Jared Casstevens
General Manager
Jared grew up in the Bay Area, where he began his musical journey by taking piano lessons at his elementary school. At age 12 he picked up a guitar and it was love at first sight. His first teacher gave him the tools to learn and play his favorite songs by ear, a skill he would continue to hone over the next 25 years. His next teacher brought Jared back to the fundamentals, teaching him the scales and techniques that would further develop his style and dramatically enhance his playing. He formed a short-lived ska band as a freshman in high school and then moved on to start a pop-punk quartet with his brother Ryan on drums. He played his first live shows and recorded his first EP with this group, and developed a passion for songwriting and performance.
Years later, Jared became a founding member of the Sacramento Rock band Smirker, a band whose influences include The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Queens of the Stone Age, Nirvana, Ween and many others. Jared began as the band's bassist and quickly developed a fondness for the instrument. Smirker, whose shows were composed of both cover songs and originals, played frequent gigs in the greater Sacramento area and went on to record their own EP. Jared brings over 25 years of guitar playing and over 15 years of performance experience to School of Rock Sacramento and looks forward to continuing his musical journey there for years to come.
Angel Alvarez
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Angel Alvarez began his musical journey with the purchase of his first album in 1982, Michael Jackson's "Thriller." He immediately begged his parents for piano lessons and, although short-lived, these lessons solidified his yearning to be a musician. High school choirs tuned his voice but it wasn't until Angel got his first guitar as a junior that he finally found his calling.
During his 13-year stint as the lead singer and guitarist for the Bay Area band Mystic Rage, Angel also earned his bachelor's degree in Studio Recording and Sound Design. Additionally, he played in countless venues in California and Nevada, opening for bands like Slayer, Slipknot, Blue Oyster Cult, and more.
Angel became the guitarist and one of the main songwriters for the band A Million Exploding Suns. After this project ended Angel decided to finally form the band he has always wanted. Now in a new band, Zero Day Threat, he has 100% creative control. Angel brings over 20 years of combined experience in performing, writing, engineering, and teaching to School of Rock and is passionate about imparting his knowledge and experience to the next generation.
Ian McDonald
Drum Teacher
Enamored with the bombastic energy of punk rock from an early age, Ian started tapping along with Green Day’s “Dookie” and “Smash” by The Offspring on whatever he could. Over time, the tapping snowballed into a practice pad and a pair of sticks, to lessons with an industry veteran, to the drum kit, and four years in the high school drum line.
Two decades later, that punk rock energy, ethos, and enthusiasm have influenced his playing in a number of groups across genres, ranging from a little bit of time on the road with a hardcore band to the more introspective, indie rock feel of his current project - Vinnie Guidera & the Dead Birds.
Monique Horyza
Keyboard Teacher
Monique Horyza was born a natural keyboardist and music lover. Before she could read, she could play piano. She began Classical piano lessons with a private instructor at the age of 4. By age 16 she joined a local pop rock band and was introduced to the culture of playing live music. It only took one show for her to know that playing keys live on stage was her calling! Studying at Musicians Institute was the next step for Monique to hone her skills. Graduating top of her class in 2011 with an Associate’s Degree in Keyboard Technology, she is now a professional-level keyboardist with the ability to play keys and piano in any genre or style of music. At advanced levels she understands music theory, composition, live sound, digital music, music production and music directing.
Monique has played keys live and in studio recording sessions for multiple artists in Los Angeles. For two years she also wrote, produced, and released her own music while working with a drummer in a band they called Adequate. In December 2021, Monique was hired at School of Rock as a Keyboard Instructor and Music Director for Rock 101. She says: "The incredibly talented souls that come to our school never ceases to amaze me. Watching them achieve bliss from music from beyond their time is so pure, and is certainly something I am glad to be able to help share with the world."
Yacine Ofoe
Drum Teacher
Yacine has been playing drums for 23 years. He started learning at 8 years old and took lessons for 3 years. His enthusiasm for drums led him to learn so quickly that his teacher told him there wasn’t much left to teach him. So he continued to build up his drum skills on his own while listening and playing along to all of his favorite bands. Starting with pop punk and moving on to hardcore, screamo, and metal. He started his first band at 12 years old with middle school friends covering The Misfits songs and playing house shows. After high school, he started a melodic hardcore band with his brother and closest friends. They were signed to a small label after their 2nd show, toured California, and recorded an album. Yacine has played in dozens of bands and played hundreds of shows/concerts throughout his career. He has been teaching for School of Rock Elk Grove since 2017 and is excited to be teaching at the new Sacramento location as well!
Adam Allas
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Ukulele Teacher
Adam began playing guitar at 17 and within a few years was writing songs and recording demos at his home in
San Diego, California. As his skills increased he began collaborating with other musicians and experimenting
with different musical styles. For several years he operated a home-based project studio, producing and
recording rock, indie, and underground hip-hop music with a number of local artists. During this time he also
learned live sound and technical theater while working at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. Later
Adam began working with young children, teaching music fundamentals and performing in preschools and
classrooms. He rediscovered the thrill of performing and joined a few tribute and cover bands before finding his
home with local cover band The Deviant Strays as their sole guitarist.
Adam has experience in blues, funk, soul, country, folk, bluegrass, and Hawaiian slack-key music, but classic
rock is and always was his main inspiration. He hopes to pass on his love of music to the next generation of rockers!
Alex Bosson
Drum Teacher
Alex Bosson knew from an early age that being a drummer was all he wanted to be in life. He started drumming at the age of 13, taking private lessons for about six months until branching out on his own and playing throughout high school and beyond in local death metal bands and touring around the western United States. When he was 21 years old, Alex had slipped discs in his spine which threatened to end his playing days. It was not a fate he was willing to accept and after multiple surgeries, other procedures, and lots of physical therapy over five years, Alex was finally well enough to get behind the kit again.
He formed the progressive metal project, Lunar, with his long-time friend, Ryan Erwin. Lunar is inspired by acts such as Opeth, Devin Townsend, and Tool, and they are working on their upcoming third full-length album. Alex is also the drummer of Helion Prime. In between playing with both bands, Alex teaches and performs in studio sessions.
Anthony Forcione
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Anthony, also known by his stage name, “Antwon Vinnie,” is a Sacramento artist and musician. He has many passions and interests including but not limited to skateboarding, filmmaking, rock climbing, building things, making hats, solving Rubik’s Cubes, and of course, music. Anthony was introduced to music by his older brother and became obsessed with AC/DC. Inspired to want to learn the guitar, he was gifted a red Epiphone SG. His brother taught him the basics, and his Uncle Vin from Canada taught him to play the blues in E.
Later, Anthony transitioned to the piano, performing at his school's talent shows and jazz band. Eventually, he discovered a love for hip-hop and expressing his thoughts and feelings through rap. Anthony taught himself the art of lyricism and beat-making. Since then he has released many singles, a mixtape, a self-produced EP, and three self-produced full-length albums.
After nine years of rapping, Anthony decided to chase his long-time dream of playing in a rock band. He teamed up with some good friends and formed the band Pet Elephant. Though Anthony suffers from a neurological disease called MS, he doesn’t let it slow him down one bit when it comes to doing the things he loves to the max. Anthony is excited to teach and learn from his School of Rock Sacramento students.
Sierra Aldrich
Studio Coordinator, Vocal Teacher
Sierra is originally from the East Bay Area but grew up in Sacramento for most of her life. Sierra has been in love with singing ever since she watched Phantom of the Opera for the first time at 8 years old. This slowly opened her up to discovering more musical theater and finding her voice in music. In recent years, Sierra has really focused all of her energy on her passion for singing. She was self-taught for most of her teenage years but has been trained in operatic singing since the age of 19, and has continued her vocal journey in the Broadway/Musical Theater genre with other instructors over the years. Sierra's main goal in teaching is to help each person find confidence in their own voice and be able to express themselves freely through their singing. Now Sierra is able to immerse herself into her passion while working as a singing teacher here at School of Rock!
Daegan Buckner
Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Daegan began their musical journey over a decade ago, with the gift of a bass guitar. Immediately, they flocked to the stylistic approaches of Les Claypool, Flea, Justin Chancellor, and Victor Wooten. After a short while, Daegan took an avid interest in percussion as well. A hand-me-down drum set and practice pad granted them the ability to begin their percussive journey. Nearly 7 years later, Daegan is now a competent drummer, taking influence from the likes of Benny Greb, Danny Carey, Neil Peart, Larnell Lewis, Sarah Thawer, and many more. Daegan holds a deep passion for music and strives to bring the same drive and enthusiasm into each lesson.
Jessa Lamkin
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano 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 classical and contemporary techniques 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. She was previously a voice and keys instructor at the School of Rock in Walnut Creek and is ready to continue her journey at the School of Rock in Carmichael. She is excited to work with students as they discover what they are capable of and to help them achieve their goals!
Gaby Montoya
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Gaby Montoya has loved music from a very young age. Her parents were determined to expose her to different music and musical experiences. Because of this, Gaby is drawn to many genres of music from rock to classical, blues to electronic, and jazz to metal. She has experience in many genres of singing, including musical theater, jazz, opera, gospel, and classical.
Gaby has a Bachelor of Music degree with a focus in Vocal Performance from Sacramento State. During her academic career, she found a love for teaching and sharing what she has learned with others. Now Gaby gets to continue doing what she loves by being a piano teacher and vocal instructor at the School of Rock in Carmichael.
Jordan Weiler
Drum Teacher
Jordan studied music theory and jazz improv while earning his associate's degree in Sociology from Santa Rosa Junior College. He has over seven years of performing experience playing drums and bass and has played professionally in reggae and rock bands.
Jordan has over a year of experience as a special needs teacher and behavioral aid. He loves all genres of music and enjoys spreading the joy of music to everyone he talks to.
Chris Martin
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Christopher Martin was born in Sacramento and raised in Elk Grove, California. Ever since his uncle bought him his first guitar, he knew he wanted to be a musician. He took his first guitar lessons, then took up saxophone in middle school and high school, and eventually took piano lessons too.
After high school, Christopher attended Sacramento City College and earned two AA degrees in Commercial Songwriting and Commercial Performance. Now a certified music-maker, he is determined to share his love of piano, keyboard, and songwriting with his students at the School of Rock in Carmichael.
Mady Frei
Vocals Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Mady Frei was raised on Rock and Roll and was a singer from the start. She quickly started some gigging bands in high school and eventually followed her musical passions to college where she got a Music degree in Vocal Performance. Throughout her years as a working musician, she has played a variety of gig settings including private shows, pubs, restaurants, and wineries, and performed national anthems for various collegiate and professional league sports including the MLB and NBA leagues. Outside of singing, she has played guitar, bass, piano, harmonica, and ukulele in professional settings.
She was introduced to teaching in high school and continued to teach privately through college and was the lead counselor and coordinator for Cal Poly SLO Music Camp for high school age students. She is also involved in various music festivals, both classical and popular music based. She is still actively playing music in the Sacramento, the Bay Area, and the Central Coast on top of teaching.
Logan Zepeda
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Logan began playing guitar at age 10 due to his love of heavy metal and '90s alternative rock. He decided to take his guitar playing to the next level once he entered high school by joining the jazz band and discovering his love of performance and music theory.
In college, Logan was involved in classical and jazz ensembles and took up classical guitar training. He is currently in an indie rock band and his greatest guitar inspirations are Thurston Moore, Kevin Shields, and Stephen Malkmus.