BG StAFF
Scott Rognlien
A native Angelino, Scott grew up performing on stage in orchestras, bands, and plays. When it all shook out he ended up pursuing a life in the theatre. While attending Northwestern University he became fascinated with the avante garde stage work of writers like Brecht and Beckett and the performance techniques of Peter Brooks and Antonin Artaud. In 2004 Scott founded a nonprofit theatre company, The Next Arena (TNA), which focused on restaging absurdist, dark comedies from the mid 20th century as well as developing original works from the company members. He produced, directed, wrote and performed in many TNA productions over the years. He can also be seen as an actor on TV shows such as HBO’s “Band of Brothers” and NBC’s “Community.” In 2008 Scott started working with his family in real estate development and in 2013 they opened BeatGarage in Los Angeles. It was a natural synergy of Scott’s artistic interests and the family’s business goals.
Mike Barsimanto
Playing in school bands, garage bands, studying privately and learning to play Rock, Pop, R&B and Jazz, Michael was in his element and started playing gigs at an early age. As a drummer, Michael has performed and toured in 30 different countries, over 250 different cities with such artists as Freddie Hubbard, Billy Preston, Andre Heller, Peter Wolff, Eddie Jobson, Keith Emerson, Gato Barbieri, Joe Henderson, Ivan Neville, Andy Summers, Duran Duran, Hugh Masakela, Mark Isham, David Liebman, as well as recording on various soundtracks for film with such composers, directors and actors such as John Cassavetes, George Lucas, Barry Mann, Mark Isham, Tamar Hoffs and Johnny Depp to name a few. Leading his own groups (Groove Congress, OneBigDrum, Soul Return) along with many ensembles of different configurations and producing music for several different artists, Michael stays engaged to his craft and his art. Always helping and encouraging students, teaching has always been a steady part of his mission share and improve upon the art of drumming to all those who love it as much as he does.
Matt Emonson
Matt Emonson is an audio engineer, mixer, and music producer based out of Los Angeles, CA. With an upbringing as a record collector and beatmaker, his curiosity in the recording process led him to assisting in studios with rock producer and engineer Warren Huart. That experience set him up to take over as the in-house engineer for Harmony Studios, owned by a Capitol Records A&R and where Adele recorded ‘Someone Like You.’ Suddenly he found himself recording amongst the biggest tastemakers in pop and indie music (Kali Uchis, Tori Kelly, Tom Morello, Blood Orange, Jon Bellion & Badbadnotgood among others). Around 2018, Matt began to focus his musical efforts on the same LA local music scene he grew up in– recording, producing, and mixing records for many independent bands and artists. In addition to freelancing, he recently has found a home in Beat Garage Studio B, helping construct the studio and help out with whatever audio needs arise.
Paul Plunkett
Paul was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was a child actor, playing Butch Cassidy’s son in “Butch and Sundance: The Early Days” and a few other westerns. Since then, he’s worn many hats – Freelance Writer (Variety, Backstage), Web Producer/Editor (StarTrek.com, Lifescript.com), Expendables Manager (Paskal Lighting) but has spent most of his time in the theatre. A founding member of the Sacred Fools Theatre Company, he’s held a variety of offstage roles in its two-plus decades, including six terms as an Artistic Director. As a Playwright he’s had plays produced in LA, New York, Seattle and Albuquerque, won an Ovation Award for co-producing “Gorey Stories” and nabbed a nomination for an LA Weekly Award for Directing Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame,” both at Sacred Fools. He made his way to Beat Garage when he appeared in Scott Rognlien’s stage adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut short stories, collectively called “Vonnegut, USA.” He loves walking the Beat Garage halls and hearing so many different kinds of great music being played.