Jeremy Horton Co-Owner, General Manager
Jeremy is the General Manager for the School of Rock Clear Lake and Owner/General Manager of the School of Rock Sugar Land and Champion Forest locations. He has been a professional musician for 30 years, is a current Berklee student, has played over 3,000 shows and concerts and is fluent on bass, guitar and drums. He is a freelance bassist, session musician and producer for many studios and artists, one of them being the eight-time "Billboard" charting R&B artist J Metro. In 2013 they toured Africa, headlining jazz festivals and teaching master classes at schools as part of an arts-envoy program for the United States Government. You can also find Jeremy on tour with soul country artist David Grace or his band Moses Guest that has been together for 24 years and recently completed their eighth album! Several songs from Moses Guest have also been featured on MTV's popular show "The Real World." They've opened for several great artists, such as The Steve Miller Band, Willie Nelson, Jewel, Tower of Power, Jerry Garcia Band and many more. Jeremy comes from a musical family. His mother is a pianist and vocalist, while his dad is a bassist, guitarist and vocalist. Jeremy’s ultimate goal is to pay it forward by giving young inspiring artists something that will be with them forever, and to bring them the same joy that has filled his life with great satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
Kent Newman Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Kent Newman has been a professional guitarist for over 30 years. He began playing at the age of 13 and at 15 was in the Texas dance hall circuit as lead guitarist and singer for the established band The Emotions. In 1989 he formed the band Rat Ranch. That band lasted 28 years and played thousands of shows for audiences from Florida to Alaska. He has also recorded countless projects, including original music for Rat Ranch as well as guitar and vocal arrangements for all levels of professional studio production. Over the years he and his bands have shared the stage with artists such as Kansas, Joe Walsh, 38 Special, America, Jefferson Starship, Peter Frampton, Dishwalla and many others. In addition to rock guitar styles, Kent has played just about every other type of popular music out there and he attempts to incorporate a broader understanding of music in general into his lessons. He also has decades of experience keeping a successful band together as a business pursuit. Kent currently plays in the country group Shotgun Road and the 70s classic rock group Diamond Jack. He is a guitar teacher and a bass guitar teacher at School of Rock Sugar Land.
Jordan Wright Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Jordan Wright is a longtime student and lover of music. Starting off with piano and choir in elementary school, he moved on to the guitar and bass guitar before beginning to dabble with other instruments such as drums, mandolin and ukulele. He played as a sideman during this time, as well as in multiple original Houston bands including Condition Green, Wasi Townsend and Madlove, MacAdams, The Psychodillos, Moonshine Summit, The Hightailers, POTROAST, Don't Worry 'Bout It, and Michael Shanks and the Merry Shanksters. For 10 years he was also the resident audio engineer at Last Concert Cafe in downtown Houston, affording the opportunity to work with all kinds of bands of all sizes from all over the world. In another life, he was also a math tutor and teacher's aide for HISD. He has a love for working with youth and is excited to combine his two passions, music and teaching, at School of Rock Sugar Land. He is a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher and drum teacher.
Calvin Parker Drum Teacher
Calvin Parker's parents gave him his first drum set on his fifth birthday and he has had sticks in his hands ever since. He started playing in church as a young teen, eventually joining the snare line in high school. After receiving a degree in Audio Engineering from SCA in Raleigh, North Carolina, he made his way to Houston, Texas. At age 18 he joined his first working gig with the high-energy funk band Out of Control. Fast forward 11 years, thousands of shows and studio sessions played with multiple bands and artists, and he has progressed as a musician through the Houston music scene. These gigs ranged from small pubs to touring the whole southwest casino circuit with cover bands. He has also been a part of multiple original groups, playing drums and providing production. He's played with bands of all genres, from the hip-hop flavored Positive Disturbance, Marauderz and CB Kings, to pop-rock acts Who is BC and Michael Flores, to country artist David Grace and many more. He is a drum teacher and also teaches audio engineering at School of Rock Sugar Land.
Willie Britton III Bass Guitar, Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher
Willie plays drums, bass guitar, piano and sings. Willie began playing drums at the age of 6 and played his first professional gig at the age of 13. Soon after, he played at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City. In his high school years, he won many jazz competitions with the band at Kashmere High School. Willie ended up getting a full scholarship to Texas Southern University for marching band. He played snare drum for the Ocean of Soul marching band for two years, and during that time, he fell in love with playing the bass guitar.
Two years into learning the bass, he played his first gig on bass at a little blues bar called Emitt's Place. He has been constantly learning, practicing and playing on the bass ever since. In 2018, he was blessed to be able to work at the School of Rock Sugar Land. He uses the knowledge he's gained to teach future musicians.
Nicolas Pequeño Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Nicolas Pequeño was born and raised in Houston, Texas and grew up playing in small bands in the cypress area while also being active in his high school band program. Nicolas took his love of music and got a degree in music performance with an emphasis in guitar in Dallas where he played every genre he could get his hands on from jazz to rock to pop.
Nicolas takes inspiration from a plethora of different musicians of many different genres. Some of his main inspirations are Pat Metheny, Eddie Van Halen, Cory Henry, and Johnny winter. Most of all, he loves music and the way it brings people of all cultures together for a unique experience and has been teaching students since 2017 to find their own musical path.
Taylor Trevino Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Trevino is a Houston-native who has spent nearly half his life learning the craft of music and performing with countless groups and musicians throughout the state of Texas and its bordering states. Taylor has been performing regularly since 2009 at the age of 13 in bands ranging from Rock/Metal, Spanish, Jazz, Country, Dance, Gospel, etc. In addition to this experience, Taylor spent 2 years learning music theory and one year learning Jazz theory in his teens. As a well-rounded musician, Taylor can teach proper technique, theory, songwriting, performance strategies, and any genre of music. With plenty of experience in young education programs throughout high school and college, he is also well equipped to teach young students in an interesting and fun way!
Andrew Fish Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Andrew started his obsession with music when he was 3. He went through school band and high school marching band. When he got his first drum set, music became so much more. He started forming bands and playing shows in high school, sharing the stage with regional and national acts on multiple occasions. He spent years touring, studio sessions and writing music with bands. More recently, he has built a studio and learned guitar, bass, recording, mixing and mastering. He has written some records and has helped local bands by working on producing records.
Mikayla Rosenthal Singing Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Mikayla is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumental performer, and producer from Sugar Land, TX. Growing up having listened to her dad's 12'' vinyls and CDs of the many greats in old soul, funk, and r&b, she began singing around the age of 4 and started to acquire an ear for complex melodies and groove rhythms. At age 9, she started taking piano lessons after being inspired by Alicia Keys and two years later began studying classical voice. Mikayla gained her performance experience on stage by competing in various classical voice competitions in the Houston area and nationally while in high school. She also was a part of her high school's varsity choir and auditioned to successfully make T.M.E.A. All-State Choir in 2016. Studying classical voice for 9 years eventually led Mikayla to study collegiately at a classical conservatory in New York City for 2 years.
While in New York, Mikayla's focus started to shift and her interest in songwriting grew. She transferred to Berklee College of Music, picked up guitar, and began to look towards singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Adrianne Lenker, and Lianne La Havas who paved their own paths in music. Mikayla graduated from Berklee in 2021 with a B.M. in professional music with concentrations in songwriting and performance. Today, Mikayla is building her career as a performing and recording artist, but in her off time has enjoyed teaching music. She is fortunate to have been exposed to both classical and contemporary styles and teachings of music, and is super excited to be a part of the School of Rock team.
Jaime Morales Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Jaime has been a guitar teacher for three years with students across all ages and skill levels. He has been a performer in several bands playing Rock, Country, Pop, and other styles of music. He is currently a music student at the University of Houston and his favorite music to listen to is movie/video game scores, and Math Rock.
Tyler McGee Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar, Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Trumpet Teacher
Tyler has been invested in music from a young age, playing trumpet and guitar through college. After getting his degree in music education from Sam Houston State University, he began teaching privately. When not teaching, he tries to play with talented musicians as much as possible, and especially loves playing in musical theater productions!
Stephen Smith Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Stephen is a musician and composer from the Pasadena area with a long history of live performance with the experimental and progressive Rock collective del-Rey. Developing a love for music from an early age combined with a passion for learning, he earned a degree in teaching from San Jac and continues with private studies and tutoring in multiple subjects. Having been involved in a variety of musical projects playing guitar, bass, and piano, Stephen is currently producing his own music under the name Robotany. His influences range from Dylan to Stravinsky, and he is thrilled to be a part of the School of Rock team.
Samuel Casarez Drum Teacher
Sam has been playing drums for 13+ years. He takes passion in his playing and loves to express himself through playing. He plays in a Progressive Metal band in the local Houston area. He hopes he can help inspire his students to play with the same passion as he does and help them excel to new potentials.
Matt Adame Singing Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Matt Adame has been playing music since he was about 8 years old. He started off on the drums and guitar a year later, and was in the concert and marching band through middle and high school. While attending high school he learned drums and percussion under Brian Stevens, DCI & Vic Firth endorsee Ralph Hardimon, and Michael Blair. At the same time in high school, he began playing shows in the Houston punk/hardcore/metal scene, recorded many demos and EPs, and continues to do so to this day. He has played in the bands Molotov Compromise, BLUNT, Mind Kill, Moral Distrust, and Final Warning. He began teaching private lessons around 2014 and started teaching at School of Rock starting in late 2019. Matt teaches all instruments and has an extensive knowledge of tricks and techniques to help anyone reach their goals as a musician.
Barraque Monfils-Evangelista Singing Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
James Barraque Monfils-Evangelista "J Metro" is a singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist and poet based in Houston Texas. “J Metro” began his musical training at the age of 5 with individual piano and voice lessons, group musicianship skills were also learned at a young age when in middle school he learned to play the trombone participating in concert and marching band as well as joined several academic and community choral ensembles culminating in the completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Theory and Composition with primary instruments in Piano performance and Vocal Performance from Morehouse College and a Masters of Business Administration at University of Phoenix under former legal name “Jimmie L. Moore Jr.”
J Metro has established a Global Presence and audience touring consistently in the United States and has performed in Burkina Faso, Paris France, Toronto Canada, Liyang China, Nanjing China, Geneva Switzerland, Berlin Germany and Honolulu Hawaii. J Metro toured West Africa as the headlining American artist in the Jazz A Ouaga Music Festival located in Burkina Faso and was a guest speaker, panelist, and performer at the 2015 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva Switzerland at the invitation of the U.S Embassies and Consulates of both countries.
While a Funk/Soul/Jazz base exists, you may recognize influences from nearly every musical genre known to man in his self-titled debut album “J Metro” which was released on January 25th 2011 featuring the Billboard singles “Alcoholic Logic” and “My People”. Shortly after the release of the debut album, J Metro was signed to Sony Orchard record label and began touring with Legendary Musician, Producer and Manager Maurice Starr, opening shows and performing with Faith Evans, Brian McKnight, John B, Rebirth Brass Band, Mary J Blige, Maurice Star, Allen Stone and Bruno Mars, Frankie Beverly and Maze
“My People (All Over The World)” was released in 2010 peaking at #82 on the Billboard R&B Hot 100, #3 HotSingle Sales, #2 Hot R&B Single Sales, and #4 Bubbling Under R&B/ Hip Hop Singles “Alcoholic Logic” was released in 2011 following the release of the album and placed on the following billboard charts, #2 Hot R&B Single Sales, #8 Hot Single Sales, #16 Bubbling Under R&B/Hip Hop Singles.
Second Album “Metropolis Saga”, released February 19th 2013, has three billboard Charting singles to date in hit songs “Baby”, “Shades of Gray” and “Governor’s Anthem”. Single “Shades of Gray” became the artists most successful billboard charting single peaking at #1 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.
J Metro has achieved increased levels of success with latest singles "Frosty” and "Bodyguard". "Frosty", released in December 2013, was honored by the Recording Arts Academy for its commercial success by being entered into the "Song of the Year" and "Solo Pop Performance" fields in the first round of voting consideration for the 57th Grammy awards. "Bodyguard" entered billboard charts in January 2015
2015 Album “Sentir Mon Amour E.P” celebrated the continued musical growth of J Metro with two Billboard Charting Singles “Bodyguard” and “Midnight Dreams”. Single Midnight Dreams was considered for a Grammy nomination in the 58th Grammy Awards for “Best R&B Performance” and “Song of the Year” while “Sentir Mon Amour E.P” was considered for Best R&B Album.
2017 through 2018 saw the continuation of Musical excellence in the studio and on stage with the release and touring performances of 4th studio album “Graffiti: The Lost Art” where J Metro collaborated with artists and producers the world over including “New Age Music Grammy Winners” Wouter Kellerman and Ricky Kej.
Aaron Walker Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Aaron has been playing music since he was introduced to the saxophone in middle school. After learning the bassoon at the age of 18, he began studying bassoon performance under Elise Wagner at the University of Houston. Over the course of the next four years his interests drifted from performance to music theory and he began to study composition, with the ambition of writing for video games and films. He now spends his time making music and sharing his knowledge at School of Rock Sugar Land.
Bo McLaughlin Guitar Teacher
Bo was a School of Rock student for five years before becoming a teacher. Within that time they were accepted into House Band, joined a band outside of the school, and began writing and composing their own music. Music has always been an important part of their life and Bo loves sharing that with the students they teach.
Krystal Salinas Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Singing Teacher
Krystal Salinas was born in Houston, TX. She sang on her first recording at five years old. She was in choir and band throughout high school and college, playing alto saxophone. She played in several state competitions, but was always drawn to rock and metal. She started seriously getting into guitar and drums within the same week when she was 13 years old. At the age of 17, her band started playing live and she got into radio broadcasting, studying under the great Cathy Forsythe. She has been involved in the local radio scene for over two decades.
Eventually she started recording multiple records with her band and touring the country. She developed relationships with multiple sponsors, venues, booking agents, recording companies, and other musicians throughout the world. She decided to pass on her gift of music by teaching at School of Rock.
Brittney Valdez Singing Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Brittney Valdez has been singing since she was two years old and started playing piano at the age of 6. She also has her associate of arts degree in music-vocal concentration. Her passion for music got her accepted to Berklee School of Music but she decided to pursue her career and has played with many local legends and Grammy Award-winning musicians. In 2013, she performed for The Presidential Inaugural Black Tie and Boots Ball in Washington D.C. She has also performed in Las Vegas, California, New York, New Orleans, and all over Houston. She is currently in one of Houston's most popular cover bands, The Slags, and performs for the Houston Texans (aka The Battle Ready Band), Houston Astros, and Houston Rockets. Brittney is a versatile singer/performer who has found a new love for teaching the next generation of amazing musicians, who are just as passionate about what they do. She promises to help bring each individual out of their shell and let the light shine from within.
Mike McCulloch Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Singing Teacher, Mandolin Teacher, Ukulele Teacher
At a year and a half old, Mike learned to play piano. His dad was a jazz player and encouraged music always. Mike's folks were also in barbershop choruses when he was growing up. He got an appreciation for vocal discipline and harmony. At the age of 12, he picked up bass due being a huge Rush and jazz fan, and that led quickly to guitar: classical, acoustic, and electric. In high school he was first chair French horn for three years. In college, Mike studied music theory and orchestral composition, with ambitions of being a film score artist. From there, he has been in over 20 bands in 30 years, each different from the last, from jazz to country to rock to metal. Mike has embraced every genre he's ever been a part of and now enjoys passing his experience on to the another generation at School of Rock Sugar Land.
Jeff Marcum Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher
Jeff is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in drums / percussion, guitar, bass, songwriting, and music production. He has been playing drums for over 10 years, performing in a vast number of groups ranging from jazz ensembles to contemporary rock bands. He has recording experience in professional studios and is currently completing a degree in Audio Engineering. He now performs regularly as the drummer in the band Small Talk.