January 13, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

School of Rock West LA Turns 14 This November

By Susan Payne

While School of Rock West Los Angeles is celebrating its 14th anniversary this November, the school continues to do what it does best — teach kids how to rock.

School of Rock’s patented method of teaching uses programs that are designed to encourage learning in a supportive environment where students of all skill levels are comfortable and engaged. For kids, teens and adults, School of Rock takes music school concept to the next level.

Currently, students in Performance, School of Rock’s hallmark program for ages 8 to 18, are preparing to play a show at the Viper Room in January, a tier of the program that culminates School of Rock’s long-standing method of teaching: performance-based music education.

For students as young as preschool aged, Little Wing teaches foundational music skills through games and interactive musical activities. Rookies, ages 6 and 7, are given one weekly group music lessons learning fundamentals like chords, rhythm and song structure. In Rock 101, for ages 8-13, students have one weekly group rehearsal and a weekly private lesson to learn music concepts and skills behind their performance songs.

Justin Salmons, the general manager of School of Rock LA, has been part of its community for almost as long as the school has been opened, watching students grow as musicians and take lessons learned into the real world.

“During the spring season, when we get on stage and have to say goodbye to our seniors, I feel like a proud parent. We know we’re sending out great citizens of the future into the community, whether they pursue music as a career or a hobby. The lessons learned in School of Rock will carry them for a lifetime,” Salmons said.  “As long as they have the passion and drive, we’ll help take them to the highest levels.”

After January, School of Rockgears up for new students and returning students in the spring, inviting kids of all skill levels, ages and music aspirations to grow into real musicians. Spring classes start in February and ends in late May.

“We’re a growing, passionate community dedicated to enriching lives through performance-based music education, but more so, our school is a safe place for students to be themselves and express their feelings. For new and returning students, its edifying and enriching for them to be surrounded by other learners who love music just as much,” Salmons said.

Other programs at School of Rock include Songwriting for ages 12 and over, offering a weekly private lesson and collaborating with other students in a group to work together on songwriting exercises and lyrical workshops. This program is only periodically offered and is one of School of Rock’s week-long summer camps.

Performanceplaces kids in an ensemble group that study a band or genre over the course of several months, learning and rehearsing songs in preparation for a live end of season performance at a real venue, such as the Whisky-a-Go-Go, Troubadour and Viper Room.Students in Performance can later advance by auditioning for our House Band and then AllStars.

Adult Program invites students over 18 to improve their musical proficiency or pick up an instrument with no prior experience. This program is also performance based, so they learn concepts and apply them in a live setting. Online for all ages, invites students to learn from the comfort of their home. “When students are first starting out, we make it really fun for them. As they learn more, we help shape them into serious musicians. So many of our students stay for years, and that’s a testament to our mission and drive,” Salmons said.

in News
<>Related Posts

Farm Hall: The US Premiere of a Tense Historical Drama

January 12, 2025

January 12, 2025

This January 2025 at the Promenade Playhouse The development of the atomic bomb by J. Robert Oppenheimer and his team...

LAUSD and SMMUSD Schools Resume Operations as Conditions Improve, With Exceptions in Fire-Affected Zones

January 12, 2025

January 12, 2025

Several Campuses in High-Impact Areas Remain Closed; Precautions in Effect at LAUSD Los Angeles Unified will reopen most schools and...

Do Not Drink Tap Water Notice Issued for Pacific Palisades and Other Palisades Mandatory Evacuation Zones

January 12, 2025

January 12, 2025

LADWP Warns of Fire-Related Contaminants in Water; Bottled Water Distribution Underway Residents in Pacific Palisades (ZIP code 90272) and adjacent...

Red Flag Warning Extended as Fire Risk Persists Across Los Angeles County

January 12, 2025

January 12, 2025

Santa Ana Winds and Critical Fire Conditions Expected To Last in Next Week  While the two most destructive fires in...

Newsom Issues Executive Order to Expedite Wildfire Recovery, Announces Tax Relief for L.A. County

January 12, 2025

January 12, 2025

Governor Newsom’s order fast-tracks rebuilding efforts, extends price-gouging protections, and provides tax relief to wildfire victims in Los Angeles County...

Breaking News: The Palisades Fire Mandatory Evacuation Area Expanded in Brentwood

January 10, 2025

January 10, 2025

LA Fire Expands Evacuation Orders in Brentwood, and Evacuation Warnings in West LA As of 7:00 p.m., the previously announced...

First Death Reported in Pali Fire, More than 5,300 Structures Damaged

January 10, 2025

January 10, 2025

Just before news hit of the Malibu death, officials had announced that over 5,300 residences, businesses and other structures have...

Blame and Questions Surround Palisades Fire Response as Caruso Admits Hiring Private Firefighters

January 10, 2025

January 10, 2025

Critics point fingers at Mayor Bass and Local Officials During the First Night of the Inferno By Dolores Quintana There...

Breaking News: 6% Containment Achieved in Palisades Fire; Tragic Death Confirmed, Federal Government to Cover Costs

January 9, 2025

January 9, 2025

Firefighters Battle the Destructive Blaze With Reinforcements From Multiple States On the third day of the Palisades Fire, at last,...

Gladstone’s Restaurant, Parish of St. Matthew Suffer Partial Damage from Pali Fire

January 9, 2025

January 9, 2025

A host of precious landmarks, institutions and establishments have vanished in flames in the last three days as the raging...

Disaster Assistance Available for L.A. County Wildfire Victims Through FEMA

January 9, 2025

January 9, 2025

Apply Online or by Phone; Emergency Shelters Open for Displaced Residents Los Angeles County residents impacted by recent wildfires can...

Santa Monica-Malibu Schools to Remain Closed Friday Due to Fire Impacts

January 9, 2025

January 9, 2025

SMMUSD Announces Support Services and Meals Offered for Families As of 1:55 p.m., the Santa Monica-Malibu School District has announced...

Pedestrian Killed in Marina del Rey Hit-and-Run, $50K Reward Offered For Information

January 9, 2025

January 9, 2025

The Driver Failed to Stop, Render Aid, or Identify Themselves, as Required by Law Detectives from the Los Angeles Police...

Beloved Westside Restaurants Destroyed in Palisades Fire

January 9, 2025

January 9, 2025

Iconic eateries like Moonshadows Lost to Destructive Blaze Sadly, several historic and well-loved restaurants were lost in the Palisades Fire....

Palisades Village Area Unrecognizable As Smoke Clears

January 9, 2025

January 9, 2025

Several Businesses are Skeletal Embers of Themselves By Zach Armstrong Downtown Palisades is unrecognizable with several beloved businesses and structures...