Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Mackenzie Miller has been performing since she was three years old in church choir. Mostly self-taught and picking up various instruments over the years, she has played keyboard, guitar, and sang in bands, duos, and solo all over the world. From the world-famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, UK - where she got her BA in Songwriting and Vocal Performance from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts - to busking on the streets of Paris, to local wineries right here in Seattle. Mackenzie has been performing with her own original music for over twelve years and has spent many years organizing bands and performances in a variety of different genres and venues through work as a writer, promoter, music director, and performer. Mackenzie’s favorite thing about music is the ability to connect with others, and she loves teaching because it gives her the opportunity to be the person she always wished she had for others in the community.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Coming from a musical family, Wayne picked up the guitar in 1977 at 10 years old and played his first gig in 1981 in the 9th grade for a school event. Since then, he's performed in too many bands to count, ranging in styles from punk to acoustic jazz to progressive to bluegrass. He also worked as a studio guitarist “for hire” in the Puget Sound area, mainly providing guitar solos for pop music demos. In many words, he is no stranger to performance.
Over the years, he's learned to play the bass, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, and most other fretted instruments to varying degrees. As a certified audio engineer, he is also well versed in studio production: recording and post-production, drum and other midi programming, analog and digital synthesis, editing, etc.
He has 2 daughters that were heavily involved in musical theater, and now that they are grown, he wants to continue helping kids discover the electricity, the camaraderie, and the sheer fun of live performance.
Bass Guitar Teacher
Brian Riedel is a multi-faceted musician with experience playing in various projects on bass guitar, electric guitar, and drums, as well as recording, which he learned through Seattle Recording Arts, an academy run by local studio Orbit Audio. At the start of the pandemic, Brian, alongside the rest of The Narcotics, a Utah-based hard-rock band, wrote and recorded a full-length album, Papaver Calfornicum. Soon after, Brian relocated to the Seattle area to pursue more music opportunities compared to what was available in his home state of Utah. Soon after moving, he joined Kuwaisiana, an Arab Grunge band, and was enchanted by the unique rhythms and challenges this project presented. Searching for a push to the next level, Brian sought out a year-long mentorship from Steve Jenkins, of Screaming Headless Torsos fame. Soon thereafter, starting both a System of a Down tribute band, Sugar of a Down, and a bass-lead hardcore punk band, Decentralized Disobedience. Brian is driven by furthering their musical understanding and distilling it down to be shared.
Vocal Teacher
Braden Ross is an up-and-coming musician residing in the greater Seattle area. After choosing passion over familiarity, Braden started his music career in 2020 after graduating top of his class in high school and foregoing higher education. He quickly found his place in the online scene and has since garnered millions of streams on Spotify alone, with over 100k listeners tuning in monthly to listen to his tracks. He is completely self-produced and independent, and he’s also been known to write for others, including an artist signed to Universal Music Group. Not only that, but he has also briefly worked with other major artists/producers, including multi-platinum music producer Matt Squire. After turning down multiple label offers in exchange for full ownership of his art, he is excited to share his knowledge and personal experiences with other passionate musicians.
Drum Teacher
Brandon (he/him) is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Kent, WA. You may have seen him with an acoustic guitar at your local coffeehouse or perhaps supporting other local bands and artists on the bass, drum set, or cajon. If not, you've undoubtedly seen him on the street corner in an ushanka hat and fingerless gloves, raving madly about "the end times." Besides teaching kids how to rock and recording music at home, Brandon also loves to play video games and take his dog to the park.
Drum Teacher
David is currently pursuing a degree in bioengineering at the University of Washington, Seattle, while also studying music theory. In addition to his academic pursuits, he works as a drum instructor at the School of Rock in Kent, where he shares his passion for music with students. David’s musical journey began at the age of 9 when he picked up the guitar and drums. Growing up in Mexico, he became actively involved in worship teams at evangelical churches, which ignited his love for music. After moving to the United States, he sought to give back to the community by teaching music to low-income children at a small church in Grandview, Washington. This experience deepened his commitment to teaching and hands-on learning.
In 2020, amid the challenges of the pandemic, David seized the opportunity to formally study music theory. His appreciation for all musical genres has only grown. For David, music is not just a hobby; it's a lifelong passion that has shaped his identity. He feels honored to guide and inspire the next generation of musicians at the School of Rock in Kent, fostering their love for music as he continues on his own journey in both music and bioengineering.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Leroy Daniels grew up immersed in music, starting in church, where he first discovered his love for worship and musicianship. In middle school, he picked up the trumpet and began learning music theory, which laid a solid foundation for his musical journey. By high school, Leroy was playing professionally as a live performer and a session musician for several local recording studios.
With over 20 years of experience playing piano, organ, and keys—and just as many years as a vocalist—Leroy has developed a deep passion for music in all its forms. As a child, he would visit jazz jam sessions in downtown San Diego, eagerly soaking up the atmosphere and refining his skills alongside seasoned musicians.
Professionally, Leroy has served as a Worship Pastor for multiple churches over the past 15 years, blending his technical knowledge with his heart for worship. His greatest joy is helping others discover a love for music, mentoring musicians to grow not just in skill but also in their understanding of how music can connect people to God and each other. Music isn’t just a career for Leroy—it’s a lifelong passion and calling.
Studio Coordinator
Megan is the studio coordinator at School of Rock Kent. She is a multi-instrumentalist, with her true passion being songwriting. She works with her band, "instant crush," as the primary songwriter and creative director. Through her work with the band, she has gotten to tour with one of her favorite acts, Friday Pilots Club, and play shows with other bands she loves, like Del Water Gap, the Plain White T's, and the Wrecks. Aside from working in her own band, she also co-writes and collaborates with numerous other artists, focusing her attention on Los Angeles session work as a top-line and lyric specialist. Her band just recently put out their debut album in October and got one of their songs on the EA Sports NHL 25 game! She is so excited to be a part of such a wonderful community and to help create the environment she craved while growing up.
General Manager
Joshila's artistic journey began with dance and evolved into a deep commitment to creativity and education. Now a resident of Auburn and a member of the Auburn School District, Joshila combines her love for the arts with a desire to help individuals of all ages realize their potential. She sees this new venture as a chance to strengthen the community through music.
Director of Operations
With nearly a decade of experience as a School of Rock franchise operator, Phil Gustavson has been a cornerstone of Seattle’s music education scene. As a performer, teacher, and sound engineer, he has mentored thousands of musicians and organized hundreds of concerts. His impressive background spans punk rock, jazz manouche, and executive production at renowned studios. Phil also actively contributes to community events as an executive board member of the Alki Art Fair.
Operating Owner
Chris Wilson has spent the last 24 years touring the world as a production rigger, working behind the scenes with legendary artists like Elton John, Avenged Sevenfold, Avril Lavigne, Halsey, Nickelback, Iron Maiden, Linkin Park, Green Day, Michael Bublé, and The Weeknd. With a deep passion for live music, Chris is committed to inspiring the next generation of musicians. He believes in the power of performance to build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills, helping young artists thrive on and off the stage.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Music has been a part of Nathanyel’s life for as long as he can remember. Originally starting on the piano at age 5, he eventually learned drums before hearing Eddie Van Halen for the first time and falling in love with the guitar. Before teaching, Nathanyel played in professional original bands and in the tribute band scene, and he has an undergraduate and graduate degree at Berklee College of Music. Some favorite states/countries he’s played in include Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, Vegas, and Belgium. Now along with teaching, Nathanyel uses music and his guitar to spread awareness about Puerto Rico and other issues that he cares about.
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Jo is a vocal, piano, and guitar teacher at the School of Rock in Kent. Working in the music industry since she was 13 years old, Jo has been performing and working ever since. After spending middle and high school performing for bars, parties, weddings, cafes, festivals, cruises, and competitions every weekend, Jo took off for NYC and studied the art of recording and songwriting. There, she continued performing and also started engineering records. She met her long-time mentor, Matt Noble, who had engineered for the likes of Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Chance the Rapper, and more. She also met Sam Stauff, another engineering mentor, working the Peak radio station, Live performances, as well as other concert venues. Assisting anywhere she could, she built a recording discography as an assistant engineer with artists like Sam Fender, Darlene Love, Bailen, Blue Oyster Cult, Angie McMahon, John Patitucci, Borns, and countless local NYC artists. Jo believes the most important part of a musical career is community. So in her free time, she has been teaching since 2017 at several different schools, workshops, and summer camps in Maine, NYC, and now Seattle.
Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Logen Kent is an independent artist from Bonney Lake, WA. He started his music career at 16, self-producing 4 solo albums, playing in whatever bands would take him, and trying to make his way. Eventually, Logen found himself working for Pacific Studios in Tacoma, which brought him in close contact with legendary producers like Steve Fisk, gave him tons of experience recording and producing other bands, and brought his knowledge of production and the industry to a whole new level. At the same time, he also held a job working as a music instructor and found a passion in inspiring others to learn, grow, and succeed.
Logen has since moved on from the studio life, he now resides in the greater Seattle area and spends his time playing and touring in 3 bands, The Entourage (his original rock band), Cody Bartels (a national touring Country artist), and The Washington Bigfoot Society (a local bluegrass band). Logen is very excited to share his knowledge and personal experience with you and looks forward to helping you blossom into a passionate, confident, and powerful musician.
"All I can do is be me... whoever that is" - Bob Dylan