Riley Bean
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher
Riley has been playing drums since a young age, both in more formal school settings and with bands around the area. He began producing solo electronic music under the name Beanstalk in 2013 and has played drums set for Michigan funk group Liquid Thickness since 2017.
Riley's other main passion is growing organic/natural food, as he is the co-owner of Vibrant Acres farm in South Lyon. At School of Rock and privately, he teaches drums, keys, and vocals and loves working with kids of all ages.
Bradley Birkle
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Bradley is a multi-instrumentalist from Lapeer, Michigan. He first picked up bass in 2012 and a year later he took to guitar seriously. Brad has played in a wide variety of settings such as rock, big band, orchestra bass, and solo classical guitar.
Bradley earned his bachelor's degree in Guitar Performance from Eastern Michigan University in 2021. Currently, he writes, performs, and records music with his band Social Meteor where he plays guitar and bass and sings. Additionally, Brad is experienced with drums, piano, and baroque lute.
Lorelei Gabriel
Vocal Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Lorelei Gabriel is a musician from Northville, Michigan. She has an Associate of Science degree in Sound Recording Technology from Schoolcraft Community College and is currently attending Eastern Michigan University.
Lorelei is currently the lead singer and guitarist in her band, as well as the guitarist for another. She taught dance to kids from 2011 to 2017 and has been teaching guitar for several years.
Emma MacWilliams
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Emma MacWilliams is a well-rounded musician from Livonia, Michigan, who has enjoyed playing music since 2016. She was referred to School of Rock in early 2019 and loved School of Rock's approach to music education. Emma performed in various show seasons and joined her school’s House Band.
Emma wanted to become a part of what made her a better musician and joined the staff at the School of Rock in Canton, Michigan. Emma specializes in guitar and bass and has experience with drums, vocals, and keyboard + piano.
Gayelynn McKinney
Drum Teacher
Gayelynn McKinney began playing the drums at the age of two. Although she received much of her musical training in the Detroit Jazz scene, she also
obtained her Bachelor of Music degree from Oakland University. Gayelynn has recorded projects with the group Straight Ahead, (of which she is a cofounder) Ralph Armstrong and Marcus Belgrave just to name a few. She has recently recorded solo projects called “It's About Time,” “McKinFolk The New Beginning,”and “Zoot Suit Funk.” Gayelynn McKinney's many awards include: 2014 Kresge Artist Fellows recipient, with the Group Straight Ahead and McKinFolk, a Grammy Nomination, Detroit Black Music Award recipient, and Detroit Music Awards for best jazz composer. Gayelynn McKinney has had the opportunity to travel extensively and play at many famous jazz festivals including Montreux-Jazz Fest, Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, Olympics, and the Kennedy Center. She has also performed as a side musician with such notables as Benny Golson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diane Shure, Jason Marsalis, Freda Payne, Roy Ayers, Geri Allen, Marcus Belgrave, Chaka Khan, Roy Hargrove, Randy Brecker, Rick Margitza, Larry Coryell, Ralphe Armstrong, Steve Turre, Kevin Mahogany, James Carter, Tim Ries, (The Rolling Stones Music director) and “Speech” of “Arrested Development.” Gayelynn is also the last drummer to tour with Aretha Franklin. While performing with Aretha Franklin, Gayelynn had the distinct honor to play for presidential hopeful, Hilary Clinton. She also performed at Tribeca Film Fest featuring a tribute to Clive Davis.
Jonathon Meyer
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Jonathon Meyer is a guitarist, bassist, synthesizer/keyboard player, and songwriter from Canton, Michigan. He got started playing music while attending Salem High School through forming bands by playing guitar and bass with peers and by playing bass for the schools jazz band. In 2018 he graduated from Salem and in the same year, formed a band called Read the Sun. The band has currently completed two projects with Jonathon playing guitar and synthesizer titled "Music for Birds" and "Living Thru" as well as one tour in summer 2019 at the time of Living Thru's release. Jonathon is versed in playing the styles of Classic Rock, Grunge, alternative rock, Punk/Pop-Punk, Blues, Jazz, as well as psychedelic, progressive, and experimental rock.
Ben Rice
Music Director
Ben has been playing drums for over 17 years and teaching for over six years. He has been a part of Rock bands, Jazz ensembles, drum lines, and concert bands throughout his entire musical career.
Ben's favorite bands include The 1975, Incognitio, TOOL, and Nevell. His favorite non-music-related activities are watching standup comedy, playing video games, and drawing.
Joey Serra
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Joey Serra has been playing guitar for over a decade and has played in many bands and with many artists around the Detroit area. He is a multi-instrumentalist who has played many things in different groups including guitar, singing, playing bass and even drumming in certain groups.
Joey graduated from MSU Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in Music (specifically Jazz Guitar). He enjoys many music genres including psychedelic rock, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and even metal.
DeMarcus Sumter
Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
DeMarcus Sumpter comes to the School of Rock in Canton, Michigan after traveling the world as a drummer and musician for various styles of music. He has worked as a studio musician across the United States and has been teaching drums and vocals for over 20 years.
When DeMarcus is not teaching, he is performing with multiple bands, including his own, all over Michigan and at festivals on the East Coast.
Scott Burek
General Manager
Scott Burek has spent his life working with kids and helping them develop their full potential. Over the years, Scott has worked as a coach, summer camp instructor, high school teacher, and middle school principal. After more than 25 years working in public education, he decided it was time for a change and has come to School of Rock Canton as the General Manager. A music fan since he was a kid, Scott has always had a large music collection. He enjoys traveling, attending concerts and listening to all types of music.
Chris Marek
Owner
Chris Marek is a former principal for both Plymouth-Canton and Wayne-Westland schools, but always dreamed of being in the music business. After more than 26 years in education, Chris retired and built School of Rock Canton in 2019 and bought School of Rock Farmington in 2021. A guitar player from Muskegon, MI, he has played since age 11. Chris quit guitar lessons early on after being forced to sight read "Hot Crossed Buns" when he wanted to play Led Zeppelin songs. He loves the School of Rock Song First approach, where students play songs they love and learn reading and theory along the way. Chris is the owner of School of Rock Canton and Farmington.