We've been very fortunate to land some of the areas most dedicated and talented Music Instructors. Many have been with us almost since the beginning and are the jewels in the Rocketeria crown!
Brian Waitzman: Guitar, Bass, Piano
Jeff Burnett: Saxophone, Guitar, Clarinet, Flute
Geoff Easthope: Drums
Kris Fath: Voice
Hale Bushlow: Guitar, Bass
Allan Young: Guitar, Bass, Mandolin
Dave Peers: Guitar, Bass
Melissa Drake: Piano, Guitar, Trumpet, French Horn
Natalia Khatkovskaya: Piano
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Brian Waitzman
Guitar, Bass, Piano
Brian's been with us almost since the beginning. He's laid back, always good-natured and specializes in optimism and setting you at ease. Brian is a recent graduate of Goddard College, with a BA in Music. Brian is also a certified recording engineer and graduate of The Omega Studios School of Recording Arts and Sciences.
His musical journey began just like many of Rocketeria's students, with private lessons in the back of the local music store. His first private teacher was Barry Bennedette, a veteran of the heavy metal scene who has toured with Ozzy, Motley Crue and Cinderella. Barry was Brian's first major musical influence and even sold Brian his blonde Stratocaster. Recently Brian has studied with Jake Scheffer, a jazz guitarist who toured with Lonnie Liston Smith and Earth, Wind and Fire. Brian has fused their teaching into a style all his own that combines jazz, metal, rock and music theory.
Brian has lent his talents to bands such as Odyssey, Denise Henderson and the 360 Band, The Steamers, The D.C. Express and has sat in with one of his favorite bands, Fishbone. Brian currently plays with Nick Dastardly and The Mock 3. Over the years Brian has performed at jazz venues, rock club and theaters. Brian's wide knowledge of music theory, comforting teaching style and optimistic attitude have made him a highly successful teacher at Rocketeria! Brian comes from a family of teachers; his Mother was a Professor of Philosophy and his older brother is an Art teacher, and he considers it his destiny to follow in their footsteps.
Rain Song
GUITAR - All ages, all levels
PIANO - Middle school age or older, all levels
BASS - All ages, all levels
Jeff Burnett
Saxophone, Guitar, Clarinet, Flute
Jeff has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Towson University. He played rock and jazz guitar growing up and later studied saxophone and Music Education at Towson where he performed in the jazz band and symphonic band. He has been teaching guitar, saxophone, flute, and clarinet since 2002.
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He moved to the US in 1980 to play on the cruise ships throughout the Caribbean and up into Alaska. After settling with his wife and family in Maryland he continued his playing and teaching career with various bands before settling in Olney and joining the Rocketeria team in 2008.
The Girl from Ipanema
Bossa for You
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Kris FathVoice
We welcome Kris Fath to the fold! Kris teaches contemporary vocal technique concentrating on Pop, Rock and R&B, Voice Maintenance, Breathing & Harmony. Kris has been teaching over 20 years and performing nationally and locally since the 70's! She only makes herself available to us on Mondays, so book her today!
Hale Bushlow
Guitar, Bass
Hale has over 40 years experience playing guitar, including 25 years professionally. He teaches all styles including classical, jazz, blues, country, and rock. Using music theory in his lessons, he seeks out new and innovative techniques to help students learn faster. He always challenges students to try new things. Hale also emphasizes correct technique to avoid tendon injuries.
Santana Rock
Jazz Rhythm Changes
Texas Blues
Medium Blues
Allan Young
Guitar, Bass, Mandolin
Allan Young is probably best known as the guitarist for the late Gorman Prophecy - the metal band that was once declared the best band in Baltimore by (then) 98 Rock personality Kirk McEwen - with which he toured extensively around the country. He was also well known in the Sandy Spring/Ashton area as a teacher for Wood & Strings music.
After a brief hiatus in central PA, Allan has returned to Rocketeria, where he began teaching in November of 2006. His musical pursuits include gigs with both The Only Two--an acoustic duo that spans from Django Reinhardt/Louis Armstrong style swing jazz to acoustic blues, folk, and even some classic light rock--as well as the (very) heavy blues-rock outfit known as Dollar Store Voodoo Doll. And there are plans for a new metal outfit with former members of Gorman Prophecy.
As a teacher, Allan firmly believes in the philosophy that goes, "Catch someone a fish then they will eat for a day, teach someone to fish then they will eat for a lifetime." In other words, he's a firm believer in teaching fundamentals--particularly to younger students. However, Allan also believes that that it's important to know how to apply them to whatever style/genre of music students are interested in learning--Modern Rock, Retro R&B, Big Band Jazz, or Death Metal.
Check out some of Allan's classic rock covers!
White Room
The Devil Went Down to Georgia
Saturday Night Special
Day of the Eagle
As co-owner of the store, I’m excited to offer my extensive real world guitar/bass knowledge and advice, for the player who’s ready to work beyond tabs and notation. My goals are for students to be able to play every major and minor chord by name, learn major and minor scales that will allow players to solo in any song of any key, intense ear development, reliable and accurate tuning practices, minor guitar maintenance, and sharing countless skills acquired from over 30 years of playing venues of all sizes, all over, with top respected singer/songwriters. I'm also quite adept at singing, and will be happy to work vocal coaching in for students that want to develop in that area.
I’m available Tuesday-Thursday from 11am-1:45pm. I offer 45 minute lessons that start at the top of the hour.
Skill levels: Practicing beginners and up
Ages: Middle School and up
I’m happy to offer free trial lessons for audition or placement amongst our wonderful staff
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Melissa Drake
Guitar, Piano, Trumpet, French Horn
Melissa's been with us longer than any of our teachers. Another local phenom, you may also remember Melissa from Wood & Strings. Melissa's multi-instrumental background and facility with the language of music are home-grown – her dad's a Montgomery County Public Schools Music teacher! Melissa has been playing music since the age of 3, performed in multiple bands – from “Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival” at Sherwood High School all the way to the University of Maryland Marching Band. Music has been her lifelong passion. She believes in making music an enjoyable experience for all her students.
GUITAR - Beginner to Intermediate, Classical to Rock
PIANO - Beginner to Intermediate, Classical to Contemporary to Jazz
TRUMPET - Beginner to Advanced, All Musical Genres
FRENCH HORN - Beginner to Intermediate
Natalia has more than 10 years of formal musical education with a concentration in piano and classical guitar. She enjoys teaching and playing modern music. She also composes and loves singing. She is experienced in both classical and modern methods of piano instruction as well as the solfege method. She's willing to put as much work in with her students as needed to achieve good results, and is always learning! Natalia's experience with and love of working with young children was what caught our attention. She teaches beginner to intermediate levels in forte piano, and specializes in contemporary and classical music. She strongly believes that to achieve good results in forte piano playing, a student must practice a lot and, most importantly, love music. She strives to make her lessons easy and interesting, involving games, cards and other engaging activities.
