Our Staff

David is one of our School of Rock Rochester owners and show directors. He is an active member of the Rochester music scene either music directing or pit directing youth musicals at various public and private schools, or playing Americana, Alternative Country, and Rock with the Genesee Revelers. David is a multi-instrumentalist and plays the keyboard, bass, and guitar, and sings. He is thrilled to provide young musicians the opportunity to perform and learn about music. David has an eclectic music taste and is always open to learning about new musical acts.

Nathan Davenport is a motivated and passionate teacher who loves sharing his skills to help students achieve their musical goals. Nate has been playing guitar for over two decades. Largely self-taught, he also holds a degree in performance. In addition to helping School of Rock students learn to shred, Nate teaches music at a day program for adults with disabilities. He has worked with all different types of people from all different backgrounds, skill sets, and abilities.

Nate's unique skill set developed through self-guided training, formal training, and military experience have informed his well-rounded perspective that self-motivation and discipline pave the way for success in music. Success on guitar is not for the "naturally gifted" but for the person who perseveres and challenges adversity head-on.

Nate can be found performing in classical and jazz guitar contexts, in addition to rock & roll, throughout the Rochester region.

Braden Jones is a Tennessee-based musician with a passion for drums and the fire to share his songs with the world. Originating from Memphis, Tennessee, Braden has received a bachelor’s degree in Studio Music and Jazz along with two minor concentrations in Music Composition and Music Business from the University of Tennessee, where he was awarded a wide variety of musical scholarships. He is currently earning his Master’s degree of Music from the Eastman School of Music, concentrating in the Jazz and Contemporary Media Performance track. He currently serves as the Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Jazz Percussion Studio. Furthermore, Braden has continued his personal private instruction since he was 17 years old and has acquired students of all backgrounds throughout his teaching career, including those he has instructed at the School of Rock Knoxville, Knox Music Studios, and the Percussive Arts Academy. He has played with a myriad of talented artists and an assortment of genres ranging from jazz, indie and classic rock and roll, contemporary avant-garde music, funk, country, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and electronic music. Braden welcomes students of all backgrounds to study with him, as he provides a strong technical foundation while enhancing their musical prowess to achieve and play anything they desire behind the drum set.

New York/Philadelphia drummer Paulie Cucinella's funky, hip style of drumming drives the groove of Acid Jazz Quartet “FlashBamPow," a WNY-based group known for blending complex jazz fusion, soul-drenched psychedelic jamming, eastern ragas, and old top 40 tunes. From Broadway to the Bronx, Philly to Rochester, Paul has worked with some incredible musicians and mentors. Now he shares his skills as a drum teacher at School of Rock in Rochestery, NY.

Paul Ogunsalu is the bass guitar teacher at School of Rock - Rochester, New York. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. He has spent many years touring both nationally and internationally playing many different styles of music and with a wide variety of artists. Paul specializes in rock, funk and jazz, as well as electronic music. He also loves producing music and enjoys working with local Rochester artists. Many of his productions have received national and international airplay.

Alexis Weber is the Music Director and a keyboard/vocal instructor at School of Rock Rochester NY. She has played the piano for 17 years and studied privately under her piano teacher Deborah Williams for about 10 years. Alexis has been involved both casually and professionally in Rochester community theatre since she was 14 years old, and still performs in her free time. Alexis has a great love for classical music and opera, but listens to a variety of music from classic rock to show tunes. When she’s not teaching, Alexis spends her evenings with her 4 cats and partner.