Our Experienced Music Teachers
All of School of Rock Rochester NY’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.
Paul Cucinella
Drum Teacher
New York/Philadelphia drummer Paulie Cucinella's funky, hip style of drumming drives the groove of Acid Jazz Quartet “FlashBamPow," a WNY-based group known for blending complex jazz fusion, soul-drenched psychedelic jamming, eastern ragas, and old top 40 tunes. From Broadway to the Bronx, Philly to Rochester, Paul has worked with some incredible musicians and mentors. Now he shares his skills as a drum teacher at School of Rock in Rochestery, NY.
David Curry
Owner, General Manager, Show Director
David is one of our School of Rock Rochester owners and show directors. He is an active member of the Rochester music scene either music directing or pit directing youth musicals at various public and private schools, or playing Americana, Alternative Country, and Rock with the Genesee Revelers. David is a multi-instrumentalist and plays the keyboard, bass, and guitar, and sings. He is thrilled to provide young musicians the opportunity to perform and learn about music. David has an eclectic music taste and is always open to learning about new musical acts.
Nathan Davenport
Guitar Teacher
Nathan Davenport is a motivated and passionate teacher who loves sharing his skills to help students achieve their musical goals. Nate has been playing guitar for over two decades. Largely self-taught, he also holds a degree in performance. In addition to helping School of Rock students learn to shred, Nate teaches music at a day program for adults with disabilities. He has worked with all different types of people from all different backgrounds, skill sets, and abilities.
Nate's unique skill set developed through self-guided training, formal training, and military experience have informed his well-rounded perspective that self-motivation and discipline pave the way for success in music. Success on guitar is not for the "naturally gifted" but for the person who perseveres and challenges adversity head-on.
Nate can be found performing in classical and jazz guitar contexts, in addition to rock & roll, throughout the Rochester region.
John Kunes
Owner, Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
John Kunes has performed on stages in Illinois to Massachusetts and everywhere in between. He has studied music at Monroe Community College, Bowling Green State University, DePaul University, and Eastman School of Music. He studied guitar with jazz virtuoso Jimmy Bruno. As a music educator for over 30 years, John's passion is helping students discover their unlimited potential as musicians.
Paul Ogunsalu
Bass Guitar Teacher
Paul Ogunsalu is an award-winning graduate of Berklee College of Music and a bass teacher at School of Rock in Rochester, NY. He has spent many years touring as a bassist and producer both nationally and internationally, working with a wide variety of music styles and artists. His productions have received national and international airplay, premiering on networks such as MTV, BET, VH1, BBC Radio, BBC Television, and NBC. He also enjoys working with local Rochester artists!
Alexis Weber
Little Wing and Rookies Program Director, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Alexis Weber is the Rookies and Little Wing program director, as well as a keyboard + piano teacher and vocal instructor at School of Rock Rochester NY. She has played the piano for 17 years and studied privately under her instructor Deborah Williams for about 8 years. Alexis has been involved both casually and professionally in Rochester community theatre since she was 14 years old, and still performs in her free time. Alexis has a great love for classical music and opera, but listens to a variety of music from classic rock to show tunes. When she’s not teaching, Alexis spends her evenings with her 4 cats and partner.
Chloe Kunes
Studio Coordinator, Rock 101 Director, Rookies and Little Wing Teacher
Chloe Kunes originally hails from Chicago, but her true home has always been in studios and on stage. Her instruments of choice are bass and drums, but she'll dabble in anything she can get her hands on! Formerly a performing dancer and dance teacher, Chloe's multi-passionate artistic background gives her a unique perspective as a musician, performer, and educator.
Chloe studied dance under internationally recognized choreographer/instructor Joel Hall, and at The Chicago High School for the Arts, surrounded and inspired by her creative peers daily. She has had the pleasure of performing in major productions on stages all across Chicago, having danced with The Joel Hall Dancers' pre-professional company for five years. Among countless wonderful mentors, Chloe is grateful to have shared studios and stages working with and learning from many acclaimed performers and choreographers with credits in The Lion King and other Broadway productions, Cirque du Soleil, and some of the most renowned dance companies in the country.
Chloe is so excited to be sharing her passion for music and performance with the community! She is incredibly honored every day to be supporting young musicians as they build creative confidence, discover their identities and voices, and find expression and joy through playing music.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together
For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.