Our Experienced Music Teachers
All of School of Rock Downingtown’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.
Tom McKee
Music Director, General Manager
Tom McKee is the music director and general manager at School of Rock Downingtown, where he has worked since 2007. Tom teaches piano and directs several shows each year. He oversees the school’s House Band, which performs regularly throughout Chester County. Tom has directed five tours with the School of Rock AllStars (2011-2016), raising money and awareness for various charities in the process. Tom has toured and performed in more than 40 states and much of Canada as a member of the band Brothers Past. He has contributed original music to the band's four official releases, including the 2005 release "This Feeling's Called Goodbye," which gained critical acclaim for its unique fusion of indie rock and electronic music. In 2006, he performed with Brothers Past at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, alongside Radiohead, Beck, Tom Petty and Elvis Costello. In addition to his work at School of Rock, Tom continues to write and record new music.
Brian Davis
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Brian Davis has been teaching at School of Rock since 2004, not long after the school first opened its doors. Brian is the school’s Assistant Music Director and teaches guitar and bass. As the longest tenured member of our staff, Brian has directed dozens of shows, including some of the hardest music in our repertoire - Zapa, Rush, King Crimson (twice!) and lots more. When he’s not teaching, Brian can be found onstage performing or behind the mixing board in a recording studio. Brian works locally at Tribe Sound Studios in West Chester and tours as a member of the popular Talking Heads tribute Start Making Sense. Brian also writes and records his own music.
John Norcross
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
John Norcross is a guitar, bass and drum instructor with deep roots at School of Rock Downingtown. John was one of the first students to enroll at the school when it first opened in 2004. He was also one of the first students from Downingtown to be named a School of Rock AllStar. John is one of several members of our staff to be immortalized on the school’s Wall of Fame. After graduating high school, John spent time touring the country with the metal bands Trasher and BSOM. During his time at School of Rock, he has directed all kinds of shows, ranging from metal to classic rock to working with the youngest students in our Rock 101 program.
Avery Coffee
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Avery Coffee began playing guitar at age 10 and has been a working musician for 20 years and counting in and out of the region. He currently tours as Chubby Checker’s lead guitar player, but cut his teeth playing in bar bands before settling into the Philadelphia music scene. Avery has performed with local favorites like Chuck Treece, JD Malone and Hezekiah Jones and has toured nationally and internationally, playing various styles. He is also a touring accompanist for the Philadelphia Boys Choir. Besides performing, Avery has always studied extensively, whether it be in a college setting or privately, and believes in teaching the most useful aspects of an academic approach mixed with years of real world experience on stage. His goal as a teacher is always to create a better version of himself, hopefully in less time.
Brock Benzel
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Brock Benzel is a guitar instructor at School of Rock Downingtown. A recent graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Brock is no stranger to School of Rock, having cut his teeth here as a student. Brock performed as a member of the School of Rock AllStars, touring the country and raising money for charity in the process. Brock performs as a member of the math rock band Invalids and also writes and records his own music under the name Good Game. He is endorsed by Steinberg Guitars.
Ian Barr
Piano Teacher
Ian Barr is a pianist, composer and keyboard instructor at School of Rock Downingtown. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in Theory and Composition from Westminster Choir College, where he also had the privilege of performing with world class orchestras in New York and Philadelphia as a part of the Westminster Symphonic Choir. Some of his compositional output includes pieces for piano, organ, solo voice, orchestra and string quartet. Despite his classical training, Ian is a School of Rock alum who was first inspired by rock legends such as Yes and Frank Zappa to write music. He has a passion for any music that can be both ear-catching and complex. Ian's favorite part about teaching is when he's able to help students gain a deeper understanding of the music that they love most.
Danny Piselli
Drum Teacher
Danny Piselli began teaching drums right out of high school, and almost a decade later he remains one of our most dedicated and passionate instructors. As a former AllStar and student at School of Rock, Danny knows all too well how to help our current students navigate our challenging curriculum. His primary musical influences are metal, but he has had extensive training in many other styles including classic rock, funk, Latin and jazz. During his time as a School of Rock AllStar, Danny toured internationally with artists such as The Butthole Surfers and Brendon Small of Dethklok. He's currently drumming in several projects, including Fisthammer and Conflict Theory.
Ryan Berg
Drum Teacher
Ryan Berg is a dedicated drum set performer and educator with international touring and teaching experience. Ryan's educational background includes studies conducted at Berklee College of Music in Boston and extensive studies with world-renowned educator Gary Chaffee, whose former students include many of the top drummers working today. An active performer, Ryan has performed internationally in diverse musical settings with artists such as Project/Object featuring Frank Zappa Band alumni, composer Chris Opperman, indie rock band Strand of Oaks and folk/roots singer Phil Minissale. He's also appeared with many other artists in a variety of professional settings including improvised music, general business and musical theatre. When he is not teaching at School of Rock Downingtown, you can find Ryan on tour with the popular Talking Heads tribute Start Making Sense.
Peggy Carroll-Henry
Vocal Teacher
Peggy Carroll-Henry has a Master of Arts in Teaching as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Voice from The University of the Arts in Philly. She has an extensive background in teaching, from musical theatre classes at Hedgerow Theatre to private teaching in everything from classical to rock. Peggy is very passionate about her students and believes there is actually a healthy way to sing rock music. She currently sings in the band Minerva, a rock/pop band that plays in Philly and the surrounding areas. Minerva has worked in the studio with Grammy-nominated engineers/producers David Ivory and Ritchie Rubini. She and her husband are co-founders of MECA Music Healsm an organization that helps empower and heal victims of child abuse through music. MECA just played their first benefit concert at World Café Live and has released their first recording, which includes well-known Philly artists such as Eric Bazilian and Dave Uossikkinen (from The Hooters and In the Pocket), Ben Arnold and Lauren Hart.