Ray
Owner
Ray grew up in a highly musical atmosphere, living under the same roof as a music minister, band instructor, and singer for the Vocal Majority. From a young age, he gravitated towards Elvis and the Ramones instead of the ’80s new wave of the day. A cancerous tumor left him deaf in one ear, but that didn’t sway his love for music. While living in Grand Junction, Colorado, young Ray decided he wanted to learn guitar. His parents took him to a member of their church, the guitar-tech-turned-guitar-player of the ’80s hair metal band, Quiet Riot. Ray picked up the guitar with ease, as he seemed to do with any instrument (except vocals!).
Ray moved back to Texas during his senior year of high school and immediately joined a band that was looking for a bass player. Following his graduation, Ray became a private school kindergarten teacher by day and a rockstar by night. His band Attention Deficit won the Dallas Observer Award for Best Punk Band in DFW and played bands like Bowling for Soup, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, and more.
Eventually, some severe health problems resulted in Ray becoming completely deaf for a few months, putting his life and band on hold. When he regained hearing in his good ear, he moved back to Dallas and rejoined his bandmates. They re-formed as a new band named Peacemaker and worked with still-unknown producer Geoff Rockwell (Forever The Sickest Kids, Artist vs Poet, Memphis Mayfire) to record their first full-length as this band. Peacemaker quickly garnered a large following playing with bands like Bad Religion, Hot Water Music, Less Than Jake, and more.
When a School of Rock location opened in North Dallas, Ray was a perfect fit as an instructor. Ray quickly learned that his passion could become a reality and a career. He worked his way up to becoming the Music Director of what became the second-largest School of Rock in the nation, leading him to later train and work in multiple locations in the DFW area. After six years, Ray and his wife moved out to Southern California and led a cultural revolution by opening up multiple brand-new schools before returning to DFW to oversee 27 locations across the US!
But Ray and his wife always knew they wanted to be School of Rock owners, and after eight years with School of Rock, they opened their first location in Bryan/College Station followed by School of Rock The Colony! Ray loves teaching, songwriting, and working with local musicians all day, every day.
Kristin
Owner
Kristin has a degree in English & Child Development from the University of North Texas, as well as a certification in Audio Engineering. She ran one of Texas' largest recording studios, working with artists such as Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, the Jonas Brothers, John Legend, and more.
Since 2009, Kristin has been operating and opening new School of Rock locations from Texas to California, and everywhere in between. She and Ray opened their first school in College Station in 2019, and their second in The Colony in 2021. Kristin is currently an executive for a national franchise organization by day and a musician by night. Kristin has seen firsthand how incredible and life-saving this program is for its students, both young and old.
Dylan
Bass Guitar Teacher, Band Teacher
Dylan grew up in the Texas Hill Country, a place where musical inspiration was initially scarce. Everything changed when he was introduced to punk rock—a discovery pivotal to his newfound passion for music and his lifelong journey as a musician.
Dylan started playing piano and guitar but found his true calling after picking up the bass—and, eventually, the double bass! All these instruments led him to pursue jazz studies at the University of North Texas. Dylan has a deep love for music theory and enjoys composing and arranging music. Dylan now plays professionally across the DFW area, including with the jazz band Beauty Industry with both Rich and Adam!
Dylan’s favorite artists include, but are not limited to: John Zorn, The Minutemen, Carla Bley, The Ramones, Linda May Han Oh, Charlie Haden, Daniel Johnston, Selena, Richard Wagner, and Bad Religion.
Adam
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Band Teacher
Adam started taking guitar lessons from a local music studio in Rochester, NY at the age of nine years old. As he got older, sports injuries repeatedly pushed him to find a new passion, and by the time he was 14 music became a new way of life. Adam continued playing for various groups around the Rochester area and eventually enrolled at the University of North Texas Jazz studies program.
After graduating, Adam and a childhood friend began a recording business where they produce songs/albums for artists all over the DFW area. Now being fluent in keyboard + piano and bass guitar, he spends most of his time writing/producing music, as well as gigging and teaching at School of Rock The Colony.
Bryan
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocals Teacher
Bryan has been playing music for over 30 years, starting his musical journey on the drums when he was about eight years old. By 17, he started playing bass guitar to learn songwriting, and because at the time guitar was too intimidating! But don't worry, he picked up the guitar a few years later.
Bryan knew from a very young age that music was what he wanted to do with his life. He cut his teeth in the music industry as a session player in Nashville, truly becoming what he felt was a 'professional musician'. It was here that Bryan learned several different styles and techniques on various instruments, even picking up the banjo and keyboard + piano. Bryan also learned how to produce and record music.
Today, Bryan wears many hats in the music industry. He is the owner of a production company, a partner in a music promotion and marketing company, and he offers business consultations to help new and emerging artists navigate the industry. Music is Bryan's passion and he is overjoyed to help new and old musicians find their path, achieve their goals, and discover their own passion for music at School of Rock The Colony. Music is a gift to be shared, not a secret to be protected.
Chevy
Drums Teacher
Chevy was born and raised in Wyoming to a family that fueled his artistic passions. Since receiving a toy drum kit as a child, he dreamed of playing the drums. Eventually joining a jazz band in school he could finally live what he dreamed. After a handful of years attempting the study of jazz, he decided to take a different approach to playing drums by starting rock bands with his friends.
Since 2018, Chevy has been booking shows, playing in bands of all genres, touring, recording, and releasing music in Wyoming and now in North Texas. Primarily focusing on creating experimental music, he has found a vibrant community of artists to create and share fresh and interesting art with across the country. Chevy is constantly working to hone his drumming to better understand the language of music, and dreams to embolden anyone with the desire to share their artistic vision to do so with confidence at School of Rock The Colony.
Kat
Front Desk Sales, Marketing Lead, Vocal Teacher
Kat was born and raised in Dallas, TX. She studied musical theater and vocal performance at Wesleyen University in Lincoln Nebraska. After high school, she toured internationally with the famous non-profit Up With People, as one of their lead vocalists. This ultimately sprouted her love for travel. She has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, has spent time working and living in Alaska, and most recently in London, England. She dreams one day to perform at the West End!
Kat brings her experience to School of Rock The Colony.