Charlotte
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Charlotte

Map
School of Rock Charlotte
4724 Sharon Road
Suite J
Charlotte, NC 28210
(704) 525-5857
Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 2 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Saturday: 10:15 AM - 6 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Music programs at School of Rock Charlotte combine one-on-one lessons with group band practices

School of Rock in Charlotte is proud to offer music classes to Charlotte and surrounding areas including Fort Mill, Matthews, Pineville, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, Gastonia, Belmont, Huntersville, and Mt. Holly. Students can learn how to play instruments with skill and confidence - we offer everything from drums, guitar, keyboard, and vocals in a supportive and encouraging environment. Students can develop their skills in popular local genres such as rock 'n' roll, heavy metal, grunge, alternative, rap, R&B, pop, country, punk, and Americana.

Programs we offer

Rock 101 music program in Charlotte for kids and beginners
Rock 101
Ages 8-13

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock Charlotte's top programs for kids and beginners. Students have one weekly group rehearsal where they learn to play classic rock songs that have been simplified for beginner musicians. Additionally, Rock 101 students in Charlotte have a weekly private music lesson with an instructor who helps them learn the concepts and skills behind their performance songs.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

Our music programs for kids in Charlotte are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock Charlotte who have participated in the Rookies program can move to our Rock 101 music program once they’re ready. Additionally, students (typically ages 8 to 13-years-old) can begin Rock 101 without any prior experience. The goal of this rock program is to quickly develop a basic competence on students’ chosen instruments before moving on to our famous Performance Program.

Performance music program for teens in Charlotte
Performance
Ages 8-18

The Performance Program at School of Rock Charlotte is our hallmark music program, where tens of thousands of students enroll each year. It consists of a weekly group rehearsal where kids and teens learn by playing rock music's most iconic songs with a band composed of their peers. Students are assigned songs and parts that are tailored to them based on their age, experience and ability to learn new skills and concepts. Students then work through their parts in weekly private music lessons, refining the skills and concepts that those songs introduce. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare kids and teens for live performances. Every few months, School of Rock Charlotte Performance Program students take the stage and play at local Charlotte music venues in front of a live audience.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

School of Rock Charlotte's music programs for kids and teens are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing. All of our other music education programs focus on readying students for our famous Performance Program. This is where students develop incredible musical skills. Performance Program students have often gone through our Rock 101 program first or have some previous basic music experience. These young musicians will have custom development plans outlined by their instructors with key concepts reinforced during private lessons and group rehearsals, all with the goal of performing live at a Charlotte music venue.

Songwriting
Age 12 and over

Our Songwriting program for kids and teens teaches the fundamentals of songwriting, arrangement and music theory, and helps students compose original works.  At School of Rock Charlotte, songwriting students receive one weekly private lesson where they learn concepts, technique and theory on an instrument of their choice. These principles are then applied in a weekly group lesson where students work together on songwriting exercises and lyrical workshops.  Every few months, Songwriting students take the stage to perform or band together to record their original songs.

What to Expect
  • 1 weekly private lesson
  • 1 weekly group lesson

The Path to Take the Stage

Our Songwriting program for kids and teens in Charlotte is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Charlotte who have completed our Rock 101 program can move to our Songwriting program once they’re ready. Additionally, new students who have prior experience with and basic knowledge of an instrument can also begin Songwriting. The program culminates with a live showcase where students perform their original compositions in bands at a local music venue. Students taking the Songwriting Program online will remotely record their original songs to produce a demo of the class's music.

Remote student playing guitar
Online
All Ages

At School of Rock Charlotte, our students can take online, one-on-one music instruction from the comfort of their homes. We call this program School of Rock Remote. This online music program contains weekly one-on-one instruction conducted by our expert School of Rock instructors in a safe virtual lesson room.
 
Students will receive their training using our proprietary education program, The School of Rock Method™, which couples live video lessons with our proprietary Method App™, SongFirst Approach™ and Method Books™. 

What To Expect
  • ONE WEEKLY 1-ON-1 LESSON
  • LESSONS CONDUCTED USING SECURE VIDEO TECHNOLOGY

THE PATH TO TAKE THE STAGE

All of our music programs for kids, teens, and adults are designed to help students gain amazing musical proficiency. School of Rock’s online music lesson program is no exception. Online guitar lessons, online piano lessons, online drum lessons, online singing lessons and online bass guitar lessons are all offered through the School of Rock Remote online program.

Adult music program in Charlotte for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Charlotte's Adult Program is for students over 18 years old who are looking to either improve their musical proficiency or pick up an instrument with no prior musical experience. As with most School of Rock music programs, the Adult Program uses a performance-based music education approach. This means the curriculum focuses on learning music concepts and applying them in a live performance setting. Our Adult Music Program includes one weekly private music lesson and a weekly group rehearsal. Every student at School of Rock Charlotte is placed in a band of fellow adults and then assigned specific songs as a way of learning key music concepts and skills. Adult students then take the stage to play at a live show in Charlotte.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency along the way. The School of Rock Charlotte Adult Program is open to all experience levels and each student will follow a customized learning plan developed by their instructor. Adult students will work together during rehearsal to prepare for a live performance at a real rock venue in Charlotte.

House Band program for gigging at local venues in Charlotte
House Band
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock Charlotte House Band music program gives students under 18 the opportunity to join a gigging band composed of fellow musicians from their school. These students perform additional live shows throughout the year. All students in the Performance Program have the opportunity to audition for a spot in School of Rock Charlotte's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at NC rock venues throughout the year.

What To Expect
  • A GIGGING MUSICIAN'S EXPERIENCE
  • FREQUENT LIVE PERFORMANCES IN COMMUNITY

The Path to Take the Stage

Performance is the core of School of Rock's educational approach. Therefore, we create additional opportunities for students to perform on stages throughout Charlotte and the rest of NC. The House Band music program allows each school's most talented students the opportunity to join a band and play routinely in front of live audiences. Once a member, students will gain real music experience associated with gigging musicians and will become leaders and mentors inside the School of Rock community.

The AllStars national tour features the best child and teen musicians
AllStars
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock AllStars Tour takes the very best students from around the world and sends them on a nationwide summer tour across the United States. Less than 1% of School of Rock students are selected each year to represent School of Rock as an AllStar. All Performance Program students are eligible to audition for this prestigious program. The intensive audition process starts off with video submissions followed by live auditions. Once selected, AllStar students will have an authentic touring experience including traveling on a tour bus, doing tour publicity and starring in nightly performances at famous venues and festivals during a two-week tour.

What To Expect
  • A MULTI-CITY, COUNTRY-WIDE MUSIC TOUR EXPERIENCE
  • PERFORMING ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST FAMOUS STAGES IN THE WORLD

The Path to Take the Stage

Becoming an AllStar is the highest level of achievement for a School of Rock student. They play on legendary stages large and small, including The Knitting Factory, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Troubadour and Lollapalooza. AllStar students often go on to have accomplished careers in the music industry. Former AllStars have gone on to become touring artists, star in Broadway musicals, get signed to record deals, become finalists on talent competitions like "The Voice" and "American Idol" and have other notable roles in the music industry.

Music Lessons in Charlotte

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Charlotte

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock Charlotte, we offer beginner guitar lessons for kids. Our expert guitar instructors guide your child from start to finish with private instruction and weekly group band rehearsals. Every instructor at School of Rock Charlotte is an experienced musician, and they emphasize foundational music theory and technique when teaching guitar lessons to kids. Unlike other Charlotte guitar lessons and programs, School of Rock is designed to get students performing in a band.

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Adults

It’s never too late to learn to play the guitar. Similar to our kids guitar lessons, School of Rock Charlotte's beginner guitar lessons for adults utilizes a performance-based curriculum. Our experienced instructors teach adult students through popular rock songs, and teach students to play guitar in a way that’s challenging and fun. We believe the best way to learn is by doing, which is why we combine weekly private guitar lessons with group band rehearsals. At School of Rock Charlotte, we teach beginner guitar lessons for adults in our Adult Program. This program gets students performing onstage at a local Charlotte venue.

Key Concepts
  • Technique
  • Solos
  • Chords
  • Theory

Intermediate to Advanced Guitar Lessons

As students gain skills and experience, we move them along to more challenging programs at higher skill levels. Intermediate and advanced students take the skills they learned in beginner guitar lessons, and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. School of Rock Charlotte offers advanced guitar lessons for kids and adults that teach by playing challenging classic rock songs and emphasize playing the guitar in a real music venue. Our Charlotte guitar teachers will work with each student to develop a custom learning plan.

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Charlotte

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Charlotte is the best option for anyone looking to learn the drums. Our beginner drum lessons get kids behind the drum kit and on their way to taking the stage. That’s why at School of Rock Charlotte we combine private drum lessons for beginners with weekly band rehearsals—it prepares students to perform live. With years of experience teaching drums in Charlotte, our drum instructors teach beginner drum students core techniques, including how to groove, play rudiments and more.

Beginner Drum Lessons for Adults

Our drum lessons for adults are designed to accommodate all skill levels. At School of Rock Charlotte, our beginner drum lessons for adults are built for musicians with little to no experience. We teach adults using the same core performance-based education philosophy as our drum lessons for kids—performing with a band accelerates the learning process. Adult students will perform live at a venue in Charlotte. Unlike other Charlotte drum lessons for beginners, School of Rock combines private drum lessons with weekly band rehearsals so students are ready to play in front of real, live audiences.

Key Concepts
  • RUDIMENTS
  • TIME SIGNATURES
  • TECHNIQUE
  • GROOVE

Intermediate to Advanced Drum Lessons

More experienced to advanced drum students need a drum lesson curriculum that builds upon foundational skills and continues to grow musical proficiency. That’s why at School of Rock Charlotte, our drum lessons are customized for each student and his or her goals. Our Charlotte drum instructors integrate more complex techniques and concepts—intermediary grooves, shifts, meters and more—into a student's individual lessons and group band rehearsal, and will also select more difficult songs for his or her live performances.

 

Kid learns to sing at School of Rock Charlotte

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Charlotte offers beginner singing lessons for kids. Our unique, performance-based approach develops students' musical proficiency by preparing them to perform live. At School of Rock Charlotte, our vocal coaches are practicing musicians who integrate key music fundamentals—breathing, posture and more—into a curriculum based on performing with a band. Each week, beginner singing students participate in a private singing lesson and a band rehearsal.

Beginner Singing Lessons for Adults

School of Rock Charlotte teaches adults how to sing in our innovative Adult Program. Students develop vocal skills at a challenging pace designed to help you see results with every singing lesson. Adult vocalists learn how to keep tempo, stay on-key and master advanced vocal techniques for a powerful and healthy voice. Our curriculum teaches students how to sing by using popular rock songs that emphasize key concepts. Each week, Adult Program students have a private singing lesson for beginners and group band rehearsal.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • HARMONY
  • POWER
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Singing Lessons

At School of Rock Charlotte, our singing lessons for kids and adults are designed to help our students reach a high degree of musical proficiency. Intermediate and advanced singers take skills learned from previous singing lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. Our advanced singing lessons teach students to sing by performing popular rock songs that illustrate a specific vocal concept or technique. We pair weekly private singing lessons with weekly band rehearsals with the goal of getting musicians to perform live in Charlotte.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Charlotte

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Charlotte offers beginner bass guitar lessons for kids that blend weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. This performance-based approach results in a high level of musical proficiency because it engages and inspires students. Every School of Rock bass instructor is a practicing musician in Charlotte and teaches bass lessons for kids that get great results. Beginners learn to play bass guitar by using popular rock songs that illustrate key concepts and techniques.

Beginner Bass Lessons for Adults

Adults looking to learn bass guitar can enroll in School of Rock’s Adult Program. No experience is necessary in our beginner bass guitar lessons for adults. At School of Rock Charlotte, our experienced, local bass guitar instructors have the patience and skills to help adult students gain musical proficiency. As with all School of Rock music programs, our bass guitar lessons for adults ciriculum is performance-based, and include both weekly private instruction and weekly band rehearsals.

Key Concepts
  • GROOVE
  • TECHNIQUE
  • THEORY
  • TONE

Intermediate to Advanced Bass Lessons

Our intermediate to advanced bass guitar lessons teach Charlotte students the skills they need to become the backbone of a band. Students take skills from previous bass lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. At School of Rock Charlotte, our bass instructors use popular rock songs as a way of teaching students advanced concepts and techniques. We pair weekly private bass lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Kid learns to play piano at School of Rock Charlotte

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Charlotte. Our curriculum is performance-based, meaning that we prepare students to perform. Our piano lessons for beginners combine weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock Charlotte, our beginner keyboard lessons for kids take key concepts and music fundamentals—finger placement, scales, key differentiation and more—and teach them through popular rock songs. This approach inspires and engages students, which results in attaining a high level of musical proficiency. Our piano teachers have years of experience teaching music in the Charlotte area, and know how to coach and motivate students of any skill level to play the keyboard.

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Adults

The School of Rock Charlotte Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Charlotte area learn to play piano through a combination of weekly private beginner piano lessons and weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock, our piano lessons give adult students the chance to perform in a band at local Charlotte music venues, taking them out of the classroom and onto the stage.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • TONE
  • THEORY
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Keyboard Lessons

At School of Rock Charlotte, our keyboard lessons for kids and adults are designed to help students get results. Intermediate and advanced students take skills learned from beginner keyboard lessons and layer on more advanced piano techniques with concepts. Our local keyboard instructors are all practicing musicians in Charlotte, and use popular rock songs as a way of teaching complex skills. We pair weekly private piano lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Our Experienced Music Teachers

All of School of Rock Charlotte’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.

Music Director John
John
Music Director
John grew up in a musical family, and began playing seriously when he was 13. He’s played with various projects around the region, and currently plays in two bands: drums in the prog-funk-punk trio Hectorina, and guitar, keys and vocals in the experimental psych-pop band Dinner Rabbits. He has also released two solo albums, and performs frequently with other artists live and in-studio. His influences range from psychedelia, folk and punk to soul, glam rock and new wave. John loves fostering an appreciation of all styles of music in his students, and helping them find their creative voice so they can reach their full musical potential. He has been an instructor at SOR since 2014, and became Music Director in 2019.
Studio Coordinator Sydney
Sydney
Studio Coordinator
Sydney grew up in a family of artists in Albany, NY until moving to Charlotte, NC in 2008. Since then she has been performing in plays and in music venues, including with Carolina Voices. She is currently attending University of North Carolina at Charlotte for a degree in English and a minor in journalism but loves working in the live show industry. When she’s not scrolling aimlessly on Pinterest, she is writing her own songs and more than likely, watching a musical. Her favorite artists include Mariana’s Trench, Childish Gambino, and FeFe Dobson.
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher Dennis
Dennis
Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Dennis first started playing drums at age 10, drawn to the instrument by the sounds of classic rock drummers John Bonham, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Nick Mason and the countless studio drummers that sweetened the sound of Steely Dan. A primarily self-taught multi-instrumentalist, with a splash of theory and notation imparted on him from time spent in the percussion sections of wind ensembles during high school, Dennis primarily writes and performs music as an element of his live performance art, which also includes poetry, acting, and comedy.

His passion for music has provided him opportunities to work with other musicians in jam sessions, open mics, bands, and as a live music audio engineer and comedy/music show producer. He tries to write a new song every week, and as a teacher, emphasizes the importance of body mechanics and feel. His mission as a performer is continually clarifying the connection between what motivates an artist to perform and why audiences are fascinated by art.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Taylor
Taylor
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Taylor is a Chicago native with 3 years of experience in School of Rock as a student, 2 of which as a member of our prestigious House Band program, traveling and performing with other School of Rock students. Along with School of Rock, they also have 8 years of experience in choir and 4 years of experience playing keys. Taylor enjoys entertaining, whether it be in Charlotte Fashion Week or Karaoke (twice a week). Their musical influences are mainly female led bands like Paramore and Flyleaf.
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Patrick
Patrick
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Patrick fell in love with performing in the middle school band. Whether it be marching band or rock bands, he has loved every second he's spent playing music. He teaches students that music is the best form of self-expression and connection. Patrick wants to ignite their passion and build their confidence. He has been using his degree in music teaching students bass, keys, drums, directing shows and running summer camps.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Ariel
Ariel
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Ariel has been a professional singer for over a decade and holds a degree in musical theatre and outdoor leadership. She is a passionately excited entertainer and teacher who has been performing since she could talk. In her lessons, she aims to inspire students to grow and express themselves through music that they love. If they join her lessons, she'll help them to unlock their ultimate musical potential. Are you ready to rock?!
Studio Coordinator Zoe
Zoe
Studio Coordinator
Zoe is a lifelong music enthusiast. Some of her favorite bands are Judas Priest, Heart, and Black Sabbath. Zoe rocks the front desk and all show day operations. She has a background in fashion and art, and encourages all of our students to be more authentic versions of themselves.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Vikkie
Vikkie
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Vikkie’s musical journey began as School of Rock student in 2016. Always going the extra mile to assist with camps, Rock 101 classes, and House Band gigs, Vikkie made the transition to teaching an easy next step.

Vikkie directs a rehearsal room with confidence and humility, knowing what it’s like to be in a student’s shoes. Her biggest influences include David Bowie and Björk.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.

Reviews

We loved our first time at School of Rock!

Today was my daughter's first trial class and it was such a pleasure! Everyone welcomed us with a smile. We saw a few children having a practice and my daughter was so excited to get started. I really look forward to bringing her. Michelle P

Adult students love School of Rock too!

Everyone that works there is amazing! As an adult, I love taking lessons and being in the adult band. My only regret is that I didn't have this when I was a kid.

Kids grow here!

School of Rock is the perfect opportunity for kids to grow musically, mentally and socially. It's so much more than just a music school.

Amazing curriculum!

The real life musical experience of the instructors is awesome, and taking the stage has a wonderful effect on the kids!