Julian
General Manager
Julian first started engaging with music in middle school, discovering music through an interest in video games including Guitar Hero and Rock Band. He began learning guitar and playing in bands with friends while developing an interest in the Warped Tour and the alternative music scene. Julian played in several bands throughout high school and college (Riboflavin, On the Upswing) and spent extensive time playing guitar and bass for various churches and youth camps around San Diego County. He now releases material under the name My Own Giant.
Julian has worked with students for over a decade, with a focus on elementary and middle school students. He earned his degree in Business from California State University, San Marcos, and joined School of Rock in 2021. He has a deep appreciation for the experience that the School of Rock program provides for students and loves to support and elevate students to thrive.
Top 5: Four Year Strong, U2, Fall Out Boy, Hot Mulligan, Less Than Jake
Luke
Music Director, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Luke has been playing drums and guitar for over 17 years! Music has always been his passion no matter what context he's pursuing it in. Early on, he had a big interest in extreme metal and similar genres, which laid the groundwork for a lot of his playing. As time passed, however, he developed a huge appreciation for groove-oriented players such as Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins) and Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree).
More recently, Luke attended Studio West and the Recording Arts Center, where he obtained his diploma in recording and music production. He has also played in several bands for more than a decade, and most recently manning the drums in heavier bands such as Skitzoids and Whatsdysmorphia. In addition, Luke has played on recordings for a wide variety of local bands and artists (Tristan Brooks, My Own Giant, Sage Avalon) as well as mixing songs for various clients.
Luke oversees School of Rock Del Mar's Performance Program, supervising progress for current groups while also planning for show seasons to come. He enjoys helping students grow into the players and performers they're capable of becoming while also broadening their musical palettes.
Top 5: Bring Me the Horizon, Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Code Orange, Alice Cooper
Izaek
Show Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Izaek Bulibek works at School of Rock Del Mar as a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher, and show director for the performance groups.
Izaek began playing guitar over 15 years ago, originally taught by his father. His early influences included a lot of classic rock/metal bands including AC/DC, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Deep Purple. Over time, he developed an appreciation for alternative and progressive genres and started teaching himself more complicated and technical pieces. Style-wise, Izaek takes a lot of influence from guitarists like Allan Holdsworth, Jason Richardson, Robby Baca, Cameron Maynard (The Contortionist), Mario Camarena, and Erick Hansel (Chon).
Izaek has played and performed in a variety of different bands throughout the local San Diego music scene, with three of his current projects being Ayanami (with fellow instructors Luke Sparrow and Will Stover), My Own Giant (with general manager Julian Quezada), and Purest Bond. Izaek has experience playing with like-minded musicians and working together as a collective, touring through different cities up the West Coast, and recording with professional music producers.
Izaek has worked at School of Rock Del Mar since 2021. He has a passion for teaching students how to express themselves through music, whether it be learning new techniques and music theory concepts, playing challenging songs to increase musicianship, or writing original compositions. Izaek is always excited to be working with students of all levels, from brand-new guitar players to experienced shredders!
Top 5: The Contortionist, Loathe, Vein.fm, Title Fight, Chon
Garrett
Drum Teacher
Garrett began playing and studying drums in the fourth grade. By the age of 14, he began playing with the school jazz and marching bands and was often found accompanying his uncle, a Denver high brass icon, to local jazz gigs.
Garrett continued to play music post-high school, studying with education luminaries such as Gary Cook and Norman Weinberg, eventually earning a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Arizona. Throughout his college career, he continued to play in local rock, metal, and jazz bands.
Garrett is one of the most accomplished teachers here at School of Rock Del Mar, beginning his career in 2009 at the Denver location and continuing today at both our Del Mar and Scripps Ranch locations. He can be heard on recordings by his bands (Angry Hand of God and Master Ferocious) and performs locally with Mind Cell.
Top 5: Cannibal Corpse, The Cure, Stevie Wonder, Black Sabbath, Mayhem
Elise
Drum Teacher
Elise has been playing drums for over a decade and has a deep love for everything about drums and music. She initially started with piano lessons when she was 7, but made the switch to drums instead at 10 years old. Since then, playing drums has become her favorite thing to do, and she continued to study and perform with multiple bands and ensembles both in and out of school. Eventually, Elise also learned how to play bass and guitar. Currently, she is learning how to play piano and how to produce music.
Elise enjoys the whole musical creative process, from playing and performing, to teaching. Currently, she attends the University of California, San Diego as an "Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts/Music" major (basically a fancy name for technology-based music). She has played drums for multiple school programs and organizations, such as the jazz ensemble and in the pit of the school's theater organization, Muir Musical. She is also in a band called The Diz that plays shows throughout San Diego and the band is even in the process of recording an album!
Top 5: Paramore, Boygenius, Sammy Rae & the Friend, Hozier, Halsey
Will
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Will is a San Diego native who has been playing guitar for over 20 years. He took up the instrument at a young age after a few years of piano lessons and eventually went on to play in a few small bands in high school and college. While getting a Music degree from California State University, San Marcos, he spent much of his free time recording music and learning how to mix, while also teaching the occasional guitar lesson.
Will began seriously teaching guitar and bass in 2022. Aside from doing lessons, he leads multiple Rock 101 classes and has been an assistant director for some of our performance groups. He specializes in many different kinds of music, but his main focuses are rock, metal, prog, jazz, and R&B/soul.
Top 5: Alice In Chains, Steely Dan, Cloudkicker, Between the Buried and Me, Animals As Leaders
Nate
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Nate has been singing since he was 5, and playing music live since he was 11. He primarily works as a singer but plays a couple of different instruments as well including keyboard, bass, and drums. Nate has multiple years of stage experience as the lead singer, bass player, and keyboardist for his band Outside the Frame and other local projects. He also actively composes music for film and experimental electronic music, graduating from San Diego State University in 2023 with a degree in Music Composition. He loves all types of music but especially enjoys electronic ambient music and heavy rock music.
Top 5: Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Royal Blood, Boston Manor, Cleopatrick
John
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
John has been playing guitar, bass, and drums for over 25 years. He played in multiple bands in and out of high school and currently plays for his church worship team. He also does work with the local rock band Switchfoot!
John's passions are music and teaching, so being a part of School of Rock is the dream job! When he’s not teaching here, he works in the medical field as an EMT.