Staff & Music Teachers at Bach to Rock Coon Rapids

Jacob Shoulak - Jake and his mom, Judy, started their Bach to Rock in Plymouth in September 2018. Jake has been a guitar player for 20 years, having started at the age 13 and music has been a huge part of his life since then. Some of those ways include having worked in pit orchestras, rock bands, and concert bands. Jake also owned a recording studio and live sound company, Full Circle Studios, and has worked with many artists including, Dawes, Local Natives, Nathaniel Rateliff and Norah Jones.

Judith Shoulak - Judy loves all types of music, growing up with a Drummer Dad and marrying, Jim, an amazing Guitarist and Songwriter. Judy brings a wealth of business experience to the picture. After graduating with her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Human Resources from Capital University in Columbus Ohio, Judy helped grow four businesses. Most recently, she spent sixteen years leading the operations of Buffalo Wild Wings, spending the last three years as the President of their North America Brand. She is enjoying this next chapter, working with her son Jake and the amazing Back to Rock Team and interacting with all of the fabulous students and parents!

Sarah Shoulak - Sarah is the HR Rock Star for all three Minneapolis Bach to Rock locations! She joined the team in 2023 after spending time in nonprofits, marketing/tech agencies, and was even a professor at state/community colleges teaching public speaking. Her rich background in business balances her creativity which harmonizes well with her more musically-inclined peers. Coming from a musical family, she was an avid percussionist through high school and still loves singing to this day; anything from national anthems to karaoke.

Adam Durand - Adam D. has been a performing musician for 20 years. Touring all around the globe playing with Grammy winners and some of the biggest names in music. He has a passion for passing on the knowledge that he has gained from his career and help students excel in music. He takes great pride in seeing his students succeed with their musical talents on the stage and apply it to everyday life. "It doesn't matter what genre or instrument it is. It's all the same twelve notes." -Adam Durand

Benjamin Tarr - Ben is a passionate music lover, with a range of experience in many different genres. Since falling in love with guitar and songwriting at a young age, Ben has become fluent in many different aspects of the music industry, performing on stages and recording in professional studios across the Mid-West and West Coast. Ben worked for many years with the Music Industry giant, Sweetwater Sound. Then ventured West working as a professional guitarist/producer in Los Angeles for the past 3 years, working out of some of the most acclaimed studios in the World. Ben is proficient on guitar, bass, piano, and more. Ben loves working with aspiring musicians and seeks to inspire a spark and love of music.

Don Zbinden - Don Z. has been playing the drums for over thirty years. He has a range of experience both playing live and giving lessons. He has a passion for music and for sharing that passion with others. He strives to instill confidence in his students not only in their ability as musicians but in everyday life as well.

Eric Kilpela - Eric K. is a multi-instrumentalist that aims to make his students the best they can be. Although Eric grew up listening to and playing rock n’ roll music, he also studied classical and jazz guitar at the University of St. Thomas. Eric is a lover of music in all its beautiful forms. He loves playing and teaching everything from rock, jazz, funk, metal, classical, punk, alternative, folk, hip-hop, musicals, blues and beyond. Eric plays guitar, bass, drums, piano, and mandolin, and likes to play in a variety of different genres. Eric’s goal as a teacher is to make sure his students learn practical and useful information that they can actually use. He loves watching all his students grow and wants for them to fully realize their full potential as musicians.

Aaron O - Aaron is a student at Anoka Ramsey Community College studying music and hoping to teach and perform. He's been playing trumpet for about eight years now. He has performed in big bands and small groups and plays mostly jazz, fusion, Latin, and R&B. Aside from music, Aaron plays a mean game of monopoly and love the outdoors.

Anthony S - Anthony has been a musician for over 20 years! He has performed in garages and basements to a few people, festival stages to thousands, and everything in between! When he’s not working on his many music projects, you can find him working on his podcast, playing video games, or spending time with his family.

Bria R - Bria is am a homeschool mom to her two amazing kids and an active teacher in their homeschool co-op. Growing up in a very musical household, she developed a deep love for music early on. Bria has played the piano for several years and firmly believes in the profound impact music can have on our lives. As the saying goes, 'Where words fail, music speaks.' She strives to share this passion with others, fostering a love for music that inspires and connects us all.

Brianna W - Brianna has a lifetime of experience with music - her parents once recorded her trying to sing along to songs on the radio as a baby! From choir and solo performance in local churches as a young child, then taking voice lessons starting at the age of fifteen, Brianna went on to get her degree from Minnesota State University-Mankato in Vocal Music Education K-12. Brianna has gained almost a decade of experience teaching private voice, piano and ukulele lessons, early childhood music classes and general early childhood education, in addition to choral conducting and continuing to perform whenever she can. Brianna aims to share her passion for music with all her students! Helping students grow in musical skill, develop self-confidence, and collaborate with others to create music together are her favorite parts of teaching music. When she's not teaching, Brianna loves to jam with her family and friends and is always up for karaoke. Brianna is so excited to join the Bach to Rock team!

Carter P - Carter is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer who’s played basically every genre live and, in the studio, - rock, funk, jazz, hip-hop, punk, electronic, country, soul, and more! While he’s played guitar since the age of 9, he also has years of experience on bass, ukulele, mandolin, piano, and harmonica. He went to college at Willamette University in Oregon where he majored in music with a focus on composition and guitar performance. Ask him about his band, Screaming Hours!

Diego V - Diego started his musical journey playing the Trombone at an early age, and has transitioned into playing many more instruments over time. He now enjoys teaching and playing other brass instruments and woodwinds, as well as the piano, guitar and vocals. He has participated in a wide variety of performances over his musical career including different types of bands. He particularly enjoys classical, rock and roll, jazz, and modern pop. He strives to help every student be the best that they can be and encourages them to pursue their creative interests. When Diego isn’t teaching he spends his time playing all of his favorite Disney songs on the piano!

Erin F - Erin has been involved in music since the age of 5, and now attends The Institute of Production and Recording. Starting on Piano, she has since made Viola her primary instrument. She teaches Viola, Violin, Cello, and Music Production at Bach To Rock. Outside of work you’ll find Erin at antique/record shops, or arranging her favorite rock songs for her string quartet.

Gracie S - Gracie has been a professional singer and musician since the age of 5, professionally practicing for around 20 years! From her experience on American Idol to her International Spittal An Der Drau Choral Competition experience, Gracie will be prepared to train your child in all vocal genres from opera to pop! Alongside her vocal experience, Gracie is a longtime youth and Pre-K teacher and enjoys teaching the infant and toddler classes at Bach To Rock. She also is acquainted with teaching Guitar, Ukulele and Piano. Gracie is an energetic, well-rounded teacher that would be super excited to teach your child all facets of music!

Heather S - Heather is a classically trained musician who has held a passion for playing for over 35 years. She has always delighted in guiding others on their musical journeys. Heather specializes in identifying how each individual learns best, including special needs and creative learners.

Kara H - Meet our Front Desk team! Kara is a true Minnesotan born and raised in northern Minnesota before finding her true home here in Minneapolis. Kara has been a music lover for as long as she can remember, singing and performing since the good ol’ VHS home video days. Kara sang choir and performed in musicals all her life up through college. While singing/songwriting is Kara’s primary passion, she is self-taught in piano and ukulele enough to write music and perform at open mic nights. When Kara isn’t in ‘work mode’ you can find her cuddling her doggos, reading/writing fantasy and poetry books, playing and running D&D campaigns with friends and hitting the karaoke stage. Kara loves karaoke so much she decided to perform at her wedding last June as requested by friends and family (though it didn’t take much persuading!)

Laura L - Laura Antus attended UW-River Falls where she studied music education. Laura is in her 4th year of teaching and has made appearances in different studios around the twin cities recording brass, guitar, voice, and bass. Laura is a multi-instrumentalist with a huge passion for helping others experience genres they may not have had prior interest in. Laura can be found performing on the weekends with rock band Airship Caravan and metal band MVRROW.

Samuel H - Sam House-Swift was born in Minnesota and taught himself to play the drums for the last ten years. In his free time he enjoys listening to music, gaming, watching movies, and making his own music. He has a particular fondness for the sounds of the 2000's.

Steph H - Stephanie Hill has two boys and is very active in a youth leadership group in Anoka. Her main instruments are Clarinet and Bass Clarinet. Stephanie was a Drum Major in High School in North Carolina and learned to play many instruments in her time in school. She enjoys working with kids and making memories!

Wendy I - Meet our Front Desk team! Wendy was born in Nigeria and moved to the US at age 12. Wendy comes from a strong administrative background and hopes to learn more from our rockstar students! While Wendy may not currently play any instruments, music continues to be an important part of her life. She loves afrobeats and has an interest in learning to play the drums!

Abbi N - Abbi has been passionate about music for as long as she can remember. She started playing the cello in 3rd grade and has been playing for 8 years. She’s played in various different orchestras and has loved working with and meeting different musicians. She’s very passionate about her instrument and is excited to share the passion with students and watch them grow. Abbi enjoys all types of music, but 70’s, 80’s, & 90’s, and classical music have her heart.

Drew H - Drew is from Blaine and is currently a DJ Instructor at Back to Rock who loves to perform DJ sets that create a fun and energetic vibe for everyone to dance or listen to. One of his first gigs was in 2019 for a birthday celebration, and he knew right away that he wanted to pursue this. Drew developed a passion for entertaining others through music. When not DJing, he enjoys competitive tap and hip-hop dancing, skateboarding, playing basketball, and making his own music using Ableton Live software.

Joey M - Joey Marcella has been playing drum set for 11 years and started performing on stage when he was only nine. He plays with many bands around the Twin Cities and has even started his own bands. Joey also plays many different styles and likes all kinds of music. He teaches drum lessons and band lessons at the Coon Rapids B2R location.

John L - John L. is a practicing turntablist with over 25 years of experience in the art of deejaying and turntablism. Originally from the east coast, John has had opportunities to record cuts and scratches on local twin city hip-hop artists tracks, incorporate cuts and scratches with a live rock band, and perform a collaborative team deejay routine at the Minnesota State Fair. He has also competed in deejay competitions sponsored/ hosted by PioneerDj and Skratcher. Although John likes listening to many genres of music, his style on the decks has largely been influenced by turntable scratch music and battle style routines. He appreciates the many aspects of deejaying but is passionate about creative mixing by manipulating music and samples. John enjoys helping students explore mixing and or furthering their techniques in the art of turntablism.

Sam K - Sam has been playing and writing music his whole life, and picked up his first digital audio workstation over 10 years ago, making the gradual journey from bedroom producer to performing DJ with venues like First Avenue’s 7th St. Entry under his belt. With a passion for electronic dance music and forward thinking pop, he’s released music both independently and with labels like Deskpop, Jadü Dala, and Wolf Beats, honing his craft while teaching and tutoring kids at various schools around Minnesota. Bach to Rock is his first foray into combining his passions for music and teaching, and he couldn’t be more excited to start! Sam specializes in teaching DJing, Percussion, Piano, and Music Production, as well as various early childhood programs.