RYAN UTTERBACK

FOUNDER, OWNER & Drum Instructor

Born in New Hampton, Iowa, Ryan grew up as a trumpet player before discovering his love for rhythm and percussion. At age 18, he began playing professionally in the Midwest. His passion for drumming grew and eventually led him to Los Angeles, CA, where he attended Musician’s Institute. After graduation, Ryan worked as a studio drummer and performed live with multiple acts in the LA area. During this time Ryan also discovered his love of teaching music.

At age 25, Ryan began teaching music lessons full time at multiple lesson facilities. Then at age 28, along with two colleagues, Ryan created Pure Rock Studios located in Whittier, CA. The goal was to give students an opportunity to learn alongside working professionals and perform in a live-band setting. After 3 years and hundreds of students taught, Ryan decided it was time to take what he had learned, and head back to the Midwest.

Ryan is the proud owner of Pure Rock Studios of Rochester, and is fast becoming one of the premier percussion instructors in the area. Ryan brings a unique combination of experience, patience, and passion when it comes to teaching drum lessons. Ryan can also be seen playing around the area with his band County Line Drive.

Jonathan Tauzell

STUDIO MANAGER, Drum & Piano Instructor

Growing up in an extremely musical family, Jonathan has always been heavily invested in music. His love for music grew as he joined concert and marching band in high school. Discovering what the music world could hold and showing the world his music passions. This quickly evolved into playing with various groups while teaching with Pure Rock Studios so you may have seen him perform over the years with Amateur or Cosmic Orphan.

He has now taught professionally for almost 5 years. Playing, teaching, and performing is what drives him. Try to keep up with Jonathan’s energy!

BLAKE BONDE

Bass Instructor

A 2004 graduate of Mayo High School, Blake holds a B.A. in Double Bass Performance from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with an M.M. in Double Bass Performance pending. In addition to his formal classical training on Double Bass, he has also has over 17 years of experience on Electric Bass Guitar. He has been active as a Private Music teacher for over 12 years and has taught courses in Music Theory as a graduate instructor at the University of Minnesota.

Presently, he is active as a performer across a wide variety of musical styles. As an orchestral musician, he performs as a member of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, and the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale. He also is a member of several local bands, covering styles including Acoustic Americana (Root River Jam), Country (County Line Drive), and Blues (Chaser Straight). In addition, he is an avid jazz musician with several years of experience playing locally and in the Twin Cities.

Michael Barnes

Guitar and Bass

Born and raised in San Diego California, Michael started guitar lessons at the age of 15. In 1992, after high school, Michael was invited to join “G-Spot”, a local Ska Punk Band that was made up of former founding members of “Buck O Nine”. “G-Spot” was signed to Immune Records in 1997 and released their first CD that same year. Michael and his band mates have performed with the likes of “Sublime”, “Blink-182”, “The Aquabats”,“Switchfoot”, and “The Wailers”. With the success of the band, this allowed Michael to perform on some of the biggest stages in California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico. “G-Spot has been featured on ESPN X Games, MTV Mexico and radio stations around the world. Recently the band has reformed in California by the name “Beta 7”. Michael has joined the band when in town

Emily Roth

Organ, Piano, & Voice

Emily Roth began playing the piano at age 6. In high school, she began taking organ lessons. Wanting to make music her career, she attended the University of Iowa and received a B.A. in organ performance. During this time in college, she developed her love for singing.

Furthering her studies at the University of Minnesota, she received her M.A. in organ performance in 2023.  She was a featured soloist at several recital series in the Twin Cities including St. Olaf and Louis King of France Catholic Church After working off and on as a piano teacher throughout college, she now wishes to continue teaching keyboard to students full-time. She loves a wide variety of music and hopes to inspire students to find their love for music.

Alex Smith

Vocal Instructor

Alex is a 2016 graduate of Rockford University with his BFA in Musical Theatre.  For two years after graduation he worked in the regional theater scene in the Midwest and Southern states after which he married and moved to Rochester.  He now works mainly in the Twin Cities as a performer and as part of the Barbara Schneider Foundation's Crisis Intervention Training team, working with police, corrections, and medical staff on de-escalating those with mental illnesses.  Although he comes from a mainly classical and theatrical singing background,  he has always had a passion for all types of music and is currently developing an indie rock album, and hopes to contribute to Rochester's local music scene in the coming years.    

Joy Jasik

Vocal Instructor

Joy Jasik has been singing since before she could talk and has always loved music. Throughout her life, she has had experience with worship, rock, classical, pop, and musical theatre. Her favorite genres are pop and musical theatre.

Over the years, Joy has been a part of several choirs through school and in the community and also participated in Minnesota's All-State Treble Choir in the summer of 2019. She has had a lot of performing experience, including with the teen group class here at Pure Rock. She has lead children's worship at Crosswinds Church in Orocono since she was in sixth grade. This year will also be Joy's fifth consecutive year performing on KTTC's Eagle's Cancer Telethon. After auditioning for her school's production of the musical Annie playing the role of Pepper, Joy has fallen in love with musical theatre and has been in a number of productions through her school and the community. Joy is happy to be part of the PRS staff!

Nathan hansen

Guitar Instructor

Growing up in Rochester, Nathan picked up a guitar when he was 15 and was instantly hooked. Soon after he started taking lessons at Pure Rock Studios which helped him develop his love for the instrument, and for playing live. He later decided to further his music education at North Central University at age 21. There, he dove deeper into music theory and other music genres which pushed him out of his comfort zone. 

Nathan has played with multiple bands since the beginning of his journey and currently performs every weekend as the frontman for his country band all over the upper midwest. He also plays electric guitar at his church every Sunday. 

Nathan has a passion for playing live and bringing smiles to people’s faces while doing it. As a guitar teacher he wants to inspire students and teach the necessary skills to achieve their own goals with the guitar

Kerry Klungtvedt

Guitar and Bass Instructor

Kerry Klungtvedt holds degrees in music and music education from Winona State University, with additional studies from Berklee College of Music. He has taught Suzuki classical guitar,  a method for preschool children and their adults, since 1996. Kerry likes to play classical, jazz, and fingerstyle guitar. He is a  volunteer musician at his home church and the local nursing home. He is also a drum circle facilitator.

His lessons emphasize technique, repertoire, reading, and improvisation. 

Jordan Brown

Vocal and Piano Instructor

Jordan studied Vocal Performance at The University of Northwestern-St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Jordan comes to us with extensive performance experience from his undergraduate studies as well as his singing career throughout the Twin Cities.

As a young student, Jordan was thoroughly involved in his school’s music ensembles and theater, and led music at his local church. After moving to the Twin Cities to pursue his degree in Vocal Performance, Jordan has performed with Minnesota Opera and sung in many different church choirs including the Cathedral of St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir, as well as the Two Rivers Chorale.

Jordan comes to us with a passion for pursuing vocal excellence and strives to give each student a well-rounded vocal education. With a focus on classical techniques, Jordan is able to provide students with the strength and tools to use in any area of vocal performance. Whether you love rock, pop, musical theater, or opera, Jordan can help you build your confidence and find your voice.

Lucas Horvath

Piano Instructor

Lucas Horvath began playing piano at the age of five.  His musical taste and influence is nothing short of diverse.  From classical, to rock, to pop, to R&B, even stemming to hip-hop.  His musical sound comes mainly from 70's and 80's rock and pop like Michael Jackson, Parliament-Funkadelic, and the Beatles. 

Lucas’s three main priorities are to: inspire people to learn an instrument, teach people how to play piano, and to support the local music scenes. 

As a student, Lucas was allowed to partake in the annual MMTA (Minnesota Music Teacher's Association) Piano Contest; a contest where piano students from all over the state compete to play in an annual Honors Recital at the University of Minnesota.  Lucas won that contest four times and played in all four Honors Concerts as a pianist. Lucas graduated from Mayo High School in 2013 and went on to pursue in music production and audio engineering at the Institute of Production and Recording in Minneapolis.  He has served a number of clients while at college and has arranged a few songs for his repertoire."

Lucas was a teacher's assistant for a Music Theory course in college and has exceptional music theory knowledge. He has a positive vibe and a hard work ethic.  He believes that hard work, practice, and dedication really do pay off. When you work with Lucas, you are guaranteed to have fun!

Ella Ashlin

Voice, Piano Instructor

From Eden Prairie, MN, Ella graduated from Minnesota Virtual Academy in 2020 and is currently obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education through Grand Canyon University.
Ella has loved music her whole life and has been taking voice lessons for nearly ten years throughout various moves to Rochester, Phoenix, and then finally back to Rochester where she attended Pure Rock Studios. Ella has been very active in musical theater, and choir throughout her life and loves incorporating those genres into beginner and intermediate voice lessons! Ella has also sang with a few bands and loves teaching students interested in singing with the group classes!

Ella started piano lessons in Phoenix, AZ in 2014 and has continued playing since, and she teaches beginner piano lessons and emphasizes learning how to read sheet music. Ella is very excited to be teaching at Pure Rock Studios!

Graham Pernu

Drum Instructor

Graham started playing drums at 5 years old, and fell in love with it and everything music! His dad is a self-taught musician and recording artist, and Graham spent a lot of time learning and playing along with him. Graham has experience recording and performing for years with bands. Graham brings a joy and passion for the drums that is undeniable! Graham is excited to share his knowledge, and help others enjoy their love for music! 

Ellen Thomes

Violin/Piano Instructor

Ellen grew up in Alexandria, MN, and started playing music at a young age. With the support and encouragement from her family, she was active in piano, orchestra, and choir from her elementary school days through her years at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Years of diverse instruction gave her a strong classical background. Her favorite way to engage in music- whether it's learning, teaching, playing on a stage, or sitting around a campfire- is to share it with others.

For the past thirteen years, Ellen has played violin with over twenty different bands of all different genres in the Duluth, Minneapolis, and Rochester areas. She's shared the stage with some phenomenal Minnesota musicians, including Charlie Parr, Reina del Cid, and The Pines.

When approaching an instrument, Ellen believes a strong technical foundation leads to comfort, confidence, and the art of expression and improvisation. Listening and playing by ear is a big part of her process while developing a solid understanding of the theory and structure behind the music. 

Oliver Morlan

Guitar Instructor

Growing as a local to SE Minnesota Oliver has been playing guitar since 2005. Not starting with Pure Rock but eventually starting with the studio back in 2018. Oliver starting to even grow the studio with the first Teen Group Class and Hard rock Classes. He has been able to learn from our original teachers Drew Medin to form into a well rounded teacher now.

He plays a wide variety of styles on the guitar but have most experience with the genres of Rock and Metal. Also, self taught with Bass Guitar and Ukulele. Has even picked up the Euphonium through school and played for the Rochester Community Band for some time.

Since leaving Pure Rock as a student Oliver continued his musical endeavors attending RCTC for courses in Music Creative Technologies and have experience with live and in studio sound. Leading him to collaborate with local acts. Such as the symphonic metal band Legends Ghost in Minneapolis for a short while, and played lead guitar in the Mayo Civic Center's production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Rachel Waldner

Piano Instructor

Rachel was born and raised in South Dakota, where music was always a major part of her life. She started learning to play piano and singing in church at a young age, where she discovered these were her passions in life. She went on to study worship leading at a bible college in North Dakota—transferring to North Central University in Minneapolis to finish her Music Pastor degree where she graduated in 2011. After graduating, she was hired as a worship leader for a church in Rochester. She started her teaching career in 2012 and enjoys teaching students of all ages, especially children. Rachel has a fun-loving teaching style. She enjoys classical-style training with an emphasis on music theory and has a love for Disney and church music.

Renae Burke

Flute and Violin Instructor

Renae moved to Rochester from Orlando, Florida, where they grew up playing both violin and flute. In high school, Renae led the Symphonic Orchestra as violin concertmaster and held first chair as principal flute in the Wind Symphony. 

Renae studied classical violin performance at the University of Florida under the tutelage of Juilliard graduate Dr. Janna Lower, and graduated with dual degrees in Music and Biomedical Engineering. Currently, Renae performs with the Rochester Pops Orchestra and enjoys playing in the pit orchestra for local musical theater productions. 

Renae believes that creating music in any genre has the power to bring people together, connect with others in a universal language, and put something amazing out into the world! They strive to make practice entertaining, engaging, and fun while also developing strong technical skills that will support musical expression and exploration. 

Antonia Young

Violin and Piano

Antonia was born and raised in Minnesota. She is classically trained in both the violin and piano. In high school, she was the concertmaster of her high school’s advanced and chamber orchestra. She graduated from Northwestern University in 2021, where she earned a minor in music cognition and played both baroque and classical ensembles. Antonia is now in clinical research pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

Antonia currently performs in both the MC Chamber Symphony and Rochester Pops Orchestra. As a teacher, Antonia values both musical expression and a strong technical foundation in the violin and piano. Fun fact she has dabbled in learning Viola and has perfect pitch!