Jim
Owner, Music Director
With a music career spanning more than three decades, pianist Jim Sellers has performed with many of today’s jazz luminaries, including trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, saxophonists Frank Catalano and Richie Cole, and bassist Bill Yancey. Chicago Jazz Magazine says, "Sellers uses his virtuosity and eclectic knowledge to excellent effect…[with] novel approaches and notable musical surprises." The Jazz Institute of Chicago has praised Jim's "…unambiguous attack of the piano and witty arrangements."
Prior to School of Rock, Jim taught at the Bloom School of Jazz for 17 years, St. Barbara High School, and Oak Brook Academy of Music and Art. He is an accomplished guitarist, bassist, and composer, and earned a bachelor's degree in music from Northern Illinois University, and a master's degree in Jazz Studies and Composition from DePaul University.
Luke
Music Director, Show Director, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Luke is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who mainly performs and creates in the genre of progressive rock and metal. He has been playing guitar for nearly two decades, and since his start, he has built and refined skills as both a technical lead and rhythm player. Luke fronts his own band, The Untold, on lead vocals and guitar. He also writes most of the music for the band which has been releasing songs and playing shows since 2017.
In 2018, Luke graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in contemporary, urban, and popular music, with a focus on guitar performance. Even though Luke is mostly a rock and metal player, he has experience studying and playing in various genres of music including jazz, fusion, r&b, funk, acoustic finger-style, blues, and more. Luke is always pushing himself and constantly honing his sound, technique, and songwriting. Becoming a better musician is a lifelong and joyous process, and there is nothing he would rather be dedicating his life to.
Manuel
Show Director, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Manuel is a guitarist and vocalist born and raised in Chicago. He has performed in multiple original and cover bands over the course of the past decade, playing shows at places like Double Door, Lincoln Hall, Bottom Lounge, and House of Blues, and touring the Midwest.
Manuel started learning guitar at the age of 13 while also learning saxophone as part of his education, and dabbled in other instruments like keyboards, bass, and any other instrument lying around with strings on it. While mostly focused on performing rock and indie music, he has experience playing many genres of music, including soul, funk, and jazz, winning the Berklee College of Music's Judge's Choice Award in 2011.
Manuel has also recorded with Sean O'Keefe and has recorded and mixed original music. Currently, he leads a cover band and an original project called j a b o b o.
Rachel
Drum Teacher
Rachel aka “Chop Suey” is a professional drummer and live performance teacher who believes that rhythm and music are an extension of who we all are in the world. She is a working musician who studied performing arts throughout high school and studied for her BA in Music Performance and Music Education at the Detroit Institute of Music Education, with a personal interest in music therapy and music psychology.
Rachel strives to make an impact by nurturing musical development in a supportive, inclusive, and positive way.
Izzie
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Izzie is a pianist, songwriter, producer, and DJ native to the Chicago area. As a former School of Rock student, she is no stranger to the joy of performing with an ensemble and bringing the works of legendary bands to life. During her time as a School of Rock student, she was a keyboardist in the House Band and performed at Summerfest and the Rave in Milwaukee. Her fondest memories include playing a Frank Zappa tribute show and music by the Big 4 of Thrash Metal.
Izzie is a graduate of Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she earned her B. Mus. in Piano Performance. Her specialty there was contemporary classical music and works for piano and electronics. This interest turned into producing her own music for her solo project Ar1adn3, under which she’s released three EPs and several singles. Izzie is an active performer and DJ in the Chicago area and has performed at Chop Shop, Undercoast, Bourbon on Division, and Bookclub. A performer with a passion for teaching, her pedagogy training has informed everything she does with her students.
Quinn
Guitar Teacher
Quinn is a Chicago-based guitarist and educator specializing in jazz, funk, blues, R&B, and rock. Following resistance to piano lessons, Quinn’s parents bought him a guitar for his ninth birthday and he started guitar lessons. Early on, he studied privately with Larry Baker and Duke Tumatoe.
Quinn played in the jazz band throughout high school, getting to meet Emmet Cohen and Bob Mintzer as clinicians. Along with this, he gigged in a cover band with other students from his school.
Quinn recently completed his bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music studying under Dave Stryker. In his time at the Jacobs School of Music, Quinn performed in ensembles led by Sean Dobbins, John Raymond, Brent Wallarab, Wayne Wallace, and Tom Walsh.
Tom
Drum Teacher
Tom's journey as a drummer has been a lifelong passion fueled by the vibrant alternative rock scene of the early 2000s. Bands like Green Day and blink-182 became the soundtrack to his formative years, igniting a fire within him to pursue drumming as more than just a hobby.
Tom's musical voyage began in middle school when he formed a band with close friends in class. They played gigs at local venues and house parties, sharing their love for music with anyone who would listen. Those early experiences laid the foundation for Tom's musical path, teaching him the value of live performance and the connection it can forge with an audience.
Tom took a significant step in his drumming journey in 2012 when he became a student at School of Rock. The School of Rock environment offered Tom not only a comprehensive education in music theory and technique but also a platform to perform alongside talented musicians. It was at School of Rock that his progression as a performing drummer accelerated, and he discovered the true power of collaboration and the joy of sharing music with others.
Currently, Tom is a member of a punk rock band called Superkick, where he continues to channel his passion for drumming into dynamic live performances and recording sessions. Playing in a band has provided Tom with invaluable experiences, from writing and arranging music to working with other talented musicians, all of which he brings into his teaching.
Tom is thrilled to be a part of the School of Rock Andersonville community and to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for drumming with students of all ages. Teaching is not just a job for Tom; it's a true love. He looks forward to helping you discover the joy and creativity that drumming can bring to your life. Let's rock!
Ben
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Ben is a musician specializing in bass guitar and background vocals. He has his degree in jazz studies from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
Ben has appeared in musicals as an onstage musician at Drury Lane and the Royal George Theatre. Since then he has been working with touring artists including The Tom Fuller Band, Boyband Review Chicago, Jeanette King, Pistol Pete and most recently filling in as Paul McCartney for American English. Ben also has taught music since 2011 and continues to write his own music.
Sam
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Sam is a keyboard player, bassist, singer, and songwriter based out of Chicago. Growing up in Milwaukee, Sam began taking piano lessons at the age of 12. In college, he majored in music, with a focus on composition and production. During this time Sam also participated in the Cherry Street Combo, the top jazz combo at Knox College. He also acted as a teacher’s assistant for music production classes at Knox.
During the summer of his junior year, Sam worked as an intern for the Casterbridge Music Development Academy in Mbombela, South Africa. In this role, he taught piano lessons and acted as a musical advisor for a multitude of students.
More recently, Sam helped form the indie rock collective Kent Avenue Carpool. The band performs at venues across the Midwest, including High Noon Saloon in Madison, Cactus Club in Milwaukee, and Cobra Lounge in Chicago. Sam is dedicated to improving himself as a musician and helping others along their musical journeys.
Meriah
Bass Guitar Teacher
Meriah began learning bass at the age of 15 and spent weekends in Chicago to pursue her love of music as a School of Rock student. She graduated from Columbia College with a BA in Music Business in 2024.
Meriah plays bass in the band Aisle Five and has played at venues such as Metro, Subterranean, and Bottom Lounge. When she is not playing with her band she helps to promote the work of local and touring musicians through her music publication Amplified Chicago.
Ayana
Vocal Teacher
Ayana is a vocalist, songwriter, and visual artist based in Chicago, Illinois. She has loved music from an early age and grew up playing violin, acting, singing, and dancing in school musicals, and singing in church and school choirs.
After graduating from Ohio State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Ayana returned to her hometown of Cleveland to launch her career as a musician and begin her teaching journey. She gained performing and recording experience fronting the five-piece alternative rock outfit Goldleaf and currently performs as one-fourth of the glam folk-pop band The Prom Queens.
Ayana helps students become well-rounded musicians in a nurturing, inclusive, and creative environment that enables students to take pride in their strengths, improve their weaknesses, and grow more confident in finding their own voices.
Ethan
Drums Teacher
Ethan, a drummer and vocalist from Fryeburg, Maine, discovered his passion for rhythm early on. Guided by NYC-based drummer Bill Mead, Ethan honed his skills before venturing to Chicago for a Bachelor of Music degree at Columbia College. Immersed in the city's diverse music scene, he showcased his versatility by collaborating with various artists and bands, including Aisle Five, Kahil El’Zabar, Anessa Rivera, Kacie Brown, and Mara Luna. Ethan's electrifying performances graced renowned venues like The Metro, Bottom Lounge, Raven Room, and Martyrs. Having just graduated from Columbia in spring 2024, Ethan looks forward to leaving his unique imprint on the music industry.
Izzie R
Vocals Teacher
Izzie is a vocalist who began performing as early as preschool. Throughout her many years of singing in choirs, musicals, at School of Rock, and in her own band, she has found her niche in indie rock genres.
After graduating from the School of Rock in St. Louis, Izzie moved to Chicago where she completed her BA in journalism at Columbia College Chicago, class of 2024. In her free time, she writes, records, and performs with her band and passion project, Blush. She also combines her love for music and writing through the independent music publication Amplified Chicago.
Eric
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, and Vocals Teacher
Eric is a guitarist, bassist, and songwriter, native to the Chicago area. Becoming the leader of the rock band Daisy Estate in 2020 has been a great joy and fueled his day-to-day passion for music. He is a graduate of DePaul University and loves to share the knowledge he has gained over the years from practicing and playing with a variety of musicians.
Grace
Vocal Teacher
Grace is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter specializing in pop, jazz, folk, and musical theatre. As a music major in college, Grace performed as a soloist at school-wide events and taught music theory as an assistant instructor. She was a featured soloist for her a cappella group, “The Amateurs,” earning second place in the semi-finals for the International Championship for Collegiate A Cappella (the “Pitch Perfect” competition).
In lessons, Grace focuses on embracing one’s unique voice and finding emotional connections to each song alongside practicing proper vocal techniques. Grace creates a welcoming environment for all students, encouraging everyone to try new techniques, take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them.
Grace loves writing folk-pop music and essays about music and pop culture. She is currently working on writing and recording her first album.