Michelle Jenkins
Owner, General Manager
Michelle is our dedicated Owner/General Manager at School of Rock Wilmington. With an innate passion for children and teaching, she celebrates the distinct teaching styles of our faculty and recognizes the unique learning styles of each student. Michelle and her team collaborate to ensure an ideal match, providing tailored challenges for every individual.
Michelle embraces the philosophy that learning should be enjoyable and she firmly believes in the transformative power of music. Our school goes beyond melodies, fostering a sense of belonging and community through student bands. Michelle's ultimate goal is to empower students to unlock their full potential. Through the universal language of music, our committed team nurtures skills and values, paving the way for a brighter future where students can truly shine and grow into the best versions of themselves.
Andrew Hirst
Music Director
Andrew Hirst is a singer, pianist, and composer with a deep love for classic rock and a wide-ranging musical background. As Music Director at School of Rock Wilmington, he also teaches piano, vocals, and guitar, bringing versatility and leadership to the program.
With a B.A. in Music Education and over ten years of teaching and performing experience, Andrew has worked across the country in a variety of musical settings. His experience ranges from singing opera and performing at Carnegie Hall to playing in jazz trios and classic rock bands, giving him a unique ability to connect with students of all styles and interests.
Andrew is passionate about helping students at School of Rock Wilmington discover the right songs to inspire them, build confidence, and grow as musicians. His diverse background and enthusiasm for teaching make him a natural fit for the School of Rock environment, where performance and creativity go hand in hand.
Lynnea Charles
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Lynnea has spent nearly two decades playing piano, developing a strong foundation across a wide range of musical styles. While she’s comfortable in many genres, her current focus and passion is rock and roll.
After years of performing, Lynnea began sharing her love of music through teaching—working with students in both private lessons and band settings. Her experience helping musicians transition from practicing alone to performing with others makes her a natural fit for the School of Rock Wilmington environment. Since relocating to Wilmington from the Raleigh area, Lynnea has quickly become part of the local music scene, collaborating with other musicians and performing in area bands.
Lynnea brings a positive, encouraging energy to every lesson and is passionate about helping students grow in confidence, skill, and their love of music.
Paul Glaser
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Paul grew up in a musical family and began playing guitar at a young age, even teaching guitar and bass guitar by his teenage years. A lifelong student of music, he is always looking for ways to grow and expand his craft.
While earning his Communications degree at UNCW, Paul collaborated with a variety of musicians and developed a strong appreciation for jazz, funk, and fusion, while still holding a deep love for rock and roll and all genres of music.
Paul stays active as a performer, with projects that include a solo loop-based act and a three-piece improvisational group. At School of Rock Wilmington, Paul brings a thoughtful, creative approach to teaching, helping students build skills, explore their musical interests, and gain confidence both in lessons and on stage.
Brad Dean
Drum Teacher
Brad Dean has been playing drums professionally for over 40 years, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to every lesson. He began studying rudimentary snare drum at a young age and continued through marching and concert bands, building a strong musical foundation.
Brad teaches and performs a wide range of styles, including rock, pop, soul, funk, jazz, fusion, and contemporary Christian music. While drums are his primary focus, he also plays guitar, bass guitar, keyboard + piano, and harmonica, giving him a well-rounded approach to teaching.
Outside of School of Rock Wilmington, he stays active as a drummer for Wilmington churches and performs with local bands and duo projects. He is also a drum endorser for Tidal Drum Works.
With decades of experience and a love for teaching, Brad helps students build confidence, skill, and a lasting connection to music.
Andrew Covil
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Andrew Covil began his musical journey at a young age playing cello in orchestra before discovering guitar in his teens, and he’s been rocking ever since.
An active performer in the Wilmington music scene, Andrew plays regularly in a variety of projects, including a duo that performs multiple times each week. He’s comfortable teaching a wide range of genres, but has a deep passion for the blues, which shines through in his playing and teaching style. Always working to grow as a musician, Andrew is currently pursuing a Fine Arts degree in guitar, continuing to refine his craft.
At School of Rock Wilmington, Andrew brings a laid-back, low-pressure approach that helps students feel comfortable while building skills, confidence, and a genuine love for playing music.
Michael Meeks
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Michael “Mikey” Meeks has been playing music for most of his life, starting on drums and percussion before transitioning to piano in his early teens. While his early training focused on classical music, his style evolved into ragtime, rock, and blues, where he found his true voice.
Mikey draws inspiration from artists like Thelonious Monk, Professor Longhair, The Doors, Billy Powell, and the Grateful Dead, and especially loves playing stride piano and honky-tonk blues.
Outside the school, you can find him performing at weddings, on the road with his Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, or enjoying time at the beach or riding his bike.
At School of Rock Wilmington, Mikey brings a fun, upbeat energy to every lesson. He loves teaching the blues, jamming with students, and creating an environment where musicians can grow with confidence and have a great time doing it.
Spencer Carlson
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Spencer teaches guitar and vocal lessons at School of Rock Wilmington. He began studying music at a young age and was already performing while still in grade school. His musical journey led him to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music, one of the top contemporary music schools in the world.
Spencer draws inspiration from artists like Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Pink Floyd, and John Mayer, with Hendrix standing out as his biggest influence. An active performer, Spencer plays up and down the East Coast with the popular band Tuesday’s Gone, and is also a dedicated songwriter, performing his original music with The Highway Robbery.
With a strong performance background and passion for teaching, Spencer helps students build confidence, develop their sound, and bring energy and authenticity to the stage.
Aaron Van Nynatten
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Aaron is a versatile multi-instrumentalist with a passion for jazz and a love for all styles of music. He began playing at a young age after receiving his first guitar from his uncle, and hasn’t stopped since.
With years of experience and a degree in music, Aaron has developed skills across a wide range of instruments, including guitar, bass, keys, drums, and vocals, as well as classical instruments like viola and cello.
At School of Rock Wilmington, Aaron brings a well-rounded, adaptable approach to teaching, helping students explore different instruments, build confidence, and discover what excites them most about music.
Brian Winslow
Drum Teacher
Brian is a hard rock and heavy metal–inspired drummer who has been playing for over a decade. His passion for music started in his middle school band program and grew through the energy of live performances—especially from bands like Sleep Token.
At School of Rock Wilmington, Brian loves helping students lock in new grooves and experience the excitement of mastering challenging parts. His enthusiasm for drumming and connection to modern rock make him a great fit for students looking to build skills and confidence behind the kit.
Charlee Vliet
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Charlee is a proud School of Rock Wilmington alum who has grown from student to mentor, bringing her passion full circle. She’s currently pursuing a degree in Music Technology at UNCW—hoping to one day become a producer.
Her musical journey began on piano at age six, but it was the drums at age 15 that ignited her true passion. She is now active in a wide range of ensembles and stages—performing with UNCW’s percussion ensemble and big band, appearing in local musicals, and playing in various area bands. She especially loves jumping into jazz jams, where improvisation and collaboration bring out her best.
Charlee’s favorite part of teaching is getting kids excited about music. She believes music is one of the most welcoming and supportive communities, where every student—no matter their starting point—can find encouragement and growth. When she’s not behind a drum kit or keyboard + piano, you can often find Charlee with a crochet hook in hand. For her, creativity and rhythm extend far beyond the stage.
Chase Gorter
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Chase Gorter has been playing guitar and bass for over 20 years, with a deep love for all genres, especially the music of the 1960s, with The Beatles as a major influence.
After early experiences with piano and tenor saxophone, Chase became largely self-taught, giving him a relatable and flexible approach to teaching students at all levels. He has played in numerous bands and toured across the United States and Europe, bringing real-world performance experience into every lesson.
Chase believes strongly in the power of music to inspire and connect, and he loves helping the next generation of musicians at School of Rock Wilmington grow in confidence, creativity, and skill.
Parker Allen
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Parker has been teaching guitar since 2020 and brings a driven, energetic approach to every lesson. With years of experience playing in bands and performing solo, he understands the importance of both technical skill and real stage experience.
He’s passionate about creating lessons that are tailored to each student, helping them build confidence while developing their own musical style. Parker believes music is one of the most powerful forms of self-expression and works to help students unlock that through their playing.
With his strong knowledge of guitar and commitment to student growth, Parker creates an engaging, supportive environment at School of Rock Wilmington where musicians of all levels can thrive.