Philip Gustavson
General Manager
Phil Gustavson has been a School of Rock staff member since 2008. His guitar playing has stretched from filling in with local bands at venues like The Triple Door and The Showbox to touring the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia with Argentenian tango singer and actress Ruth De Vicenzo. His most recent original work was with the gypsy jazz quintet Hochiwichi.
Ben Haber
Bass Guitar Teacher
Ben Haber hails from the vibrant arts community of Missoula, Montana. There, he studied bass privately for 8 years under renowned teacher and luthier Ryan Beck, while also dabbling in lessons on guitar, piano, and voice. By the time he graduated high school, Ben was working all different kinds of gigs, from jazz trios to wedding bands and musical theater. While studying at the University of Montana, Ben participated in some of the top jazz combos, the chamber chorale, and even a steel drum ensemble. After graduating early from the University of Montana in 2013, Ben studied music production through the Berklee School of Music online extension, earning technical certifications in "General Music Studies" and "Production With Ableton Live".
Ben relocated to Seattle in 2014 and has been busy performing and teaching ever since. His Folk/Rock band, "The Hasslers", have toured up and down the west coast and have shared the stage with PNW favorites like Blitzen Trapper and The Cave Singers. He has also served as a bass player for local singer/songwriters Claire Michelle and Miller Campbell. Most recently, he has been working on building his composition portfolio and licensing his music for commercial use. He has taught at School of Rock West Seattle since 2015 and loves teaching students of all ages.
Harry Snyder
Drum Teacher
Harry has always had a strong passion for percussion and digital media. Musically oriented since birth, his parents were musicians and had a variety of instruments. He has been DJ'ing and producing since the age of 12, winning several local production contests. During high school, he was the drum tech on the drum line as well as working as the audio tech, managing the PA set up and live audio during assemblies for the drama department and other events like battle of the bands (which he also won). Since then, he has been performing and volunteering at various festivals and playing percussion in various local marching bands. Harry has been working at West Seattle School of Rock since it opened in 2015.
Steve Ross
Music Director, Guitar Teacher
Steve Ross has been the music director at School of Rock West Seattle since day one. He is the songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of the acclaimed punk band the Briefs, who have been active since 1999. Prior to his time in the Briefs, he was a member of the Alt-Rock band Green Apple Quick Step in the ‘90s, appearing on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Beavis and Butthead. Steve’s songs have been featured in several TV shows, including an episode of The OC. Over the years, his bands have toured with acts like Pearl Jam, The Buzzcocks, The Damned, and Alice in Chains, and
played festivals such as Punk Rock Bowling, Warped Tour, and Fun Fun Fun Fest. He enjoys science fiction and cats.
Jacob de Vrieze
Guitar Teacher
Jake grew up listening almost exclusively to classic rock and started learning to play the guitar at age 11. Now, 23 years old he plays several instruments and enjoys many different styles of music across a wide range of genres. He was the live bassist for The Fame Riot from 2016 to 2018 and is currently studying music production and audio engineering with the aim of eventually producing and mixing his own music.
Brendan Milburn
Singing Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Brendan Milburn teaches voice, keyboard and occasionally mandolin, guitar, bass or drums as the need arises. In his pre-Seattle life, he toured in a Rock band called GrooveLily for about 15 years, and wrote a lot of musicals which were produced Off-Broadway and at regional Theatres around the country. He also has songs in live shows running at Disneyland, Disney World, and Disneyland Paris, and in four movies about Tinker Bell (Disney).
Awards: Jonathan Larson, ASCAP/Richard Rodgers, LA Ovation (best musical, best music direction), LA Drama Critics Circle (best score of a musical), LA Stage Raw (best musical).
Proudest productions: fifteen-year-old Mose, five-year-old Arlen, and 3-year old Rory.
Luke Jaeger
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Luke Jaeger is a multi-genre guitarist, bassist and composer. At the age of 13, he performed to his first live audience of hundreds on public access TV in Sacramento with his first band after winning several talent shows in school. It was 2002 when he founded his original project Sleep Terror that his unique sound, technical playing ability, and compositional skills became globally acknowledged. Luke has over two decades of experience as a music teacher to all ages and musical interests with touring, recording, and band experience to top it off. Taught for several years by a G.I.T. graduate, Luke understands and incorporates similar disciplines of practice, understanding essential music theory, and developing personal style in his own teaching modules. However, his primary goal for every individual student is to get them
to have fun and artistically express themselves in the fullest way possible.
Payge Turner
Singing Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Payge Turner is taking the Seattle scene by storm. Her Alt Rock/Soul/Progressive vibe is very unique to listen to. Bending and meshing genres isn’t something she’s afraid of. With a sound so bold and rich, Turner still finds a way to make you feel every emotion, by bringing authentic lyrical content to all her fast and slow songs. Her live performances are something you’ll never forget; you’ll leave more emotional and sweaty than when you came in. Recently top 12 of NBC’s The Voice, Turner continues to grab attention wherever she goes. “Team Gwen member Payge Turner took the stage on The Voice, where she delivered a breathtaking, evocative cover of ‘It's Gonna Be Me.’” - Billboard Music.
Morgan Kluck
Singing Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Morgan Kluck is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who grew up in Seattle and graduated with a Bachelor's in musical performance and composition from Hampshire College. In addition to playing and teaching piano, guitar, and singing, he is experienced with both digital audio production as well. His musical background includes both leading and supporting in bands and ensembles, improvised music, scoring films, and performing under his own name as well. In addition to his time as a musician, he has over 10 years of experience working in childcare and education.
Suzanne Botha
Singing Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Suzanne began her musical journey at the age of 7, taking private violin lessons in Los Angeles. Her love of music expanded into keyboards, viola, vocals, mandolin, and even ukulele. Though focusing mostly on classical music in her early years, she has lent her musical talents to groups of many genres including Symphony Orchestras, Fantasy Metal, Folk Punk, Bluegrass, Irish, and more recently Americana. Suzanne has been teaching private music lessons since 2004 and earned a Bachelor's degree in music education in 2014.
Mike Fritz
Drum Teacher
Mike's musical journey has spanned almost three decades. Taking him from the streets of Oakland, CA, to some of the most hallowed halls of Rock and Roll! In that time he has toured the world, playing with many musical greats, recorded at legendary recording studios, and met so many amazing musicians! All of his rocking the kit has led him right here! School Of Rock offers the perfect arrangement to marry his experience with the opportunity to teach the next generations.