Michelle Jenkins
Owner, General Manager
Michelle is our dedicated General Manager at School of Rock Raleigh and School of Rock Holly Springs. With an innate passion for children and teaching, she celebrates the distinct teaching styles of our faculty and recognizes the unique learning styles of each student. Michelle and her team collaborate to ensure an ideal match, providing tailored challenges for every individual.
Michelle embraces the philosophy that learning should be enjoyable and she firmly believes in the transformative power of music. Our school goes beyond melodies, fostering a sense of belonging and community through student bands. Michelle's ultimate goal is to empower students to unlock their full potential. Through the universal language of music, our committed team nurtures skills and values, paving the way for a brighter future where students can truly shine and grow into the best versions of themselves.
Nick Abbate
Drums Teacher
Nick Abbate is a drummer (including drum set, marching and concert snare drum, keyboards and auxiliary percussion), singer, and well-rounded musician in both harmony and rhythm. He has been in a Wind Ensemble for 7 years, a choir for 5 years, a marching band for 5 years, and many other groups such as orchestras, jazz bands, percussion ensembles, and rock bands. In his free time, he likes to practice various instruments as well as study and observe insects. His favorite genres are heavy metal, progressive rock, classical music (choral, symphonic, and orchestral), funk/jazz, psychedelic, dubstep, old and new rap and many more.
Thiago Bottega D.M.A.
Drums Teacher, Bass Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
A native of Brazil, Thiago moved to the U.S. in 2013 to pursue his graduate studies in music. His interest in rock started at a young age, watching his older brother's rehearsals in his garage. He specializes in coaching bands, and his favorite subgenre is art rock. He is a guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums teacher at School of Rock Raleigh in North Carolina and also serves as an active flute player and educator in the Triangle Area.
Shane Burbage
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Bass Teacher, Drums Teacher, Voice Teacher
Shane is a multi-instrumentalist with years of experience and a Music Degree from UNC Asheville. He specializes in Music Theory and Music History and loves using his knowledge and passion to teach and jam with students. Shane was the first teacher at School of Rock Raleigh and has experience directing and leading different age groups. Shane loves all genres of music but Indie Rock is his favorite. Shane's favorite way to teach music is to find patterns and connections within songs emphasizing universal elements like rhythm, dynamics, and note direction. Shane loves the attitude, style, and expression of Rock music but believes a firm foundation of musical know-how is the best way to let those elements shine. Shane teaches Guitar, Bass, Piano, and Voice.
Marcelo Camera, M.M.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Voice Teacher, Drums Teacher
Marcelo has been teaching music, performing, and recording professionally for over thirty years. A classically trained guitarist with a B.A. in music teaching from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State and a Master's degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University in Atlanta, where he was awarded “Best Latin Band Leader 1999” by "Atlanta Magazine" and received a commendation for his musical contributions to the cultural fiber of the city. Marcelo teaches Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, and Vocal lessons at the School of Rock Raleigh, maximizing his students’ capacity to experience relevant insights, in order to develop their full potential and abilities as performers. Marcelo works constantly on improving his craft as a music teacher, composer, arranger, session musician, and performer.
Trevor Jennings, M.M.
Drums Teacher
Classically trained as an Orchestral Percussionist, Trevor began his music career on Drum Set. Based out of the RDU area, Trevor regularly teaches at the School of Rock, as well as regularly performing with various orchestras and ensembles in the region.
Abigail Leaman
Keyboard Teacher, Bass Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Voice Teacher
Abigail is a bass, piano, guitar, and voice teacher at School of Rock Raleigh, as well as the Music Director of the school. They direct two performance bands, the House Band, and the Adult Band program. In addition to being a professional musical transcriber, Abigail is a composer and arranger of instrumental music; their compositions often take influence from video game soundtracks, neo-soul, jazz, prog-rock, classical music, and more. An experienced performer, music director, and music educator, they are passionate about expanding the musical horizons of both themself and those around them. As an instructor, Abigail seeks to encourage independence in their students by demystifying music theory and the processes of practicing/learning music, showing students that they already possess many of the skills needed to overcome perceived roadblocks in their musical journeys.
Chaetan Newell
Guitar Teacher, Bass Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Voice Teacher, Drums Teacher
Chaetan Newell is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, audio/mastering engineer, producer, and graphic designer, but above all, he is a fun and patient music instructor dedicated to the enrichment of his students. Beginning his musical journey circa 1987, he could be found playing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme on his father’s drum kit before taking up piano at 6, guitar at 8, and bass at 10.
After extensive lessons, camps, and orchestras where he learned from a variety of award-winning teachers and played with the North Carolina Symphony, he got a Professional Music degree from Berklee College of Music in 2009 after receiving an audition-based scholarship. He has since been recording and touring internationally as a performing artist working with members of groups such as Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, The Flaming Lips, Herbie Hancock, My Bloody Valentine, Natalie Cole and many more legendary jazz and indie rock artists.