Bernadette
Owner, General Manager
Bernadette is the owner and general manager of the School of Rock in York, Pennsylvania. She has more than 20 years of experience in strategic internal and external communications. Bernadette began her communications career as a freelance newspaper reporter and later became an assignment editor for a local TV station. She then accepted a position as York County Emergency Management’s first full-time career Public Information Officer. She transitioned to the corporate sector, working for several Fortune 500 companies.
Bernadette found School of Rock after deciding it was time for a career change. She believes School of Rock is a perfect fit for her because of her love of music and wanting to make a positive impact in the community. Bernadette earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications with minors in Public Relations and Marketing from York College of Pennsylvania.
Amy
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Amy is a vocal teacher, keyboard and piano teacher, and guitar and bass teacher at the School of Rock in York. She is a distinguished musician with extensive national and international performance experience. A graduate of Eastern University with a degree in Opera Performance, she has dedicated over 20 years to the stage. Her versatility spans various genres, having led country bands, Irish bands, rock bands, tribute acts, and performed numerous solo shows. With nearly 30 years of training in voice, piano, violin, guitar, bass, and ukulele, Amy is passionate about mentoring her students, helping them discover their unique musical paths and encouraging them to excel as musicians and performers.
Evan
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Evan is a drum and bass guitar teacher at School of Rock in York, PA. He began his journey in music in the second grade with the bass guitar to complete the band in a family of drummers and guitarists. The following year, he fell in love with the drums and joined the school band. He continued playing both instruments throughout school, becoming the captain of the high school drumline and performing in the orchestra and jazz bands.
Evan also played for many independent organizations performing rock, jazz, and symphonic music. He toured five countries in Europe, playing the drums in a youth music program. Evan continues to play both the drums and the bass at church. His favorite thing to do is practice along to his favorite songs at home, and he loves to jam and improvise with friends and family. Evan enjoys all music genres and loves it when elements of multiple genres are fused into one song. He is thrilled to share his passion for music and show how it can be used as a fun tool to sharpen our minds, express our emotions, and make the world a better place.
Hope
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Hope is a vocal teacher and keyboard + piano teacher at School of Rock York. She is a multi-talented individual whose vibrant personality has garnered recognition in various fields. Hope is a vocal expert, known for her wide range of vocal techniques and styles. She has classical and alternative backgrounds, as well as experience in foley art.
Hope’s expertise in vocals includes 10 years of classical training and two years of jazz training. She attended multiple R&B workshops at Berklee College of Music. Additionally, she attended the Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts and the Capitol Area School for the Arts. Hope is a multi-instrumentalist and is proficient with the guitar, bass, and piano. She is also a pageant-winning drag king illusionist, captivating audiences with jaw-dropping performances and an innovative persona.
Hope's talents extend beyond the stage and microphone, as she is a versatile artist in many mediums. From visual arts to other creative expressions, this artistic prowess knows no bounds and encourages others to stretch their creative boundaries. Hope is thrilled to channel her passion and expertise to inspire and educate the next generation of performers and artists. Her dedication to nurturing talent and fostering creativity is a testament to her commitment to the arts and education.
Jason
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Jason is a bass teacher, guitar teacher, and show director at School of Rock in York, PA. He started playing guitar in the sixth grade, played his first club date at age 14 with his high school cover band, and was voted "Best Musician" by his senior class.
Jason briefly studied music in college before setting out as a professional musician. An experienced and enthusiastic instructor, Jason has coached hundreds of guitar and bass students of all ages and levels. Jason has performed thousands of gigs all over the country, playing a wide range of styles including pop, rock, blues, funk, and reggae, as well as originals.
When Jason isn’t teaching, he leads his own group (Cadillac Jazz) and is an in-demand sideman working all over the Mid-Atlantic region.
Jimmy
Guitar Teacher
Jimmy is a guitar teacher at School of Rock York. Music has always been a part of Jimmy’s life—he started playing the guitar in the fourth grade and played in his high school jazz ensemble (of which the rhythm section formed a rock band), as well as pit orchestra for the spring musicals. As a senior in high school, Jimmy taught guitar to elementary students.
After high school and college, Jimmy played in various bands from classic rock covers to hardcore punk. He pursued a career as an electrician and kept guitar playing as a hobby. He played in a contemporary worship band and developed a beginner guitar curriculum to teach adults and youth. Jimmy also has experience with sound reinforcement engineering.
Leigh
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Leigh is a vocal teacher and guitar teacher at the School of Rock in York, Pennsylvania. She graduated from LaGrange College with a BA in Musical Theatre and minored in Servant Leadership. Leigh is the daughter of a lover-of-music father and a middle school chorus teacher, so music has always played a key part in her life.
Originally from a small town in South Georgia, Leigh moved to Pennsylvania after being hired by the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. She performed for four years as one of the Sirens, a house music group of the Faire, singing and accompanying her band on guitar and cajón. Leigh has also performed as a house entertainer for a family beach resort in the Florida Keys, where she entertained guests by singing and playing a wide variety of songs.
Leigh has performed at various cabarets and solo gigs in downtown Harrisburg and Lebanon. When she is not teaching, performing, or rehearsing, you can find Leigh playing fetch with her two dogs, cuddling her fat black cat, or laughing at a sitcom with her husband, Josh. Leigh is thrilled to be part of the School of Rock community and looks forward to rocking out with everyone!
Mitch
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Mitch is a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher, keyboard + piano teacher, and vocal teacher at the School of Rock in York, Pennsylvania. He has spent his life in musical theater, and music performance. Mitch received numerous lead roles in musical theater and was given leadership positions and awards in band, orchestra, choir, marching band, jazz band, and other select groups. His acting and performance experience extends back to his childhood, where he played various roles on stage, starred in dinner theater shows, and started playing guitar for his church's praise teams at the age of 10.
While in high school, Mitch was active in special competitive groups such as the madrigal choir and district choir. In college, he attended classes in the art of theatre and acting. Mitch has performed in local area bands, playing keyboard, guitar, bass, and singing as a frontman. He has formal training in theater performance, guitar, saxophone, and vocal technique. He has taught lessons as a multi-instrumentalist and plays solo gigs in his free time.
When not performing for an audience, Mitch works on original music and loves to cook, read, write, and serve his local community. On a free day, Mitch loves to watch a movie marathon or rock out to some classics in his studio.
Shannon
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Shannon is a keyboard + piano teacher at School of Rock York. She holds a B.S. in Music Education from Millersville University and a master's degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. Shannon is a middle school music teacher with over 25 years of experience.
After 20 years of teaching in Baltimore County and Cecil County, Shannon moved to Harrisburg to teach general music and choir at Camp Curtin Academy. Shannon has a passion for advocating for those on the autism spectrum due to her own son having autism. She has held benefit concerts to raise money for autism organizations. Believing that all children deserve a positive experience with music, Shannon has developed lessons to suit special needs students and ELL students. These creative lessons have included playing the ukulele and bucket drumming.
Shannon has been a keyboardist for local musical productions, a church choir accompanist, a choir director, and a volunteer at the Lancaster Music Fest. She loves to spend time with her husband and three children. Shannon enjoys the beach, hiking trails, watching the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens, and attending concerts to see her favorite musicians.
Shaun
Drum Teacher
Shaun is a drum teacher at School of Rock in York, PA. He began playing music in the fourth grade with his first instrument being the trombone. Shaun played trombone in wind ensembles, jazz bands, symphony orchestras, and all-county bands. He began playing drums shortly after high school for his church. Not only did he learn contemporary church music, but he began networking with other musicians in his community and joined his friend’s band that primarily played country music in Hanover and Gettysburg. The band developed a dozen of their own original songs and performed them in many venues, including taverns, 4-H fairs, city festivals, ski resorts, and the York Fair under a local radio station.
In his free time, Shaun enjoys video games, basketball, and discovering new music, artists, and genres. He finds himself often making different playlists of what he discovers. The thrill of inspiring others to unearth their passions for music is what encouraged Shaun to join School of Rock! He is ecstatic to meet with other people and share the joy, creativity, challenge, and overall fun of music!
Shawn
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Shawn is a drum, keyboard, and guitar teacher at the School of Rock in York, Pennsylvania. He is a lifelong lover of music whose appreciation for musicianship encouraged him to invest time in multiple instruments and many bands. He first gained his appreciation of music from his parents, then through playing brass instruments, and finally when he learned percussion in grade school.
He harnessed his musical skills by playing the drum set for every band his school had to offer. Winning best percussion at the state marching band competition and performing with the high school jazz band in Disney World, he developed a love for many different playing styles on the drum set. These experiences only increased his love of musicianship, leading him to spend more time developing skills on piano and guitar.
When Shawn isn't working, he loves to film drum covers and collaborate with his band and friends on new music or hang out and play some video games with friends!
Joe
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Joe is a guitar teacher and piano teacher at the School of Rock in York. Before getting an official start with an instrument, he was innately drawn to participate in music however he could, whether he was learning to sing his favorite songs or drumming on any surface he could find. He finally got his first guitar in sixth grade and immediately began diving into all of the classic rock hits he was raised on, picking up a stronger interest in metal as he went through high school. While living with other musician roommates in college he picked up piano as well, going on to win a school talent show performing original music.
Joe also found a passion for gardening and landscape restoration after his college years. Gardening can feed people, and music can feed their souls, while both passions have the ability to be creative outlets that enhance the surrounding community. It isn’t uncommon to see him participate in community garden projects or design work during the day, teaching music and doing musical performances as the night goes on.
Joe believes music has an incredible power to shape people’s lives for the better and loves being able to share that with others both as a performer and a music teacher.