Stephen Norton
Drum Teacher, General Manager
Stephen Norton brings a vast array of music experience to the School of Rock family. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of North Texas, Stephen moved to Los Angeles where he worked for several record labels and music distribution companies including Warner Bros, EMI Music, and Concord Records in sales and marketing. It was during this time that he met his bandmates and formed the indie rock band Louden Swain, to which he’s contributed his talents as drummer, producer, background vocalist, and co-writer. Over the course of 20+ years and 11 album releases, the band has toured extensively in the US, as well as Canada, the UK, Europe, and Australia. When not playing drums, piano, or guitar, Stephen enjoys spending time with family, his two rescue cats Lucky and Lucy, traveling and playing poker.
Zoe Liberman-Martin
Drum Teacher
Zoe’s love for music was encouraged during childhood, starting at age 6 with her parents putting her in piano lessons. Around age 8, Zoe was passionate about switching to drums after being inspired by Tré Cool’s fast drumming style and animated showmanship while performing with Green Day. She began private lessons with local teacher Mike Fix (who helped her learn over a span of 10 years), focused on reading music along with honing her coordination, independence, and confidence behind the kit. In middle school, Zoe began listening to metal, which sparked an interest in double bass drumming. Then, while attending Arcadia High School, she played percussion in orchestra and snare and bass drum in marching band, motivated by watching the movie Drumline years prior. She was also a part of the CMAS (Creative Musical Arts and Sciences) program, which taught her about recording methods and live sound engineering.
To further her knowledge and abilities, Zoe moved to Los Angeles at 18 to pursue an Associate of Arts performance degree at Musicians Institute. During her collegiate music education, Zoe took general classes in music theory and ear training as well as specialized drum classes including advanced reading and technique, jazz, Latin, odd meter, and more. Additionally, private lessons with Ryan Brown (drummer for Dweezil Zappa) enabled her to go beyond the school curriculum and learn about expressing herself as a unique musician. Upon graduation, Zoe’s hard work was recognized through receiving the achievement award of “Most Improved.” She was also offered a teaching assistant job (which she stayed at for a year and a half), playing drum set in bass/guitar/vocal performance classes and tutoring current drum program students.
Since moving back to Phoenix, Zoe has played in various music groups including Sinshrift (hard rock), Gift Horse (alternative), Short Lived (emo) as well as Scottsdale Community College’s big band and jazz combos. She has been employed with the School of Rock in Arcadia since September 2023. She is an incredibly enthusiastic teacher who works well with all age groups. Combining her extensive education and performance experience with the patented School of Rock Method™ allows her to help each individual student accomplish their own musical goals. It is important to Zoe that she provides a comfortable and encouraging learning environment for everyone since she knows firsthand the power of good mentorship.
Jacob Murphy
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Jacob started playing bass at age 10 and guitar not long after, with experience as a School of Rock student and has a strong focus on Music Theory and Songwriting!
Jared Fron
Drum Teacher
Jared started playing music at a young age. From school bands, to cover bands, to international touring acts, he's always kept himself busy. He loves to teach when he is not performing.
Brandon Biallas
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Brandon is a musician with 20 years of experience playing in local bands and recording music. Born and raised in Scottsdale, AZ, he first discovered his immense passion for music when his father exposed him to his enormous record collection. Filled with everything from Led Zeppelin to Genesis, Brandon quickly realized that his appreciation for music ran just as deeply as his father's. After being gifted a Gibson Les Paul for his 12th birthday, the rest was history as Brandon confined himself in his room and practiced diligently for hours on end. Playing in bands all throughout high school and college, Brandon found his obsession for music accelerating at a rapid pace as he experimented performing with bands from genres like metal, ska punk, and everything in between. This would eventually lead to an opportunity to perform with his band, Something Went Awry, at the SXSW music festival in 2014, being given the tremendous honor of opening for one of his favorite guitar players, jazz fusion legend, Stanley Jordan.
This experience inspired Brandon to continue working to be greater musically and to never stop pursuing opportunities for growth and knowledge. Brandon takes a patient and friendly approach to teaching music to his students which is largely informed by his background as a music therapist. His dedication to helping people through therapeutic musical interventions is only rivaled by his desire to help students become the best musicians they can be with their instruments.
Max Bennette
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Max is a passionate guitar teacher with a love for both playing and instructing. His engaging and personalized lessons inspire students to reach their musical potential.
Meghan Herring
Drum Teacher
Meghan Herring’s drumming career has spanned over 17 years and taken her around the world. After starting the band Doll Skin at 17, they were quickly signed to EMP Records, and she toured with acts such as New Found Glory, Anti-Flag, Dead Kennedys, Creeper, Lacey Sturm of Flyleaf, Flogging Molly, Social Distortion, Motion City Soundtrack, and much more. The band was managed by David Ellefson of Megadeth, as well as Capital Artist Management in the UK. After two summers at the Warped Tour, Doll Skin was signed to Hopeless Records. She is the proud owner of a custom SJC kit and has been featured in their marketing and social accounts multiple times. Meghan was also included in Alternative Press’s list of female drummers inspiring the next generation. Meg and Doll Skin has been sponsored by D'Addario, Hot Topic, and Journeys. Her touring experience has taken her to Mexico, Europe, the UK, and across the United States countless times.
The band ended in 2023, and Meghan moved on to tour as a professional drummer - touring as the live drummer for acts like Adore Delano, Rachel Bochner, The Bots, Maijah, Bailey Spinn, and more.
Benjamin Maurer
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Ben is a multi-instrumentalist teacher, show director, composer, and producer whose roots in music started at the School of Rock in 2019 when he was 13. His favorite genres to play are jazz and RnB, but he takes more pride in teaching students to find and explore genres they resonate with.
Alongside his lessons and shows, Ben is currently studying at Arizona State University in the Barrett Honors program to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music. At ASU he has expanded his knowledge about the instruments he plays and is pursuing the knowledge to be an audio engineer. He plays with a multitude of bands across the valley as a musician-for-hire and friend alongside his mentors who’ve inspired him to stay in the School of Rock community.
Mikal Benion
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Kal is a multi-talented musician that likes to get out of his comfort zone and make different genres of music ranging from indie, R&B, metal, and jazz
Jordan Reid
Guitar Teacher, Bass Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jordan Reid, from Phoenix, discovered his passion for music early on. Beginning with piano lessons at Rosie's House and later transitioning to drums, Jordan found his calling in guitar while attending ASU's Pop Music program. Today, he showcases his talent as a bassist and producer for his band Prime Society.
Joe Allie
Music Director, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Joe is our Regional Music Director. He has been teaching at the School of Rock for the better part of 9 years and has studied jazz guitar performance at ASU. Leading up to that, he has been performing around the valley on various instruments ever since the age of 12. In the recent past, he has been involved with groups such as Marked;Life, Audrey Heartburn, Brother Teresa, and Sonoran Chorus. Catch him at a show with his latest project bitterblossom.
Cameron Holladay
Drum Teacher
Cameron’s musical journey began in the sixth grade when he performed a drum solo during his middle school’s annual talent show. Having been born 70% deaf in one ear and being diagnosed with Asperger’s at age 6, Cameron's formative years to this point had proven to be a bit of a challenge socially. It wasn't until the weeks and months following his performance that Cameron first experienced admiration, acceptance, and friendships from his peers. At that time, it was clear he would forge his way and life through music!
Cameron's first performance as a professional musician came on stage at the Hard Rock Cafe in Phoenix at age 12. The following year, his band Smokestack was named the youngest act to win Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding Competition. Since then, Cameron has recorded and released two full-length studio albums, appeared in multiple music videos, shared the stage with Hall of Fame inductees Los Lobos and ZZ Top, and performed over 1,200 live shows for audiences as large as 25,000. In 2022, Cameron furthered his commitment to his passion by obtaining his bachelor's degree in music education.
When Cameron is not teaching at the School of Rock in Arcadia, he plays around the valley at various venues and events with the band The Instant Classics. Cameron has many influences, knowledge of multiple music genres, and proficiency in different playing styles. His patient and student-driven teaching style makes him a great fit for aspiring drummers of all ages and levels.