Our instructors and music mentors are among the finest educators, musicians and performing artists in the region.

Michael Levy, President & CEO

A musician since age 7, Academy Of Rock President & CEO Michael Levy is a classically trained pianist and multi-dimensional performer who began studies at the Robert Mann Performing Arts Centre in New York.  His professional career began early on as a child actor and dancer where he debuted at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in Manhattan.  As a member of an Off-Broadway Theater Company, he toured frequently throughout the Tri-State area entertaining audiences in a selection of musical stage and dance productions.

As a teenager Michael studied piano and percussion and began exploring a variety of musical styles including Jazz, Folk, Rock, and the Blues.  A graduate of Binghamton University, Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Literature & Creative Writing.  He has performed and recorded with multiple projects over the past 25 years, is fluent on keyboards, drums, guitar, bass & vocals and continues to perform live throughout the Tampa Bay area with Herding Cats, a six-piece Rock & Blues Band.

Michael created the Academy Of Rock out of his pure passion to teach children and adults at any level how to be the best they can be as musicians and performers while experiencing the true magic & joy of being part of a band and performing live.  He is dedicated to teaching and showing students how to tap into their own unique abilities discovering themselves as artists, and helping them hone their individual and collective talents & skills along their journey on the path to mastery.

When not instructing students at the Academy Of Rock, Michael can be found motivating and inspiring Pre-School, Elementary, Middle & High School students in their classrooms sharing simple techniques to help them improve their attitude and get excited about being in school, listening, learning, studying, making friends, and feeling special about who they are and who they can become.

Pete Rossi, Director of Education

Originally from New York City, Pete Rossi holds a Masters Degree in Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and has been playing guitar for over 40 years. He has previously taught music for the Hillsborough County School System as a music instructor and has been teaching guitar to children and adults since 1990.

Pete was privileged to watch Jimi Hendrix perform live at Hunter College in New York during the early days of Jimi's career which made a tremendous impact on his playing and performance technique.  Since then, Pete has performed professionally in and around the New York City area as well as throughout the state of Florida.

Pete continues to teach and perform live throughout the Tampa Bay area with his band, Herding Cats, where he met Academy Of Rock founder, Michael Levy.  He has consistently remained highly recommended as a professional instructor by Sam Ash Music Stores since the opening of their Tampa location and is regarded as one of Tampa Bay's premier guitar teachers and music instructors.

"The road to music mastery is a step-by-step process blending daily practice, passion and a committment to excellence!"

Joshua Bryan Paul, Music & Voice Instructor

Developing an interest in music at a very young age, Joshua Bryan Paul is a Music Studies undergraduate at the University of South Florida in Tampa and is currently a member of the USF Collegiate Choir.  He is fluent on acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, piano & keyboards and drums including a wide variety of percussive & multi-cultural instruments, in addition to voice. 

Participating in both Middle School and High School band ensembles and performances throughout his formative years, Josh has explored and studied many different musical styles on various instruments.  He currently performs locally and regionally as a solo artist and is a member in two other projects which he also performs with here in the Tampa Bay area.  

Holding a particular interest in composing music for short films, Josh is also in the process of recording his own compositions and releasing his music on the internet.  He greatly enjoys teaching at the Academy Of Rock and especially enjoys sharing his passion for music and performance with his students.