General Manager
A drummer since the fourth grade, Ryan has been playing in bands and writing his own music for over 20 years. His most recent project has been as a drummer with the jazz trio Scott Greenaway and The Rhythm Method. He also formed and was lead guitarist and singer/songwriter for the St. Augustine-based folk-rock group, Wingfield.
Ryan taught music privately off and on while managing the Service Department of a local Audio Visual integrator since 2013. With a degree in Business Administration from the University of North Florida and coursework in Commercial Music from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN, he is uniquely qualified to manage the first School of Rock in Jacksonville, FL. Ryan has been married to his wife for over 15 years and enjoys spending time with her and their two boys.
Music Director, Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Victoria (Vicki) Benkoski is an actor, vocalist, and teacher from Albany, NY. She attended Schenectady County Community College and earned her associate's degree in Music Performance before venturing on to SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music and matriculating with her BA in Music Education.
Vicki's teaching career began in 2014 in southern Vermont, where she taught general music, band, and chorus to students in Pre-K to 8th grade. Along with teaching, Vicki directed several elementary school musicals and assisted with vocal development with the Drama program at her alma mater in Hoosick Falls.
Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Vicki decided to leave teaching and pursue her passion for performance. She has since been involved in many tri-state area theaters, and her favorite credits include Medda, Newsies (ILST), Maria, Twelfth Night (Will Kempe's Players), and Wicked Stepmother, Cinderella (Capital Rep Theatre). She quickly became a member of the Actor's Equity Association, and prior to that was a founding member of Will Kempe's Players in Troy, NY, which is the only worker-owned Shakespeare cooperative in the United States specializing in original practices. Vicki relocated to Jacksonville, FL in the fall of 2021 and is excited to serve as Music Director for School of Rock Mandarin.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Little Wing Teacher
Isabella is a music teacher and vocalist who graduated from the University of North Florida with a bachelor's degree in music education. Born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, she is very excited to join the School of Rock team in her hometown!
Isabella has experience performing in a range of different genres such as operas, musicals, choirs, and various classical recitals. She has been teaching music privately for over four years and has a passion for working with kids of all ages. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and passion for all music with her students and bands here at School of Rock in Mandarin!
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Sara is an actor and vocalist who graduated from the College of Charleston with a bachelor's degree in vocal performance. She grew up in Jacksonville, FL performing in musicals, operas, bands, and choirs.
Sara has explored all ranges of musical genres and looks forward to sharing her knowledge with those who share a passion for music. She is excited to join the School of Rock in Mandarin, FL as a vocal teacher and band coach!
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Ezra is a current student at UNF pursuing a degree in Music Performance with a concentration in music technology and production. He has been involved in the world of percussion since 2013 with experience ranging from intense drum corps shows to gigging with local bands on drum set.
Ezra's recent activity includes performing with the UNF percussion ensemble and tech ensemble, as well as playing drum set and percussion for theatrical productions.
Drum Teacher
Ash received his percussion training from Augusta College before embarking on his 30-year teaching career in Charleston, South Carolina. Throughout this time, he taught private percussion lessons at various music schools in the Mt. Pleasant South Carolina vicinity. He has performed on the drum set with local bands in Charleston, St. Augustine, and Jacksonville, including fundraisers for Ducks Unlimited and the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Additionally, Ash orchestrated percussion camps catering to both typical and special needs children, and directed the Rock Band Camp at the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Department. Ash's teaching repertoire spans all music genres, as well as rudiments, and he enjoys teaching students at every level. Throughout his 30-year career as a percussionist, he has enjoyed a rich musical background, having been part of the Olde City Drum Corps and collaborating with diverse musical genres, notably featuring in the Nepalese band Agni's music video "Smriti," released in Nepal in 2018.
Show Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Gary grew up in Troy, NY. At a young age, discovering the rock band KISS led to a fascination with the guitar. He is an alumnus of The Berklee College of Music, The American Institute of Guitar as a private student of Alex Skolnick, and The National Guitar Workshop. Gary taught guitar classes at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY before relocating to Jacksonville, FL. He has performed extensively with various acts in New England, New York, the Mid-Atlantic states, and the South. As a member of BedRock, he continues his quest to perform and recreate some of the best Rock music ever made. Gary is proud and honored to be part of the School of Rock Mandarin team, and looks forward to sharing and experiencing the gift of music with the School of Rock community.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Show Director
Jeff Rogers is an accomplished musician and instructor with over 36 years of experience in the local rock music scene. Jeff started with classical piano training at age 8 then switched to bass guitar at 15 and booked his first professional gig less than a year later. An extremely versatile artist, Jeff is highly skilled as a bassist, keyboardist, sound engineer, lighting designer, and DMX programmer. He has played in several popular cover bands as well as touring acts like Bliss and Funk University throughout his rich musical career.
With a passion for nurturing new talent, Jeff focuses on teaching students not just instrumental skills but the art of commanding the stage through School of Rock's performance-based education approach. Eager to give back to the community that nurtured him, Jeff aims to share the invaluable tips and tricks he has learned throughout his decades of experience with a new generation of aspiring musicians. His depth of expertise, coupled with an unwavering commitment to music education, makes him a guiding force for young artists.
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Aung Min Naing ("Moses"), a native of Myanmar, began his musical journey at a young age. At the age of 7, he started taking piano lessons and playing at church. He soon discovered a new passion as other members of his band mentored him and encouraged him to learn guitar.
Throughout his musical career, Moses has recorded many guitar, bass, and keyboard parts for his band, The Myth Masters. Before moving to the United States, he worked as a music teacher at Wichai Wittaya International School in Thailand. Moses is a big fan of Dream Theater!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Kevin is a guitarist who began his musical journey at the School of Rock Coral Springs at the age of 10. He was performing professionally by 14 with classic rock cover bands in local bars and restaurants. Kevin was eventually selected for the prestigious School of Rock AllStars program and performed at iconic venues like Red Rocks Amphitheater and Lollapalooza. \
After graduating from the University of Florida in 2021, Kevin moved to Jacksonville and began teaching private guitar and bass lessons while gigging in both live and studio settings. He has since toured the southeastern United States with a variety of original acts. Kevin brought his School of Rock journey full circle by joining the School of Rock Mandarin team in August 2024!
Vocal Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Olivia is a vocalist, performer, and songwriter, originally from Fenwick Island, Delaware. Before relocating to St. Augustine, Florida, she attended the Southern Delaware School of the Arts, where she became versed in vocal music, fine art, the dramatic arts, and varying styles of dance, and has since held roles in productions of The Great Gatsby and Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Olivia graduated from Flagler College with a bachelor's degree in communication and a minor in journalism and media production. She is now working as a vocal instructor, freelance illustrator, and graphic designer, and as a frontman for her rock band MADAM and for The Life Atlantic event band out of Jacksonville. Olivia joined the School of Rock Mandarin team in September of 2024.
Guitar Teacher
Cole is a guitarist from Coral Springs, Florida. He has been playing guitar for over twenty years and has been teaching guitar and piano for the last several years. Cole graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in music composition. His motto for teaching music is “Progress, not perfection.”
Cole taught as a show director and private instructor at School of Rock Pampano Beach for five years before moving to Jacksonville in September of 2024. While in South Florida, he toured and recorded with the math rock band Makoto from 2019 to 2022. Cole joined the School of Rock Mandarin in October 2024.
Drum Teacher
Isaac is a drummer and a graduate of the UNF Music Technology program with over 12 years of experience behind the kit. He’s been teaching drums for the past 6 years, helping students of all levels grow their skills and find their own groove. Isaac specializes in a range of styles, from rock to marching to jazz. He has played in various high-level ensembles and is also the drummer for his indie rock band Colourway, where he contributes his skills and creativity to their original music. Isaac loves sharing his passion for music and is always excited to help students take their drumming to the next level. Isaac joined the School of Rock Mandarin team in January 2025.