Our Crew
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Allison Bockel
Allison Bockel has been a vocal instructor with School of Rock Mokena for over three years.She always loved to sing and began her career with music in high school, participating in choir, ensembles and musicals. Allison auditioned for the IMEA (Illinois Music Educators Association) choir in her junior and senior years where she achieved rankings of 3rd and 1st as a soprano in her district! Allison joined a national choir called Sound of America, which traveled throughout Europe performing in prestigious locations such as Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and Cologne Cathedral in Germany. While attending Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, Allison took the opportunity to join the Bradley Madrigals and Bradley Chorale. In doing so, she was fortunate to have been able to travel to Italy, where she performed at St. Marks Basilica in Venice, as well as performing in Washington, DC at a State Dinner to honor the retiring congressman Bob Michael (a Bradley alumni). After receiving her Bachelors degree in Sociology in 1998 from Illinois State University, Allison worked in the Social Work field before she pursued her calling to music. Allison's passion for music, background in social work and European touring experience provides a unique perspective that she excitedly shares with her students!! She can help your kid rock on!!!
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Eric Sommers Urrea
Eric Somers-Urrea has spent the majority of his life working hard to be the most versatile drummer/ percussionist possible. He recently graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Music Performance and studied classical music under his professors William Moersch and Ricardo Flores. While in attendance at the U of I Eric participated in a wide range of classical ensembles, world music ensembles, and even drumlines and in 2011 he was the recipient if the Edgard Varese Percussion Award for most outstanding undergraduate or graduate percussion student. Eric's true calling, however, is sitting behind the drumset. For most of his life now he has been performing behind the kit at venues large and small. His drumset experience ranges from jazz bands to latin groups to musical pit orchestras to local bands that play anything from indie rock to metal. Eric's newest project, Marina City, is an alternative rock band from Plainfield. Despite only being in existence since February of 2012 they already performed at prestigious venues across Illinois including the Canopy Club, The Metro, and a sold out show at Chicago's House of Blues. Whether it's live or in the studio, classical music or metal, Eric has made absolutely certain that he is prepared for every musical situation that arises.
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Kathy Gentile
Cue the lights, the music, open the curtain! Kathy has been involved in theatre and music since the age of 12. She began her love of performance by participating in stage plays and expanded into musicals and tv commercials. Kathy earned roles in the Sound of Music, No No Nanette, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Kismet, George M, Funny Girl, Where’s Charley, High Button Shoes, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Sorry Wrong Number, Curious Savage, and Carousel. Each show introduced new opportunities and challenges which helped build her skills on stage presence and performance techniques. Kathy had years of private vocal lessons with Dan Moore as well as vocal education at Roosevelt University; as a result she can sing classical, blues, pop ballads and power rock. After completing her degree at Loyola University, Kathy became the lead singer of Cat’s Eye, a Chicago-based cover band, in which she performs with her husband, Joe, who is currently the Music Director at School of Rock Mokena. For Kathy, music is, and always has been, a powerful force that gives meaning to each and every day. With such a dedication and passion, she is grateful to be able to share her experience and talents to teach a new generation of vocal students. -
Nathan VanDyke
From the great begins, music has been a big part in Nathan Van Dyke’s life. As a child Nathan has been following a dream, a very long dream to become the best that he can be, as a songwriter, performer, artist, and most important a musician. Nathan has been playing guitar for 17 years, and hasn’t been slowing down one bit. Nathan started playing guitar early in 1999/2000, but became strongly involved shortly after his father died. Nathan stated, “my father really wanted me to play music, so that’s what I did, and I haven’t stopped since.Since then Nathan has played in 2 bands since 2007, Bleed for the Fallen (2007) was the more successful of the 2. Playing over 1000+ shows, 2 EP’s, a bunch of great memories and most importantly all original music. The band disbanded in late 2014, due to many reasons. “Everything happens for a reason”. Nathan, didn’t stop there, oh no. During the Bleed for the Fallen years, Nathan enrolled in 2010 at Tribeca Flashpoint Academy, where he received his Associates degree in Audio Engineering & Film/ Video Game sound designing. After graduating in 2012, he went on to run sound at many different clubs in the Chicago land area, and recorded many bands at his home studio “Lady Luck Studios” in Grant Park Illinois.Nathan has been working for the School of Rock, as a guitar instructor and now audio engineer as well. Nathan teaches all styles of music ranging from, rock, country, blues, jazz, to a little classical. Some of Nathans inspirations include Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and many more.“ This is what hard work and dedication can lead you to, a dream.” – Nathan Van Dyke. Nathan is a prime example that if you work hard, and don’t let anything get in your way to can reach any level of success in music and most importantly your dreams.