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.
Brenda
Vocals Teacher
Brenda is a vocals teacher at School of Rock York. She is a powerhouse vocalist, educator, and music industry professional with over 30 years of live performance experience. A summa cum laude graduate of Berklee College of Music with a degree in Music Business, she blends stage experience with industry expertise to inspire the next generation of musicians.
Brenda is the Lead Vocalist for Wishmaster – The Nightwish Experience Show and the Lead Vocalist, Songwriter, and Producer for Anatomy of the Sacred, a band nominated for Best Metal Band by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame and named East Coast Finalists for Wacken USA. She has also been recognized individually as a Best Female Vocalist nominee. Her performance credits span a wide range of genres—from Gospel, Country, and Rock to Symphonic Metal and Opera—including featured soprano work in Michael Clayton
Moore’s Silent Night Christmas Show.
Beyond the stage, Brenda is an ASCAP songwriter and publisher, a member of the Guild of Music Supervisors, and a former Recording Academy member. She is passionate about teaching both the art and the business of music—helping students strengthen their voices, own the stage, and understand the 90% of the industry that happens behind the scenes.
Brenda is a proud mother of three grown sons, with careers spanning music, the arts, and aerospace. She is also the author of Winston and the Shoe: A Journey of Hope.
Jason
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Jason 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 at School of Rock York, 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.
Matt
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drums Teacher
Matt is a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher, and drums teacher at School of Rock York. Matt began playing music at a young age, splitting his time between percussion, bass and the guitar. By the time he was eleven years old he began to focus his attention exclusively on the guitar.
Matt was a founding member and primary songwriter for a handful of local pop-punk bands, ultimately signing with a well-known independent label when he was a senior in high school. His original music provided him with the opportunity to tour the United States and Canada, eventually leading to a position working with major label artists.
While taking some time off from music to pursue a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology, Matt continued writing and performing. He started another band with some friends, and they began playing frequently as an opening act for popular artists touring the northeast. They released an EP on a small, independent record label, followed by a couple of singles, before disbanding.
Recently, Matt has been a member of various cover bands playing regionally. He works with other artists as a hired musician and continues to write and perform his own original music.
Mitch
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocals Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Mitch is a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher, keyboard + piano teacher, and vocals teacher at School of Rock 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.
Marisa
Vocals Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Marisa is a vocals teacher, guitar teacher, and keyboard + piano teacher at School of Rock York. For Marisa, music isn’t just a career, it’s a language she’s spoken since childhood. Marisa holds her BSE in Music Education and a BA in Music with a Voice Performance concentration, along with certifications in Modern Band and Kodàly studies from Millersville University. Her artistry and scholarship have been recognized through many awards, including the Louis Vyner Award, celebrating her excellence onstage and in the classroom.
Marisa has performed nearly every genre under the sun, from classical to classic rock. In high school, she collaborated with other musicians in songwriting and performance, and continued that trend into college, where she participated in Millersville’s choir, marching band, and commercial bands. She has taken on many leadership roles throughout her time in college, most notably the music director for Millersville’s premier a cappella group, Chromatic. Marisa is always driven by a love of collaboration and making music within a strong community.
When she’s not performing or teaching, Marisa can be found songwriting or arranging music. She also enjoys making a fancy latte, baking, and jamming with her friends.
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!
Steve
Drums Teacher
Steve is a drums teacher at School of Rock York, PA. He started playing drums at a very young age. His “hip” aunt turned him on to great music! She always knew what was popular and good. Steve's curiosity and passion for music continued at school where he participated in every music opportunity available, including marching band, orchestra, jazz band, pep band and school musicals. He even formed a band with classmates to be in the school's annual talent show.
Steve has been fortunate to grow his love of drums and music into a professional career spanning over four decades, including recording and national tours. Steve currently plays in five bands, all with different styles and challenges. He occasionally does community theatre.
When not playing drums, you can find Steve cooking for his family while listening to music!
“Drumming and cooking for me are the same language. It’s all about timing. Whether I’m driving a band projecting music to an audience or expediting food to a dining room, it’s all about timing and communication,” he says.
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.