Matt Waterman Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher
Matt Waterman is a multi-instrumentalist and record producer with over 10 years of experience in writing, performing and recording rock music. He is currently a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher, piano teacher and drum teacher at School of Rock East Lansing. Cutting his teeth in Lansing’s own Mac’s Bar during high school, Matt has since played over 300 shows in 35 states with bands such as Jason Alarm and The Devil’s Cut. Since 2011 Matt has been recording, mixing and mastering music for local and regional musicians, as well as producing original instrumentals for select artists. Currently, Matt records at Elm Street Recording and at his home studio in Lansing.
Michael Pierce Guitar Teacher
Michael Pierce is a guitar teacher at School of Rock East Lansing. He has been playing guitar from a young age, and has been actively performing and teaching since 2012. Michael graduated from Aquinas College in 2017 with a degree in Classical Guitar Performance, and he has studied with many world-class guitarists. Michael currently performs and tours with the rock band Conrad Shock and The Noise, and soul-pop band August. He also plays solo classical guitar for weddings, corporate parties and private events all around West Michigan.
Wil Pruitt Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Instructor
Wil Pruitt is a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher and vocal instructor at School of Rock East Lansing. He has played in shows throughout the Midwest and in Las Vegas with one of his groups, Handsome Pete. This past year Wil won the People’s Choice at the CABS Blues Brawl with his blues rock band Dedfoot. He has been playing some form of music since he was 10 years old on instruments including trumpet, guitar, bass, drums and vocals. Wil has won awards in numerous songwriting competitions. He is currently working on new material with the groups he's in, and is expanding his solo career.
Tommy McCord Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Tommy McCord is a Lansing-based musician with nearly two decades of performing, recording and touring experience. At School of Rock East Lansing Tommy is a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher. Tommy has toured the continental US, Mexico and Canada multiple times as a guitarist and singer in the bands The Plurals and Drinking Mercury, and has overseen over 100 independent music releases as a co-founder of the record label GTG Records. Tommy also has experience as both a live sound and recording engineer and can be found behind the mixing desk at venues like Mac's Bar, The Avenue Cafe and the studio space for GTG Records.
Mandy Waltz Drum Teacher
Mandy Waltz is a drum teacher at School of Rock East Lansing. Mandy started drumming when she was 10 years old, and did drum line, jazz band and orchestral band throughout high school, but had the most fun when playing with her friends in rock bands. In 2014, she graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Writing and Communication, again finding she had the most fun playing in rock bands with her friends. Since then she has toured all over the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK and continental Europe, and is looking to do even more with her main band, Rodeo Boys.
Kait Wilson Vocal Instructor, Piano Teacher
Kait Wilson is a vocal instructor and piano teacher at School of Rock East Lansing. She was born and raised in Green Bay, WI. Kait received her Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where she music directed "Miss Saigon" and "The King and I." Kait spent some time on the east coast, working in professional theaters such as the Peterborough Players. In Lansing, Kait is the music director for the Blue Light Players, which will be producing "Matilda" in 2020.
Sarah Wallace Singing and Keyboard Teacher
Sarah Wallace is a vocal instructor and piano teacher at School of Rock East Lansing. Sarah started performing at the age of 3 and began her professional career at the age of 5 as Caroline Kennedy in Accidentally Exalted for Kenneth Robbins Opera Company, St. Paul, MN. She has a BA in Music – Vocal Performance from ORU in Tulsa, OK and has since become a member of the professional Actors’ Equity Association.
Being a native to Lansing, she has performed at the Okemos Barn Theatre, Civic Theatre, Boarshead Theatre, and at Dart Auditorium. Throughout her career she has appeared in a myriad of roles in musical theatre, plays and operas, throughout the Midwest, New York Metropolitan area and southern states and presently sings in cameo roles in other states, countries, and throughout the state of Michigan.
Kayla Torres Keyboard Teacher, Singing Teacher
Kayla Torres is a vocal and keyboard instructor at the School of Rock East Lansing. Kayla started lessons in 6th/7th grade with flute, bassoon, piano, and voice.
She has a Bachelor's in Music Performance which she received at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI and a Masters in Music Performance from Miami University in Oxford, OH. Native from California, she has performed with many groups including wind ensembles, orchestras, small ensembles, quartets, and trios. Her passion is music and pushing the boundaries of "normality". She loves playing electronic bassoon and jazz bassoon.
Alex Everdeen Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Alex Everdeen is a guitar, bass, and drum instructor at School of Rock East Lansing. He picked up his first guitar when he was 10 years old and still has a hard time putting it down. Over the years, he picked up French Horn, drums, bass guitar, trombone, trumpet, and saxophone. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Michigan State University and has performed with many prestigious ensembles, such as the MSU Wind Symphony and the Spartan Marching Band. He is an avid musician with a passion for finding the newest cool sounds.