All-Star Teaching Staff Shines at School of Rock Naperville

When most people think of the School of Rock performance-based music program in Naperville, images of youthful guitar heroes come to mind, like the righteous kids in Jack Black's hit "School of Rock" movie from 2003.

Like their cinematic counterparts, the Naperville students are passionate, focused and extremely talented. But to guide, inspire, and energize these underage Lords (and Ladies) of Shredding, the Naperville school has a secret weapon: an all-star faculty of professional musicians who avidly share their experience, knowledge, and tricks with the youngsters.

"Our instructors have the perfect combination of skills: a strong background in music from years of private lessons, practice, and classes, and real life experience from writing, recording, touring, and performing in bands," says Anne Dills, owner of School of Rock Naperville. "Our students really look up to our instructors as role models not just for their musical prowess, but also for their hands on knowledge of the music industry."

The School of Rock Naperville teachers are a diverse bunch. Several of them are in up-and-coming bands that are currently on the indie scene, others have toured the world as supporting acts for top tier artists, and others are songwriters and producers. The common thread that unites them all is a love of music and a desire to impart their enthusiasm to the School's knowledge-hungry rockers-in-training.

Drum teacher Barrett Harvey has performed on commercial recordings for many leading brands, including Disney, Ford, Nintendo, Coors, Budweiser, Gatorade, and NASCAR.

Adam Krier, a guitar, keyboard, and vocal teacher, was a member of Chicago punk rock band Lucky Boys Confusion, which was signed to Elektra Records.  They toured the U.S., Canada and Japan and performed in t.v. shows on CBS and HBO.  His original compositions have been featured on several major motion picture soundtracks, national television commercials, and video games.

Fabian Falcon, who teachers guitar and bass, is a member of The Run Around, which has shared the stage with such headliners as Tom Petty, Blues Traveler, and Barenaked Ladies. 

Kimberly Goss, a vocal teacher, has performed and toured with the Norwegian bands Ancient and Dimmu Borgir; the Swedish symphonic metal band Therion; and Finland's top metal act, Children of Bodom.

Guitar, bass, and drum teacher Jason Mallow writes music for Twisted Tracks, a supplier for commercial media.  His clients include HBO, S.C.C. Advertising, Rocklin Irving Advertising, Viacom, and The Speed Channel.

Kyle Voivodas, a drum, guitar, and keyboards teacher, is a member of the local indie back Girls On Bicycles, which is comprised exclusively of School of Rock instructors from the area.

Chicago born and bred Joanna Vassilatos, a drum, guitar, and vocal teacher, toured around the country and across Europe with her band Radio Vago, opening for such acts as The Mars Volta, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and The Breeders.

Jeremiah Sault, who teachers guitar, bass, and keyboards, performs at area venues with his band Jynx Never Sticks, which has recorded one full length album and one E.P.

“For budding young musicians who truly want to develop their skills, there’s no better bunch to guide them on their journey than the Naperville staff,” says Dills.  “They connect with our entire range of students – from ages 7 to 17 – and they inspire the kids to practice, work hard, and thoroughly enjoy the School of Rock experience.”