Simone Bushard
Assistant General Manager
Born in Santa Clara and raised in the Santa Cruz mountains, Simone Bushard is a budding vocalist in the Bay Area’s flourishing music scene. Simone’s interest in music was sparked by her exposure to the music of grunge, punk rock, and classic rock artists like Audioslave, Green Day, Queen, and Amy Winehouse. While Simone was very much inspired by these types of artists, she writes her own lyrics that take on a style similar to the blues. Simone is currently working on a full-length EP with her band, 3,4. She is the Assistant General Manager at School of Rock Berkeley.
Harry Kim
Studio Coordinator
Born in Korea in 1993 but raised in the Central Valley of Southern California, Harry started as a musician at the age of 13 playing in local bands and writing music throughout high school. After graduating, he moved to East Bay Oakland where he would spend several years learning how to self-produce albums, busk on the streets, and get his footing as an artist. In 2016, Harry graduated from Laney College with a degree in Media Productions where he learned audio production and expanded his skills as a producer. Harry would spend the next several years self-releasing music and performing in local venues with the space rock band, Electric Vibe. In recent years, he has rekindled his love for drawing and reinvented himself as an emerging visual artist. He currently works as a part-time freelance artist, lives with his girlfriend in West Oakland, and is the Studio Coordinator at School of Rock Berkeley.
Dewey Reikofski
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard Teacher Dewey Reikofski
Growing up, Dewey sang in the children’s and youth choirs at church as well as in middle school and high school choirs. He started piano lessons the summer before the second grade and studied through high school. As well as being the bass in his high school barbershop quartet, Dewey was a percussionist in band, a thespian, and a member of the 2000 Texas all-state choir. His love of music and theater led him to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of North Texas to become an opera singer.
Dewey’s first foray into the world of rock and roll came in the form of a Tenacious D cover band called Tenacious 3 in which he sang (beautifully). Since then he has played in a number of original projects ranging from rock (Vinyl) to funk (Jambunctious) to hip hop (AV The Great) and country. Before leaving Texas, he participated in Rock Lottery 14 as a member of Keytari at Dan's Silverleaf. Dewey has worked at School of Rock locations in Texas and California, bringing fun, quality music education to all students on his roster. Dewey currently teaches at School of Rock Berkeley, providing vocal and keyboard instruction to all ages, and directing rehearsals for the Rock 101 Program and Performance Program.
Sean Yarbrough
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Sean Yarbrough started playing guitar when he was 12 years old by sneaking onto his older brother’s 1973 Stratocaster every chance he got. When his brother saw Sean playing better than him he gave his kid brother the guitar. Sean grew up listening to massive doses of early Blues, Hendrix, and Motown, followed by Rush, DEVO, XTC, The Scorpions, Blondie, The Ramones, and The Clash. At 14, Sean began studying with Joe Satriani, a masterful connection that would define and shape his own artistry.
Sean writes, composes, and produces solo works for film and performance art and does sound for youth school events. He’s committed to sharing his musical expertise with aspiring young musicians in the Bay Area by teaching guitar, ukulele, bass, and vocals. Sean currently lives with his 10-year-old son and teaches in Berkeley.
Danny James
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
The San Francisco Weekly once described the music of Bay Area musician Danny James as "Larry Graham and Queen on the floor with the Raspberries"—a description James has quoted in interviews—which accurately sums up his passion for hooky rock & roll with a funky undertow. Born Daniel James Aaberg, Danny James was born and raised in Oakland, California, and first earned recognition as a vocalist, keyboard player, and songwriter with the garage punk band, the Cuts, who released three albums for Birdman Records between 2003 and 2006. After the Cuts called it a day, James and longtime friend Mike "General Luau" Generalao (also a veteran of the Cuts) began working on a handful of projects, and when James formed his own band using the name Danny James & Pear, Generalao signed on as lead guitarist.
The respected L.A. indie label Burger Records offered to release a long-player from James' band, and in 2013 they issued the album, Pear, on cassette (they also ordered some test pressings on vinyl, but a proper LP release did not materialize at the time). After receiving strong reviews, the album was reissued by Burger in 2015 on LP and CD.
When not occupied with music, James is part of the Two Over Ten Preservation Society, a group of Bay Area artists and creative minds dedicated to preserving methods, technologies, and ideals of the past. He is an active member of the School of Rock Berkeley staff, specializing in keyboard and vocal instruction.
Ryan Parks
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Ryan plays rhythm guitar in Oakland act, B. Hamilton. He wrote music for Boots Riley's film, Sorry to Bother You, and has been teaching at School of Rock Berkeley for about a year. Ryan’s primary instrument is the guitar, though he also teaches bass guitar. His approach to music instruction is appreciated by adult students and school-aged students alike, and he has some experience teaching groups here as well.
Cairo McCockran
Drum Teacher
Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Cairo McCockran has devoted his life to the study of rhythm. His studies began in East Oakland under the instruction of master percussionist E.W. Wainwright and as a performer of the African Roots of Jazz Youth Drummers. Cairo continued his musical studies at the Berkeley Jazz School and completed his high school studies in instrumental music and performance at Oakland School for the Arts. He completed his BA in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs at the California Maritime Academy. Cairo performs with local blues, rock, jazz, and zydeco ensembles in the SF Bay Area. Cairo has been teaching drums at School of Rock Berkeley since 2019.
Owen Kelley
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Owen Adair Kelley hails from Columbus, Ohio, where he studied classical and jazz guitar. After moving to the Bay Area in 2010, he established himself as a skilled guitarist, bassist, and performer. Owen is a member of Talkies, Sleepy Sun, and Fleetwood Macrame. His first album, Even Still, was released in August 2016, followed by Full Alpine Lace in 2019. His most recent album, Lest You End As I, was released in 2022 on Dandy Boy Records.
Michael Zamora
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Michael Zamora is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and performer based in Oakland, CA. He has spent much of the past decade mixing, recording, making music videos, booking tours, and playing countless live shows across the U.S. and Europe. Michael has brought his fun-spirited energy to many Bay Area bands, playing guitar, bass, and synthesizer as well as singing and songwriting across many different genres. A strong believer in drawing out students’ innate passion for music, he encourages students to bring their own unique tastes and preferences into the lesson room. Michael’s warmth and patience creates a place for budding musicians to grow and explore their musical interests.
Diego Peña León
Guitar Teacher
Born and raised in Berkeley, Diego Peña León is a guitar instructor at School of Rock Berkeley. Playing guitars for more than a decade, Diego had many influences in his musical journey leading him to love playing different styles of music such as rock, jazz, and sierreño. Diego can be seen playing in the Saint Mary’s College of California Jazz ensemble. Currently, Diego is a student at Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga and will be finishing up in May with his bachelor's degree in Applied Anthropology and a minor in Music.
Sean Whitman
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Sean Whitman has been playing the drums since he was 10 years old and the guitar since he was 13 years old. He received his BA in Psychology from the University of Arizona and recently received certificates in Live Sound, Sound Recording, and Sound Design from the City College of San Francisco. Sean says that teaching music has been the best job he’s ever had, and he feels very lucky to be able to do this for a living. Sean tries to let his students' interests lead the lesson whether it be learning basic chords, learning their favorite band’s songs, soloing using scales, or writing songs of their own. Sean is well versed in mainly guitar, bass, and drum instruction, but has also taught lessons involving other instruments.
Richard Stuverud
Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Richard has been an instructor of drums, keyboards, and vocals, as well as a director for performance groups such as The Who, the '80s, Women in Rock, Black Sabbath, and CBGB at School Of Rock Berkeley for the last three years. Currently, Richard is the director of the Rolling Stones group and School of Rock Berkeley's House Band.
Richard is a professional drummer and singer-songwriter who is known for his recording and touring with Seattle groups The Fastbacks, War Babies, and more recently Pearl Jam.
Darwin Siegaldoud
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Darwin Siegaldoud was born in Santa Barbara and has been living in the Bay Area since 2013. He has been recording music and playing in bands since high school, and currently fronts the Helltones. Darwin provides top-tier music education to anyone who wants to expand the role of music in their lives.
Sam Lefebvre
Drum Teacher
Sam Lefebvre is a percussionist and music educator with over 15 years of experience behind the drum kit. He lives in Oakland, CA, and maintains an active listening and improvising practice in addition to performing, recording, and touring with various groups.
Brendan Casey
Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Brendan has played piano since he was seven years old and has a classical and blues background in piano. While studying English and Russian at Oberlin college, Brendan played electric bass and guitar in different bands. After graduating, he joined the burgeoning music scene in the Bay Area and has played in numerous projects since then.
Brendan can teach multiple instruments including piano, bass, and guitar. In addition, he can teach music theory, how to read music, and all different styles from pop, rock, New Orleans, jazz, ragtime, or stride! In his spare time, you’ll find Brendan practicing music or reading about surrealism or history, or studying Russian or French.
Eli Eckert
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Eli Eckert is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter who has toured throughout the US and Europe. He has been teaching music for the past 12 years. One of Eli's favorite parts of teaching is helping students learn a song that they’ve always loved and the excitement that comes from being able to perform music they truly enjoy. Eli lives in Oakland with his wife and two sons.
Jordan Davis
Drum Teacher
Jordan Davis has been playing drums since he was three years old. His grandfather and church were a big influence on his passion for music and his future career. Jordan has never stopped playing drums and loves inspiring people through teaching. He has taught students at School of Rock Berkeley for two years. Jordan currently plays in multiple groups, including TBA Music and The Purifiedment Tribe. He also plays on his own at UC Berkeley for fun, and for his community. Jordan wishes peace and blessings to all who cross his path.