Co-Owner
Dan started his musical career with five years of piano lessons, focusing on classical music. At CAPA, he changed gears to drums and percussion, learning everything he could from local jazz great Roger Humphries. Eventually, Dan joined the All City Orchestra, playing several percussion instruments from snare drum to timpani.
While in college, Dan joined his first all-original band, Scapegrace, and they played together for almost a decade, recorded two albums, played all over the city, and opened for national acts. He also enjoyed playing traditional Irish folk music at local Irish Festivals. Dan now likes to play drums with Horehound and Victoria Fire, spend time with his wife, and brew beer.
Both of Dan’s daughters have graduated from School of Rock South Hills in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Watching them develop into awesome musicians has been so rewarding and he is so glad to be a part of it. Dan truly enjoys watching these great kids learn to play music. The stage is the best teacher and he can’t wait to see students up on stage for every performance!
Guitar Teacher, Co-Owner
Quinn Lukas is a musician based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Lukas took a liking to music at a very early age. He started playing drums at the tender age of two and moved on to playing live at five years old. At the age of nine, Lukas picked up the guitar and hasn’t put it down since.
In a musical career that spans nearly three decades, Lukas has traveled the globe, opening for – and touring and playing with – the likes of Paul Stanley, Queensryche, Black Sabbath with Dio, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Twisted Sister, Y&T, Winger, Cinderella, Kamelot and more. For three years, Lukas toured North America as the lead guitarist for Iron Maiden vocalist, Paul Di'Anno. Lukas is endorsed by Siggi Braun guitars, Seymour Duncan pickups, and Dean Markley strings, and is continually interviewed in print, radio & TV worldwide.
With a style described by the press as "a young Ritchie Blackmore," Lukas also draws inspiration from icons like Randy Rhoads, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Queensryche's Chris DeGarmo. He has, however, developed a style of his own, merging the best elements of neo-classical metal, modern rock as well as classic rock and southern blues.
Lukas is currently the guitar player for Icarus Witch, a classic, stylish, melodic hard-rock band signed to Cleopatra Records. Quinn also plays guitar in Traditional Heavy Metal Juggernauts, Ironflame.
General Manager
Olivia started her musical journey at 12 years old with guitar and eventually picked up a bass a few years later. After a few years of private lessons, she became a School of Rock student, participating in the Performance Program and successfully auditioning for her school's House Band.
In high school, Olivia played shows around Pittsburgh, got featured on the cover of a 2017 issue of the Pittsburgh City Paper, and was interviewed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as part of her band Wolfblud. Olivia was also invited to the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in LA where she performed at the Whisky a Go Go, playing “Barracuda” with Nancy Wilson of Heart and “Mr. Brownstone” with Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses.
Olivia was also the first graduate of School of Rock South Hills in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Capital University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in music technology. Olivia now plays with three other School of Rock South Hills graduates in the local band sorry face.
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Jake started playing viola in the school orchestra when he was 10 and he later played bass in his school's jazz band. He later became a School of Rock student and played guitar and bass.
Jake was in his school's House Band for four years and was a two-time School of Rock AllStar. He now teaches guitar and bass and directs shows at the School of Rock in South Hills.
Studio Coordinator
Michele has been drumming since age 11 and plays all over Pittsburgh with her femme-fronted garage punk band, Murder for Girls. MFG recorded the album, Done in the Dark, with Tommy Stinson (of The Replacements, Guns N' Roses, The Lemonheads, Soul Asylum, and Bash & Pop). Her band has opened for national acts including Bash & Pop, Bob Mould, MC5, Shilpa Ray, Shonen Knife, Richie Ramone, and Deerhoof.
Michele studied technical writing at Robert Morris University and specializes in nonprofit administration with a background in mentorship for at-risk youth. She gives back to the community by collecting donations of instruments and art supplies to distribute in underserved areas.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
With many years of experience in teaching music both privately and in classroom settings, Sarah arrived at the School of Rock in South Hills in July 2018. She has performed on violin locally with the Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Savoyards, and the Pittsburgh Philharmonic. She is also a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and co-founder of Midnight Vinyl Duet.
Back in her hometown of Augusta, Georgia, Sarah regularly performed with The Augusta Players on violin and viola, as well as recreated full-length Beatles albums with classic rock and soul outfit Number 9, while raising over $250,000 for local charities. Sarah earned a Bachelor of Music from Augusta State University, with a violin concentration.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Sarah is a classically trained coloratura soprano with a background in opera and musical theatre. She also has contemporary experience as a singer/songwriter. With over 20 years of performance history and theatre credits, Sarah’s passion for the art form dates back to early childhood. Her local performance credits include principal roles with Undercroft Opera, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, and the Pittsburgh Savoyards, as well as solo work with the Westmoreland Symphony and the Washington Symphony Orchestras.
Sarah has also sung multiple roles as a young artist with programs such as the Miami Music Festival and Emerald City Opera (now Steamboat Opera). She is beyond thrilled to join the team at School of Rock South Hills and hopes to foster a love of performing in her students.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Greg has been teaching music since 2003, first as an instructor for adult and youth guitar classes at Community College of Allegheny County while a student, then soon after as a private teacher. He has been a member of the Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra (ELCO) since its inception in the fall of 2008, is a co-founder of Midnight Vinyl Duet, and currently writes, records, and performs with Midknight Rose.
Greg plays electric and acoustic, 6-string and 12-string, and nylon string guitars, in addition to bass (fretted/fretless), mandolin, ukulele, and voice. He is a graduate of Duquesne University’s School of Music, with a concentration in guitar and sound recording technology. There, he studied voice, sang in choir, and wrote arrangements for and performed with the Classical Guitar Ensemble and Electronic Chamber Group.
Greg also holds an AS degree in Theatre. As an audio engineer, he has run sound for live events and currently freelances as a crew member for selected film and video projects.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Alan Samuel Racadag is a Filipino-American composer, performer, and producer who boasts a diverse musical background. He received formal training on the violin and composition while also honing his skills as a self-taught guitarist and music producer. His influences range from Radiohead and Meshuggah to Beethoven, George Crumb, and Georg Friedrich Haas.
In 2020, Alan penned and produced an eclectic independent release named “Superbloom.” Today, he actively composes modern classical music while exploring electronic dance music under an alias.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Eric started playing guitar at the age of six, started playing percussion in the symphonic band, and further explored the guitar in the jazz band at North Allegheny. He continued his music education at Duquesne University studying jazz guitar, composing, and music technology. During his time at Duquesne, he sang as a member of Pappert Chorale. He has performed at various venues around the city from the Le Mont to Heinz Hall.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Jack has been playing guitar since the age of 13 and became a student at School of Rock South Hills, where he played in performance groups and house band and took private lessons. Jack now attends Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of Music, where he studies to become an audio engineer as a music technology major. He also studies guitar in commercial music such as rock, pop, funk, RnB, and jazz from local Pittsburgh music greats such as Mike Tomaro, Eric Suseoff, and Alex Price. Jack plays guitar in Minifridge, a hardcore punk band, and Salad Business, a progressive indie rock band.
Drum Teacher
Jonathan Walters is a drummer from Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania. He started playing the drums at age 14 and performed and recorded with several of his original bands in the Pittsburgh area throughout high school.
Jonathan graduated from Berklee College of Music and enjoys writing and performing music with his current band Cig&Bee.
Drum Teacher
Berklee alumnus Joseph Claxton McNamara has been playing the drums for almost fifteen years. He loves cats, and he is also the drummer of a touring death metal band.
Little Wing Director, Rookies Director
Bayleigh is beyond excited to be teaching here at School of Rock South Hills! She graduated from Duquesne University with a B.S. in Music Education. Her main instrument is voice and she also loves to play the ukulele!
Bayleigh has taught general music in multiple school districts and has directed a few school concerts. In her free time, Bayleigh enjoys gardening, cozy gaming, and painting. She can’t wait to make some music together!