Our Experienced Music Teachers
All of School of Rock Zionsville’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.
Steve McFarland
Owner
Steve began his musical career at age 16 playing with bands such as Kiss, Aerosmith, Van Halen and Rush. Okay, it was air guitar, but he was a rocking pretender from an early age. Actually, if you fast forward 30 years... Steve saw the idea for School of Rock and wished it would have been around when he was young. After seeing his children take endless lessons with no motivation, the idea of getting kids on stage with School of Rock just made sense. With a sports background and having coached youth sports for many years, the idea of School of Rock was natural to him: individual lessons (practice), group rehearsals (team practice) and the show (the game). "I've always wondered why some people 'make' their kids take an instrument just because they think it's a good idea to learn an instrument. You don't hear of anyone making their kids take a sport and never playing on a team or in a game. Why make them take endless lessons with no chance to perform?" As the owner, Steve challenges his team to make sure we are enriching kids' lives in everything they do: lessons, shows, camps or just having cheese bread.
Allyssa Huff
General Manager
Allyssa has had a soft spot for music since she was just a little kid, singing Disney songs at the top of her lungs. She still sings Disney at the top of her lungs, but music has played such a huge part in her life since her younger days. Allyssa has been a member of her school choirs since she was in fifth grade, then went on to perform as a vocalist with her high school's jazz band at places like Walt Disney World and in the Smoky Mountain Music Festival.
After attending Ball State University, she joined a local band and was fortunate enough to travel the country, singing her heart out.
Now Allyssa is so excited to be a part of the incredible team that makes up School of Rock. Not only because she gets to work around music, but because she gets to watch music take hold in a young person's life.
Ethan Rupert
Music Director & Keyboard Teacher
Now a full-time musician, Ethan found his passion for music when he was very young. Eager to get onstage, he formed a band with his friends at the age of 13 and hasn't looked back since. In the last decade, Ethan has performed in over 200 live shows with approximately 20 different musical groups. He currently gigs in and around Indiana with his psychedelic rock group "Pushing Daisey's Band." With influences such as Stevie Wonder, The Grateful Dead, and The Meters, Ethan loves to branch out and experience all genres of music.
Tommy Hajduk
Guitar Teacher
Born and raised in the Midwest, Tommy has been writing and playing in bands for over two decades. Beginning his musical journey in punk, then progressing through various styles (e.g., metal, prog rock, folk, and alternative), he’s played with many different groups.
In 2015, he released his first solo record The Sailor and the Sea, beginning his foray into audio production and engineering. He subsequently wrote, recorded, and produced two more full-length albums under the moniker Tommy Icarus (We are Safe & Musing from the mind of Madness I).
Though sometimes playing with a full outfit, Tommy does most of his live performances as a solo operation, and often can be found at local venues or touring regionally/nationally.
Nicholas Wichman
Drum Teacher
Nicholas got his first drum set at the age of 12 and immediately jumped at the opportunity to perfect his craft (and learn every Rush song on record) by practicing for hours every day. Over the years, Nick’s passion for music guided him through every form of middle school and high school band, private drum lessons, multiple drum competitions, and several bands of his own.
Once his high school years came to an end, he attended IUPUI and studied music technology while minoring in percussion. Nicholas has now channeled his love for drumming towards teaching and sharing his passion with aspiring musicians. He is bringing his experience in music therapy to his lessons and is happy to be creating a nurturing, stress free, and fun filled environment for his students.
Clayton Hunsader
Guitar Teacher
Clayton’s passion has been creating music since he picked up the guitar at 13 years old. Beginning as an acoustic folk songwriter with influences like Bob Dylan and Donovan, Clay has become proficient in many genres. He currently performs at venues around Indiana with his band, Bleuwater, a '70s-inspired rock outfit. Some of Clay's favorite moments in life have come from getting on stage and performing music and he's thrilled to be able to now share his passion with new musicians at School of Rock.
Kayla Phillips
Singing Teacher
Kayla has spent her entire life in love with music. After growing up in a musical family environment, she went on to study Songwriting and Vocal Performance at Berklee College of Music. Kayla plays all around the Indianapolis and Boston area performing a vast variety of covers and originals.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together
For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.