Adrian Ramirez
General Manager
Adrian Ramirez started his musical journey at the age of 9 as a classically trained vocalist in the school choir from elementary, all the way through college. While attending North Shore High School, Adrian decided to pick up the guitar and immediately fell in love with it. Over his career as a musician, Adrian has played for numerous bands and at different churches in the Houston area. He also was a teacher for a local music school, providing music lessons for different elementary schools in Houston. Prior to becoming the general manager at School of Rock The Heights, Adrian had a career in politics, but after almost a decade, he went to what he loves most—music. Adrian is currently in pursuit of a bachelor's degree in music education at Texas Southern University and is excited to call School of Rock The Heights home.
Chris Dean
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
For over three decades, Chris Dean has studied and specialized in voice, dance, and theatre. They have performed around the world with a number of professional groups, including the Virginia Symphony Chorus. This has developed their eye for detail, which allows them to bring a polished standard to various entertainment mediums such as songwriting, vocal coaching and arrangement, prodding studio recordings, and stage productions. Chris has an extensive and versatile vocal range that includes classical, R&B, musical theatre, and pop/rock. They are currently teaching voice, keys, and songwriting and are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge and experience with their students.
Darrell Zeigler
Guitar Teacher
Darrell has been playing guitar for a decade. He started off in the marching band but quickly transitioned to guitar after trying it out. Some of his influences include Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, Guthrie Giovan, and many other virtuosic shredders of yesterday and today. Other than his guitar playing, Darrell has a very strong foundation in music theory and knowledge.
Noel Rodriguez
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Noel is a School of Rock veteran, having taught at three schools in two countries. A native Texan, Noel grew up in Monterrey, Mexico. He remembers the excitement he felt the first time he sat behind a drum kit and realized that’s what he wanted to do. Noel loves rock and pretty much every other kind of music. He loves to play live and has played and recorded all over the world. His goal as an instructor is to share his love for music and to get you playing.
Angel Cotto-Isales
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Angel is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, arranger, vocalist, and composer; his musicianship is exceptional.
Angel began his journey as a musician at a young age playing various percussion instruments, learning the music language, as well as different music genres. His devotion and dedication to music have been conveyed through his music journey and have been an inspiration for his work ethic and projects.
Angel has performed with numerous bands across the United States and has fascinated spectators with expressive and passionate music. He can uniquely connect with audiences through his music and bring them joy.
Sion Firew
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Sion is a singer-songwriter from Houston, TX with a background in alternative R&B, neo-soul, and soft rock music. Drawing from the variety of music she grew up with, from Bob Marley to the Carpenters, Sion is passionate about sharing her love for music in its different forms through her own music and teaching.
Sion has her B.A. in journalism and international studies and her M.A. in international relations from the University of Chicago. Though she didn’t study music in college, she considers herself a student of the craft and enjoys sharing her knowledge on vocals, guitar, and piano. She founded Pop-Up Picnics and Performances (est. 2023) and released her debut studio album OYSTER in 2023.
Alan De Leon
Music Director
Alan DeLeon Jr. comes from a family with a musical lineage. From as early as the age of 4 he displayed an inclination and curiosity for music. Very quickly his parents took notice of his ability to be able to learn and play simple progressions by ear on the piano. Seeing that they decided to nurture and encourage his musical journey.
At the age of 11, Alan began to learn how to play guitar with the instruction of his father. Infatuated by the virtuosic players of the ’80s such as Steve Vai, Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert, and Vinnie Moore, technical proficiency became the primary objective. Alan was a prodigious student by 13 years old and began teaching privately at the age of 15.
For the next several years Alan continued his musical studies. At that time he began branching outside of the metal world to also learn the techniques of classical guitar, Flamenco, and elements of jazz fusion.
Today Alan does occasional session guitar work, is the guitarist for Dallas progressive metal band Infidel Rising, and is the founding guitarist for Beware! The Cyborg. He is also the Music Director of School of Rock The Heights.
Nicholas Dees
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Nick Dees has been around music his whole life. His passion for music started early when he picked up his dad's guitars around the house from as early as 4 or 5 years old and learned songs he loved. Nick learned to play bass and drums as well and toured around the country with his father in his early teen years experiencing the business side of being in a band, working merchandise and roadie gigs. Seeing the bands night after night playing to huge crowds and having the times of their lives, Nick knew this was what he wanted to do most. He formed his own band at the age of 15 with his brother and best friends and never looked back.
By the time he was 20, Nick's first band had had run its course and within a year he started Hold On Hollywood as a founding member and the primary songwriter. HOH went on to have songs on major radio stations like Houston’s own 94.5 the Buzz and played legendary Houston venues like Toyota Center, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, White Oak Music Hall, and so many more across the country touring alongside acts like Candlebox. Hold On Hollywood has opened for other legendary acts such as Bon Jovi, Chevelle, A Perfect Circle, Blue October, Mike Shinoda, Puddle of Mudd, and countless other household names.
Nick has also worked as a hired musician for just shy of a decade doing work for cover bands and other original artists around Houston and the Texas area. He has played hundreds of other shows as a result, from 20-minute sets to hours-long nights, encompassing songs spanning the last seven decades and many different genres of music.
With years of experience in being in professional bands and working as a gigging musician in between, Nick is a valuable member of the team and teaches so many different aspects of music. From songwriting to performance, running a successful band, and the intricacies of multiple different instruments, Nick has you covered.
Rebecca Ancira
Studio Coordinator
Rebecca has been fascinated with live music since she was a child watching her older brother perform in various Tejano bands around Houston. She started playing drums at 14 and has had a passion for drumming ever since.
As an adult, Rebecca has had the opportunity to manage tours across the United States and the UK with her best friend, “Vanilla Sugar.” When Rebecca isn’t on the road she enjoys playing Fortnite and spending time with her family.
Luis Carlos
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Luis Carlos is a seasoned guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, boasting over 30 years of musical experience. With a degree in Music and Video Business from the Art Institute of Houston, Luis has honed his craft both on stage and in the studio. From rhythm to lead guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, he is a versatile musician with a knack for reading and writing tablature.
Luis is inspired by legends like Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, and Jimmy Page, and seamlessly navigates through various rock styles, from the late '60s classics to modern hits. As the driving force behind his band since the early '90s, Luis has recorded and toured extensively across Texas, the US, and Mexico, leaving a lasting mark on the music scene.