Our Staff

As Music & Rock School is continually growing, we do accept resumes from qualified, experienced guitar, drum, bass, piano and voice instructors.

John Kozicki

Owner/Operator of Music & Rock School and Guitar Instructor

I am a musician, a songwriter, and a music fan. I love music. My primary instrument is guitar. I also sing pretty well. I used to play the trumpet in marching band, I dabble on the piano, and I absolutely love to freak out on the drums. Music has always been a major part of my life. As a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, I’ve been performing and studying for almost 20 years. I’ve performed, toured and recorded with independent and major label acts, and as a solo performer.

I have been teaching guitar and songwriting since 1997, and have made it my full-time career for the past six years. As I’ve lived in Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, I’ve taught hundreds of students all across the country. Some have found success in the music industry through touring and recording ventures, while others have found a fulfilling hobby in playing and studying music. In all of my students though, I’ve learned that their individual interests and enjoyment are as important to the learning process as the content.

I studied business in college and graduated with a degree in marketing in 1998 from Oakland University in Michigan. I’ve used those skills working for a public relations firm, a non-profit organization, even a skate park, but the office life just didn’t suit me. It makes me much happier to make my living teaching people how to rock out.

Theous Jones

Drum Instructor

Theous Jones comes to Music & Rock School with over five years of teaching experience at high school and college level, as well as private instruction.  His origins are in marching band and drum line, which translates to outstanding technique on the drum set.  He currently teaches Percussion I at Durham Technical College and works with a number of high school drum lines in the Triangle.  Theous continues his own musical education as a jazz studies major at North Carolina Central University.

On the performance side, since 2007 Theous has played drum set for the North Carolina Central Jazz Ensemble.  Performing across the United States, Canada and in the Caribbean, the big band has accompanied jazz greats such as Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo.  Additionally, he is principal percussionist for the Chapel Hill Philharmonic Orchestra.

With such an impressive list of credits, it’s refreshing to see that his down-to-earth personality and love of music are the things that shine through most about Theous.  Students who are interested in jamming along with their favorite songs are equally comfortable in lessons with Theous as are those focused on technique.  Because of that, he fits in perfectly at Music & Rock School.

Johanna Boberg

Voice Instructor

Johanna Boberg has pursued her passion for singing her entire life, and can’t remember a time when music was not a cornerstone of her personality.  Born in Sweden, she grew up singing in church, performing in musicals, and attended a music-only high school.  Johanna soon relocated to Hollywood, California where she was accepted to the Musicians Institute, graduated in 2002 and was honored with the coveted “Most Outstanding Vocal Students” award.  She was later employed as a vocal instructor at Musicians Institute, specializing in vocal technique, sight-singing and live performance.

Johanna’s performance credits are equally vast and impressive.  Her music is featured on a number of television shows, including the 2001 Teen Choice Awards Show and the series Moonlight.  She’s performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and The Ellen Degeneres Show.  In 2007, Johanna toured the US and Canada with Hilary Duff on her “Dignity” tour.

Johanna relocated to Raleigh following the Hilary Duff tour and began focusing on solo material.  She sings locally and travels on a regular basis to perform.  As a professional singer, performer and songwriter, Johanna brings the perfect mix of formal training and real-life experience to Music & Rock School.

Matthew Kesic

Piano & Guitar Instructor

Matthew Kesic comes to Music & Rock School with over 10 years of teaching experience. Hailing from Ohio, Matt attended Youngstown State University where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in classical performance piano. Realizing early that he found greater enjoyment performing than simply studying music, during those years he spent most nights and weekends playing with bands and connecting with other musicians in the Ohio music scene.

Matt is formally trained on piano, but also has extensive experience playing and teaching both guitar (and bass) and saxophone. Teaching students from elementary to college level, a number of Matt’s students have followed their passion and enrolled at top-notch universities to further pursue their musical education. With years of formal training under his belt, Matt still credits playing and having fun as the keys to success, and the driving forces behind his methods.

Matt moved to North Carolina in 2009 after completing his PhD in Molecular Virology at Ohio State, and by day is a Research Scientist at UNC.  As a seasoned instructor with a life-long passion for music, Matt is a perfect mentor to the students at Music & Rock School.

Nate Robertson

Guitar Instructor

Like many guitar instructors, Nate Robertson picked up the guitar and began private lessons at an early age.  Since graduating high school in 2001 though, he’s continued to study music at the college level.  The only exception being the 5 years he spent in the army.  His passion for music, combined with his own desire to continue to learn and grow as a musician, contribute to his vast understanding of the guitar and music as a whole.

From 2001 to 2003 Nate studied jazz guitar at Central Piedmont College in Charlotte, and shortly thereafter began teaching private lessons.  When he joined the army in 2003 he continued to teach lessons while abroad, and later while at Ft. Bragg.  In 2008 Nate moved to Georgia and attended the Atlanta Institute of Music.   He’s studied under guitar greats Jimmy Herring (Allman Brothers), Shane Theriot, and Corey Christiansen, among others.

On the performance side, Nate’s played guitar for a number of rock and blues bands, as well as jazz combos.  Currently he performs in the triangle area with the modern jazz group, the Nate Robertson Trio.

Nate was recently accepted into the Jazz Performance program at North Carolina Central University and is excited to resume his formal studies, and share his knowledge with students at Music & Rock School.

Chris Thompson

Bass and Upright Bass Instructor

Chris Thompson has established himself as one of the top-notch, go-to bass players in the Triangle area since moving to Raleigh in 1990.  He is a staple in the jazz music scene, and as bassist for the Stanley Baird Jazz Group he’s performed in countries all over the world.  To watch Chris perform, and hear him speak, his passion for music is clearly evident.

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Chris began studying music in high school on tuba, trombone and bass guitar.  Continuing his studies through college, he now holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, with graduate-level studies at both James Madison University and George Mason University.  He teaches chorus and strings full-time for Durham public schools, in addition to his vast experience as a working musician and bass instructor.

Chris is a fantastic addition to the roster at Music & Rock School.  He’s an excellent bass player and seasoned musician who also has a proven track record for helping others achieved their musical goals.