OUR PEOPLE
STEVE AUERBACH
Executive Director • Keyboards/Production

Steve is an award-winning concert producer and music educator who has created inclusive, equitable, high-quality, wellness-focused music instruction, performance, and production programs for youth since 2005. Students under Steve's direction have gone on to careers in TV, radio, music education, and music therapy, as well as recording artists, producers, engineers, and hobbyists. Prior to his work with youth, Steve worked with members of Van Halen, The Jacksons, Dio, Kansas, Jane's Addition, The Stooges, Frank Zappa, George Clinton, and more. Learn more here.
NICK ZUNKOWSKI
Program Coordinator • Woodwinds

Nick Zunkowski is a Saxophonist and Guitarist who earned his undergraduate degree in Commercial Music from Snow College. At Snow College, Nick studied with renowned saxophonists such as Patrick Cornelius and Chase Baird, since then Nick has been an active performer in the Utah music scene.
ZAKKARY HALE
Rock Program • Guitar, Vocal, Drums, Production

Zakkary has served as Rock Music Director for music schools in Salt Lake City and Seattle for the last 12 years. Zakkary is the founding member of the Progressive Alternative band “MELODRAMUS”(3 full length albums) and has composed & recorded music for television (“King’s Of Crash”) and worked with artists such as Matt Winegar, Adrian Gurvitz, Vinnie Colaiuta, Vendetta Red and Derek Sherinian. Zakk's current projects are “Zakkary Hale’s Fire Garden” and “MELO”.
SAM COTTRELL
Guitar, Ukulele, Music Production

Sam Cottrell studied Guitar Performance at Utah State University and then attended the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Science in Tempe, AZ where he received a Masters in Recording. Sam currently performs with the band, Toast - a Bread tribute band as well as the Irish rock band, Swagger. Sam has taught for Blue Fret Music in Kaysville, UT, Discount Music in Bountiful, UT and with Steve and Terence at School of Rock.
JOE CHISHOLM
Trombone

Joe Chisholm received his bachelor's degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Utah in 2003 and holds a master's degree in Jazz Studies. Joe works professionally in the greater Salt Lake area as a performer and educator.
ANDY EVANS
Bass (acoustic and electric)

Andy Evans is a seasoned bassist with years of performing and recording experience. He began his musical journey at a young age, starting with the guitar before transitioning to bass in his teenage years. He has a deep passion for funk, and R&B music, and is known for his energetic bass lines and dynamic feel. Andy has played with several local and national bands and has appeared on numerous albums and recordings. In his free time, he enjoys teaching bass to aspiring musicians and exploring new music genres.
DANTÉ GIACOBASSI
Violin, Viola, Mandolin, Guitar

Dante has a diverse musical background, ranging from classical and bluegrass to funk and jazz. He studied viola performance at the University of Utah, and is now a professional mandolin player and singer/songwriter in the Salt Lake area. Trained also in guitar, violin, trumpet, mandola, bass, tenor banjo, and piano, Dante has been the orchestra teacher at several local elementary schools. As well, Dante is the founder of the bluegrass band The Pickpockets.
SOREN GREEN
Guitar & Piano

Soren is a veteran guitar teacher for rock, folk, blues, and bluegrass music, but specializes in classical guitar. In addition, Soren has been teaching piano for many years. Performing as a featured artist for the Utah Arts Festival, Gallivan Center, and numerous other events and concerts including a regular weekly gig at Salt Lake Country Club. IN addition to weddings, private parties, and corporate gigs, Soren also performs with the local Celtic band, Callanish.
HANNAH-THOMAS HOLLANDS
Cello
Hannah Thomas-Hollands has been a professional cellist since 2007 and has held positions with the Utah Symphony as well as the symphony orchestras of Dallas, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Waco. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Master’s degree from Southern Methodist University. Hannah enjoys a versatile performing and teaching career, featured regularly in solo recitals, chamber music concerts, and masterclasses around the United States."
KIM NOLAN
Vocal & Piano

Kim Nolan received her Masters Degree in Opera Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York after completing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Western Connecticut State University. Kim participated in the Spoleto Arts Symposium's Solo Performances & Masterclasses in Spoleto, Italy in addition to Summer Vocal Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara CA. Kim has taught classes and lessons in rock, pop, blues, jazz, recording studio, jazz ensemble and vocal performance.
CARTER POCHYNOK
Drums & Percussion

Carter has studied and played frum since age 2. Carter has performed for the BMI Snowball as part of Paul Cantelon and Angela McCluskey's band and has taught drums since he was in high school. Carter has coached theater actors in preparation for roles at STARS talent studio in Lehi, UT and as a band and orchestra teacher for the Granite School District's elementary school programs run through Riverton Music.
CHRIS SHEMWELL
Drums, Electronic Music, Production

Chris is a drummer, producer, and visual artist born in Salt Lake. He received his Bachelor's of Music from Berklee School of Music in Electronic Production & Design. Since graduating, he hopes to give back to the music community, produce local artists, and to advance the art of rhythm and music technology.
BOB SMITH
Drums

Bob cannot remember the time in his life that he was not drumming. He has performed, recorded, and taught throughout his entire life. Bob considers himself extremely fortunate to have played with many of the very most talented musicians, and continues to do so to this day. Yet, he still looks at himself as a student of the craft and works hard at keeping at the top of his game. And is happy to share everything he knows with all.
TYLER WEBB
Trumpet

Tyler is a trumpeter, pianist, and composer who found early recognition as a semi-finalist for the National Trumpet Competition at age 14 and went on to be a soloist in the Jazz Band of America, and has performed six Europe, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, and all across the United States, reaching Carnegie Hall at the age of 16. He has performed and recorded with Jeff Coffin, Randy Brecker, Roy “Futureman” Wooten, Felix Pastorius, Wayne Bergeron, Poncho Sanchez, and more. Tyler shares the joy of music through performing and teaching.
DERREK WRIGHT
Guitar

Derrek studied Jazz at the University of Utah and Rock and Blues at San Francisco's Blue Bear School of Music. Since then he has performed nationally and has a recorded catalog including Tony Mason & The Jonz, PurdyMouth & The Salty Frogs as well as his first solo album LionFish "Swimming Upstream" produced by Mark Towner Williams (son of John Williams). He is currently in the studio recording his next release "And so it goes . . ." Derrek has a passion for unlocking the mysteries of the guitar for younger students.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TJ Dunker
Board Co-Chair & Treasurer
Senior Vice President, Financial Planners & Client Services at Edelman Financial Engines.
Greg Judd
Board Co-Chair
CEO of ZIGGLIO, winner of Facebook's Accelerator Program, Microsoft for Startups and recognized among Silicon Slopes "Top 32" Greg is also Co-Founder of SUPERFUZZ, his second technology firm, both based in Utah. Greg is the proud parent of a SLAM student!
Derek Julio
Board Member
Derek Julio is a Salt Lake City-based entertainment attorney. He has a passion for independent music, art, and culture, with years of experience working with musicians, artists, and creative businesses. Derek serves as Chair of the Entertainment Law Section of the Utah State Bar, and President of Utah Lawyers for the Arts.
Derrek Wright
Co-Founder & Board Member
A former MusicGarage.org parent, Derrek works in tech sales and marketing for 20+ years focusing on tech startups growing a successful business. He is also a singer/songwriter/guitarist who is passionate about helping kids experience the joy of accomplishment and reach their potential in life through music.
Kristin Beck
Board Member
Program Manager for Urban Affairs at SLC's Downtown Alliance and serves on the Utah Cultural Alliance’s ‘Now Playing Utah’ Board of Directors.
Greg Winegar
Board Member
Senior Manager of Global IT with Oracle USA, with a focus on the successful delivery of service to Oracle employees, including Major Incident Management, knowledge, process and optimization of support to Oracle employees.
Rachel Ward
Board Member
CEO of Gojira and Artist Manager at Chicago-based Golden Artists Entertainment, Rachel's passion for the music business started in college and took her to work as an intern for local concert promoters and venues.