David Moncayo (he/him)
Studio Coordinator
David is the studio coordinator at then School of Rock in Winnipeg. He has taught drums, guitar and bass at the school in the past. David loves rock and metal bands, such as Radiohead, Deftones, Gojira, and Car Bomb, as well as the classics like Led Zeppelin and King Crimson. He trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and enjoys sports, such as soccer and mixed martial arts.
One of David’s most notable musical experiences is when he played guitar for the international artist Helian Evans in Ibarra, Ecuador. It was an amazing experience and he learned a lot about stage performance and engaging with an audience.
Aaron Bacon (he/him)
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Aaron is a bass, guitar, drum, and ukulele teacher. He has been teaching for nearly a decade and has been performing for 18 years. One of his biggest gigs has been opening up for Unleash the Archers, Propaghandi, Ninjaspy, 3 showcases at CMW in Toronto, and the CN stage at the Forks for Addiction Support Day in 2019. He has also live-streamed with Dizzy Mystics on Red Tie Live.
Aaron loves a lot of different genres and bands, some including Unknown Mortal Orchestra, NERVE, and Tame Impala.
Other than music, Aaron likes meditation, yard/plant/garden work and bonsai, video games, movies, and art.
Aiden Penner (they/them)
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Aiden is a multi-instrumentalist with a degree in Music Education from Canadian Mennonite University. They have been playing guitar and bass guitar since high school, and their most prized possession is a fretless bass. Aiden loves to help young musicians develop their unique sense of style.
When they're not working at School of Rock Winnipeg, they can be found jamming with their folk-rock band or sitting in their room playing along to bands like Green Day, Paramore, OK Goodnight, and Aerosmith.
Aiden also enjoys long-distance rollerblading and learning fun facts about sea creatures.
Carlos Pau (he/him)
Guitar Teacher
Carlos has worked as a guitar and bass teacher at the school since June 2022. As a young guitar player, he attended River Heights School of Music to advance his music theory knowledge and technical playing ability. His first introduction to School of Rock Winnipeg was as part of the school’s adult band, then known as “the Grad Band.” Carlos prioritizes a well-rounded teaching approach, aiming to not only assist his students in their playing but to inspire them and make their learning experience an enjoyable one.
Carlos has been involved in the local heavy music scene over the last few years, playing in the bands Trauma Shot and xMeans to an Endx. Through both bands, he has toured throughout Western Canada on several occasions. He is always eager to connect aspiring musicians to Winnipeg’s diverse musical community.
When Carlos is not working on his music, you can find him enjoying professional wrestling, stand-up comedy, and video games. He is currently attending the University of Winnipeg pursuing education.
Danielle Yackel (she/her)
Music Director
Danielle is a former School of Rock student and was a keyboard student for just over three years. During that time she never took a season off.
Danielle has been a two-time House Band Member and was also selected for the AllStars program. She went on the Western Canada House Band tour while also rocking performances at FringeFest, Rockin the Fields, Countryfest, WPG ICE Playoff Games, and Hi Neighbour Festival.
Other than music, Danielle enjoys reading, crocheting, and watching movies.
Glenn Radley (he/him)
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Glenn is a multi-instrumentalist with a degree in Jazz Studies with a focus on drums from the University of Manitoba. He has been teaching for a decade in a number of capacities, privately and in studios. On top of teaching and his own personal projects, he is a very talented songwriter for his band, Gladly!
Glenn digs the poppy parts of grunge and the grungey parts of pop. He enjoys Courtney Barnett, Father John Misty, Harry Nilsson, Queen, MCR, and Margaret Glaspy.
Glenn has toured all over North America in five bands over eight years. He has been coast to coast from Victoria to Charlottetown and 35 American states. Highlights include headlining slots at Winnipeg Jazz Festival, Kispiox Valley music festival in BC, and Feels Good Follyfest in Gagetown New Brunswick.
Ryan Simon (he/him)
Drum Teacher
For the past 25+ years, Ryan has worked off and on as a freelance drummer, teaching, touring, and recording throughout Canada and parts of the United States. Ryan’s drumming experience dates back 40 years when he got his first drum kit and started jamming with friends in “garage band” type scenarios. At the age of 19, Ryan traveled to the U.S. where he met up with multiple musicians and started touring and playing on a nightly basis. After a few years of playing in the U.S., Ryan moved to Winnipeg where he worked for about 10 years recording, teaching, and touring.
Throughout that time, Ryan met up with many talented and world-class musicians and songwriters with whom he toured and recorded throughout Canada - coast to coast. During this time, he was also a drum instructor at Linden School of Fine Arts as well as teaching and mentoring students ranging from 5 to 45 yrs. old out of his own private studio spaces. Ryan also was a clinician for various churches teaching drumming styles, tuning technics, and other various lessons. Ryan currently works as a gigging and freelance drummer and private teacher and plays with various musicians and bands, and is also a professional freelance photographer - shooting portraits, weddings, bands, and other things.
Aside from his music career and teaching at School of Rock Winnipeg, Ryan has also worked as a multimedia artist for 20+ years, working for companies such as Winnipeg Airports Authority, The Winnipeg Sun, The Canadian Centre for Child Protection, and Rossignol and Associates (Toronto). Other hobbies include reading, art, mountain biking, boxing, motorcycle adventures, and tech.
Theo Shalley (he/him)
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Rock 101 Teacher
Theo is a former student with three years in the School of Rock House Band. His primary instrument is drums, but he also has experience on bass guitar, keyboard + piano, vocals, and guitar. He enjoys collecting vinyl and listening to music whenever and wherever he can. Whenever he’s not listening to a record or teaching at School of Rock Winnipeg, he’s playing with his band SMOAKE.
Tierney Betz (she/her)
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Teacher, Little Wing + Rookies Teacher
Tierney teaches voice, keys, and the Rookies program at School Of Rock Winnipeg.
With an extensive background in the performing arts, Tierney has honed her skills as a music instructor over the past 3 years. She currently serves as choir director of a local church, and proudly works with musicians of all ages, from babies to nearly 100 years old!
Tierney loves the freedom of self-expression that rock music provides and encourages her students to challenge and celebrate their artistry while keeping their voices healthy.
When she’s not jamming with her School Of Rock students, Tierney enjoys cooking, attending local shows, and exploring the great outdoors. She also dabbles in music production and songwriting! Tierney’s inspired by a wide variety of artists, including Fall Out Boy, The Tragically Hip, and Chris Cornell.
Rosie Gripton (she/her)
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Little Wing Teacher
Rosie teaches guitar, bass guitar, and the Rookies and Little Wing classes here at the School of Rock Winnipeg. Rosie has been teaching music for nearly a decade now through her private practice, at musical equipment stores, arts non-profits and now at School of Rock Winnipeg. Outside of School of Rock, Rosie is currently working on her Associates in Classical Guitar Performance with The Royal Conservatory of Music. Rosie also has many more years of experience writing, recording, and gigging from coast to coast in Canada and the United States with various rock bands.
When not studying harmony or practicing classical guitar Rosie enjoys attending local live music, jamming with her band, reading, the outdoors and spending time with her partner and their two children.
Rosie listens to a lot of music and is currently loving the local band Show Pony, the local singer-songwriter Slow Leaves and a very good band from Welland, Ontario called Daniel Romano and the Outfit.
Stefan Melnychenko (he/him)
House Band Director, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Stefan is the House Band Director at School of Rock Winnipeg; he brings more than twenty years of experience in musical performance, studio work, and instruction. A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, he plays nine instruments and has worked extensively in Los Angeles and Vancouver before returning home to Winnipeg to raise his family.
Known for his dedication to helping students grow as both musicians and people, Stefan blends his professional experience with a genuine passion for mentorship. When not teaching, he collaborates with fellow musicians across Winnipeg, performs regularly, and continues to study and explore new styles and approaches to music.
When he’s not teaching or performing, Stefan enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and traveling. Trained first in classical piano, he has a deep appreciation for music in all its forms. Though The Beatles hold a special place as his biggest influence, Stefan’s musical interests stretch from Indian Ragas to rock and beyond.
Whether through performance, instruction, or band direction, Stefan is devoted to enriching the lives of others through the shared experience of music.
Roli Mack (he/him)
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Roli Mack is a well known Alberta musician, newly settled in Winnipeg, with decades of experience as a performer, teacher and event organizer.
A true multi-instrumentalist, Roli plays a wide variety of instruments professionally including keyboard + piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums and the Chapman Stick Touchboard Instrument. He is also an accomplished vocalist and live sound engineer, and has mentored quite a few of Calgary’s top musical talents, both as an instructor and through his work hosting jams and numerous talent competitions.
He has shared the stage with many world class performers including multiple Juno award winner Jann Arden, Grammy award winning keyboardist Perry Kibble (A Taste of Honey) and members of Blue Rodeo, The Platters and The Stampeders to name a few.
And no style or genre is off limits for Roli, having played everything from rock to blues, country to metal, funk to soul, reggae to rap, Celtic folk to African pop and world beat, and a lot more….both on stage and in the studio.
As a teacher at School of Rock Winnipeg, Roli prides himself in making music fun and easy to learn and has the ability to relate to a wide variety of students, having successfully taught people of all ages and abilities including seniors, toddlers, non-English speakers, and students with ADHD and intellectual disabilities.