Ryan Schiff
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 Lysle
General Manager
Raised in Los Angeles, Selena has always been passionate about music, from photographing concerts to working in health and safety at music festivals. She started with School of Rock in 2014 at the Burbank location and since then, she’s helped cultivate a welcoming and inspiring community of future rock stars. She is a Multi-Unit General Manager and also leads the team at School of Rock Santa Clarita.
Selena has an associate's degree in Business and Studio Photography. She is currently pursuing degrees in 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.
When she's not behind the front desk, she enjoys learning new things, gardening, cooking, and being outdoors.
Holly Chacon
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 our Santa Clarita campus.
Reece Clark
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 as well.
Jake Rodriguez
Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Drum 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 in Santa Clarita community.
Jay Adana
Vocal Teacher
Jay Adana is a singer and composer. She began studying voice in Santa Clarita at age 9. She currently works in music for stage and screen primarily in New York and California.
The Loophole (The Public Theater, music and lyrics), The Jordan & Avery Show (The O’Neill Theater Center, book, music and lyrics), The Woodsman (New World Stages, lyrics), Notes From Now (59E59, contributed music and lyrics), Fingerpaintings (Playwrights Horizons Downtown, music and lyrics), LeFay (Musical Theater Factory, book and lyrics), The Last Tiger in Haiti (Berkeley Rep/La Jolla Playhouse, contributed music and lyrics). Performance venues include The Public Theater, 59E59, Joe's Pun, 54 Below, and Rockwood Music Hall.
2020 Richard Rodgers Award, 2021 Vivace Award, 2018 Jonathan Larson Award, 2019 Dramatist Guild Foundation Fellow. Work featured by PBS, The American Theater Wing, and The Dramatist Magazine. Teaching/Mentoring: NYU Playwrights Horizons, American Theater Wing. Education: #BARS workshop founded by Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs, Acting BFA SUNY Purchase Conservatory.
Emily Tschirhart
Vocal 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.
Grant Dacklin
Guitar Teacher
Grant Dacklin is a Music Producer, Writer, and Guitarist born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. His passion for music began with being around urban dance/Hip Hop for most of his life. Training as a dancer influenced his love for rhythm and he began learning guitar on his own to fuel his main passion of making original music.
Since moving out to LA, Grant has been going to college at Calarts studying music-tech and Guitar performance, and more recently has personal success in his original work. His music found him touring the Midwest with his collaborators, and the highlight of his career is performing at SXSW 2023.
In addition to his accomplishments, Grant has extensive experience teaching kids dance and music, and did so during his time in high school. His deep understanding of music through dance, guitar, original composition, and his dedication to education make him well prepared to share his expertise with students at School of Rock!
Phoebe Randall
Studio Coordinator
Born and raised under the blazing Arizona sun, yet somehow incapable of absorbing vitamin D, Phoebe Randall has loved and valued music since she got her hands on a Hello Kitty boombox and her very first CD—a Britany Spears album she won at Dave and Busters.
Phoebe loves to sing, and has been trying to learn guitar for years, but just can’t get those barre chords down. She graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Art Studies, focusing primarily on animation. She loves how animation is a marriage of moving images and sound, the two made more impactful together than apart.
Phoebe loves that music alone has the ability to transport us to worlds of our creation, and she believes strongly in the therapeutic power of listening to and playing music. Phoebe will often be found listening to her favorite artists while she draws, goes on a hike, or while she’s brushing her teeth. She very much looks forward to supporting you on your uniquely beautiful artistic journey!
Arianna Sonnenburg
Vocal Teacher
Arianna has been infatuated with singing her whole life. She studied voice in college and performed in many university theatre productions, landing the lead role in three of them. She continues to pursue performing and has discovered a love of teaching that she never expected!
Arianna was trained classically and has developed vocal skills she didn't think were accessible. This has unlocked a desire to teach others the joy of finding power in their own voices. It is empowering to recognize the potential your own body has to create a sound you are confident in.
Arianna has toured nationally with The Master's Chorale and has been involved in musical productions in the Southern California area for the past five years.
Zakary Herman
Vocal 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. When he’s making his own music, it’s inspired by jazz, R&B, fusion, rock, and soul.
Ruth Nichols
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard 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. She 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.
Jason Austan
Drum Teacher
Jason Austan is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, audio engineer, composer, arranger, and educator. Jason began playing drums at the age of 15, being taught by instructors in the area and playing with local bands while growing up in New Jersey. During his early twenties, he turned his passion into a full-time career by moving to Los Angeles, California.
Focusing exclusively on music, Jason 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. Jason 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. At the same time, he also uses his talents to teach students of all ages the encyclopedia of knowledge he has attained along the way while keeping in mind the value of self-education and finding your voice.
Versatility and balance are the key ingredients in Jason's 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 Tozier
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher
Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Parker Tozier began her musical journey at the age of 10 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.