Jora and Adam Bart
Owners
Before opening School of Rock Plymouth, Jora worked in the sports and entertainment industry for 20 years, lived and worked in Hong Kong for a brief stint of time, and managed a band for fun in her early twenties. She produced publicity campaigns for a multitude of national and international events and served as the publicist for a world-class arena, a convention center, and a historic auditorium that hosted the likes of Elvis, Prince, and Dylan. One of her favorite hobbies is meeting new people. A big parenting goal for her is that her three kiddos grow up to be kind…and that they love music! Opening a School of Rock combined her passions for music, people, and making a difference.
Adam is a lifelong student of music, and had tried his hand at lead guitar, drums, piano, bass, vocals, and songwriting. In his younger days, he was in a band (that Jora managed) and had quite a few years playing smaller venues and shows in the Twin Cities. He is currently an academic advisor at North Hennepin Community College and enjoys helping students recognize and achieve their dreams. He finds that studying guitar and composing original music is a source of relaxation, and loves spending time with his children no matter what the activity.
Gabs Semansky
General Manager
Gabs Semansky is an experienced musician, having started piano lessons at the age of 6 and quickly falling in love with playing and performing. Throughout childhood and into adulthood, Gabs’ excitement for music has led to countless hours of private instruction for keys, bass guitar, guitar, and almost every brass instrument.
This experience has allowed Gabs to take the stage with a variety of bands ranging from punk to folk to blues outfits. As his skillset grew, so did the impetus to share that knowledge with the world. Gabs has volunteered for several music camps throughout the years and has served as both an instrument instructor and as the Music Curriculum Coordinator for the nonprofit Rock the Rez! since 2020.
Alex Maiers
Guitar Teacher
Alex Maiers is an active multi-instrumentalist, composer and performing/recording artist throughout the greater Midwest. Graduating Cum Laude with a B.A. in Guitar Performance from the University of St. Thomas in 2011, his musical journey has given him the opportunity to perform on numerous stages and record with a plethora of artists ranging from folk and country music, to progressive metal, to classical, to musical theatre. Alex has nearly 20 years of teaching experience working with students ranging in age from 7 to 83 - from beginners to industry professionals looking to improve their craft. After a decade serving as a composer/arranger for film and multimedia content, Alex released his first solo album in 2019. Alex's philosophy is that every musical journey begins with a single step: the drive to pick up the instrument/microphone with the willingness to progress.
"I am excited to be joining Jora's team! Being able to stoke the flames of inspiration in others is one of the greatest rewards of mentorship. I was very fortunate to have incredible teachers along the way, and I look forward to being a mentor to the wonderful students of Plymouth's School of Rock!"
Cameron Skinner
Guitar Teacher
Cameron Skinner is a guitarist with over 17 years of experience. He is self-taught in advanced music theory, and plays many different genres including Rock, Funk, Jazz, Blues, and Ambient. He has recorded an album with his band and performed in many venues around the Twin Cities. Cameron also has extensive experience with synthesizers and enjoys making complex programs and sounds on them. He makes music from his home studio and has studied audio engineering and acoustic science. Cameron's greatest passion is sharing the treasures of music with others and he has a deep love of how it brings people together.
Carly Sachs
Vocal Teacher
A recent University of South Florida grad with a degree in criminology, Carly Sachs grew up with a passion for music. She has always loved the stage and performed in musicals, concerts, and a capella groups from elementary school through college. Carly recently moved to Minnesota to be closer to family and is excited to start her adventure with School of Rock.
Emily Hitchings
Keyboard Teacher
A music education major from Gustavus Adolphus College, Emily Hitchings has a passion for teaching and performing. Emily is a multi-instrumentalist who learned her first instrument at 12 years old and discovered her love of music from an early age. At Gustavus, Emily was the treasurer for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, a group that toured internationally and regionally as well as recorded two albums. Emily has extensive experience teaching music both in the classroom as well as private lesson settings. She is currently finishing student teaching and working towards her K-12 Instrumental Music Education license. Emily loves working with kids of all ages and believes in the importance of music education for everyone.
Kaitlin Cook
Keyboard Teacher
Kaitlin Cook began making music at the age of 4 when an old piano destined for the dumpster found a home with her family. She loves getting to know music in its many forms and has greatly enjoyed her time as a classical performer, theater instrumentalist, and bandmate. Kaitlin has her bachelor of music in piano performance from Augsburg University and is always excited to help facilitate meaningful learning experiences with others.
Murphy Smith
Bass Teacher
Murphy Smith was born and raised in Kansas City, and started playing both piano and bass at the ripe age of 10; his father (a hobbyist musician) showed him how to play anything from rock to soul. Since then, Murphy has graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Jazz Studies-Double Bass and made a living as a full time musician in New Orleans, Kansas City, and as of July 2021, Minneapolis. Murphy has had the privilege of playing with numerous artists including Marcus Lewis (Janelle Monae), Warren Batiste (George Benson), Ryan Hanseler (Branford Marsalis), and many others. In addition to electric and upright bass, Murphy teaches piano, which he formally studied in high school and college. Murphy is enjoying the Twin Cities-living with his girlfriend, Maggie, and their two cats, Rose and Dandelion.
Rissy Simon
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Rissy Simon started playing piano at 12 years old and was instantly hooked. In high school, she was part of the Bella Voce Choir and taught piano as a volunteer instructor at Elm Creek Elementary in Maple Grove. Rissy is enrolled at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI, and is pursuing a Nursing Degree and also Minoring in Music.
Tanner Bergersen
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Tanner Bergersen, who currently plays tenors with the Minnesota Vikings Drumline, SKOL LINE, joined his school band at a young age and has enjoyed making music ever since. He toured the Midwest with the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps and spent a year performing on the West Coast with the world-class Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps.
In his younger years, Tanner taught himself how to play guitar after being inspired by the Guitar Hero video game and constantly studied music performance, strategies on practicing, and learned a multitude of other instruments. He received a degree in Music Therapy from the University of Minnesota, and hopes to spread the knowledge he's gained during his musical endeavors to his students...and to never stop learning himself.
Taylor Kraemer
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Taylor Kraemer is a recent Music Business graduate from Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Being a Minnesotan her whole life, Taylor is well-ingrained in the local music scene with her band, where she is a vocalist, keyboardist, and bassist.
Taylor is excited to teach School of Rock students all she has learned throughout her years of being a professional multi-instrumentalist in a wide variety of genres, spanning from musical theater to punk, pop to classic rock.
Tommy Bare
Studio Coordinator
Tommy Bare is a self-proclaimed lover of music, and enjoys being lighthearted to try and help people feel a little bit better about life. He taught himself how to play guitar and piano, and his favorite genres of music include Folk, Soul, Classic Rock and Indie. Tommy said, "When I was around 12-years-old, I found an album with four weird hippie dudes crossing the road. After listening to it, my mind was blown by the sounds that these guys had made. I told myself right then and there that one day I was going to make great music just like them." He hopes that by working at School of Rock, he can help students feel like the rockstars that inspire them.
Tony Petersen
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher
Writer, performer, banjoist and guitarist Tony Petersen began playing guitar at age 15 and has been performing across the country since high school. Tony is currently part of the national touring act Social Animals, has a solo project under the name Ditchbird and is one half of the folk/Americana duo Jill & Tony. He also records commercial music, some of which has been used in ads by ABC News and a well-known Russian beverage company. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2011, Tony founded Boss Booking and Management and began booking musical acts into venues throughout the U.S.
Tori Holub
Studio Coordinator
Tori Holub is a singer-songwriter and musician with a background in audio engineering and music production. Especially influenced and fascinated by the sounds of the '60s and '70s, she is passionate about sharing the music she loves with everyone around her, and can't wait to do this through her journey at School of Rock.
Trenton Skalicky
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Before earning a degree in Audio Production and Engineering from the Institute of Production & Recording in Minneapolis, vocal and keyboard instructor Trenton Skalicky attended McNally Smith College of Music and studied vocal performance. Since then, Trenton has been recording and performing with the Twin Cities blues rock band Jackie Kean. Trenton is always constantly looking to expand his musical experiences, and is excited to bring his passion to students at School of Rock Plymouth!
Brett Tennyson
Guitar Teacher
Brett Tennyson is a multi-instrumentalist who began playing music at a very young age. He studied Music Performance and Elementary Education at North Central University in Minneapolis and began teaching music in 2011. Brett is currently in several bands that perform throughout the Twin Cities. His experience in early childhood education and his passion for music are a perfect pairing for School of Rock.
KT Branscom
Studio Coordinator
School of Rock alum KT Branscom is a multi-instrumentalist with a background in guitar, bass, and vocals. They started learning about music at a very young age and attended the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists studying Vocals.
Currently, KT is a vocalist and guitarist in a popular band here in the Twin Cities. Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Nik Jagessar
Drum Teacher
Nik Jagessar is a local multi-instrumentalist who specializes in drums and bass guitar. He has studied music throughout his life and continues to pursue his passion for it today. Studying with some of the best drummers in Minnesota, Nik has honed his talent and has been a reliable musician for others to call on. Currently, Nik plays drums and bass between multiple different groups. Pronouns: He/Him
Spencer White
Guitar Teacher
Guitar instructor Spencer White comes to School of Rock with over 20 years of musical expertise! Active in the indie-rock Minneapolis music scene since 2011, he brings a deep understanding of the instrument, theory, and extensive performance experience. Spencer's passion for teaching is evident through years of self-study, classes, and through providing informal lessons to students of all ages. Pronouns: He/Him