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.
Andrew
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.
Colleen
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.
Joe
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Joe is a singer, pianist, and composer from Chicago, IL. In 2020, Joe graduated from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music with a self-designed degree, "Contemporary Voice and Songwriting." He also received training from the leading a cappella experts, A Cappella Academy, in 2015 and 2016. Joe now gigs around the Chicago area with multiple bands, and co-directs the Oak Park and River Forest High School Show Choir!
Michael
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Michael has been playing music since he was 7 years old. He is a multi-instrumentalist with a degree in Music Theory, double majoring in Psychology. Michael enjoys playing live and has shared the stage with artists like The Story So Far, Kingsfoil, Vic Mensa, Just Surrender, Lionheart, Real Friends, Knuckle Puck, and Stray from the Path.
Michael also enjoys producing and recording with artists around Chicago. His favorite venues around the Windy City are Reggies Rock Club, The Beat Kitchen, House of Blues, The Metro, and Subterranean. When not playing music, Michael enjoys other hobbies like writing, reading, cooking, martial arts, stocks, and learning new things!
Mike
Drum Teacher
Mike is a Chicago-area drummer that has 11 years of experience teaching private lessons, and 6 years of experience directing classes. Throughout high school and college, Mike developed expertise in jazz, orchestra, and percussion band performance. Mike works with a variety of artists and groups in the recording studio and has also toured the U.S.!
Mike plays drums for a local rock band, The Run Around, and plays keys in the band Evil Empire. His love for all music has made him an open-minded, versatile, patient, and fun teacher. He is able to work with all music tastes, but has a particular passion for rock! Students learning from Mike can expect to learn the styles of drummers like Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix), Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Travis Barker (Blink-182), Joey Jordinson (Slipknot), John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Cindy Blackman-Santana (Lenny Kravitz, Santana), Neil Peart (Rush), and many more!
Morgan
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.