Joshua Conanan
General Manager
Joshua Conanan is a non-binary music composer from the Bay Area, and now residing in Sacramento. He is a multi-instrumentalist, DJ, and producer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music for Visual Media. He is influenced by music ranges of all different genres and eras.
Joshua has worked as a sound designer and music composer for video games and short films. He got his start taking private piano lessons at 7 years old, picked up the guitar at age 12, drums at 16, and bass at 30. He has played in a few bands locally in both the Bay Area and Sacramento.
Joshua's most notable experience was playing bass with his current band Rest Assured at Ace of Spades. He has been with School of Rock since February 2020 and is now the General Manager at School of Rock Folsom. He continues to still teach at other locations. The journey of being an instructor and performance director has been an amazing experience for Josh. His passion for teaching and performing grows every day.
Carl Valdez
Drum Teacher
Returning to the School of Rock team after a brief hiatus, Carl brings over 45 years of musical experience to this unique performance arts school, focusing on the development of students of all ages from the lesson rooms to the stage. Carl was a founding member of the legendary hardcore punk band Ill Repute. The band was inducted into the Ventura County Music Awards Hall of Fame (along with Chuck D from Public Enemy) in 2014. Ill Repute's music is heard worldwide, including songs featured on the Netflix programs Glow and Stranger Things. Through the years, he has worked alongside famed pop/punk record producer Jerry Finn (Green Day, Blink-182, Rancid).
Carl's drum experience expands into other genres, including orchestral, community concert band, Dixieland swing, and Scottish Pipes and Drums. He has performed and competed with the Silicon Valley Pipe Band, an award-winning competitive Scottish bagpipe and drum group based out of Saratoga, CA.
Carl also has experience performing with other instruments including clarinet, saxophone, mandolin, and guitar.
Daniela Beck
Vocal Teacher
Daniela began her musical journey when she was 8 years old and joined her elementary school choir. She immediately fell in love with music and knew that was what she wanted to do with her life. Daniela was trained in classical but has had experience in all genres. In musical theatre, she had lead roles such as Fantine in Les Miserables and Mabel in Pirates of Penzance.
Daniela began her journey as a School of Rock student in 2019. She was a House Band member for two seasons and was chosen as the first AllStar from School of Rock Roseville. After her education at School of Rock, Daniela went on to form her own original and cover bands. Thanks to the education at School of Rock, Daniela was accepted into the prestigious music schools Berklee College of Music, Belmont University, and Musicians Institute.
Daniela is now focusing on work at School of Rock Folsom to inspire kids to do music and find their place in the School of Rock community. Her next journey starts in Nashville in the fall of 2023 to attend Belmont University to get her bachelor's degree in Commercial Music with an emphasis in Performance where she will continue her music education.
Alice Jones
Studio Coordinator
Alice started singing when she was born, according to her mother. Alice can remember a tune after hearing it once and she is a one-woman band in the car!
All jokes aside, Alice started taking singing seriously in the 5th grade after a music teacher in summer school encouraged her to follow her dreams. From then on you couldn't stop her, taking choir in school, honor choirs, and solos for end shows in high school all the way to college.
Now Alice works at School of Rock Folsom and can't wait to see where this takes her.
Xander Roberts
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Xander grew up in Folsom and music has played a huge part in his life. He discovered his love of music through singing in choir groups from junior high to college, performing in high school theatre productions, and forming his own original band when he was in college. His biggest inspiration for getting into music was The Beatles.
Xander has recorded music at Skywalker Sound, performed with the Folsom Symphony Orchestra, and played at venues from the Boardwalk to Ace of Spades to Cal Expo State Fair. Xander has been singing for over 15 years, playing guitar for over 13 years, and playing bass guitar for over three years. He can pick up most instruments fairly quickly as well.
Xander was a Behavioral Technician who worked with those on the spectrum of autism prior to joining School of Rock Folsom as a guitar and bass guitar instructor.
Xander recently graduated from Sacramento State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies in May 2023. He is passionate about music and loves helping others. With his knowledge of music and experience working with kids, Xander is honored to be a part of School of Rock Folsom and excited to inspire students to grow and become amazing, talented musicians.
Randy Miller
Drum Teacher
Randy is thrilled to be a part of School of Rock Folsom! Music education and performance have been big in his life throughout the years, and he is so happy to be taking this next step in a lifelong journey of helping others discover all the joy and excitement that music has to offer.
Randy has been playing drums since he was 11 years old. Now, at the age of (much older…), he seeks to share all that he has learned along the way. Randy has played in concert, jazz, and marching bands, earning all-state honors in high school. He also played in a few garage bands and recorded an album in his early twenties.
Playing was always fun, but teaching is where Randy's passion lies. He has helped instruct large, award-winning music ensembles, and worked in smaller settings, teaching kids how to play drums in a rock band.
Randy lives in Orangevale, is married, and has three sons.
Jessa Lamkin
Vocal Teacher
Jessa earned her BA in Music from Saint Mary’s College of California. With a focus on vocal technique and performance, she took part in the glee, chamber, and vocal jazz groups alongside working on her solo technique and putting on her senior recital in the spring of 2023. She also took piano classes and strengthened various techniques, both classical and contemporary, in order to supplement this.
Jessa has loved music and performing for a long time, but her exposure to Estill Voice Training during her time at Saint Mary’s has allowed her to explore the full potential of the voice. Previously a voice and keys instructor at School of Rock in Walnut Creek, she is ready to continue her journey at School of Rock Folsom. She is excited to work with students as they discover what they are capable of and to help them achieve their goals!
Noah Cole
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Noah is an experienced music teacher with a diverse background in the industry. With years of experience as a touring musician and a session player, Noah brings a unique perspective to his teaching method. He has played with a variety of local bands and artists spanning all genres.
Noah has been teaching private music lessons for many years and is skilled at tailoring his approach to his students' learning styles. His expertise spans across multiple genres and instruments, including guitar, bass, and ukulele. In high school, his passion was further solidified by participating in concert, marching, and jazz bands all four years.
Noah is passionate about music education and strives to help his students achieve their goals and reach their full potential as musicians all whilst making it as fun as possible. He is so excited to be a part of the team at School of Rock Folsom!
Trent Durst
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Trent studied at Musician’s Institute – a 1-year vocational, performance-based program based in Hollywood. He teaches fundamentals like theory and improvisation while the student learns to play songs they like. He enjoys all styles and specializes in classic rock, blues, pop, and gypsy jazz. A veteran of the northern California music scene, Trent plays clubs and theaters with a Pink Floyd tribute band and recently played a live radio set of original music. Select recordings can be found on SoundCloud.
Abigail (Abby) King
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Abigail grew up surrounded by classical music and culture, inspiring her to start taking piano lessons in the third grade. Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, Bach, and Clementi were significant composers in her beginning journey at the piano.
Abby has performed in numerous recitals throughout her childhood, and participated in the 2023 Winter recital at Sacramento State, where she performed Mendelssohn’s “Venetian Boat Song.” Currently majoring in Music at Cosumnes River College, she hopes to expand and share her knowledge of basic piano fundamentals as well as help her students blossom in their musical creativity and expression.