Who We Are

CO-FOUNDER

Laura is a singer-songwriter, session vocalist, guitarist, and entertainer of 25 years. Inspired by Ani DiFranco, she independently released her first recordings in 2001 on Overtime Records. Since then, she has published 6 albums of original music, toured the country as a solo artist, and performed and recorded with Grammy-winning peers. You can learn more about Laura’s original music at www.lauratsaggaris.com and listen to her songs on Spotify and iTunes.

Laura teaches voice, guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and songwriting to students of all ages. Her first instrument was the trombone, which she played in her suburban middle school’s “Monster Band.” Although she enjoyed the experience, her draw to the acoustic guitar was much stronger. Without formal lessons, Laura learned to play through dogged self-study. She wanted more time with the guitar when she felt socially uneasy and sang along to Depeche Mode and The Sundays through her teen years to learn how to harmonize. But it did not feel safe to sing or play guitar in front of others. That would come much later.

Laura's intimate understanding of performance anxiety informs her teaching philosophy. Helping students shed the fear and self-consciousness that can stifle creativity (and get in the way of fun!) is her main goal. This opens the door to finding the type of passion that has made her a student of music for life.

CO-FOUNDER

Steve recalls a defining moment in his life, more than 35 years ago, when he picked up a bass guitar and played it for the first time. He remembers the resonance and clarity of those first few low notes. Soon he was playing for hours a day, copying what he heard in the mixes of bands like Cream, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles. Before long, new heroes emerged in the music of Herbie Hancock, Sly & the Family Stone, and James Brown. Steve knew how to read music from six years of trumpet lessons, but he didn’t know how to read bass clef. So, he taught himself the bass relying on his ear.

Steve joined his first band when he was fifteen. It was a classic rock cover band (of course), and he’s not sure they even had a name, but they took second in his high school’s “Battle of the Bands.” Since then, he has played in dozens of bands, touring and recording up and down the East Coast. A multi-instrumentalist, composer, and recording artist, Steve is a founding member of King Bullfrog, DC’s popular children’s act. He teaches guitar, bass, ukulele, songwriting, and music theory to children and adults.

Recognizing that most of DC’s child musicians rarely get to play music together, Steve and Laura worked to provide that opportunity for them. Rock The Hill was born! The joy he brings to this creative venture is reflected in the joy it brings to him.

INSTRUCTOR

Ian M. Riggs grew up in a musical family and has been performing and teaching music in NYC and the DMV for over two decades. He studied Jazz and Classical music at Oberlin and The New School University and has played electric and upright bass in bands across many genres from Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Bluegrass/Americana to orchestras and Broadway shows. He plays regularly with Ethan Lipton and his Orchestra in NYC and beyond. Other notable performances include major music Festivals with Burning Spear and the Lonesome Trio. He also plays guitar, piano, sings, writes his own songs and compositions, and loves playing tennis.