Our Experienced Music Teachers
All of School of Rock Park Ridge’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.
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Born and raised in Park Ridge, IL, Andrew began taking piano lessons when he was around 4 years old. It wasn’t until Andrew was in middle school that he would join a band and music would become his greatest passion. He picked up guitar as a teenager, originally learning how to play classic rock songs on piano, by transcribing guitar tabs. Andrew earned a BA in Music Business from the University of Illinois at Chicago, while remaining active in Chicagoland's music scene. When Andrew isn’t writing, recording, or performing with various groups, he enjoys watching classic films and going to Sox games.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Colleen graduated with a BA in Music from Columbia College Chicago in 2017. Originally from California, she first picked up a guitar when she was 11 years old and has performed with several bands in various venues through the Bay Area, as well as Chicago.
Colleen likes to tell stories through dynamic instrumental music—specializing in rock, metal, ambient, and jazz. She enjoys helping students discover their unique abilities so they can achieve their greatest potential as musicians.
Assistant Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Morgan is a singer-songwriter and actor-musician from Pennsylvania. She has an enthusiastic spirit, and a passion to create and collaborate with others! Morgan is a founding member and regular performer of the Musical Pirate Crew, “Ship Shape.” Entertaining crowds with their tight harmonies and Piratical humor, she and two of her friends travel to Renaissance Faires across the country. Morgan is currently based in Chicago and continues to write and perform her own original music.
Music Director, Drum Teacher
Alyanna has loved music since she was born, inspired by her father’s love for classic rock and funk music. She fell in love with playing the drums at the age of 9 and continued taking lessons until 22. Alyanna became the first student at her high school to get accepted into an arts school and pursued her educational career at Columbia College Chicago, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Contemporary, Urban, and Popular Music with a concentration in Drum Performance.
Alyanna also performs in two bands: Comfort Kills and Aurin & the Hex. She has played all around the Chicagoland area. In her free time, Alyanna is an avid record collector and cartoon enthusiast. She loves passing on her love of drums to her students and teaching them the art of music and being yourself.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
David is a professional musician with over 40 years of performance experience and over 30 years of teaching both individual and group lessons. David has played many styles of music such as rock, blues, jazz, reggae, and more. Additionally, he has had the opportunity to play with notable groups including Wood Zeppelin and Roots Rock Society. When David isn't playing music, he spends his time as a DJ for Q4 Radio's "The Roots Connection."
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Ben is a musician specializing in bass guitar and background vocals. He earned 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.
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
The son of two musicians, it is unsurprising that music has been a pivotal piece of Jacob’s life from birth. Growing up, he would listen to the melodies of classical compositions reverberating through the walls of his house as his mom taught flute lessons, each night begging to learn how to play music. At the age of 8, Jacob got his wish and began formally playing piano, before switching to percussion at the age of 10.
As a teenager, Jacob played the drums for various groups and artists around the Chicagoland area, while also performing as a member of Maine South High School's drumline and wind ensemble. Inspired by the music of The Grateful Dead, he began playing the electric guitar and studying improvisational techniques.
While earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Philosophy from Iowa State University, Jacob founded multiple bands, played and put on countless shows, and continued to write and study the art of music. Currently, Jacob performs as a solo artist around the Chicagoland area, delivering high-energy, jam-based sets. In the rare times he’s not playing music, Jacob enjoys fishing, playing water polo, watching films, and spending time with his friends and family.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together
For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.