 |
BRYAN RESENDIZMusic Director & Drums Teacher Bryan Resendiz is a Music Director at the Highwood IL School. He will be teaching drums, and manage the ensemble rehearsals. Bryan is from Evanston, Illinois. His path through the world of rock 'n' roll began when Bryan got his first drum set in the 3rd grade. Bryan's musical inspiration came initially from his older sister's record collection of "The Police" and "Led Zeppelin." By age 12 and throughout his teens, Bryan performed live in bands and in studio settings. In the summer of 1995 as a part of the Hello Dave band, Bryan played in venues from San Francisco and New York to Key West, while also headlining at the House of Blues, Park West, and the Vic Theater in Chicago. The band also performed on numerous radio and television programs including WGN-TV, WXRT, and WCKG. In 2002, Hello Dave was asked by the U.S.O to entertain American servicemen and servicewomen overseas. Between 2002 and 2005, Bryan played rock 'n' roll in the Pacific Islands, Asia, Europe, Africa and across the Middle East, culminating in an intense tour across Iraq. Bryan recorded a full-length album for Hello Dave's "Perfect Day" in 2003. An opportunity to work closely with producer, Don Gehman (John Mellencamp, REM, Bruce Hornsby) and engineer Mark Dearnley (Paul McCartney, ACDC, XTC) made a lasting impression on how to create powerful music and capture great performances. Bryan left the Hello Dave band in 2005 in order to focus on freelance music projects and a successful teaching practice at Kevin Connelley Drum Instruction in Skokie. Bryan continues to maintain a busy gigging schedule with a number of Chicago bands.
|
|
 |
GORDON PATRIARCAMusic Director & Bass TeacherBassist Gordon Patriarca has been a lifetime resident of Chicago. As a child in the 1960's a transistor radio was a constant companion ( under the pillow at bedtime ) this radio would be tuned to one of the AM powerhouses WLS or WCFL and the gloriously diverse Top-40 sounds were the soundtrack of his childhood. The physical relationship with the electric bass began at age 16, this was fueled by the inevitable sibling rivalry with a younger brother who had become an above-average guitarist in only 3-4 years of playing. Not to be outdone ( and using Cream bassist Jack Bruce as a role model ) Patriarca picked the 4-stringed instrument and circumnavigated any comparisons with his junior kin. High School bands followed ( now the radio was tuned to FM, Hard- Rock, Blues-Rock, Prog-Rock etc. it was the '70's ) There was a bit of formal study with ( now L.A. studio bassist ) Paul Zibits. |
|
 |
JOSH THERRIAULTKeyboards Josh Therriault grew up in Chicago, Bucktown to be exact. At an early age Josh loved music; he especially took a liking to blues men like Little Walter, Junior Wells, Little Richard and Ray Charles. Josh’s father, a well known Chicago based Luthier, helped to cultivate this interest in music and always encouraged Josh to be open minded and to listen to a variety of music. After graduating from Lane Tech High School on a music track, Josh went to Northeastern Illinois University where he quickly became a musical leader in all ensembles ranging from Varsity Big Band on Tenor Sax to Concert Band on Clarinet and saxophone with countless bands and combos where Josh performed on Sax, Keyboards and Clarinet in between. Josh has performed live at many Chicago venues beginning when he was just 15! Some of these awesome places include The Kingston Mines, Martyrs, Spot 6 and The Kinetic Playground. Here at the School of Rock, Josh can be found helping out managers, assisting with Rock 101, Show directing (he made his debut with the Blues show performed in Highwood in June 2009), giving his wealth of musical knowledge and performance experience to any student, and of course, teaching Keyboards and Saxophone.
|
|
 |
PJ ANDERSONVocal Instructor PJ Anderson is a musician hailing from the Chicago area. He recently finished recording his second solo album, Lead Me To You, which was released in June 2011 and is available on iTunes and other online outlets. Lead Me To You features the song of the same title, "Lead Me To You" as well as "Uncovered." He recorded his first solo album, Last Minute in 2009 and recently finished a summer tour, traveling the country and playing music for thousands of teenagers serving others on mission trips. PJ&rsquot;s music focuses on life&rsquot;s joys, battles and struggles with faith, love and everyday life. With his catchy acoustic melodies and his heartfelt, soul-searching lyrics, PJ&rsquot;s songs are bound to get stuck in your head. PJ has recently been selected to be part of Pandora. So, in about 2 months, you can start your very own PJ Anderson Pandora station. PJ lives in Chicago with his wife and his newborn baby boy, Trey! He loves working with prospective singers at School of Rock and is always looking for ways to make singing lessons something that his students look forward to and truly enjoy! PJ is also the lead singer for a Chicago-based band, Jackson Bailey. You can grab their debut EP, Theories, released earlier this year on CD, iTunes and other online outlets. Jackson Bailey is also available on Pandora.
|
|
 |
STEVE KENTALADrums Stephen Kentala has been drumming most of his life. It all started in his parents’ basement where his father?s band would rehearse. Showing an early curiosity about drums, six-year-old Steve would sit behind the drummer watching his every move, waiting for a break in the rehearsal to hop on the drum set. After moving to the Northwest side of Chicago, eleven-year-old Steve began taking drum lessons from Kevin Connelley. There he developed a firm foundation in all aspects of percussion. During high school Steve formed a band with friends and enjoyed a stint playing shows in the Chicago area. In college Steve majored in Music and Education. During this time he studied with Mark Senser and Clay Condon. After spending time in the degree, he chose to further pursue the performance aspect of drumming and to teach one on one lessons. During his college years he played with indie-rockers The Gorilla Press and The Soft Parade, a Doors and classic rock cover band. Currently Steve is playing throughout the Midwest with the band The Personnel. His love for music, performing and teaching continues to grow. Steve wants to inspire the passion of learning in his students.
|
|
 |
STEPHANIE STAHLVocal/Songwriting/Guitar Originally from Milwaukee, WI singer/songwriter Stephanie Stahl, also known as Stella, is a vocal instructor, songwriting coach, and beginner guitar instructor. Her musical identity has a strong foundation in the mastery trombone performance. Being the idealist that she is, it wasn?t long before she decided to pursue a career as a music teacher. She is currently studying Music Education at Northeastern Illinois University. She has performed on several stages across the Midwest. For a brief month long mini tour; Stephanie, as a busker, sang in the streets and coffee shops throughout Spain, France and Switzerland. Stephanie has been a part of many musical projects but her recent coup is with the band the "Heat Birds." With the release of their first E.P. this year, the "Heat Birds" are a promising musical act based in Chicago. They also made their debut in Wisconsin, on the Miller stage on the summer fest grounds, as an opening for the legendary Etta James.
|
|
 |
ZACH KRITZERGuitar Zach Kritzer is a guitarist and songwriter based in Chicago. He will be completing his degree in Guitar Performance at Columbia College in Spring 2011. Zach’s diverse gigging experience ranges from playing in local venues such as the Empty Bottle and Cole’s with original rock groups to solo acoustic performances to jazz combos. He has over seven years of teaching experience with students of all ages. Zach’s teaching philosophy is to help each student become the kind of musician that they want to be, and structures his lessons around each student’s individual taste in music and style of learning. He stresses the importance of ear-training and improvisational skills.
|
|
 |
DAVE ROTHBLATTGuitar Instructor Dave Rothblatt began playing the guitar at the age of seven and started playing in various rock bands by his early teens. After studying classical for several years he began focusing on jazz. Dave continued his studies at the Berklee College of Music where earned a B.A. in music. After graduation, Dave moved to Chicago where he formed The Changes, an indie pop-rock group. The Changes went on to release several critically acclaimed recordings on various labels and tour the US and the UK. The Changes also played Lollapalooza and Sundance Film Festival, as well as having been featured on television, film, radio. Dave is also an active session guitarist and has recorded or performed with artists as diverse as neo-soul star Macy Gray,avant-garde rocker Azita, cult lounge act The Aluminum Group, and a Redmoon Theater production. Dave has been an active guitar teacher since 2003, having taught hundreds of students from beginner to advanced.
|
|
 |
JASON SMARTDrums Jason Smart has been studying, performing, and enjoying music and drumming for 25 years. He is into most styles of music. He loves good Rock, Jazz, Americana, Pop, World styles etc; as long as it is from the heart and played with skill. He studied Jazz Percussion at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music with master big band drummer John Von Ohlen. He has played with or recorded for many groups including JFJO (Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey), Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, Fareed Haque Flat Planet, The Tiptons, Chicago Afrobeat Ensemble, Ray’s Music Exchange, The Steve Schmidt Trio/Kitchen Sink and with his brother Jeremy (guitar/singer songwriter). He is interested in playing and recording diverse styles of music. Through music, he has played and visited 48 United States, Canada, Europe, Brazil and the Caribbean. A career highlight was being featured in Modern Drummer in April 2005. Teaching is something he enjoys very much. He has 7 years of experience teaching privately, through stores, and at clinics. He has learned a lot and been inspired by his teachers growing up. He hopes to pass on valuable information he haas learned while having fun with his students.
|
|
 |
TOM HOBANGuitar Instructor After developing a mild-obsession with the Beatles in the 7th grade, Tom decided it was time to start playing guitar. In High School, Tom began taking his playing more seriously. He played in both the Jazz Band, as well as the Rhythm Machine- where he tried out and was selected to play in a jazz band for the Illinois Music Educator's Association. To close out his High-School playing career, Tom's rock band won the school Battle-of-the-Bands in both his Junior and Senior year. He then went on to The University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied classical guitar with Javier Calderon. During college, Tom was selected to play as a soloist with the University of Wisconsin Marching Band during their Spring Concert Series. In his senior year, Tom's rock band won the campus Battle of the Bands, earning them an opening slot for the Violent Femmes. Tom graduated in 2005 with a degree in Classical Guitar Performance. Since 2005, Tom has been a part of a number of Chicago-based bands, which has given him the opportunity to play many Chicago venues including Martyrs', The Kinetic Playground, The Abbey, Gunther Murphy's (RIP), and The Double Door. Tom is currently playing gigs all around town with his band Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press.
|
|
 |
MICHELLE HALLMANVocals Michelle Hallman performs, records, writes/arranges songs and tours with many different projects. She had been a working musician for a greater part of her life, and thrives in the live performance! She is a well versed singer perfecting a plethora of styles and genres. Even though she’s a rocker at heart, she has always loved choral music and is extremely knowledgeable in vocal harmonies. Michelle is also an accomplished percussionist. She plays congas, bongos, djembe and all kinds of assorted hand percussion instruments. She can Whistle! She has played the piano since age 3, and took lessons for many, many years! She also plays the guitar and is striving to get better. Michelle has sung/played with the likes of Gregg Allman, Darryl Jones, Mr. Blotto, Umphree’s McGee , Richard Marx, Vince Welnick, Freddie Jones Band, The Bodeans... Her bands have opened for Kansas, Steven Stills and Jazz is Dead. She’s also been the voice of national commercial jingles. Michelle loves teaching at the School of Rock, and is thrilled to share her knowledge and experience. She is so excited to see what the next generation of talent will bring. Check out Michelle’s different projects: Chicago Groove Collective , Goodfoot, Ladies of the Canyon.
|
|
 |
JARED RABINGuitar/Mandolin Jared Rabin is a guitarist and violinist from Chicago and a member of the prog-rock quartet, The Hue. Jared graduated from DePaul University in 2007 with a degree in Jazz Studies and Guitar Performance. He was a member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra’s violin section from 2006-2008 and has been recording and performing on guitar, violin and mandolin in a vast array of professional settings since moving back to Chicago in 2005. Since The Hue formed in 2007, the band has released 2 albums to critical acclaim and performed at major venues and festivals across the Midwest, including the 10000 Lakes Music Festival and Summercamp Music Festival. Jared's composition "Like Lines," from The Hue’s 2009 release, "Beyond Words," has been featured on WXRT and dozens of college radio stations across the country. Jared also performs regularly with The Gold Coast Allstars (wedding/event band), The Safe Haven Band (original blues/rock), Falldown (alt/country), Nebulous (original rocknroll) and The Frank Catalano Band (jazz/funk).
|
|
 |
MATT BERGERGuitar Chicago guitarist and composer Matt Berger demonstrates his technical prowess by featuring a unique blend of jazz, Indian Classical, rock and R&B styles. Although raised by a classically-trained family, he was initially attracted to heavy metal music. During high school, drawn further to jazz music, he decided to apply to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he went on to study contemporary jazz performance, in addition to traditional composition and film scoring. Upon graduating, he became a student of tabla master Sandip Burman's, and had the great opportunity to tour and perform at over 180 venues and schools across United States, while learning about Indian Classical music concepts from a renowned master. After one year of touring, Matthew joined the T.G.E. publishing company to write and arrange pop music. As the co-founder of C.E.S.P., a fusion ensemble, Matt has pursued various educational projects. He is a current member of the Chris Searcy Band, Keith Harrison Band, as well as a free-lance session artist. As a clinician for young musicians, he has promoted the studies of counterpoint and composition, and how they can be applied to modern song-writing.
|
|
