Jordan Pasquin
Regional Music Director, Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Jordan Pasquin is a drum set performer and educator based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. He has been playing for over 15 years, and in addition to performing across the country, he maintains a busy teaching schedule that includes students of all ages and skill levels. Jordan's diverse performance background and bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music allow him to authentically teach a wide array of styles and techniques while focusing on helping his students achieve their personal goals. He strives to demonstrate how music can be healthy for you physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Jordan is known for his work performing with Write Minded, Cary Morin & Ghost Dog, and I Am The Owl. He also works regularly as a session musician for countless other artists across all genres. Jordan takes great pride in all he does relating to music, including helping other artists sound their best as a drum tech for The Blasting Room. Jordan is grateful for the impact music has had on his life and loves passing on the joy of music to his students.
Mike Adams
Music Director, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Mike Adams has been playing the keys for over two decades. He earned a degree in Professional Music at Berklee College of Music, where he was the president of the Songwriters Club—the largest club at Berklee.
Mike moved to Fort Collins in 2017 where he started working at the Downtown Artery. His work at the Artery sparked a passion for the Fort Collins local music scene, and he started playing keys for local surf rock band Robert Shredford in 2018. Mike plans to spend the rest of his life playing music.
Mike Shamrock
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Michael Shamrock Robertson Jr., an American guitarist, was born into a military family that took him from coast to coast before finally settling in Fort Collins, Colorado at the age of 21. His earliest musical memories are of singing Billy Idol's "Mony Mony,” watching Michael Jackson's movie Moonwalker, and watching his dad, cousin, and their friend playing "Hotel California" at a backyard BBQ. Mike soon became mesmerized by the unique sounds of Rage Against the Machine, Tool, and Jane's Addiction. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, picking up bass soon after.
Mike's devotion to music is undeniable. His close friends, band members, and community acknowledge him as a guitar virtuoso. In 2009, he was recognized as the best guitarist and songwriter by KRFC's Night Howler JJ Johnson. Mike has been involved in numerous award-winning bands, such as 20XIII, AutoFate, Pretty Noise, Guerrilla Radio (tribute to Rage Against the Machine), Sonic Temple (tribute to the Cult), and Sabotage (tribute to the Beastie Boys) just to name a few! The mix of both original and tribute bands highlights his versatility and diligent focus on his craft.
Mike's hard-working disposition is shown through the countless acts and projects he delves into. On top of being currently active in six different bands, he utilizes his free time honing his technique, ear training, writing, and recording music, while also promoting his album "Not I!" Said the lil’ mouse.
Looking forward, Mike anticipates pushing 20XIII and his solo band, collaborating with other artists, and is especially excited about teaching his craft as an instructor at the School of Rock in Fort Collins.
JJ Maestas
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keys Teacher
Jacob Maestas has been playing rock, funk, ska, and punk in and around Colorado since he was 15 years old. In the short time since he’s built a solid musical resume that includes performing at major festivals like Taste of Colorado, and presenting TedX talks on how music education changes lives for the better. When it comes to teaching, Jacob tailors his approach to the uniqueness of each and every student, helping them to find their own unique musical voice.
Michael Millan
Keyboard Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Michael is a keyboardist and vocalist based in the Northern Colorado area. He recently graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Piano Performance from the University of Northern Colorado, and has been an active musician since his freshman year. Michael has had the great opportunity to study jazz piano under Dana Landry, Tom Amend, and Annie Booth, all active musicians in the Northern Colorado scene and beyond, and to study voice under Jenna McLean.
Having started playing classical piano at the age of 5, playing in jazz groups since middle school, and taking vocal lessons in college, Michael is well-versed in multiple genres of music. He has played in/for big bands, small modern jazz ensembles, salsa bands, musical theatre pits, and singer-songwriters.
Michael is excited to be a part of School of Rock Fort Collins, and he looks forward to making connections and guiding the next generation through their musical journey!
Ethan Christi
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Ethan Christi is a Fort Collins native and multi-instrumentalist specializing in drums and bass. He started playing djembe at the Fort Collins African drum and dance collective at 11 years old, playing shows around northern Colorado and becoming immersed in the culture of rhythm at a young age. Ethan later took up bass and drum set, and now gigs and tours with a wide variety of bands.
People in General is Ethan’s main project, a jazz-pop 4 piece that won the FoCoMa peer award for Best New Band of 2019. For the past 3 years, Ethan has also played drums in the Grace Kuch Band. During that time, the band has toured across the United States, and has played shows like BB King’s Blues Club in Memphis Tennessee and the main stage of the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena Arkansas.
Ethan has always had a fascination with the different rhythms and styles from cultures across the world, and tries to incorporate the different types of drums and percussion into his play style and teaching style. To Ethan, the best part of teaching is to open student’s eyes to the diversity and impact of music across the world, and get them motivated to find their own purpose in playing music.
Lucy Logan
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Little Wing and Rookies Director
Lucy discovered her love of singing in middle school, singing in choirs and musicals, and began taking voice lessons as a freshman in high school. She participated in All-State Choir, Thescon, and NATS, where she placed second in the classical category. She is now a junior at CSU studying vocal performance and is excited to dive into the world of teaching lessons herself, after taking them for many years.
School of Rock is Lucy's first professional teaching gig, and she is so excited for the future and to be joining such a wonderful team of musicians who share her love and passion for music. But above all else, she is excited to share that with her students, and to get them singing like a rockstar!
Brian Zitti
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Brian Zitti's musical journey first started with the saxophone when he was 10 years old, and eventually led to him picking up the guitar after high school - and he hasn't put it down since! Cutting his teeth in the Fort Collins music scene, in addition to rock Brian has gained experience playing bluegrass, Americana, folk music, blues, and more. His band Lucid Blues has played on numerous Fort Collins stages including the Aggie Theatre and the historical Mishawaka Amphitheatre. After adding drums, bass, and piano to his musical arsenal, he is now focused on composing songs for the band and producing music on his own. He believes music allows communication through sound that words cannot deliver, and hopes to inspire, heal, and move people through his playing. Teaching others and helping them on their own musical journey brings great fulfillment to Brian, and he can't wait to help students at School of Rock grow so they can share their experience with the world.
Devin Johnson
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Rock 101 Teacher
Devin Johnson found her love for music in Flint, Michigan where she was raised. When not in school, she was constantly attending acting, flute, and classical vocal lessons. Her summers were spent participating in musical theatre programs in South Philadelphia, where she also discovered a love for performing.
Although her background is primarily in musical theatre, Devin is very much a classic rock enthusiast, thanks to her aunt who ensured that she listened to famous bands from the '70s, as opposed to the 2000s pop that was flooding the radio at the time. Ironically enough, Devin is also a massive Taylor Swift fan.
To accompany her vocal capabilities, Devin is learning piano and guitar, and she has also taken up writing music in her free time. She credits her love for music and performing to the instructors who taught her in her youth, and she is incredibly excited to be sharing the same enthusiasm with her students.
Kyle Krueckeberg
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Kyle Krueckeberg has been playing guitar, bass, and singing professionally for over 20 years. Over that time he has been involved in numerous projects that have covered a multitude of different musical styles. Kyle is currently the bassist and vocalist for Fort Collins based punk metal band, I Am the Owl, as well as his solo project, The Dark Lake. He brings with him a wealth of experience in other musical skills, including live sound, recording, mixing/mastering, and songwriting - and can’t wait to apply those skills to teaching the next generation of rockers at School of Rock Fort Collins.
Bethany Conniff
Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher - Little Wing and Rookies
Bethany has been involved in the arts for as long as she can remember. Starting at the age of six, she joined several children’s choirs and performed in a multitude of theatrical productions in the Chicagoland area. Though Bethany is classically-trained with an extensive theatre background, the soundtrack to and from rehearsals and performances was always classic rock! By participating in such a variety of musical experiences, this devotion to music eventually led to some wonderful teaching opportunities where Bethany’s passion of music education flourished.
Bethany holds an Associate of Arts in Music from Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois. She also holds a Bachelor’s of Arts with a focus in Vocal Pedagogy and Musicology from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater where she studied under Dr. Rachel Wood. Currently, Bethany is pursuing her Master’s of Music Education at Colorado State University here in Fort Collins, Colorado. She is thrilled to join the team at School of Rock, and to help students pursue their dreams of finding their voice and becoming the ultimate rock star!
Anthony Welch
Drum Teacher
Anthony's destiny as a drummer was decided as a small child when he strapped an oatmeal container around his neck and picked up two Lincoln Logs as drumsticks. His parents bought him his first drum kit when he was 12 years old, and he’s still rocking.
Anthony has actively played in bands for over 27 years. He's crafted his chops playing mostly metal, but was also a part of Colorado Springs' award-winning cover act, 40oz. Freedom Fighters. Currently, Anthony is the drummer for the Colorado Springs thrash metal band, Planetary 27, and drums for the groove/death metal band, Red Gremlin. He also fronts his own solo band, The Dub Project. Anthony splits his time between Southern Colorado and Northern Colorado and handled drumming duties for the NOCO Judas Priest tribute act, The Fold. He also now supplies beats for the NOCO-based Beastie Boys tribute band, Sabotage.
Anthony is thrilled to have a job that allows him to share his love for rock with the next generation of musicians.
Kota Martinez
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Rock 101 Teacher
Dakota “Kota” Martinez has been dreaming of being a rockstar since the day they could walk. Their musical journey started with a mini pink guitar and a clown act, performing for their family at every opportunity. Kota then began studying classical music in the 6th grade, starting with such instruments as the tuba, french horn, and cello. Shortly thereafter, Kota discovered their singing voice, which led to them becoming a student at School of Rock. Kota quickly found a home there, and though they were shy at first they eventually blossomed.
Loving a good challenge, Kota took every opportunity the school gave them including an opportunity to audition and perform for their house band. Kota loves watching people find their shine through music and the thousands of smiles make it all worth it. Though Kota is still learning so much themself, they are so excited to guide the new generation of rock stars to stardom!
El Duncan
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Rock 101 Teacher
El Duncan began their musical journey in the 5th grade with vocal lessons. Having come from a talented musical family, they picked up the guitar shortly thereafter but El really hit their musical stride when they joined the School of Rock in Philadelphia at the start of 7th grade. El continued to rock at School of Rock through high school, joining House Band and adding bass guitar to their instrument arsenal along the way. They moved to Fort Collins to study music at CSU and has made the transition from student to instructor at School of Rock Fort Collins. El is thrilled to share their passion for music with the next generation of rockers!
Hannah Rust
Studio Coordinator
Hannah can’t remember much of her childhood that doesn’t involve music and singing. Growing up, she partook in voice and flute lessons, and music theater programs, performing in any talent show or on any stage that would have her.
During her teen years, Hannah joined School of Rock as a student herself, experiencing the full program as she worked her way up into House Band, and eventually graduating from the program. She also marched flute in the Loveland High School Crimson Regiment and became the principal player of her Wind Symphony.
Hannah is currently the lead vocalist of the rapidly growing progressive metal band HYGEIA and the band had originally formed from the House Band at School of Rock Fort Collins.
Matt Wright
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Matt Wright is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer located in Fort Collins, Colorado. He has been performing professionally since childhood. He is known for his longtime work as a keyboardist, co-singer, and composer for funk/soul band, Euforquestra.
Matt has played over 1,000 shows across the U.S. and abroad in places like the Caribbean and central Africa. He has a degree in Professional Music with a strong focus on theory, harmony, and performance. As an educator, Matt has adjudicated festivals and taught private students of all ages in a wide variety of styles.
Laura Steadman
Vocal Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Laura Steadman is the bassist and singer for the Fort Collins-based indie garage project Robot Tennis Club. Laura actually started out as a vocal student at School of Rock when she was 14 and through encouragement she received from her teachers and peers, she soon picked up guitar, drums, keyboard, and bass as well!
Following her time as a School of Rock student, Laura has gained significant industry experience from roles as a monitor engineer at Levitt Pavillion, a producer of music videos and comedy specials, and—what she describes as her very favorite role—teaching the next generation of rockers!
Steven Holling
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Steven was born in Iowa and raised in Loveland, CO. His musical journey started when he received his first guitar at 9 years old. After years of private guitar lessons, as well as six years of playing the French horn in middle school and high school, Steven decided to turn his focus solely to guitar and he hasn’t stopped rocking since!
Steven loves playing metal music from bands like Killswitch Engage, Megadeath, and Metallica and has a major appreciation for the endless personal growth that can be achieved from playing guitar. Steven is excited to make the transition from taking lessons to teaching lessons at the School of Rock in Fort Collins and hopes to show his students the value that music holds in all walks of life.
Nathan Triz
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Nathan Triz is a versatile multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter based in Windsor, CO. He is thrilled to share his dynamic musical experience with the School of Rock community here in Fort Collins! Nathan draws inspiration from a wide array of musical styles and genres, infusing both his performances and teaching style with a unique blend of musical influences.
Beyond the stage, Nathan is a firm believer in the transformative power of music education. He is dedicated to the idea that learning music is not only an enriching artistic pursuit but also a powerful tool for cognitive growth and brain repair at any age. He recognizes the profound impact learning an instrument can have on children, fostering improvements in focus, memory, and behavior. Moreover, he emphasizes the holistic benefits of music education, such as peer engagement, teamwork, and the development of confidence.
Forrester Tamkun
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Forrester was born and raised in Fort Collins, CO, and has been a part of the Northern Colorado music scene for over 15 years. A multi-instrumentalist and founding member of the local band Write Minded, Forrester has a degree in Recording Arts and has been teaching music professionally for most of his career.
Forrester strives to always bring a committed passion to the local music scene while also educating the next generation of musicians. He believes that music has changed his life, and feels fortunate to be able to give back to the local music community that made him who he is.
Eli S. Johnson
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Eli Johnson is a rock musician based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. He has been playing guitar for over 15 years, spending much of that time as a seasoned member of the ska and punk scene across Denver and Northern Colorado.
Eli has a bachelor's degree in Music Performance from Colorado State University which has offered him experience across multiple musical genres. He believes music to be an essential part of life, and loves nothing more than sharing his passion for music with others who want to learn how to play.
Crystal Pelham
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Crystal Pelham is an accomplished bassist and music teacher based in Northern Colorado. She has been playing for over 15 years and has taught in the Poudre School District, Douglas County Schools, and Boulder County as well.
Crystal plays a wide variety of styles, with a preference for hard rock metal. But most of all, she loves helping her students both develop as musicians—and grow as humans!
Christi Bailey
General Manager
Christi Bailey's life has centered around music since before she can remember. The daughter of the bassist and vocalist for a Boston-based Irish rock band, Christi has been attending shows since long before she could talk. She studied Vocal Performance and Music Therapy at the prestigious Berklee College of Music and later moved down to Nashville to be immersed in the world of professional songwriting.
Christi has worked with musicians in a professional capacity for the last several years, and she has found a passion in supporting musicians by building and maintaining communities where they can thrive and gain the skills they need to succeed. Christi is most known around Fort Collins for her work in operations and entrepreneurial development, as well as being the drummer and vocalist in the award-winning Colorado surf-rock band, Robert Shredford.
Brian Holdbrook
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Brian Holdbrook started playing the drums when he was 12 years old and added guitar to his repertoire a short time later. He experimented with piano, bass, ukulele, and even trumpet throughout his teenage years and cites the bands Beirut, Bright Eyes, and Modest Mouse as some of his most influential artists. When Brian picked up his first electric guitar he discovered an impassioned interest in math rock, intricate song structures, and jazz-like styles of playing.
Brian has been a member of a multitude of Fort Collins bands, starting with his first band Alone at the Gym in 2018 while working at the Downtown Artery. Since then he has been the guitarist, singer, drummer, and bassist in various other projects. Brian's current musical endeavors have him playing lead guitar for the local emo-math rock band No Fauna, and his solo recording project which has since turned into a 5-piece band, Overhang.
Ben Eberle
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Ben Eberle is a multi-instrumentalist who teaches drums, guitar, bass, keys, and vocals at the School of Rock locations in Fort Collins and Loveland. Currently performing in several popular local bands—including Tonguebyte and People in General—it would certainly be fair to say that Ben is actively involved in the Northern Colorado music scene.
Ben has been teaching at School of Rock for over three years and loves nothing more than sharing his passion for, and knowledge of music with the next generation of rockers!