Ryan
District Manager
Born and raised in Long Island, NY, Ryan began playing guitar at age 13 after seeing the movie "La Bamba" about rock legend Ritchie Valens. He studied with Grammy-nominated guitarist Steve Briody for several years before starting his own projects and soon became an instructor himself.
While still in New York, his band Code Anchor independently released several EPs and one full-length album, "Rosada," while touring extensively nationwide from 2005-2009. A co-writer in the band, Ryan also played lead and rhythm guitar while singing lead and backup vocals. Memorable stages include the Vans Warped Tour at Nassau Coliseum and headlining bills at some of New York City's greatest venues like CBGB's and The Knitting Factory. It was during this time that Ryan began teaching at School of Rock in NY. Hungry to pursue new musical ventures, Ryan departed from Code Anchor and moved to Los Angeles in 2009.
Since then, he's been busy writing, producing and performing with his newest project, Lou Pine. As a Sony/ATV artist, Lou Pine’s music has been featured on television shows like “Chicago Fire,” “Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word” and “Food Paradise." Ryan enjoys playing every genre, including jazz, funk, country and folk, but credits the blues and rock n' roll as his main influences. He is the district manager at School of Rock Santa Clarita.
Selena
Regional Manager
Raised in Los Angeles, Selena has been passionate about music her whole life, from photographing concerts to working in health and safety at music festivals. She joined School of Rock in 2014, and after seeing her first Season Show, she knew she was in the right place. Since then, she has helped cultivate a welcoming and inspiring community of future rock stars - striving to build amazing teams, create memorable experiences, and foster a fun, positive environment where students can rock out and find their tribe.
Selena holds degrees in Business and Studio Photography and is currently pursuing Graphic Design and UX Design. Selena loves creating rad artwork and running around with her camera at School of Rock shows. You can catch her custom-made show posters around the school. In February 2023, she was promoted to Multi-Unit General Manager, leading School of Rock Santa Clarita, and in September 2025, she became Regional Manager, now also overseeing School of Rock Pasadena.
Outside of School of Rock, Selena enjoys learning new things, gardening, cooking, and spending time outdoors.
Holly
Assistant General Manager
Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Holly has always had a deep passion for singing. She participated in her high school choir as well as in an on-campus singing group at Cal State Northridge where she graduated with her Bachelor's in Psychology. Using her love of music alongside her bubbly personality and education in human affairs, she is the Assistant General Manager for School of Rock Santa Clarita.
Reece
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Reece Clark started learning guitar at the School of Rock in Dallas, TX in 2009, and after continuing through their program for a few years he eventually started playing in bands of his own. He then took his love for guitar and for learning to Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where he studied guitar of all genres (including classical, jazz, pop and R&B) as well as music theory, live production and music business while still touring with his band outside of school.
Since graduating, Reece has decided to pursue music as a career. His old band Oh, Weatherly signed to Los Angeles-based record label Hopeless Records, put out their debut full-length album and immediately hit the road. Since then, he’s toured across the entire United States and Canada with alternative acts such as Mayday Parade and Ryan Key of Yellowcard, performed on the final Vans Warped Tour, Sad Summer Festival, and most recently decided to put that same passion into teaching and possibly helping other kids find their love for music at School of Rock Santa Clarita.
Rocco Williams
Studio Coordinator
Rocco Lc Williams is a composer, performer, and educator originally from Denver, CO. Described as a “one-of-a-kind vibraphonist with an exceptional mastery of the instrument” by KUVO Jazz 89.3, Williams has a clear vision for his music. After attending high school at Denver School of the Arts, Williams attended University of Colorado Boulder for his undergraduate degree in Percussion Performance. While at CU, Rocco had opportunities to perform with Maria Schneider, Brad Goode, Mike Moreno, and Paul Romaine. Shortly before receiving his undergraduate degree, Williams became an endorsed artist with Marimba One. After receiving his undergraduate degree from CU, Williams went on to study composition privately from Carmen Sandim. In 2022, Williams was involved in a hit and run motorcycle accident, breaking his right hand and shattering his thumb on the same hand. The recovery after having a metal plate surgically implanted in his hand was long and hard. After almost a whole year of recovery with numerous physical therapists speculating whether Rocco would ever be able to comfortably play again, he picked up the mallets with a completely new outlook on music as a whole. In 2024, Rocco moved to Los Angeles to pursue his MFA in Performance and Composition at California Institute of the Arts where he studied with world-renowned composer, Steve Lehman.
Since moving to Los Angeles, Williams has found himself sharing the stage with Jonathan Pinson, Arno Kristensen, and many other iconic jazz artists on the LA scene. In addition to working at School of Rock Santa Clarita, Rocco continues to teach privately and conduct frequent masterclasses while in Los Angeles. His newest artistic venture Ground-Level Psyche features a culmination of originals and arrangements that Rocco has been working on since he moved to LA. Williams self-describes his music as “an experience that is intended to challenge the performers to create a completely unique sonic environment where the line between experimental music and jazz is blurred.”
Emily
Vocals Teacher
Emily Tschirhart is a vocalist, songwriter, and composer, who graduated from California Institute of the Arts. Over the course of Emily's career, they have headlined festivals in Michigan, performed and recorded original work at Capitol Records, performed in venues across Los Angeles, and scored award-winning animated short films.
Emily's main musical strengths include voice (contemporary and classical technique), vocal arrangements, and pop music form (R&B, blues, pop, folk). Emily is passionate about all things music, as she has been performing and recording from an early age, and is committed to uplifting and supporting young artists at School of Rock Santa Clarita.
Ruth
Vocals Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Ruth is a vocalist, songwriter, pianist, trumpeter, and cat mom. During her undergrad and graduate degrees Ruth studied Western Classical, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Salsa, and more. Since then she has honed her skills as a versatile performer of many styles of music. Ruth has performed with many artists including Harry Styles at Coachella, and currently performs with New York City’s first all-female Mariachi, Flor de Toloache. From the United Palace in NYC to the YouTube Theater here in LA and festivals in between, Ruth loves performing to crowds of all sizes!
Ruth has released 2 EPs and an album under her artist project Mahealane and was an official SXSW artist. She frequently collaborates with producer PRNDL and together they lead a fusion band called Low Poly Cactus. Ruth teaches vocals and keyboard + piano at School of Rock Santa Clarita.
Jason
Drums Teacher
Jason Austan is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, audio engineer, composer, arranger, and educator. Jason began playing drums at the age 15, being taught by instructors in the area and playing with local bands while growing up in New Jersey. During his early 20s, he turned his passion into a full time career by moving to Los Angeles, California.
Focusing exclusively on music, he began his journey by attending the Musicians Institute of Hollywood where he received a diverse education. First, he studied drum set performance and then moved on to audio engineering, live sound, and the independent artist programs. He has played and recorded drums, engineered and produced with countless number of artists and bands in his personal recording studio and other studios around the country.
Jason uses his talents to teach students of all ages at School of Rock Santa Clarita the encyclopedia of knowledge he has attained along the way, while keeping in mind the value of self education and finding your own individual voice. Versatility and balance are the key ingredients in his lifelong journey as a musician. Jason is always moving forward, improving with hard work and determination, while never forgetting the joy that music has always brought him.
Parker
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drums Teacher
Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Parker Tozier began her musical journey at the age of ten by participating in jazz band and choir in school. From there, she began to branch out, independently studying the theory and technique behind rock, blues, fusion, funk, country, and metal music. At the age of 16, Parker began doing professional studio work, playing in local bands, and live theatre performances, as well as teaching private lessons.
Parker moved to California to study guitar, composition, and songwriting at the California Institute of the Arts. She is now deeply invested in the Los Angeles DIY scene, touring and recording for multiple local acts, and working on her own solo project.
She is a passionate, patient, and fun teacher, who is happy to tailor a curriculum to meet every student's needs at School of Rock Santa Clarita.
Jesse
Vocals Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Jesse started playing guitar and singing at the ripe old age of five years old! He is now an award-winning performer, having worked with legendary artists such as Bob Gaudio (Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons), Marty Grebb (The Buckinghams), Harry Nilsson, Denny Laine (Wings), and Academy Award winner and composer Alan Menken. At 19 years old, he fell in love with the theatre when a director spotted him singing and playing guitar in a Journey and Styx tribute band. He immediately cast him as the role of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. From that moment on, he has toured all over the world performing in various Broadway national tours and regional theatre. Notable roles include Miss Saigon (Chris), Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Disney’s Hercules The Musical (Young Hercules), Blood Brothers (Edward), and Pump Boys and Dinettes (Jackson).
Jesse has worked in just about every aspect of music from the studio to the stage. He is thrilled to share his years of knowledge with the students of School of Rock Santa Clarita with the hopes of inspiring the same musical spark he had when he was 5 years old.
Nate
Drums Teacher
Nate Hassan is a multi-instrumentalist and producer of the LA space rock band Pulsar Radio. He is working towards his associate's degree in recording arts. His mother was a drummer and passed on her sticks and drum pad to him when he was just a kid. Since then, Nate has participated in his high school's marching and jazz bands and toured with Drum Corps Spirit of Atlanta. He has recorded and toured with bands worldwide including Christian Death, Red Elvises, and Outernational and Off-Broadway acts like Burn The Floor, Street Drum Corps, and Blue Man Group.
Nate has dedicated his time to music education teaching when he's not on the road. He previously taught at the School of Rock in NYC, now teaching at School of Rock Santa Clarita and surrounding LA areas! Nate feels it is an absolute treasure to share his musical gifts and knowledge with the next generation of future musicians but what he loves most of all is to ROCK!
Connor
Drums Teacher
Connor began playing drums at age five and began honing his craft with the intention of live performances. Drummers like Neil Peart from Rush, Tony Williams, Danny Carey from Tool, and John Bonham from Led Zeppelin heavily influenced Connor's creative approach to drumming and teaching! Studying different genres of music has always been a priority for Connor and helped him obtain his Bachelor of Music from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. USC not only developed his skills as an instrumentalist but sharpened his pedagogy tools as well!
Connor has over 25 years of musical experience which granted him recognition from a number of different artists and groups in the pop/rock world as well. He has performed on major label tours in arenas, festivals, symphonic halls, amphitheaters, casinos, and clubs all across the world! He has performed with artists and bands including Anna Clendening, Anson Seabra, Alec Joseph, Colette Carr, Jordy, Coverboy, and BloodSmoke.
Connor is a passionate educator who enjoys helping his students develop life-long skills through music. He always intends to “send the elevator back down” and teach his students at School of Rock Santa Clarita the secrets of rock!
Benny
Drum Teacher
Benny is an active musician in the Los Angeles area, performing and recording with local bands and collaborating with artists on both live shows and studio projects. With a strong foundation in jazz, he performs in a jazz trio and several ensembles throughout the city, as well as the Los Angeles Valley College Community Wind Ensemble as a percussionist. His musical journey began in high school drum line, where he developed a love for rhythm and performance.
In addition to his work in jazz and wind ensembles, Benny is passionate about Latin percussion and draws inspiration from its energy and traditions. Looking ahead, he hopes to form a Latin ensemble, creating opportunities for collaboration and cultural exchange through music. Dedicated to versatility and creativity, he brings musicality and commitment to every performance and to lessons at School of Rock Santa Clarita.
Zakary
Vocals Teacher
Zakary Herman, an LA native, is a seasoned singer with a lifelong passion for music. While his vocal prowess has been a defining feature of his musical journey, he is also a proponent of multi-instrumentalism and the benefits it can bring to musicians. Along with this, he brings a holistic approach to music theory and the compositions that are created from it.
With experience in soundtrack work, live performance, and music production, Zak knows how music can have an effect on people’s lives, and is dedicated to bringing a positive influence to his students at School of Rock Santa Clarita. When he’s making his own music, it’s inspired by jazz, R&B, fusion, rock, and soul.
Jake
Keyboard + PianoTeacher, Guitar Teacher, Drums Teacher
Growing up in the Antelope Valley, Jake began learning music at the age of seven. He started playing drums at a local church.
At the age of nine, he started to learn the scales of the piano and has been an accompanist for his high school choir. In addition to that, he started to pick up the guitar during his high school days.
He studied music composition and obtained an AA from College of the Canyons with an emphasis on piano. Recently he has earned a certificate from UCLA extension in “Independent Music Production.” He currently works on his own music projects and is glad to be a part of the School of Rock Santa Clarita community.