our instructors and staff
Jason Sossoman - music director- Performance Team Music Instructor, Advanced Guitar, Vocals, keyboards
Jason has performed for more than 14 years. Jason began formal vocal training when he was 13 years old and this is where he picked up the guitar for the first time. and it was not long till Jason acquired his his first Gibson guitar and learned to play cover tunes. He was on his way to play rock clubs.
Jason now writes, records, and performs original songs with his band, Wicked Jones. He went through band upon band trying to find the right people to play with. Years later, Jason found his place in a band called Wicked Jones. Wicked Jones has opened for Lynyrd Skynynd, 3 Doors Down, Shooter Jennings, Stuck Mojo, and Flyleaf to name a few.
Music has always been a part of Jason's life and he could never see himself doing anything else. That is what lead him to teaching music and will keep him teaching and playing for years to come. Jason has been teaching Rock Guitar for many years and comes with a long list of satisfied students from multiple schools who are moving on to promising rock and pop careers. You can see work from Jason's band Wicked Jones by clicking on this link.
Jason now writes, records, and performs original songs with his band, Wicked Jones. He went through band upon band trying to find the right people to play with. Years later, Jason found his place in a band called Wicked Jones. Wicked Jones has opened for Lynyrd Skynynd, 3 Doors Down, Shooter Jennings, Stuck Mojo, and Flyleaf to name a few.
Music has always been a part of Jason's life and he could never see himself doing anything else. That is what lead him to teaching music and will keep him teaching and playing for years to come. Jason has been teaching Rock Guitar for many years and comes with a long list of satisfied students from multiple schools who are moving on to promising rock and pop careers. You can see work from Jason's band Wicked Jones by clicking on this link.
PATRICK MCKENNA - PERFORMANCE BAND/GUITAR/VOCALS/BASS/KEYBOARD/TRUMPET
Patrick is modest but has a long history of playing music and teaching music. He promises to get us his bio soon! Patrick's band The Radio Toy Company can be heard by clicking on the red link. Patrick has also worked as a Vegas Show Girl! (this may or may not be true, but I am going to leave it here until I get his bio!)
Tim Jones - Drum Instructor
Tim Jones began playing drums at age 12 in the East Rutherford High School band program.
Tim played in marching band, concert band & jazz band. He continued his studies throughout High School and most notably had the opportunity to study with Tom Float (Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corp) and
Gilbert Doggett (Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corp). At age 14 Tim also got his first live gig performing with a gospel group where he spent four years traveling extensively and played on two full length albums by age 16. After his graduation he spent several years playing in local and regional acts while acquiring his degree in Radio & Television Broadcasting. Not long after completing college Tim moved to Charlotte, NC where he joined “Skin & Bones”, a regional original rock group that performed the East Coast circuit. In 1998 he moved to Forest City, NC where he became the first call session drummer for Mega Praise Recording Studios and played on many recordings in variety of musical styles. In 2002 the opportunity came to tour on the NASCAR circuit performing as the event band for all the fans trackside or at the track entrance. Tim spent two seasons touring with NASCAR where the highlight was having the opportunity to the infield stage for the Indy 500 (2004). Currently Tim performs and records with country artist Darrell Harwood. As one of the top drawing acts in the Charlotte and surrounding regions they play 80-100 shows per year. Tim is very passionate about music education and we are excited to have him onboard and teaching here at Rock University.
Tim played in marching band, concert band & jazz band. He continued his studies throughout High School and most notably had the opportunity to study with Tom Float (Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corp) and
Gilbert Doggett (Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corp). At age 14 Tim also got his first live gig performing with a gospel group where he spent four years traveling extensively and played on two full length albums by age 16. After his graduation he spent several years playing in local and regional acts while acquiring his degree in Radio & Television Broadcasting. Not long after completing college Tim moved to Charlotte, NC where he joined “Skin & Bones”, a regional original rock group that performed the East Coast circuit. In 1998 he moved to Forest City, NC where he became the first call session drummer for Mega Praise Recording Studios and played on many recordings in variety of musical styles. In 2002 the opportunity came to tour on the NASCAR circuit performing as the event band for all the fans trackside or at the track entrance. Tim spent two seasons touring with NASCAR where the highlight was having the opportunity to the infield stage for the Indy 500 (2004). Currently Tim performs and records with country artist Darrell Harwood. As one of the top drawing acts in the Charlotte and surrounding regions they play 80-100 shows per year. Tim is very passionate about music education and we are excited to have him onboard and teaching here at Rock University.
Taisha Betha - vocal coach
Taisha is Rock U's own American Idol. She has been singing since she was five years old in church, bands, school and even on American Idol with her Golden Ticket to Hollywood. Tai is young and energetic. She has a true passion for music and for passing this on to others. Tai's been the lead vocalist for a very popular local band called CARSON. The band has performed for Van's Warped Tour three years in a row, has opened for national hit recording artist and always draws out a great crowd a shows local and across the country. Tai auditioned for American Idol in the summer of 2012 and was passed through to several auditions finally winding up in front of the celebrity judges and getting their coveted golden ticket to perform in Hollywood. Tai passed the solo round there, but sadly her group did not make it and she came back to us. American Idol's loss is our gain! PHOTO OF TAI TO COME SOON! Watch this!
Robert Wall-Drums and Percussion
Robert also performs with the band Wicked Jones with Jason Sossoman. Robert organized and managed a monthly drum shed for Rock University for several years and attracted the talents and respect of local artist who are Grammy winners, signed drummers and national drum off winners. They have all praised Robert's leadership and especially his skill and natural talent as a drummer. Robert is not a stranger to teaching and leading kids either. Robert is also a youth league football coach.
Dave Haywood-Guitar, bass, keyboard, vocal
We are proud to announce that Dave Haywood will be joining us in Mid-March to teach Guitar, Bass, Keyboards and Vocals. Dave is super talented and can been seen every weekend performing at Howl at the Moon Charlotte as one of their regular featured performers. Anyone who's never seen Howl at the Moon's shows, it's a dueling piano bar that Rocks. Dave is asked by request to perform on multiple instruments as well as vocally a list of songs from the heaviest of rock to rap, country and pop. Dave's personal bio and list of credits (which I have seen and it's impressive) are coming soon.
Actor/Musician Jeff Bridges
posed for Photo with Venue owners Karen and Kevin Corzine while rehearsing for his performance at the DNC in Charlotte in 2012 at Rock University's Rehearsal Stage |
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NOW HIRING TALENTED MUSIC INSTRUCTORS IN VOICE/ KEYBOARD/ SAX and LOOKING FOR BANJO and/or VIOLIN (not classical) INSTRUCTORS
