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 journey at age 16 playing along to bands like Kiss, Aerosmith, Van Halen, and Rush. Okay, it was air guitar, but he was a rocking pretender from an early age!
Steve wished School of Rock had been around when he was young. After seeing his children take endless lessons without motivation, the idea of getting kids on stage with School of Rock just made sense. Steve has a sports background and coached youth sports for many years, so the concept of School of Rock was natural to him: individual lessons (practice), group rehearsals (team practice), and the rock 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 enrich kids’ lives through music lessons, performances, camps or just hanging out with some new friends. Along with the School of Rock in Zionsville, IN, Steve also owns two additional School of Rock locations in Indiana and a location in each of South Carolina and Wisconsin.
Nick McElfresh
Guitar Teacher
Nick has been a resident of Indianapolis his entire life. Elvis kicked off a love of music, but after his passing, Nick started listening to his friend's music—Kiss, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, AC/DC, etc. Ace Frehley got him into guitar, and after hearing Eddie Van Halen, Nick put all his time into learning the instrument.
Nick has been performing and teaching since the early '80s and is currently playing with Groove Town and Mississippi Raglips at venues all over the Midwest. He is excited to have the opportunity to teach the next generation of guitarists.
Christopher Mizell
Guitar Teacher
Chris Mizell has been playing guitar since 1986. He picked up guitar along with a childhood friend who started on bass, forming a band that wrote and performed original music at Montgomery County High Schools. The '90s brought a change to the music scene, but that did not deter Chris from forming yet another original musical outfit, this time in the Virginia Beach area. His band, Job’s Comfort, brought back the guitar solo to audiences on the beach strip that loved the sound of AIC, Tool, and Type O Negative, but included the added excitement that “old school” guitar flash.
Sometime later, Chris returned to Indiana and found work as a contracted lead guitarist for Northview Church and Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel. He is currently working on a new hard rock project as well as joining the team at the School of Rock in Zionsville as an electric guitar instructor.
Chris has a wide variety of influences including Randy Rhoads, George Lynch, Yngwie Malmsteen, Waddy Wachtel, Neal Schon, John Sykes, and many others. He hopes to be an inspiration to his students at the School of Rock in Zionsville in the same way that his influences have always inspired him!
Benjamin Hicks
Bass Guitar Teacher
Ben was born into a musical family and was exposed to many different genres and styles; he developed an interest in playing music at a young age. Starting with piano and trombone and then later switching to guitar and electric bass, he quickly developed an interest in jazz and eventually bought an upright bass.
Ben continued his pursuit of music education and has now had the privilege of learning from some of the best bass players and teachers in Indianapolis, learning to play everything from rock to country to classical. Being a full-time musician, Ben now plays with many different bands across the state and loves teaching bass to pass the gift of music onto the next generation.
Makieya Street
Music Director, Vocals Teacher
Makieya has been singing since she discovered she had the natural ability to do it so well! Originally inspired by learning classic children’s tunes in preschool and kindergarten, Makieya always found joy in making music and educating through song. She began to join school ensembles at age 9, trying her hand at many instruments, including the trumpet, guitar, and drums.
Eventually, Makieya learned that singing was her true passion. She spent her secondary schooling years performing in musicals, show choirs, and choral ensembles of varying sizes and styles. While working to earn her Bachelor of Science in Music Production at Ball State University, she received a thorough education on Western Classical Music and Performance, as well as knowledge of contemporary styles and modern audio engineering techniques.
The educational aspects of music have always resonated with Makieya. She is a scholar and excelled in many subjects during her schooling years, but music classes were always her favorite. Music is a vehicle through which countless subjects can be explored, and Makieya has always loved learning the culture and the history behind the pieces she performs. She is grateful to have the opportunity to share this deep passion and knowledge of the arts with her students at School of Rock Zionsville!
Jhair Santodomingo
Drum Teacher
Jhair is a dynamic drummer who was born in Colombia. He honed his rhythmic prowess through studies and performances in Colombia and Argentina.
Having immersed themselves in classic rock, Jhair draws inspiration from iconic bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles. This diverse background is reflected in their drumming style, blending rhythm patterns with energetic beats.
Beyond stage performances, Jhair is excited to be sharing their expertise at School of Rock in Zionsville. Eager to inspire the next generation of drummers, Jhair brings a wealth of experience and a rhythmic flair that promises to resonate with aspiring musicians.
Maya Harris
Rookies Director
Maya "Sloane" Harris was born on a Phish tour and has been singing ever since. After her first talent show performance at age 8, Maya continued her pursuit of music by joining school and synagogue choirs and jazz bands before following her passions to Indiana University, where she earned her Rock and Roll History degree. While in college, she joined the award-winning ensembles Hooshir Jewish A Cappella, the IU African American Choral Ensemble, and the IU Soul Revue. She even took her talents off campus to experience more jazz and rock ensembles to supplement her daily studies.
Maya has always believed deeply in the developmental, social, and cultural power of sharing music and displays that belief in everything she does. When she is not working with the amazing kids in the School of Rock Rookies program, Maya is performing with local rock bands Sloane Ranger, The Strays, Pigeons of Market Square, and Devil's Jade.
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.