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
Melissa Drake: Guitar, Piano, Trumpet
Geoff Easthope: Drums
Kris Fath: Voice
Luke Schuster: Drums, Guitar
John Hart: Band & Orchestra: Violin, Viola, Cello, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone
Hale Bushlow: Guitar, Bass
Allan Young: Guitar, Bass, Mandolin
Shannon Lawrence: Glee Club, Voice, Viola, Piano
Samantha Lawrence: Voice, 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 senior at Goddard College and currently working on his 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.
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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 & Strings. Melissa's multi-instrumental background and facility with the language of music are home-grown -- her dad's a Montgomery County Music teacher! She currently attends the University of Maryland as a Music Education major, plays in their Wind Ensemble, and will be attending Jazz Camp this summer.
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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.
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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!
Read more about about Kris here: Kris Fath's Diamond Alley Bio
Luke Schuster
Drums, Guitar
Luke graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a Bachelors of Science in Music Industry/Recording Technology in 2009 and now teaches Drums and Guitar at Rocketeria. He also sings, plays Bass and Piano. Luke has extensive knowledge of music theory and has eclectic musical taste; his favorite types of music include blues, classic rock, reggae, jazz, soul and r&b. Additionally, he is an accomplished singer/songwriter with more than 15 original tunes.
John Hart
Band & Orchestra:
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Violin, Cello, Trumpet, Trombone
John is both a teaching and performing musician. He is an MCPS band/orchestra teacher at Olney and Burning Tree Elementary Schools. John and Dave, the owner, have known each other since 2007 when Mr. Hart sat in on a Burning Tree fundraiser that Dave's band was playing. John plays a mean fiddle (violin) and of course, teaches all grade school and and orchestra intruments.
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.
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.
Shannon Lawrence
Glee Club, Voice, Viola, Piano
Shannon comes to us for the Summer of 2010, fresh from Cornell University. Her current passion is her 'a cappella' singing group, The Cornell Chordials. With her extensive background in choral and ensemble music, as well as teaching and camp counseling experience, she's ready to hit the ground running with the kids and whip them into the best little Glee Club Olney's never seen! Watch out - this lady helped run Rock n' Roll revival in her senior year at Sherwood High School. She's got high standards and just the right attitude to bring out the best.
Samantha Lawrence
Voice, Piano
Samantha's expertise in voice comes with a Bachelor of Arts from Westminster Choir College of Rider University from where she just graduated with honors. She's taught both voice and piano in a variety of settings, and perfomed at both Carnegie and Avery-Fischer Halls. Her experience with children includes private and group instruction, and she looks forward to imparting all she's learned to Rocketeria's aspiring musicians!
