Colby
Music Director
Colby is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance. At UMass, he studied under professors Peter Tanner, Eduardo Leandro, Ayano Kataoka, and Thomas Hannum. During his time at UMass, Colby studied performance practice in all forms including contemporary chamber music, solo repertoire, new music, and traditional percussion ensemble. He also extensively studied the art of arranging for percussion in the form of marimba ensembles, percussion ensembles, marching ensembles, and marimba bands. He has published an article on the application of articulations in percussion titled “The Percussion Techniques Style Guide: Connecting the Arranger Coach and Performer.” published in the Percussive Arts Society journal: Percussive Notes (2009). Vol. 47, No. 5, pp. 38, 40-41.
For over 15 years, Colby had the great opportunity to write for and teach competitive percussion ensembles around the country. He has also taught and given clinics at numerous schools throughout the country including the University of Alabama, the University of Massachusetts, the University of New Haven, Marcus High School, Harrison High School, King Philip High School, and Thom Hannum’s Mobile Percussion Seminar in Amherst, MA. Each program achieved national awards such as the Subtler Flag, BOA Grand National championships, and WGI percussion championships.
Colby is an experienced drum set player and has studied with Boston favorite Bob Gullotti for three years, attended two Berklee 5-Week Summer Performance Programs in Boston, and has performed extensively in jazz and GB bands throughout the Northeast. Colby has also recorded several albums and toured with bands including award-winning metal band Under Falling Skies and Dave Matthews Band tribute Satellite. He is a Music Director at School of Rock West Cobb.
Daniel
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Daniel is an Atlanta-based musician and teacher at School of Rock West Cobb who has been playing music and sharpening his craft since he was six years old. He attended and graduated from the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media with a degree in the Applied Science of Music and Technology.
Daniel’s favorite musical genres are Blues, Southern Rock, Hard Rock, Funk, and pretty much anything that makes you want to tap your foot and move your head. His instruments include the guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard + piano.
Dominic
Guitar Teacher
Dominic started playing guitar at the age of 5 after hearing SRV’s rendition of Little Wing. Since then, he’s continued to study guitar, perform various genres of music at all kinds of events. He has mainly played Rock and Blues music, but has also performed jazz, soul, alternative rock, and reggae. Some of his favorite artists include The Beatles, Arctic Monkeys, Ray Charles, Etta James, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, The Strokes, and Jack White.
Dominic currently attends Kennesaw State University, pursuing a major in Jazz Guitar Performance. In addition to playing guitar, and teaching at School of Rock West Cobb, Dominic enjoys recording and mixing music with his friends.
Erik
Drums Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocals Teacher
Erik has over 17 years of experience working with children and a strong passion for being a positive role model. He has been involved in music performance for the same amount of time, starting with drumming at the age of three, and has since expanded his skills to include guitar, vocals, and keyboard + piano.
Outside of School of Rock West Cobb, Erik currently serves as a Music Director at a local church and is a member of the Atlanta-based alternative rock band, Slide Reel, which recently released their first original single "Be Amazed / The Forest." He comes from a musical family and finds inspiration in various genres, such as rock, alternative, pop, film/game scores, singer-songwriter, post-rock, and even musicals.
Gloria
Music Therapist
Gloria graduated from Florida State with her Master's/Equivalency in Music Therapy. Prior to graduating with her master's, she studied classical piano with Evgeny Rivkin at UGA. She has been a music therapist since 2016, helping individuals with primarily mental health needs. As a music therapist, she loves listening to all kinds of music (although she has a special place in her heart for pop music).
Gloria's primary instrument is keyboard + piano, but enjoys playing guitar and singing with her students/clients. She loves working with kids and teens of all ages, whether it's helping them meet their goals, or helping them achieve their musical potential.
Gabe
Drums Teacher
Gabe Neal has been drumming since the age of two and has been involved in many bands since. He enjoys playing a wide range of music styles, from gospel to jazz and rock ‘n’ roll.
Having taught students ranging from elementary through high school since 2019, Gabe is committed to nurturing the passion of young drummers at School of Rock West Cobb, helping them develop their skills and love for music.
JD
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocals Teacher
Janald “JD” is a guitar, bass guitar, and vocals teacher at School of Rock West Cobb. He is also the singer and guitarist for the band Satyr, a progressive, post-hardcore band from Atlanta, Georgia since 2017. Their second studio album, Totem, was released July 1, 2022, via Kill Iconic Records. JD has actively toured with acts such as The Fall of Troy, Intervals, Hail The Sun, and Thank You Scientist.
Memphis
Vocal Teacher
Memphis has been singing and performing since she was twelve years old. She is a three-time alum of the School of Rock AllStars Program, where she gained valuable performance experience. Before becoming a vocal coach at School of Rock West Cobb, Memphis developed her skills through years of live performance and music education. She enjoys listening to and performing R&B, soul, funk, and rock music, which influences her teaching style and helps students discover their own unique voices.
Randee
Vocal Teacher
Randee is a vocalist, performer, and worship leader who began singing at a young age and discovered her passion for uplifting others through music. She has years of experience leading worship, teaching vocal parts, and helping singers grow in confidence and technique. Randee is currently an active worship leader and a member of a ministry band in Atlanta, where she continues to perform and develop her skills. She also works as a full-time singer and content creator, blending creativity, musicality, and encouragement in everything she does. Randee is dedicated to helping students at School of Rock West Cobb build healthy vocal habits, expressive artistry, and stage presence. A fun fact about her is that she loves cars, travel, and creating motivational content that inspires people around the world.
Will
Guitar Teacher
Will is from Augusta, Georgia, and attends KSU for anthropology with a minor in jazz guitar. He has been playing guitar for several years, mainly playing rock, metal, blues, funk, and jazz.
When not at School of Rock West Cobb, Will enjoys writing and playing music with his friends. He primarily plays guitar but also enjoys playing bass guitar, drums, and vocals too.
Xue
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Xue specializes in piano and started playing at age five. She began violin at 11 and later took lessons at School of Rock, where she learned drums, alongside six years of foundational vocal training.
She values giving students a solid musical foundation and combines traditional instruction with games and hands-on activities to make learning engaging and approachable. Her goal is to help musicians understand musical concepts, so they can confidently explore their creativity wherever they may be in their musical journeys.
Outside of School of Rock West Cobb, Xue attends KSU, where she majors in Psychology. She is passionate about understanding how people think and express themselves. This helps her connect with students no matter their personality or learning style, so every student feels comfortable and excited to learn.
Her favorite artists are Paramore, Fleetwood Mac, and Radiohead. In her free time, she likes to go on walks, read and write, and do arts and crafts.