Venice
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Venice

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School of Rock Venice
12300 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 469-7625

Location Specifics

Across from CVS and Time Warp Music.

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Hours
  • Monday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 11 AM - 7 PM
  • Sunday: 11 AM - 3:30 PM

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 11/21/2023: Closed
  • 11/22/2023: Closed
  • 11/23/2023: Closed

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

School of Rock in Venice, California is proud to offer music classes to help teach our community how to play instruments with skill and confidence. We teach everything from keyboard to songwriting but drums and guitar are our most popular. Students can develop skills particularly in grunge, which is a popular genre of our school. At School of Rock, they can perform live shows and develop their musical ability in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. There's a wealth of opportunities for students to take the skills they learned at School of Rock and get their big break in the greater Los Angeles area.

Programs we offer

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

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock Venice'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 Venice 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 Los Angeles are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock Venice 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 Los Angeles
Performance
Ages 8-18

The Performance Program at School of Rock Venice 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 Venice Performance Program students take the stage and play at local Los Angeles 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 Venice'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 Los Angeles music venue.

Rookies music program for children in Los Angeles
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock Venice, our music program for children with no previous musical experience (typically ages 6 to 7-years-old) is called Rookies. Rookies students have one weekly group music lesson where they learn fundamentals like chords, rhythm and song structure. Kids get to learn and experiment with multiple instruments so they can later decide which one they ultimately want to continue pursuing in Rock 101.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE OF SIMPLIFIED ROCK INSTRUMENTS TO TEACH KIDS TO PLAY MUSIC

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire students to learn and develop a strong musical proficiency. At School of Rock Venice, younger students who are not ready for a more comprehensive program like Rock 101 can start in Rookies. Additionally, students who have completed the Little Wing program will progress into the Rookies music program. No prior musical experience is needed for Rookies. Once your child is ready for private music lessons (typically older than first or second graders), they will graduate into our Rock 101 program.

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 Venice, 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 Los Angeles is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Venice 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 Venice, 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.

Little Wing music program for toddlers and preschoolers in Los Angeles
Little Wing
Ages 3-5

At School of Rock Venice our Little Wing music program for preschoolers and toddlers teaches students foundational music skills by playing games and participating in other interactive musical activities. Little Wing students have one weekly group music lesson in which they use classic rock songs to learn about rhythm, song structure, melody and dynamics through play.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE HAND PERCUSSION & OTHER TOOLS TO LEARN RHYTHM PATTERNS & MUSIC SYNTAX

The Path to Take the Stage

The Little Wing music program is the first step in a young musician's journey. At School of Rock Venice, toddlers and preschoolers who show an interest in music should start with Little Wing. As they get older, they will progress into the Rookies program, followed by Rock 101 and the Performance Program.

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

The School of Rock Venice 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 Venice's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at CA 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 Los Angeles and the rest of CA. 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 Venice

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Los Angeles

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock Venice, 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 Venice is an experienced musician, and they emphasize foundational music theory and technique when teaching guitar lessons to kids. Unlike other Los Angeles 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 Venice'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 Venice, we teach beginner guitar lessons for adults in our Adult Program. This program gets students performing onstage at a local Los Angeles 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 Venice 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 Los Angeles guitar teachers will work with each student to develop a custom learning plan.

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Los Angeles

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Venice 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 Venice we combine private drum lessons for beginners with weekly band rehearsals—it prepares students to perform live. With years of experience teaching drums in Los Angeles, 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 Venice, 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 Los Angeles. Unlike other Los Angeles 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 Venice, our drum lessons are customized for each student and his or her goals. Our Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Venice 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 Venice, 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 Venice 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 Venice, 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 Los Angeles.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Los Angeles

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Venice 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 Los Angeles 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 Venice, 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 Los Angeles 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 Venice, 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 Los Angeles

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Los Angeles. 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 Venice, 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 Los Angeles 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 Venice Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Venice, 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 Los Angeles, 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 Venice’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.

Ryan Schiff
District Manager
Born and raised in Long Island, NY, Ryan began playing guitar at age 13 after seeing the movie "La Bamba" about rock legend Ritchie Valens. He studied with Grammy-nominated guitarist Steve Briody for several years before starting his own projects and soon became an instructor himself. While still in New York, his band Code Anchor independently released several EPs and one full-length album, "Rosada," while touring extensively nationwide from 2005-2009. A co-writer in the band, Ryan also played lead and rhythm guitar while singing lead and backup vocals. Memorable stages include the Vans Warped Tour at Nassau Coliseum and headlining bills at some of New York City's greatest venues like CBGBs and The Knitting Factory. It was during this time that Ryan began teaching at School of Rock in Melville, NY. Hungry to pursue new musical ventures, Ryan departed from Code Anchor and moved to Los Angeles in 2009. Since then, he's been busy writing, producing and performing with his newest project, Lou Pine. As a Sony/ATV artist, Lou Pine’s music has been featured on television shows like “Chicago Fire,” “Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word,” and “Food Paradise." Ryan enjoys playing every genre including jazz, funk, country and folk, but credits the blues and rock n' roll as his main influences.
Adrian Flores
General Manager
Adrian Flores is a scholar of music. A former college radio DJ of WLIU Southampton, Adrian credits music with helping him navigate the twists and turns of life. The son of two middle school teachers, Adrian has lived in and around educational settings since before he could walk, and has the somewhat rare experience of having seen school from both sides of the teacher's desk. The insight this affords him makes him uniquely suited to acting as a liaison between students, teachers and parents. Adrian is a true believer in School of Rock's mission, and it shows.
T. Alex Budrow
Drum Teacher
Alex Budrow started out in the basement with a passion at 11 years old, like many drummers, and has pursued that through today. He began playing professionally by age 17 and has been studying and playing music for 18 years. He attended The New England Institute of Art and McNally Smith College of Music and got a BA in Audio Media Technology and AP Percussion Performance. His experience as an educator began while still attending NEIA, guest lecturing on Drum Set Production and Performance, which led to teaching private lessons. A position as Music Director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester in Boston, MA followed soon after. As a drummer pursuing his calling, Alex has performed countless shows, covering a vast spectrum of musical styles. His recording credits boast the same variety. Some of these recordings have even cracked local radio markets. These accomplishments only strengthen his commitment to the daily discipline of a professional musician. Alex believes the experience of music is for everyone. His approach to teaching is a balanced mix of inspiration and diligence designed to take the student where they want to go in their pursuit of a musical life.
Drama Wyatt
Drum Teacher
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California in a musical family, Drama has been around music her entire life and started playing guitar at the age of eight. However, it was when she was 14 years old and started playing the drums that she found her true passion for being a musician. She started taking lessons and enrolled at School of Rock West LA, and has been playing ever since. School of Rock has given her many amazing opportunities, such as learning how to play and interact with other musicians, as well as the chance to play legendary venues including The Whiskey a Go Go and The Troubadour with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jackson Browne. Now at the age of 18, she currently attends Musicians Institute in Hollywood, has played in several bands, currently plays drums for various singer-songwriters around town and writes her own material. Drama appreciates an array of genres, but prefers to play hard rock and alternative rock. Some of her favorite bands include The Foo Fighters, The Strokes, Royal Blood and Marmozets. She continues to strive to be a better musician everyday, and works very hard towards her goal of becoming a nationwide touring musician.
Scott Warren
Piano Teacher
Scott Warren was the latest keyboardist for heavy metal band Dio and Heaven & Hell. Scott is a self-taught keyboardist and began playing at age six. Later he trained professionally at Dick Grove School of Music. He was a member of the groups Warrant, Keel and Berlin. Today Scott is part of Dio Disciples, which includes surviving members of the final line-up of Dio, along with former Lynch Mob vocalist Oni Logan. He also plays in the band Hellion, alongside fellow Dio Disciples member Simon Wright. His most notable work with the band would have to include his keyboard solo on the recent "Killing the Dragon" album on a track titled "Before the Fall."
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher, Music Director Jake Furgason
Jake Furgason
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher, Music Director
Jake Furgason began his music career at age 10 after picking up a guitar to play in a local band with some friends. He is originally from Littleton, CO, where he was one of the first students at School of Rock Denver. He is also a former School of Rock AllStar. His experiences as an AllStar and a member of the Denver House Band have given Jake many incredible musical opportunities, including playing with the likes of Josh Kilnghoffer, Vinnie and Carmine Apiece, and Andy "ROK" Guerrero in venues all over the country, including the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater. In 2012 he was accepted into the Berklee College of Music in Boston and studied there for four years, earning a degree in Music Production and Engineering as well as a minor in Acoustics and Audio Electronics. After leaving Boston he came to Los Angeles to further broaden his musical horizons. An avid tinkerer, he is often modifying his guitars or creating guitar pedals and microphones for his own personal use.
Justine Markman
Piano Teacher, Vocal Instructor
Justine Markman is a School of Rock transplant. She was originally a voice/guitar/keys student at School of Rock Chatham in New Jersey and was a member of their House Band for three years. She then taught lessons, rehearsals and Little Wing there and at School of Rock Clark. She is a former voice principal and Songwriting major at Berklee College of Music. Justine is a nationally touring solo artist, who did two full runs on the Vans Warped Tour. Currently she is a touring and recording solo artist and touring keyboardist for punk band Crooked Teeth. She is a vocal instructor and piano teacher at School of Rock Venice.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher Amin Mortada
Amin Mortada
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher
Amin Mortada is a professional guitarist, bassist, and vocalist. He has performed at notable music festivals such as The Governor's Ball and Warped Tour. He has played alongside world class musicians including Victor Wooten and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music where he also studied songwriting and music business. He has several years of teaching experience in addition to his position as Music Director at School of Rock, Watertown. He is a lover of all music and has taught everything from Metal to Jazz to Pop.
Drum Teacher Jacob Somerscales
Jacob Somerscales
Drum Teacher
Jacob Somerscales is a drummer, DJ, producer, and ethnomusicologist. Growing up in a city as rich in musical history as St. Louis, Jacob saw no other option than to engulf himself in rhythms and embark on his own musical journey. Jacob’s learning focused greatly on practical diversity of knowledge - recognizing the value of studying all musical styles that come his way - a skill which has taken his music to clubs, studios, and large-scale music festivals across the country. Apart from teaching private students of all ages and abilities, he regularly guest lectures at public and private universities on music culture and history, and he recently served for three years as Musical Director for the University of Missouri’s diversity orientation initiative, Talking Drum.

In all of his musical endeavors, Jacob seeks to express powerful, dynamic stories and share those feelings with his peers, audiences, and students. His approach to life always bears the reverence and wisdom of a jazz drummer and the flair and presence of a crate-digging DJ.
Studio Coordinator Sadie Diamond-Way
Sadie Diamond-Way
Studio Coordinator
Sadie was born and raised in Los Angeles. A musician herself, Sadie enjoys composing music of her own. She has a wide range in taste from classic rock to modern hits. She’s eager to meet all the amazing and talented musicians at School of Rock West LA as a studio coordinator!
Singing Teacher Candice Ferguson
Candice Ferguson
Singing Teacher
Candice was raised in Houston, TX and started her music journey at a young age as a member of a gospel group. After the gospel group disbanded, she continued her musical pursuit as an R&B solo artist and moved to Atlanta, GA where she continued writing and recording music while having the opportunity to work with Grammy-nominated writers and producers. During her time in Atlanta, she performed the National Anthem at the NASCAR Nationwide Series, around the city, and in neighboring states. She vocal trained for several years at Jan Smith Studios, one of the top vocal studios that trained successful artists such as Justin Bieber, Usher, Drake, and more. Now living in LA, she continues pursuing her passion for music and has performed the National Anthem for various professional sports organizations such as the NBA, NHL, and the WNBA. She is currently a vocal/performance coach, and works in A&R and Artist Development at EDGEOUT Records/Universal Music Group.
Lesky Monis Piano Teacher
Lesky Monis
Piano Teacher
Lesky Monis was born in the Dominican Republic. At age 8 he had already started taking private piano lessons by a member of the National Conservatory. During high school years he continued with private lessons in the US, auditioning and winning some scholarships and performing local recitals. He was invited to local events; several times to play at Bynden Woods to perform in their concert series, as well as the opening of the Miller Center for the Arts. At the time he was also involved with local bands in the community as an accompanist. He then enrolled in Penn State School of Music before coming to LA to become a full time musician.
Piano Teacher Michael Campanelli
Michael Campanelli
Piano Teacher
Michael is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer from Portland, OR. He is a proficient vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, drummer and percussionist. His love for music began shortly after starting classical piano lessons at age 7 when he realized he could write and record original songs using his piano skills and Garageband on his brother's laptop. This love led him to learn other instruments, produce original music and play in bands throughout middle and high school - and finally to studying music in college. Currently, he is in his last semester at the University of Southern California studying Popular Music Performance and Music Production under their legendary faculty.

When he’s not studying or practicing, he writes and produces music of many different styles and has released songs, amassing millions of streams. Additionally, he is a professional session musician. Among his session work, he is most proud of his keyboards on Lucky Daye’s song “Used to Be” off the album “Candy Drip.” Michael is extremely excited to share his love and knowledge of creating music with the talented students at the School of Rock!!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Benjamin Hewitt
Benjamin Hewitt
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
An LA native and lover of all sorts of music, Benjamin plays and writes in genres ranging from Prog Metal to Acoustic Country, and everything in between. A former student of School of Rock, Benjamin went on to become an instructor for Youth Guitar Foundation in Pasadena, California, where he taught guitar to underprivileged youth, in addition to founding a school club to raise funds to purchase guitars for the students. Benjamin currently attends UCLA, where he is studying music and history.
Tash Ostapovicz Vocals Teacher
Tash Ostapovicz
Vocals Teacher
Tash is a singer, songwriter, and multi instrumentalist from Boston, MA. She has spent the past few years ghostwriting for a record label here in LA, but before that had been working in the business side of the industry at an artist showcase firm called RAW. She has degrees in Vocal Performance and in Music Business/Management from Berklee College of Music, as well as a dual education degree from MIT, and has traveled to Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa to perform and teach music. Tash toured and recorded with Grammy winning artist Paula Cole, as well as with her own band, and done countless background vocals on stage and in the studio here in LA.
Eli Sokolow Guitar Teacher, Bass Teacher
Eli Sokolow
Guitar Teacher, Bass Teacher
Eli is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. Having begun his musical journey attending a Radiohead concert in the womb (true story), music has been the centerpiece of his life from the start. Since the age of five, he has shared the stage with everyone from childhood friends to Slash. Eli studied music production under producer Daniel Jimenez Afanador, graduating from school early to tour with his band. In the last few years, he’s grown as a music educator and producer/songwriter with work ranging from major label EDM acts to indie rock bands. Eli’s instruction focuses on applying concepts through song and keeping the path of progress directed by the student’s goals and musical passions.
Keyboard Teacher Mike Miller
Mike Miller
Keyboard Teacher
Mike Miller is a soulful jazz keyboardist and producer based in Los Angeles, CA. He aims to create body-chilling atmospheres with analog synths and keyboard-based sounds. Having developed his own unique and creative approaches to music, Mike never fails to lead the listener along exciting and adventurous musical journeys. Each tap from his tips delivers a laser beam of emotion that pierces the listener’s soul in a way that feels right.
Drum Teacher Antonio Fungairino
Antonio Fungairino
Drum Teacher
Antonio Fungairino has been playing drums for over 13 years. A former student of School of Rock, Antonio was an active member of the House Band and a two-year AllStar. Along with participating in the Philadelphia house show scene, he taught drums and ran summer camps at School of Rock over breaks between college semesters. He has played drums on many musical projects over the years, ranging from sludge metal to prog to folk-rock to shoegaze. He graduated with a degree in film from Temple University in 2021 and promptly moved to Los Angeles to pursue filmmaking.

Some of Antonio's favorite artists include King Crimson, Kendrick Lamar, Weezer, Frank Zappa, Prince, Kanye West, Palm, Jeff Rosenstock, Bruce Springsteen, Fun, Duke Deuce, Pharoah Sanders, and Pig Destroyer!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Bobby Danzi
Bobby Danzi
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Originally from Long Island, NY, Bobby had an early obsession with all things music. After picking up the guitar when he was 11 years old, he soon found himself writing and recording his own songs. Bobby went on to attend Berklee College of Music from 2014-2018, where he graduated with a degree in Music Production and Engineering. Since college, he has worked in both Nashville and Los Angeles as a guitarist and recording engineer across a wide variety of genres. With a personal focus on Alternative, Hard Rock, and Progressive Rock, he leads two bands in LA, including his main project, Deer Pilot, in which he is the primary writer and performer.
Singing Teacher True Jackson
True Jackson
Singing Teacher
True Jackson is a former School of Rock Venice student, where she studied vocals and guitar as part of an educational journey that started at age 9. A music and theater camp specialist, she studied in New York at The New School as a Songwriting and Contemporary Music Major, and is currently a solo artist, performing at venues, festivals, and backyard shows with her band as the rhythm guitar and lead vocals. True plans to pursue music as her career and go on to continue working in the music industry.
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Makani Rietveld
Makani Rietveld
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Makani is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter. A former School of Rock student, he began playing in teenage bands around Los Angeles at 14 years old, and soon enough became involved in more professional endeavors. Makani can be seen playing all around LA with different ensembles, as well as writing, recording, and performing his own original music.
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

A great place to explore music.

School of Rock is a great place for kids to enjoy exploring rock and playing music. My nephew loves it!

School of Rock makes practicing fun!

School of Rock has a philosophy of getting their students straight to playing by picking out simple songs to play immediately. This, together with a group of teachers who know how to light the fire of enthusiasm in their students, makes a winning strategy.

Knowledgeable and fun staff!

We recently signed up my son for drum lessons and Rock 101 here and we're loving it! The staff is incredibly knowledgable, helpful and fun! My son can't wait to get going and play in a band soon.