s rocked through multiple seasons with the Wednesday Adult Performance band, Loaf, performing in School of Rock shows and gigs around town.

Cristin’s taste in music spans just about every genre, though her favorite song is usually whatever her band is working on next. When she’s not at the school or on stage, she’s probably outside hiking, walking, or kayaking—or relaxing with a sci-fi or fantasy novel and a crochet project in hand. And while she doesn’t have pets of her own, she’s always delighted when students stop by with their dogs for a visit.

For Cristin, the best part of School of Rock is seeing that spark of joy when someone connects with their passion. Watching students light up as they grow as musicians is, as she puts it, “real-life magic.”
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Assistant Music Director Philip Thorneycroft
Philip Thorneycroft
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Assistant Music Director
Philip Thorneycroft is a guitar and bass player based in San Francisco. He is originally from Phoenix, Arizona, and has been playing music since he was 16 years old. Philip was raised in a musical family and gained a rich appreciation for jazz, blues, and country music. Over the years, he has been passionately pursuing rock and post-rock styles.

As a self-taught player, Philip got a chance to perform at an early age on the worship team at his church and has since performed and toured all over the country in a variety of bands. He currently performs at clubs and weddings on guitar with his girlfriend and songwriter, Kim Capria, and is the bassist for local San Francisco band Alvie and the Breakfast Pigs.

Philip brings his love for music to every person he comes into contact with and is driven to help people achieve their musical goals, not just with technique and theory, but with consideration for personal expression and stagecraft. For him, it's an art and a craft, and nothing brings more satisfaction than being able to pass that on to others.

Philip has been teaching music since 2018 and specializes in rock, pop, and blues styles. His philosophy about music is that it's a language that serves as a skeleton key capable of opening many doors and helping to understand the world around us. In addition to acting as Assistant Music Director, Philip teaches bass and guitar, and directs Rookies, Rock 101, and Performance bands at School of Rock San Rafael.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Michael Papenburg
Michael Papenburg
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Michael is a Bay Area native with over 35 years of teaching and performing experience. He has performed and recorded with many local artists including The Jerry Hannan Band, Matadore, Matt Nathanson, Brittany Shane, Orange, Penelope Houston, Lilyvolt, The Mad Cattle Ensemble and Missile Harmony. He currently plays lead guitar for Petty Theft, a tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Michael specializes in rock, alternative, slide guitar, blues, funk, country and folk. His influences include Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Bill Frisell, Robin Guthrie, Daniel Ash, Mike Campbell and many others. He is a very patient teacher with students ranging from beginning to advanced players. His focus is on playing technique, chords, scales, music theory, musicianship, and transcriptions of songs and solos in either tablature or standard notation. Michael taught at School of Rock Santa Rosa for three years and led many performance and adult performance bands who succeeded under his patient direction and critical ear for detail. He is a Lead Instructor at School of Rock San Rafael.
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher Ella Keilt
Ella Keilt
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Ella grew up in the North Bay, immersed in music through her family from the very start. Between vocal and guitar lessons, and listening to a new album each day before school, she exposed herself to genres and eras of music that most of her peers were unaware of. Ella attended Artquest, a public school magnet program for the Visual and Performing Arts at Santa Rosa High School, where she also honed her visual artistic skills.

In 2019, she joined the staff at School of Rock Santa Rosa, where kids of all ages loved her teaching style and ability to connect. She also brought her energy and enthusiasm to group classes, including Rookies, Summer Camps, Rock 101, and the Performance Program rehearsals. As a singer-songwriter, Ella combines her unique smoky voice with relatable and memorable lyrics. She is a vocal and guitar teacher at School of Rock San Rafael, and co-directs the House Band with a special emphasis on vocals.

Ella is also an active musician and songwriter, playing with her band The Letterwriters alongside fellow instructors Jacob and Michael.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Abbi Samuels
Abbi Samuels
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Abbi’s mother used to play classical music for her in the morning before school, which inspired her to pick up the violin and later transition to voice. She attended MSA and then Sonoma State, where she attained a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in vocal performance. Abbi loves to listen to and perform a complete variety of genres from classical to folk to rock to progressive metal. We love to hear Abbi sing her warm-ups before her students come in because her voice is so beautiful!

Abbi teaches vocals and keyboard + piano at School of Rock San Rafael. Her mission is for her students to find joy in the music they create and build their self-confidence on stage. Abbi shares her life with her partner Jack, and enjoys cooking, reading, and playing video games. She loves that School of Rock is a safe space for self-expression and making music, where everyone is welcome.
Drum Teacher Andrew Griffin
Andrew Griffin
Drum Teacher
Andrew is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. He has taught hundreds of aspiring drummers at his own East Bay Drummers’ Studio and has taught master classes at the Jazz School in Berkeley and for the California Percussive Arts Society. Additionally, Andrew has taught at Redhouse Studios (Walnut Creek), Vibo Music (San Bruno), and St. Joseph Elementary (Alameda).

Andrew has performed and/or recorded with several bands, artists, and producers including CAKE, Camper Van Beethoven, Steve Fisk (producer for Nirvana, Soundgarden, the Posies, and Soul Coughing), and Jeff Bhasker (Grammy-winning producer for Fun, Kanye West, and the Rolling Stones).

Andrew is also a singer/songwriter and producer and currently fronts the Oakland-based indie rock group Felsen. In addition to teaching drums, Andrew directs Performance and Adult Performance bands at the School of Rock in San Rafael, CA.
Drum Teacher Eli Streich
Eli Streich
Drum Teacher
Both of Eli’s parents are musicians and it was natural for him to follow in their steps without thinking about it. In his teen years, Eli started getting involved with the Bay Area DIY scene and was “immediately obsessed.” He loved experiencing what was happening in his neck of the woods and he has continued to play and attend local gigs ever since. Eli’s main gig is with the Oakland art rock trio Gumby’s Junk and he freelances for small jazz combos and various other local bands.

Eli is a graduate of Oakland School for The Arts as well as Sonoma State University, from which he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies. He loves any music that excites or tickles his brain. Punk is his first love, but he acknowledges that jazz got him where he is as a player. Asked about his favorite music his answer is, “Usually anything between punk and jazz is right up my alley. Rhythmic, angular, obnoxious, humorous, overall weird, I love it all!” In his personal time, Eli creates visual art, attends local shows, and collects tchotchkes.

Eli teaches drums and the Rookies program and directs Rock 101 bands (the rehearsals are always fun and filled with jokes). He loves the bond he has with his students and hopes that their journey in music continues way past their time with him.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Emily Lewis
Emily Lewis
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Emily Lewis is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who teaches vocals and beginner keyboard + piano at School of Rock San Rafael. She’s been singing for as long as she can remember, but her musical spark really lit up when she heard “Fireflies” by Owl City and was inspired to learn all the lyrics, her first true dive into discovering her own voice. Today, she sings for the emotional fulfillment, the creativity, and the joy of shaping sound in new ways.

Emily holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a concentration in Classical Vocal Performance from Bard College. Though she’s trained primarily as an opera singer, she also has a strong background in pop, rock, jazz, and choral singing. Her goal in lessons is to help students grow confident in their own sound, play with their voices, and discover the music that inspires them.

A musician of many colors, Emily also plays clarinet, piano, ukulele, and oboe, and even writes her own songs. Her experimental album was released under the artist name Nettlesprings. When she’s not teaching or creating, you can find her crafting, painting, traveling, swimming, playing board games, or hanging out with her fluffy black cat, Cocoa Bean.

Born and raised in Sebastopol, Emily loves working one-on-one with students and giving each person the focus they deserve. For her, helping someone unlock a new part of their voice is the best kind of music.
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher Erik Trignani
Erik Trignani
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Erik Trignani has been drumming up a storm for 18 years, and he wouldn’t have it any other way! Coming from a musical family, Erik’s love for rhythm started early and has only grown stronger with time. He’s also a talented guitarist and bassist, but drums will always have his heart (and his kick pedal).

Erik studied at Marin School of the Arts in Novato and trained at Marin Music Center, though he’s self-taught on all things melodic. Over the years, he’s performed in a range of Bay Area bands, jamming through everything from rock and indie to jazz and reggae. Those experiences not only sharpened his skills but also introduced him to some lifelong friends who share his love of music.

At School of Rock San Rafael, Erik teaches drums and guitar, and directs Rookies & Rock 101 bands. His goal is simple: help students gain confidence in their music and in themselves, while having an awesome time doing it. Whether it’s their first beat or a full-band performance, Erik brings the energy, patience, and encouragement every student needs to grow.

When he’s not behind the kit, Erik’s usually outdoors, watching football, or gaming. For him, the best part of working at School of Rock San Rafael is getting to do what he loves every single day: play music, connect with students, and keep the groove going!
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Gillian Eichenberger
Gillian Eichenberger
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Gillian Eichenberger has been at the piano since before she could read, picking out melodies by ear and discovering that music could be both a challenge and a comfort. Raised on her dad’s rock n’ roll collection and inspired by her piano teacher Sandra Simich, Gillian grew up loving everything from classical storytelling to the wild joy of rock. Twenty-five years of piano study, fifteen years of vocal training and theater studies at San Francisco State University, she’s now a professional musical theater performer (with companies like Marin Theatre Company, Marin Shakespeare, The Mountain Play, and Shotgun Players) and the lead singer for the Taylor Swift tribute band Swifty. She’s also taken her synth and backing-vocal skills into the neon-punk world with The Hot Takes and works as a music director for youth theater.

Gillian teaches piano and voice, and she’s a big believer in cross-training across genres and art forms. To her, music is a lot like the best friendships: joyful, comforting, sometimes challenging, and always full of growth. She hopes her students discover their own creative voice and learn to love music for all the ways it can show up in their lives.

Her listening lineup ranges from Blondie and Ella Fitzgerald to Queens of the Stone Age, The Ronettes, Stephen Sondheim, and Frederic Chopin. She loves artists with strong points of view, big emotions, and a flair for theatricality. Outside of music, you can find Gillian hiking, exploring museums, thrifting, or hanging out with her beloved senior chihuahua, Petey. She loves working at School of Rock San Rafael because the passion is contagious, everyone supports one another, shares their knowledge freely, and keeps students at the heart of everything. Studying music helped Gillian find her place in the world, and now she’s excited to help her students find theirs.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Hazel Gillmer
Hazel Gillmer
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Hazel Gillmer can’t resist picking up any instrument within reach, but bass has been their favorite for over 12 years! A graduate in Music Composition, Hazel loves exploring how sound connects people and emotions. They first started playing music to share something special with their mom, and it’s been a lifelong way to connect with others ever since.

At School of Rock San Rafael, Hazel teaches bass guitar, guitar, and keyboard + piano, helping students not just play music but feel it, both on their own and in a band setting. Whether it’s breaking down a tricky song or jamming together in a group, Hazel’s all about building confidence, creativity, and community through music.
Hazel’s musical taste is all over the map, from Talking Heads and Crowded House to Steve Reich and PinkPantheress, and they love any music that’s personal, experimental, and full of heart.

When they’re not teaching or playing, Hazel’s probably watching movies, diving into video games, or talking about great soundtracks (ask them about Spider-Verse, Zelda, or Cowboy Bebop!). They share their home with two cats, Windy and Deli, who are, in Hazel’s words, “the real stars of the show.”
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher Jacob Connor
Jacob Connor
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Jacob Connor has been drumming for over 20 years, but his love of music started even earlier, when he picked up the trombone at age seven (doctor’s orders to help with childhood asthma… and it worked!). Growing up with a punk-loving mum and a prog rock–obsessed dad, Jacob developed a wide musical taste that still fuels his creativity today.

At School of Rock, Jacob teaches drums, keys, and vocals, and also leads two performance bands. His goal? To help students find lasting fulfillment through music. Jacob believes in balancing fun and focus so his students can build confidence, skill, and, most importantly, a lifelong love for playing.
Outside of teaching, Jacob composes for film and TV, chasing new sounds and textures to bring stories to life. You might’ve heard his work on projects like Red Eye (Hulu), As We Speak (Showtime), and Drops of God Season 2 (Apple). He’s also an active musician, playing with his band The Letterwriters alongside fellow instructors Ella and Michael, and has gigged everywhere from The Royal Albert Hall to Manchester’s post-punk scene.

When he’s not teaching or composing, Jacob’s usually outdoors with his wife, Nicole, an ultra-runner who’s inspired him to start running too, or cheering for his hometown team, Manchester United. For Jacob, the best part of School of Rock San Rafael is seeing students’ excitement as they discover the same love of music that’s driven him all these years.
Studio Coordinator Jayme Shimsky
Jayme Shimsky
Studio Coordinator
As a studio coordinator, Jayme is the welcoming presence who helps students feel at home, keeps the schedule running smoothly, and makes sure School of Rock San Rafael stays a place people love to walk into.

A lifelong musician, Jayme has been playing violin since third grade, viola for more than 30 years, and has most recently picked up the bass guitar. What started as a simple school requirement quickly grew into something deeper: over time, her instruments became part of who she is. Now she’s adding bass guitar into that identity, one groove at a time.

Jayme doesn’t teach, but she loves watching students grow with the support of our amazing instructors. When she’s not surrounded by music here, she’s listening to a mix of goth and industrial, Baroque classical, and a splash of ’70s/’80s prog, proof that a great playlist can span centuries.
Outside of School of Rock San Rafael, Jayme has been happily married to her husband Karl since 2001. At home, she answers to her feathered trio, Jake the parrot and cockatiels Goldie and Millie, and somehow still finds time for cross-stitching, cooking, and volunteering as a costumer with Verismo Opera in Vallejo.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher John Woodall
John Woodall
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
John was hooked on music early in his life when, at age 5, he began playing piano. By the age of 10, he started writing music and playing guitar. John considers himself a ‘lifer’ who must practice and play daily because it is his love. He attended the Academy of Guitar and the N.S.W. Conservatory of Music in Australia where he attained a master's degree in Music. Once in California, John worked as an engineer and production coordinator at The Record Plant in Sausalito with legendary producer/engineer Jim Gaines. He assisted in the production of many great bands and artists including Santana, Heart, Starship, Dan Fogelberg, Journey, Huey Lewis, and John Fogarty.

John became a working musician in the Marin band Frontline and formed Powerof2Music in 1989, which has scored over 700 episodes of television as well as commercials and video games. John received the Excellence in Composition and Songwriting Award from Yamaha Music USA, scored two Emmy Award-winning shows, and received Ace and Gold Awards for his work on children's audiobooks such as the beautiful Baru Bay with Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead.

John is a longtime ASCAP writer and publisher, and a consultant regarding licensing in perpetuity issues, publishing, and placing music. He puts thought, passion, and nurturing into his teaching, bringing out the very best in his students and the bands he directs.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher Matthew Peters
Matthew Peters
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Matthew Peters has been playing guitar for 18 years, but his musical journey started way before that—when he first convinced his parents to buy him a guitar around age seven. After taking a short break, he discovered Nirvana, and that was it: he fell in love with the sound, the energy, and the freedom of playing music. He’s been performing in bands ever since, starting with his first group, Losing Frequency, and continuing through projects like Moan Alisa, Sundazed, N.A.S.A., and the Apollo Era.

At School of Rock San Rafael, Matthew teaches guitar and bass guitar. He also directs Rock 101, Performance, and Adult Performance bands. Matthew's goal is to give students the tools to build a lifelong connection to music, one that goes beyond just playing songs. He encourages curiosity, creativity, and understanding of how music works, believing that even a little theory can open up whole new ways to express yourself.

Matthew’s taste in music spans decades and genres: from ‘50s rock ‘n roll to post-punk, from glam to shoegaze, and, of course, a lifelong love for Led Zeppelin. He’s also played in jazz combos, wedding bands, and pretty much every rock setup imaginable.

When he’s not teaching or performing, Matthew enjoys making candles, spending time in nature, and cooking. What he loves most about School of Rock San Rafael? Watching students grow, gain confidence, and rock the stage together is what makes every show worth it.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher Seth Pressley (Pressley)
Seth Pressley (Pressley)
Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Seth Pressley (Pressley) has been rocking the guitar for over 35 years, and he’s still finding new ways to make it sing! A true multi-instrumentalist, Pressley also plays bass, drums, and even lends his voice to the mix. Inspired by his dad, who played music too, he picked up a guitar early on and never looked back. These days, music is Pressley’s creative outlet and favorite way to connect with others.

At School of Rock San Rafael, Pressley teaches guitar, bass guitar, drums, and vocals. His lessons focus on helping students grow in skill and confidence while feeling comfortable expressing themselves through music. Whether it’s nailing a tricky riff or finding your stage groove, Pressley’s goal is to make learning music as exciting as performing it. You can even check out his song “I Need You Now” on Spotify and Apple Music! When he’s not teaching or playing, Pressley loves building guitars and hanging out with his partner, Sarah, and their dog, Fletcher.

Outside of School of Rock San Rafael, Pressley also works in special education at his local high school, proof that his passion for helping others learn goes far beyond music. For Pressley, it’s all about sharing the joy of music and watching students discover their own sound.
Drum Teacher Tom Paslay
Tom Paslay
Drum Teacher
Tom Paslay has been teaching, recording, and performing drums for over 30 years. Tom attended the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles where he received his certificate in drumset studies. In addition to his teaching experience, he has toured in Tokyo, Japan, and extensively throughout the West Coast.

Tom has shared the stage with such notables as Beck, No Doubt, and The English Beat among many others. Tom teaches beginning to advanced drum lessons in a variety of styles including rock, worldbeat, funk, and traditional snare drum rudiments. He emphasizes reading, balance, hand technique, and coordination, and caters each lesson to the student’s goals and aspirations.

Tom naturally connects with and inspires students of all ages, and believes playing drums should always be fun!
Studio Coordinator Victoria Pappalardo
Victoria Pappalardo
Studio Coordinator
Victoria Pappalardo is one of the friendly faces that make School of Rock San Rafael such a fun place to be! As Studio Coordinator, she’s the go-to person for warm welcomes, scheduling lessons, helping families, and keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Basically, if it helps the music happen, Victoria’s on it.

When she’s not coordinating all things School of Rock, you’ll find her behind the drum kit. Victoria started playing drums two years ago after a lifelong love of music sparked by listening to records with her dad. What began as a dream turned into a passion, and now she rocks with the Thursday Adult Performance band, Lost at Sea.

Victoria’s musical taste leans heavily toward the ‘90s, alternative, rock, indie, and a bit of old country for good measure. She loves any song that speaks to the heart, no matter the genre. Outside of music, Victoria enjoys practicing yoga and exploring her creativity through visual arts. What she loves most about working at School of Rock San Rafael? Seeing students’ smiling faces and hearing the incredible music they create every day, it’s the best soundtrack a job could have.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.

Reviews

What I like about the program is that my kids LOVE it!

This is so different from the music lessons that existed when I was a kid. These kids are actually making music and learning to play as a band. The performances are so impressive, and watching the kids gain confidence and express themselves on stage is priceless.

The structure around how kids learn is amazing.

Taking lessons to learn an instrument is one thing, but learning how to be a part of a band is on another level. These kids are learning how to communicate, respect people and their opinions, and how to be accountable for themselves. It’s more than just music here.

It's the best music program in the city.

Dedicated instructors and staff, vibrant atmosphere, and most importantly, it's fun! My 8-year-old has grown leaps and bounds in skill and personal confidence. If you're thinking about checking it out, don't wait, just do it!

The kids have a great time while learning to play.

Lifelong skills and relationships are born here. The staff shares their passion for music and are very professional and accommodating. Wish I had this type of exposure to music when I was growing up!

By submitting your email address you are verifying that you are 13 years or older.