West Hartford
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

West Hartford

Map
School of Rock West Hartford
20 Isham Rd
2nd Floor
West Hartford, CT 06107
860-973-7625
Hours
  • Monday: 1 PM - 10 PM
  • Tuesday: 1 PM - 10 PM
  • Wednesday: 1 PM - 10 PM
  • Thursday: 1 PM - 10 PM
  • Friday: 3 PM - 8 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 11/23/2023: Closed

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

School of Rock in West Hartford is proud to offer music programs in our community and surrounding areas such as Bloomfield, Simsbury, West Simsbury, Farmington, Avon, Tariffville, and Weatogue, teaching kids how to play instruments and perform with skill and confidence. We teach electric guitar, drums, keyboards, bass guitar, songwriting, and vocals for all levels. At School of Rock, students perform live shows and develop their musical ability in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. Budding musicians perfect their skills with us and then get to perform at one of the many popular live music venues in the area including Arch Street Tavern, The Gastropark, and New Park Brewing.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

Rookies music program for children in West Hartford
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock West Hartford, 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 West Hartford, 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 West Hartford, 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 West Hartford is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock West Hartford 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 West Hartford, 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 West Hartford for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock West Hartford'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 West Hartford 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 West Hartford.

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 West Hartford 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 West Hartford.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock West Hartford

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock West Hartford

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock West Hartford 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 West Hartford, 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 West Hartford 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 West Hartford, 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 West Hartford.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock West Hartford

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock West Hartford 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 West Hartford 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 West Hartford, 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 West Hartford 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 West Hartford, 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 West Hartford

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

General Manager, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher Mackey
Mackey
General Manager, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Mackey is a multi-instrumentalist, teaching vocals, keys, bass, and drums. His experience with music includes a bachelor of art in music from Keene State College as well as years of music education in the form of group and individual instruction.

Mackey has a background in Rock, Classical, Jazz, Funk, and everything in between, with some of his favorite artists being Linkin Park, Muse, and Silversun Pickups. He has a family history of education and strives to bring his own energy to the next generation of musicians.
Owner Scott Rownin
Scott Rownin
Owner
School of Rock East Hartford’s owner, Scott Rownin, is an entrepreneur and inventor of the “SafeRide” mobile app to halt texting while driving, and a drummer of 35 years.

After being asked to accompany his daughter’s band in the fourth grade for a performance of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five,” parents approached him about teaching their elementary school kids as well. “That was the spark,” he said. Right around the same time, Scott ran into an adult while living in Westport, CT, who was a student at a local School of Rock, and “it just dawned on me that this would be a great business.” When Scott got in touch with School of Rock, he learned that the company had been looking for someone to come into the Hartford area for a long time. Scott now lives in Simsbury with his wife Lauren, a local realtor, and their two kids who are both School of Rock students (of course).
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Simone
Simone
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Simone is a musician from Wolcott, CT. Simone started singing and playing piano at the age of 5 and has been jamming ever since! She attended college at Hofstra University where she received her bachelor's degree in Jazz and Commercial Music and then attended the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz where she received her master's degree in Jazz Studies. Simone studied with great musicians including Dave LaLama, Holli Ross, Javon Jackson, and Shawnn Montiero. She has performed at various venues around Connecticut including Cafe Nine and Black Eyed Sally's to name a few.

Simone has taught piano and voice and is excited to continue her teaching endeavors at School of Rock. With her education in jazz, along with her diverse taste in music, she is hoping to inspire many future musicians.
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Justin
Justin
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Justin is a multi-instrumentalist from Hartford, who has been teaching in the Greater Hartford area since 2018 and performing since 2009. He has drummed in bands and opened for acts such as Local H, Consider the Source, and Panic! at the Disco.

Justin studied percussion at the UConn School of Fine Arts and received a bachelor's degree with a Percussion focus in 2018. There he gained experience playing in many large and small ensembles including the UConn Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, and various choirs. Since then, he has been sharing his love of music by teaching throughout central Connecticut.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Antonio
Antonio
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Antonio is a vocalist from New Britain, CT. He has been singing since he was 4 years old in his church and has used his voice to become very successful in his singing career. Anthony has performed on Carnival Cruises, at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos, and many others. His musical influences are The Temptations, Boyz II Men, and Luther Vandross.
Singing Teacher Alisa
Alisa
Singing Teacher
Alisa is a Pop/R&B singer-songwriter from Northeastern Connecticut. She has written and performed her original music, fronted cover bands, and collaborated with artists from all over the world. Her soulful tone is influenced by powerhouse voices like Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey. As a self-taught musician, Alisa brings a unique aspect to her teaching and uses music as an outlet to channel pain, power, and passion.
Singing Teacher Alexandra
Alexandra
Singing Teacher
Alexandra, a singing teacher, graduated from the Hartt School with a bachelor of music in vocal performance. Although Alex studied classical music in college, she began her singing journey around the age of 8, doing musical theater with many community theaters in CT! She also participated in HaZamir, the International Jewish Teen Choir, where she sang at the Metropolitan Opera House in 2017. Alex's favorite musical is Phantom of the Opera, her favorite band is Green Day, and she is also a part-time Disney Princess!
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Saxophone Teacher Diego
Diego
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Saxophone Teacher
Diego grew up in the rural Dominican Republic until the 7th grade. In his youth, he was exposed to American Folk and Rock and Roll by his father and Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata by his mother. In his adolescent years, he was exposed to Metal, Jazz, and Classical music. He studied Composition at Berklee College of Music, including Contemporary Styles and Jazz alongside his traditional compositional studies. While in Boston he wrote for and led an ensemble of about a dozen colleagues called the Mad Pop Tyccoons, with a surreal twist on Fusion.

After living in the Dominican Republic and spending some years studying and cataloging as many genres as possible, Diego returned to the States where he became a certified teacher and completed his Master's in Composition at the University of Hartford. While at Hartt, he wrote a number of pieces for chamber ensembles, electronics/mixed media, and the Composers Ensemble, a group of composers who wrote and played music that was often experimental and improvisational. His Thesis was a concept album lasting around an hour, including over 100 styles of music of original music, all recorded by Diego himself on about a dozen instruments.

Diego currently teaches K-12 General Music, as well as private piano and guitar students. He writes, records, and films himself performing musical experiments on his YouTube channel.
Drum Teacher David
David
Drum Teacher
A diverse performer and devoted educator, David is constantly finding new, creative ways to communicate with his audiences and students. His studies have led to a broad education, personal music style, and performance experiences in symphonic, chamber, jazz, world, and popular music styles.

Currently, David is part of several local CT music projects: Auxiliary Percussion and Keys/Synth for The POSSM (Professors of Sweet Sweet Music), Drumset for Illuminous, and a little bit of everything for the production studio/duo, Street James Street, which he co-owns and operates.

David is also fortunate to be able to help promote and enhance the local music community through his involvement with the Hartbeat Music Festival.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Benjamin
Benjamin
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Benjamin is a guitar and bass teacher from Southwick, Massachusetts. He holds an associate's degree in jazz guitar performance from Holyoke Community College and a Bachelor of Music Performance degree in electric guitar playing from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. He has been teaching guitar and bass since 2018 and is excited to help students of all ages and skill levels navigate their musical journey.

Benjamin has spent considerable time throughout his years as a musician developing playing technique and works hard to instill this in his students from day one on their instrument. He has a diverse world of musical interests, but his favorite genres include hard rock, post-hardcore, heavy metal, jazz, and progressive rock. Some of Benjamin's favorite artists are Thank You Scientist, The Mars Volta, Consider the Source, Led Zeppelin, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and The Fall of Troy.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Elijah
Elijah
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Elijah has had an interest in both music and teaching from a young age. Primarily a guitarist, he also plays bass, drums, and piano, and enjoys experimenting with any instruments that come his way. He enjoys a wide variety of music and his favorite band is Steely Dan.

Elijah plays guitar in the Stanley Street Big Band. He loves connecting with students and finds their passion and excitement to be the most rewarding aspect of teaching.
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Brian
Brian
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Brian is a multi-instrumentalist from Radnor, Pennsylvania. Before joining School of Rock, he spent over eight years teaching band, choir, general music, and marching drumline in public schools across Connecticut. In every lesson or rehearsal, he is committed to helping students understand and be proud of their musical progress. Brian’s favorite songs are by Queen or from the musical Hadestown, but he also enjoys a wide range of music from Stevie Ray Vaughan and Stevie Wonder to Paramore and The Police.

Brian has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Susquehanna University, where he met his wife, a flute player, and music teacher. They later enrolled at the University of Hartford to earn their Master of Music in Music Education degrees. They live together with their preschooler, who rotates between playing flute, drums, and ukulele.
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 structure around how kids learn is amazing.

Taking lessons to learn an instrument is one thing, but learning how to be a part of a band is on another level. These kids are learning how to communicate, respect people and their opinions, and how to be accountable for themselves. It’s more than just music here.

It's the best music program in the city.

Dedicated instructors and staff, vibrant atmosphere, and most importantly, it's fun! My 8-year-old has grown leaps and bounds in skill and personal confidence. If you're thinking about checking it out, don't wait, just do it!

The kids have a great time while learning to play.

Lifelong skills and relationships are born here. The staff shares their passion for music and are very professional and accommodating. Wish I had this type of exposure to music when I was growing up!

The staff makes sure every kid is comfortable.

The staff is phenomenal with kids. They make sure every kid is comfortable and move at their pace. I love listening to my kids talk about what they’ve learned- their love for music has grown tremendously. I drive 45-minutes to go to School of Rock and it’s worth it!

We've had an excellent experience!

We’ve had an excellent experience with this new location of the reputable School of Rock franchise. During COVID, we were pleased with the quality of the online lessons and the follow up from the team. An added bonus is that they will be conveniently situated in Blue Back Square!

Highly encouraged for anyone looking to make their kids feel like a rockstar!

School of Rock has taught my son to appreciate music, and work as part of a larger group in a band setting. Everyone that works there is passionate about music. Highly encouraged for anyone looking to expose their kids to music and make them feel like a rock star.

Strongly recommend!

I recommend you guys to all my friends, and many strangers as well. Keep it up!

Best music school!

It's the best after school money we spend on our kids.

Group practice is super beneficial

Private instruction combined with group rehearsal and performance is a brilliant and unique model. Because students are playing together in a band, they are motivated to practice, so as not to let the band down.

Our experience was positive and helped increase confidence

My child's confidence has increased noticeably in a short period of time. The coaches really get the best out of her. The other students made her feel part of the band right away. A very positive experience all around.

An amazing experience for my 11-year-old son.

School of Rock West Hartford has been an amazing experience for my 11-year-old son. He loves music and playing guitar but is quite shy. The performance aspect really allowed him to showcase his talent, meet other kids and work with his bandmates. He's gained a ton of confidence.