Staff & Music Teachers at Bach to Rock Rancho Penasquitos

Diego Mills - Diego Mills is the director at Bach to Rock PQ. Diego's musical journey began with a scholarship at a distinguished jazz program, where he excelled as a multi-instrumentalist. His performances at iconic venues like the Green Mill and Kingston Mines set a strong foundation for his career. Transitioning to Los Angeles, Diego made a mark in the music scene, gracing stages at renowned spots such as the Whiskey, Viper, and Lucky Strike, and touring with well-known artists. Alongside being an educator since the age of 21, he has worked with numerous bands at various schools through Music education programs, deriving excitement from his students' successes in competitions and performances, encouraging them to be exceptional musicians. Returning to San Diego, he broadened his horizons to include symphonies, musicals, and churches while collaborating with top music schools. Known for his exceptional teaching skills and commitment to nurturing talent, Diego is a highly sought-after educator respected for his significant contributions to music education.

Allison D - Allison is a San Diego musician, she is also a former Bach to Rock student! She started taking bass lessons at Bach to Rock Rancho Peñasquitos and now works at the front desk and teaches here at the school! She enjoys playing bass in various local bands. Allison has always been drawn to the performing arts, dedicating much of her life to theatre. She has won several awards from the California Educational Theatre Association and has performed at various theatre festivals around California. Allison currently attends CSUSM, studying education with the goal of becoming a teacher!

Colin A - Colin is a recent graduate from the University of San Diego achieving a double major in Philosophy and English, with a minor in Music. He is a classically trained pianist with 15 years of experience under performing, concert-level pianists. In addition to classical recitals, Colin has performed in a variety of competitions and shows with original work and improvisational jazz piano. While in college, he was also a member of the chamber music ensemble, Gamelan ensemble, and acapella club--studying aural skills under USD voice professors as well. His teaching philosophy gravitates around the idea of first helping in the discovery of a student's passion for music, then guiding and grounding it within instruction and theory. He plays tennis and surfs in his spare time.

Dhruv A - Dhruv has been playing guitar for 14 years and has broadened his skills to include piano and other instruments. His diverse musical background fuels his current pursuit of becoming a top music engineer and producer, where he combines his experience and creativity to shape the future of sound.

Jake R - Jake is a local San Diego musician. He has been playing drums for 16 years and plays shows frequently around Southern California. He plays in the bands “Lucid Dream” and “Blair Gun” who were recently signed to SonaBLAST! Records. Blair Gun and Lucid Dream are consistently playing shows at venues like The Che Cafe, SOMA, and all around SDSU. He is currently studying Music Technology at Mira Costa College in Oceanside with the hope of becoming a studio engineer.

Lenith H - Lenith is a San Diego born musician who went to the San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts for Voice and Piano. He has been playing the piano and singing since he was 4 years old, and picked up the guitar and the ukulele when he was 11. Throughout his youth, he performed in various community events in San Diego. He won the honorable Fil-Am Youth Achiever award in high school. He played the piano with a chamber music group with the La Jolla Conservatory of Music. In college, he was the director of UC Berkeley’s “DeCadence,” which was an a cappella group that performed both on and off campus. He also wrote and directed UC Berkeley’s 42nd Pilipino Cultural Night, which was a main stage musical and dance production that raised over $8,000 for the school’s Pilipino community. Lenith’s 2 main teaching philosophies are “using simple language for big concepts,” and “asking the right question,” to help engage the student’s problem-solving capabilities. When he’s not playing music, Lenith can be found longboarding, studying design, or cooking a big pot of beans (his favorite food)!

Melanie J - Melanie graduated from Francis Parker High School and currently attends UCSD. She has been taking formal music lessons since the age of six and has been performing at public events since she was seven years old. Melanie is active in the theater community, her most notable role being Moana in Disney’s pilot production of Moana Jr. at San Diego Junior Theater in Balboa Park. She has also been performing in various youth bands since she was eleven years old as a lead singer, guitarist, pianist, and/or bassist. Previously, she worked at SeaWorld San Diego and Sesame Place CA in the entertainment department, both backstage and as a performer. In Melanie’s free time, she loves watching foreign dramas, listening to international music, dancing, and sewing.

Antonia F - Antonia Fuenzalida teaches vocals, piano, ukelele, and guitar at Bach to Rock. She studies Music Vocal Performance at SDSU, with a focus on the classical bel canto style. Aside from opera, she loves performing musical theater, choral, and Latin music. She has a strong appreciation for the different aspects of music, with a wide experience in songwriting, music directing, and competitions. Antonia strives to enrich and inspire each student’s musical journey, creating a fun environment to find joy in their own creative expression and goals.

Ben S - Ben is a multi-instrumentalist who is known for performing in and around San Diego with his bands Sterner Stuff and Boon & Kiel. He has over a decade of music playing and teaching experience, and has performed around the globe, including at SXSW, Kaboo, The Kiss Kruise, and much more!

Rebecca C - Rebecca Cherf is a dedicated piano and music teacher at Bach to Rock, where she passionately nurtures the musical talents of students across all ages and skill levels. With 12 years of experience in piano and music theory, Rebecca is committed to crafting engaging learning experiences tailored to each student’s unique goals and interests. Her teaching philosophy focuses on fostering a love for music while building a strong foundation in technique and theory. Whether working with beginners or advanced students, Rebecca aims to inspire them to achieve their fullest potential as musicians. She believes that music education extends beyond learning notes and rhythms, cultivating creativity, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Ryan A - Ryan is a musician from San Diego and has been playing in bands since he was 16. He has been teaching guitar lessons for about 5 years and specializes in teaching guitar and bass. He also plays guitar in the rock band “Creature Canyon”. Ryan used to play Hockey and Tennis in high school.

Stef A - Stef is a seasoned multi-instrumentalist with 15 years of experience in playing, composing, and performing music. His primary instrument is the guitar, but he is also proficient in bass, drums, and piano. Alongside his musical expertise, Stef is an accomplished audio engineer, skilled in both live sound and studio environments. He actively performs with several bands, contributing on drums, bass, guitar, and vocals. Additionally, Stef spearheads his own project, SpaceKit, where he is responsible for writing, recording, and producing all instrumental elements.

Tyler W - Tyler is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and electronic music producer from San Diego. He has played piano for 18 years and is skilled at performing with drums, guitar, and a range of concert band instruments. His piano style is informed by years of practice with improvisational jazz. After graduating from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, he attended UCLA to deepen his knowledge of musicology and theory. After college, he produced, wrote, and performed for various popular music acts, some of whom have acquired millions of monthly listeners. With his strong ear for music and theoretical background, Tyler works to impart his knowledge and skills to the next generation of musicians. He centers his philosophy on treating music as a language, acknowledging that the best way to learn music is to focus on analyzing the music you enjoy most, which naturally allows students to absorb important concepts.

Yukie S - Yukie is a passionate early childhood educator with a deep appreciation for the arts. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Minor in Childhood Development. She is trained in Conscious Discipline and Positive Discipline Association. She is best known for performing music and movement for preschoolers in the San Diego area. She loves introducing children to the world of music. She loves to eat spicy foods and watching sitcoms.