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 currently studying at Goddard College and plans to earn a Masters Degree 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 and has sat in with one of his favorite bands: Fishbone. Over the years Brian has performed at jazz venues (Jojo's), rock clubs (The Trocadero) and The State Theater in Fall's Church VA. Brian's wide knowledge of music theory, comforting teaching style and optimistic attitude has made him a 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 considers it his destiny to become a great teacher.
Allan Young
Guitar, bass, mandolin
Many local area guitar students know Allan from his many years teaching at Woods n’ Strings. Allan’s discipline and extreme skill inspire the most inexperienced to the most advanced of players. Allan comes from a big band and R&B background, although he is currently playing with well known Baltimore based heavy metal band, Gorman Prophecy. He has several years teaching experience and has successfully prepared several students for different tasks such as musical theater projects and school big bands.
Justin Horenstein
Guitar
Justin is an Olney native, who went to Sherwood High School, and graduated cum laude from the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2006. Shortly after graduating from school, he joined Driving East, signed a recording contract with Sony-owned The Militia Group, and toured the U.S. coast to coast. He has also been teaching off and on in the area for 8 years.
Justin's new project outside of Rocketeria is Solar Powered Sun Destroyer, a band he started in the DC area. Playing sold out shows in New York and Baltimore with Circa Survive among other local and regional shows has quickly built up his band's momentum in the short year they have been together.
Justin brings his real world experience and years of training to the lesson rooms of Rocketeria.
Melissa Drake
Guitar, piano, trumpet
Melissa’s been with us longer than any of our teachers. Another local phenom, you may also remember Melissa from Wood N’ Strings. Melissa’s multi-instrumental background and facility with the language of music are home-grown: her dad’s a Montgomery County Music teacher!
Geoff Easthope
Drums
The newest addition to our team brings the most experience of us all! Geoff’s been playing professionally for many years and brings the ease and confidence you’d expect, as well as the passion to pass on his knowledge.
Kris Fath
Voice
We welcome Kris Fath to the fold! Kris will be teaching contemporary voice Mondays only. Read all about Kris here:
Kris Fath's "Diamond Alley" Bio
Matt Cummings
Guitar, piano, drums
22-year-old Montgomery County native Matt Cummings has been playing guitar, bass, piano, and drums in the area for nearly ten years. Three of those years have been spent teaching students of all ages and skill levels throughout Maryland, DC, and Virginia. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Matt's high school band, Saucy Bills, won the Montgomery County Battle of the Bands in 2004 and 2005. Matt then went on to study music education at Berklee College of Music and in 2006 he left to record for Atlantic Records. After performing on albums for numerous major-label pop acts, Matt began producing tracks for other artists, one of which shot to number two on the national college radio charts in 2008, all while still performing guitar and lead vocals at performances in nearly every state on the East Coast with Saucy Bills. The band would go on to co-headline area festivals with national and regional acts such as Jimmie's Chicken Shack, The Bridge, Whole Wheat Bread, Virginia Coalition, and Lloyd Dobler Effect, in addition to releasing two albums.
For the past three years Matt has continued to teach various instruments to hundreds of students, including working as Co-Director of Camp Jam, the nation's largest rock music camp for kids. He also runs the music program at The Lowell School in DC for elementary school students in the summer. Matt specializes in teaching children and adults of all ages and skill levels, including music theory, ear training, chords, understanding scales, and reading music. Weather you are just starting out, or an advanced player looking to better understand music such as rock, jazz, blues, funk, hip hop and RnB, Matt combines his real world and ongoing music experience and friendly demeanor to help all students learn and love music!