MEET OUR TEACHERS
NATHAN DILLON: ROCK BAND CLASS FOUNDER
Nathan Dillon has the experience, understanding, and enthusiasm that enables him to provide excellent musical skills to students. “I have seen firsthand how rock band classes can transform students, schools, and after-school programs. Bringing excitement and creativity to children is what I am dedicated to doing and it is what every teacher I hand pick brings to the classroom.”
Nathan is a professional musician, filmmaker, and educator. Nathan has taught rock band classes in well-respected schools including Bank Street School in New York City as well as Catherine Cook School and Nettelhorst in Chicago. He has performed professionally all over the world, playing music as diverse as Persian chamber music, bluegrass, classical, blues, jazz, and, of course, rock. He directed “Music House”, a documentary film about alternative music lessons and classes.
Contact Nathan by email.
TEACHERS:
LISA DEROSIA
Lisa DeRosia is a seasoned Chicago rocker, having played in the Com Kings, Eden Deluxe, and Lush Budgett. She might have also been your Wiggleworms instructor and is a force on the Old Town School music scene. Lisa also teaches private guitar lessons.
To learn more about Lisa visit: www.myspace.com/lushbudgett and www.lushbudgett.com.
GREG FUNDIS
Greg Fundis is an experienced music educator and professional drummer living in the Chicago. He teaches with Everybody Rocks, People’s Music School, Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, DePaul and Roosevelt Universities. Currently touring with world-renowned guitarist Fareed Haque and the Chicago-based band 56 Hope Road, he has performed all over the world with artists such as Louis Bellson, The Jersey Boys and Joe Lovano. He was recognized in Downbeat Magazine as a notable jazz alumnus and holds a music degrees from DePaul University and Millikin University. He is also a published composer with his book "Contemporary Audition Solos for Percussion"(Studio 4 Music/MostlyMarimba). Greg Fundis is a proud endorser of Vic Firth drum sticks, mallets, and brushes.
To learn more about Greg, visit: www.gregfundis.com and www.myspace.com/gregfundis.
TOM FORT
Tom grew up in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood and studied guitar from a young age. He attended the Latin School of Chicago for high school and graduated in 2002 and went to Oberlin College, graduating in 2006. While his main instruments are guitar and voice, he also plays a slew of other instruments. He currently leads Cobalt & the Hired Guns, a Chicago band that has toured the U.S. several times. Tom is very pleased to be working with Everybody Rocks and enjoys cultivating a love of music and teamwork with young rock stars.
To learn more about Tom: www.cobaltandthehiredguns.com and www.myspace.com/cobaltandthehiredguns.
DAVID HERERRO
David Herrero is a Chicago blues guitarist and singer who comes by way of Austin, Texas. He has performed all over the world with his band and creates soundtrack music for Oprah’s production company. He has also been a pre-school teacher and has his degree in early childhood education.
Learn more about David at: www.daveherrero.com and www.myspace.com/daveherrero.
GABRIEL MEDINA
Gabriel Medina is a composer, arranger, and guitarist originally from Argentina. He graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Contemporary Music & Production. For 20 years Gabriel has been playing the guitar in a variety of musical styles such as Rock, Blues, Jazz, Funk, and South American music with Classical influences. Gabriel has been a music and guitar teacher for students of all ages and from all over the world. Currently, he teaches private guitar, piano, and Spanish lessons, teaches at after school programs, and plays in the Chicago area.
Learn more and hear more at www.gabrielmedinamusic.com.
JEREMY SCHMIDT
Jeremy started playing the bass at age 10 with his family band. By 14, Jeremy had found the guitar, citing Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix as early influences. He has been teaching bass and guitar lessons since the age of 14 and earned received his music education degree from Northern Illinois University. Jeremy has played professionally on cruise ships and regularly performs with The Connexion Band, Painkiller Hotel, and Jin and Tonic.
To learn more about Jeremy, visit: www.jeremyschmidt.net.
SOPHIE TAFT
Sophie Taft has performed in a very wide range of genres from baroque to hip-hop, and, of course rock. Ask her about living in Ghana, West Africa and teaching music classes in primary school there. She performs regularly with the Northwestern University Baroque Ensemble, as a solo act, and with her band, but her real passion is teaching. Sophie is finishing a music education B.A. at Northwestern and is President of the Northwestern chapter of the American String Teachers Association. In addition to teaching classes Sophie teaches private lessons on violin, viola, guitar, piano, bass, and voice.
To learn more about Sophie, visit: www.myspace.com/sophietaft.