Wakefield
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Wakefield

Now enrolling for Rock 101 (ages 8-11)! First Rehearsal is on Saturday, November 4, 11:00 to 12:30. Contact us at wakefield@schoolofrock.com for more information & to sign up.
Map
School of Rock Wakefield
14 Teal Road
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 598-1960
Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 9 AM - 6:30 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

School of Rock in Wakefield and the surrounding areas in Massachusetts is proud to offer music classes to help teach our community how to play instruments with skill and confidence. We teach everything from drums, guitar, keys, and vocals in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. Students can then go on to perform at one of the many great spots such as Middle East in Cambridge - a staple of the local Boston music scene, and the infamous Hard Rock Cafe Boston. For budding artists, take your skills to the next level at School of Rock Wakefield today.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

Rookies music program for children in Wakefield
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock Wakefield, 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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Wakefield 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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield
Little Wing
Ages 3-5

At School of Rock Wakefield 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 Wakefield, 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.

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

School of Rock Wakefield'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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield.

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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Wakefield

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Wakefield

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Wakefield 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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Wakefield

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Wakefield 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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Phil Martelly
Owner
A graduate of the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston, his passion for music is unmatched by few and is a driving force behind his bringing School of Rock to the Southern Mass/Rhode Island area. He is the definition of the word musician as he plays not one but several instruments: guitar, bass and drums. Phil has played with a lot of the area's hottest bands including Pappy Chulo as the opening act for none other than Incubus.
Shawn Garrity
Owner
Shawn's musical journey began at age eleven when his dad handed him a guitar and taught him a few chords. As he grew, so did his love for music. At fifteen, he joined a band and began writing music and playing original and cover songs at venues throughout New England. He studied jazz and classical music at Western Connecticut State University and earned a B.A. in Music Industry from the University of New Haven. Shawn's original band VulGarrity completed three nationwide tours and shared the stage with Mike Doughty, Days of the New, The Misfits, King’s X, Sponge, The Joy Formidable, Sleeper Agent, Psychostick, The Prodigals, Ra, Robert DeLong, The Heavy, Ra Ra Riot and Electric Six. Shawn's cover band Inside Out can be seen rocking out on stages in and around New England regularly. While Shawn enjoys listening to and playing a wide variety of music, he is most inspired by all things rock.
Silvia Beier
General Manager
Inspired by her children's experience at School of Rock, Silvia Beier took the plunge, started guitar lessons and never looked back. She's happy to make her background in education and administration useful for School of Rock's Rookies Program and at the front desk as the Studio Coordinator at School of Rock Wakefield. Most of all, she's looking forward to meeting students.
Joe Pessia
Music Director
Hailing from Boston, MA, Joe Pessia started playing guitar in his early teens, inspired by The Beatles, AC/DC, Aerosmith and Queen. Playing in bands throughout high school led him to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, from which he graduated with a degree in Professional Music. As a member of the bands Dramagods (with Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme, Rihanna), Tantric (the platinum-selling band with albums produced by Toby Wright of Alice in Chains fame), Hurtsmile (featuring Gary Cherone of Extreme, Joe Perry and formerly of Van Halen) and currently Steelheart, Joe has toured the US, Europe, Asia, India and Australia, and performed on national television programs like "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson." Joe has shared stages with the likes of Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, Mike Mangini of Dream Theater, George Lynch of Dokken, Michael Anthony of Van Halen and Warren DeMartini of Ratt, and has opened for artists such as Alice in Chains, Sammy Hagar, Bret Michaels, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, YES and Judas Priest.

Joe has also collaborated on various albums as a guitarist, bassist, co-writer, co-producer and engineer. His music has been used by ESPN, the NHL and MLB, and is included on the video game "MLB 2K10" as former Tampa Bay Ray's third baseman Evan Longoria's walk up music. He is a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher, General Manager and Music Director at School of Rock Wakefield.
Mike Woods
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Most notably known as the lead guitarist for the band Damone, Mike Woods was also the primary songwriter and co-producer for their critically acclaimed and commercially successful album, "Out Here All Night," as well as the follow-up record, "Roll the Dice." He has shared stages and recording studios with a large variety of successful artists, such as Andrew W.K., Candlebox, The All-American Rejects, and Juliet Simms to name a few. He has had his music featured in movies, television and video games, including The CW, "Stick It," George A. Romero's remake of zombie classic "Day of the Dead," "Madden NFL '07," "Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam" and "Rock Band." He is a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher, songwriting teacher and audio production teacher at School of Rock Wakefield.
Justin Hancock
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Justin Hancock is a Boston-based guitarist, singer-songwriter and teacher. Born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, he played saxophone before making the switch to guitar in his early teens. He was passionate about music at a young age, largely due to his parents raising him on artists such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, The Who and The Doors. Justin was also very influenced by the music that came out in the 90s, and began writing songs and performing in bands around the age of 13. After high school, he majored in Music at Westfield State University before transferring to The Berklee College of Music in Boston. He graduated in 2009 with a degree in Professional Music.

Justin has performed all over the U.S. and other parts of the world, including Egypt and Costa Rica. Since 2010, the majority of his touring, songwriting and recording has been with the award-winning rock band Hayley Jane and the Primates. They have toured the country multiple times, been featured in a number of national publications, and have performed at some of the most well-known venues and high-profile music festivals in the Northeast. They have shared lineups and bills with artists such as Trey Anastasio (Phish), Wilco, Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), My Morning Jacket, Weezer, Gregg Allman, Umphrey's McGee, Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule), Ben Harper, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Blues Traveler, Sharon Jones, Moe, Dweezil Zappa, Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers), Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes), G. Love and Special Sauce, and Stephen Marley.

Justin is a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher at School of Rock Wakefield.
Chris Narainen
Drum Teacher
Christopher Narainen is from Mauritius, a little tropical island in the Indian Ocean. Self-taught since age 11, he played regularly in many rock/metal/fusion/prog rock bands growing up and recorded numerous EPs. He simultaneously managed to go to college for Management and Finance, and as a result ended up transferring from the University of Mauritius to UMass Boston. Chris has played with numerous musical projects in Boston, including Blue Boy Productions, Veneer, Misty Blue Jazz, Rack Em Let's Go, The Thunder Squad, The MadMauritian and Jazz First. Chris has a hands-on approach to teaching and enjoys preparing students for performances. He looks forward to strengthening and building the new era of modern drummers. He is a drum teacher at School of Rock Wakefield.
Michael Alan Scrima
Drum Teacher, Piano Teacher, Vocal Instructor
Getting his start in music through the classical world, Michael Alan Scrima started formal training at the St. Paul Choir School in Harvard Square, Massachusetts. There he was able to perform under the conducting of such greats as John Williams at Symphony Hall, Seiji Ozawa at Tanglewood and Sarah Caldwell at the Boston Opera House. Alongside having many piano recitals at the school, these experiences developed a healthy appreciation of classical music in Mike. Around the same time, Mike also started gravitating towards rock music, forming his first rock band when he was 12 years old. Over the years, he would play with countless musicians at such venues as The Paradise in Boston and CBGB's in New York months before its closing.

In 2007, Mike was offered a teaching position at School of Rock, which employed him for the next six and a half years. There he formed another band called Force Us To Stop, which consisted of his fellow teachers at the school. One of these teachers was Mike Woods, who recently asked Mike to play keyboard for his band Damone and who Mike was a fan of already. Aside from collaborative projects, Mike has also composed for short films such as "Memento Mortis" and "The Unknown," which starred John Fiore from "The Sopranos." He is a drum teacher, piano teacher and vocal instructor at School of Rock Wakefield.
Douglas Appleman
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher, Vocal Instructor
Beginning classical piano lessons when he was five years old, Douglas Appleman developed a passion for music when he began attending camps at School of Rock at age 12. In the years since, he has picked up guitar, bass and drums. He plays locally in and around the greater Boston area and is currently the bassist in a groovy metal band called Poor Judgement. He is also an avid rapper, and plans to release a rap project in the near future. He is a guitar teacher, bass guitar teacher, drum teacher, piano teacher and vocal instructor at School of Rock Wakefield.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher Josh Giaquinto
Josh Giaquinto
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Josh is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and music producer. He started playing music when he was 10 years old and had his first drum lesson. By high school, he decided to pick up bass and eventually guitar when he was 17. Throughout high school, he performed with the marching band, Jazz band, and percussion ensemble. In 2015, he released his first solo album and knew he wanted his life to be surrounded by music as much as possible. He majored in music technology at Franklin Pierce University where he met his current band Milfoil, who has multiple albums on Spotify and plays shows in the New England area.
Guitar Teacher Brian
Brian Spatola
Guitar Teacher
Brian started playing guitar around the age of 16. Before too long he found himself outpacing friends, and even his early guitar teachers. After playing in a few cover bands, he began to write his own music. He branched out from learning classic rock to writing his own music. He soon started a prog/math rock band named Clever Girl. He played several art gallery openings and art installations as an acoustic version of Clever Girl. His current project, spyHunter, mixes the sound and feel of early video games with math and progressive metal.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher Meg Sullivan
Meg Sullivan
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Born and raised in Wakefield, MA, Meg Sullivan is a vocalist with a large background in jazz and musical theater. Recently graduating from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with her undergraduate degree in Music Education, she is currently teaching at School of Rock Wakefield as a vocal, keyboard, and guitar instructor. Since she was born, Meg has always been surrounded by the grooviest music and heavily inspired by artists such as The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Barbara Streisand.

Meg has been involved in theater since 2012, obtaining notable roles like Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Regina in Rock of Ages, Vivienne in Legally Blonde, Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet, and more. She has also directed and filmed several productions during the virtual pandemic year as well as formed her own virtual vocal coaching business with her best friend. She served several years on the executive board of the theatrical production company on campus: 20 Cent Fiction, as Secretary, Vice President, and President and was awarded the highest honor of the company, the Jack of All Trades Award during her presidency for her work.

Meg has performed in numerous ensembles during her college career: chorus, chamber choir, jazz orchestra, a cappella, and steel band. Meg has also enjoyed playing instruments, her favorites being guitar, bass, and steel drums. Performing is Meg’s biggest passion in life and wants others to discover their own enjoyment of it just as much. Don’t dream it, be it!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher John Grenier
John Grenier
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
John Grenier grew up in a small town in Maine where he adopted a love for music at a young age, listening to a wide variety of genres with his parents. After gaining inspiration from his uncle and cousin (both great musicians), John decided to try out music. Starting at age 10, he learned bass guitar and soon after, guitar and keys followed. He has been performing and growing as a musician for over a decade now.

John graduated from Franklin Pierce University with a bachelor's degree in Music Technology and minored in Communications. In college, he performed with the school’s Jazz Ensemble, Contemporary Ensemble, and Pep Band. A year later, he graduated from the Florida Institute of Recording, Sound, and Technology (F.I.R.S.T.) with a degree in Recording Arts and Show Production.

In 2018-19, John performed around the New England area with his band Sincerely Yours. Since then, he has performed and recorded with countless musicians and bands from across New England.

John is a piano, guitar, and bass guitar instructor at School of Rock Wakefield.
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

The energy is fantastic!

I love the infectious enthusiasm, the passion and the mission of School of Rock overall. The Wakefield location is an excellent facility and the staff is awesome, full of great teachers and leaders. It's a truly special space!

Everything about School of Rock is amazing.

The faculty are phenomenal and the quality of the space and the equipment is outstanding.

Friendly staff and expert instructors.

Friendly staff, expert instructors, good atmosphere, and most of all great performances in great venues. They do a great good with the kids.

Taught by professional musicians.

Taught by professional musicians, lessons focus on student skills. Performance band program builds student’s confidence and teaches the responsibility and skills needed to engage in musical collaboration. The Wakefield site has surpassed my child’s expectations in every way!

The instructors are empathetic and encouraging

The focus on fun and positive reinforcement is one of my favorite things about SoR. Learning an instrument is discouraging when you’re not getting it. The instructors work with my child with empathy and encouragement because they’ve been there, too. Awesome place!

School of Rock is our second home.

Expert, caring and fun instruction from working, touring musicians. The space and equipment is top notch. Wakefield SOR is our second home and is run by an exceptional team.

School of Rock provides a musical home away from home for their students.

The staff are professional, top notch musicians that connect with students and truly care about their development. They’ve coordinated safe rehearsals during the pandemic and are a musical home away from home for the students. My son can’t get enough.

Kids feel empowered to keep learning.

Super friendly, knowledgeable, kind, and encouraging instructors! Clean space, collaborative, and kids have a say in what they do and feel empowered to keep learning. Communication is prompt and clear and they made my daughter want to learn TWO instruments instead of one.

Superb leadership with top notch instruction.

Superb leadership. Musical inspiration. Top notch instruction. Community building. Well managed.

Fantastic staff, fantastic music program.

Fantastic staff, every person. Fantastic music program. High engagement of my child.

The teachers are dedicated to the students musical and social growth.

The Wakefield team has built a standout program. Our son is passionate about music and has thrived in the environment they have created. The instructors are working musicians who love to teach; they are dedicated to the students' musical and social growth. It is a second home.

School of Rock allows for the kids' self expression and creativity.

There is so much to offer that allows for the kids' self expression and creativity. I am impressed with all the COVID precautions you took and still provided a quality experience for both camp and weekly lessons.

My daughter's guitar teacher is wonderful

My daughter’s guitar instructor is skilled and works to help her learn to play music she enjoys. Silvia is wonderful, organized, and helpful. Everyone we've interacted with is knowledgeable, kind, helpful, and committed to helping my kid learn guitar and enjoy it.

It has become my son’s home away from home!

The instructors are experienced professional musicians who have a love for teaching. The school has top of line rehearsal rooms and equipment. The program is designed carefully for each skill level. Top notch instructors, environment and program! Can’t recommend it enough.

My daughter is having so much fun!

My daughter is having so much fun! Summer camp introduced her to all that the school can offer, and she jumped in whole heartedly this fall with bass and drum lessons and joined one of the bands. We are all so excited to hear her at her first concert at Hard Rock Cafe this month!

It gave my daughter a new experience - to be a part of a rock band!

It gave my daughter a new experience - to be a part of a rock band! School of Rock was challenging for her but also very encouraging. It was great for her to have the lessons and rehearsals as well as the experience of recording and performing.

School of Rock has opened up many doors for me.

School of Rock has opened up many doors for me: making friends, learning new instruments, and getting into new genres of music and artists! They have given me the opportunity to perform and become more comfortable on stage. It has truly been an all-around fantastic experience.

Great staff communication & music curriculum

The quality of the teachers, the communication between studio manager regarding camps, classes, billing, etc., and the song selection and rehearsal/performance format that keeps it constantly changing and interesting for my child.

School of Rock is an incredibly positive arts program for students of all ages.

School of Rock is an incredibly positive arts program for students of all ages. Students have access to knowledgeable staff and can explore new genres and instruments within a safe environment. All this helps build self-esteem and confidence in our children.

The camps are great

The camps are great because it’s a nice package wrapped up with a bow: lessons, rehearsals, and performances, all completed within a week, so the kids get to see the fruits of their work right away and experience success so they keep interested. Highlight concerts of the summer!