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Our Faculty - Vienna SOR

Many of our faculty teach more than one instrument and work with students in more than one of our schools. Our listings below cover primary roles within our school.

Pat Sommers
Pat Sommers is the Music Director for SOR Vienna. In this role Pat, a native of New York City, leads all music activities at the Vienna School and is responsible for the quality of our music instruction and performance.

Pat plays and teaches guitar, bass, vocals and drums. His rock credentials include touring with numerous bands (Jagged Steel, Cypress, Sticky) and recording with rock legends Ace Frehley (KISS) and Roger Daltrey (The Who). Pat's work as a Rock-n-Roll "hired gun" under the management of bass legend Carol Kaye (Kayos Management) led to his performing and writing with Frank Carillo (currently touring with John Hammond's band), Ricky Byrd (formerly of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts), Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Al Greenwood (Foreigner) and Ritchie Supa (co-writer of Aerosmith's hit single "Chip Away at The Stone" and the #1 platinum success single "Amazing" from the Get A Grip LP). psommers@schoolofrock.com.

Mike Buccino
Mike has been performing professionally in rock bands for more than 15 years, opening for such groups as the Four Tops, the String Cheese Incident, and Donna Jean from the Grateful Dead. For the past several years, he has worked as an instructor and mentor at numerous rock and roll workshops, and in 2008, he earned a master's degree in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado. While attending UNC, Mike performed with Lab II (big band), the Salsa Combo, and the Symphony Orchestra. He has extensive experience in a wide variety of styles, including rock, jazz, funk, classical, and salsa. Mike has performed with nationally acclaimed musicians Dana Landry (piano) and Jim White (drums), and has accompanied world-renowned trombonist Paul McKee during a Greeley Jazz Festival clinic. He currently performs as a freelance bassist (both electric and upright) throughout the DC metro region.

Robert Caporal
Robert was born in Columbus Ohio and grew up in Dayton, Ohio. Starting on Piano at 5 years old and playing until 12 years old laid the foundation of a life of Rock! After being heavily influenced by his Dad's record collection of Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones, he switched to drums. Five years of drumming contributed to a strong rhythmical sense that would later help his guitar playing. Robert took up guitar at the age of 17 after listening to his sister play guitar to the classic rock hits of the 70's. His sister was his first of many teachers through his life. The love of rock lead guitar came after hearing and learning the classic double stop riffs of T-Bone Walker and Chuck Berry. Now 30 years later, Robert's passion for guitar is stronger than ever. With a love of learning, playing and teaching; a guitar will be by his side until the end. For those about to Rock he salutes you! Robert favors: PRS Guitars, Fender and Marshall Amps, Fulltone effects, GHS Strings and Dunlop Jazz III picks.

Matt Hemerlein
DC based Musician Mat Hemerlein was coerced into taking classical violin at the age of five. His Parents had aspirations of creating a modern day Von Trapp family, so both his siblings were also given violins not long after the umbilical chord was cut, with Matthew gravitating towards the cello and piano. Mat is an amazing multi-instrumentalist who flows easily between guitar, keyboard, vocals all while keeping his cello and violin roots. Mat has performed at such venues as The House of Blues New Orleans, Tipitina's, DC9, Bossa(DC), Iota(Arlington, Va), Maryville College-Knoxville Tennesse(opening for guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel), The Italian Embassy,The White House, Wolftrap Center for The Performing Arts The Walters Art Gallery(with a Trio as well as a Solo Sampling Show).

Dave Magazine
Dave has toured internationally over the last several years, sharing the stage with the major-label artists and working in the studio with the likes of Dan Rappaport and Sal Villanueva (Thursday, Taking Back Sunday - Warner Bros.). He endorses Genesis Drums and Ernie Ball Strings, and runs an artist and production management company founded independently. He has taught drums for several years and loves meeting new students.

Cherie Martin
Cherie, a native of the DC area, has been a notable on the local music scene for over 25 years. As a well-respected singer and band leader, she has built a reputation for delivering unforgettable performances featuring her powerful and distinctly soulful voice. She has experience in multiple genres, but rock is her favorite.

Cherie has been privately coaching professional vocalists for the past 10 years. She greatly enjoys working with the young and talented performers at The School of Rock.



Carl Schmeig
Carl has played in a variety of bands around the DC area and is currently a member of Bob - a rock band based in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Carl is influenced by virtually all genres of music, but he has found his home in Bob's familiar yet refreshingly different approach. Since the formation of the band in 2004, Bob has developed a reputation for producing music that resonates in your head and leaves you wanting more. Combining undeniably moving phonics with a stage show that is unsurpassed, Bob is a band you have to see live to fully experience. Bob will blow you away each and every time they perform. Carl is on the road with the band every weekend and he is delighted to be able to work with rock music's next generation of incredible bass players.

Jack Simchak
Jack Simchak studied music and the guitar at Skidmore College where he earned his bachelor's degree in Music. He is a veteran of many gigs in the upstate New York music scene. As a member of the band Bipolar he won the coveted Northern Lights Battle of the Bands competition which led to opening for national touring acts including LoPro, Shinedown, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace and Puddle of Mudd. Jack is a songwriter and his work has appeared on several CDs released by Bipolar. Jack is currently woodshedding like a madman to prepare for future graduate study.