Meet The Team

Alex is a multi instrumentalist and songwriter.  Alex is the owner and operator of U Rock Music Center. He holds a music degree from the University of Maryland with his focus in jazz performance and music technology and has been an instructor at U Rock since 2009. From 2009-2015 Alex was also the music director and special events coordinator for Wash Arts, a local arts education non-profit.  Alex has been a private music teacher for the last 10 years.

"I believe that all children should be treated with love and respect. They must have an accepting environment where they are free to experiment and explore in order to learn in the way that is best for them. For 45 years I have enjoyed sharing my love for music with children and watching them find joy in music, too."

Ellen Perkins is a music teacher and multi-instrumentalist from Allentown, PA. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Duquesne University where she was a vocalist, violinist, clarinetist, and pianist in various ensembles. Ellen has been a music teacher in and around the Pittsburgh area for five years. In addition to teaching, she is an active music director for musical theatre organizations where she specializes in vocal coaching and live or electronic instrumental arrangements.

Scott Spindler, a Pittsburgh native, has been teaching privately for over eight years. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Commercial Music Technology from California University of Pennsylvania. During college, he played in the Jazz Ensemble and also began to write original music. In addition to teaching, he also plays in the acoustic duo Scott and Rosanna. 

Christopher Petricca is a trombonist and music teacher from Washington County, with a degree in Music Education from Duquesne University. At Duquesne, he performed in ensembles including the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band, and Pep Band. Outside of Duquesne, he played as a pit musician for high school musicals and in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, touring Europe with the latter group. Since graduating high school, he has worked as a brass specialist in multiple bands in the Pittsburgh area. Currently, Christopher teaches elementary band in the Propel Schools.

Pat Rush resides in the South Hills and is a graduate of Duquesne University School of Music. He is a long-time veteran of Pittsburgh’s music scene having played drums with some of the region’s most recognizable names which include Metro, Blind Date, Nancy McKeen Bluz Machine, Rock-it, Flight Risk and Gone South. 

Pat has been influenced by everyone that he’s ever played with. He has taught drums & percussion privately for many years and credit’s Pittsburgh's drum legend Tom LaFlame 

as his mentor & inspiration.