2025 was a challenging year to say the least.
Many School of Rock students experienced upheaval due to the Palisades fires in January. While homes were lost, belongings scattered and instruments gone, music remained a constant.
School of Rock general manager Justin Salmons says despite the hard times, the music didn’t stop and that was a testament to the passion students have for music. When they are exposed to performance-based music education, the passion grows.
“We had over 200 students enroll or re-enroll in our Back to School push, which is a huge milestone and achievement given the absolute peril our community had gone through early this year,” Salmons says.
“That’s what we are about, community and collaboration. As long as we can continue giving these kids an awesome, safe environment to make friends, grow their self-confidence and become awesome musicians, we are all winning,” he adds.
LOOKING FORWARD
As the year 2025 comes to an end, School of Rock has released information and registration for winter camps, spring camps and summer camps for the remainder of this year and 2026.
“No previous experience is required for the camps. For all ages, our camps are a fun retreat during school breaks as they learn the fundamentals of music education in an uplifting, positive environment with peers,” Salmons says.
Heading into January, School of Rock West LA and Venice have exciting events scheduled in addition to the full complement of classes. Venice, this spring, will launch its adult program, inviting lifelong learners to try their hand at learning an instrument.
END OF SEASON SHOWS
School of Rock West LA is hosting its Fall/Winter 2025-26 Season Preview Party on Dec. 6 from 7-9 p.m.
The event features live music, an ugly holiday sweater contest and fall treats and free attendance. In addition to live student performances, School of Rock’s house band and staff band will play sets. During this event, end of season performance shows will be announced.
“We have so many end of season shows in January, we had to book two separate venues. We’re also teaming up with our South Bay sister school for another one,” Salmons says.
School of Rock Venice will host its season preview party Dec. 14 from 5-7 p.m.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
This year, both School of Rock West LA and Venice house bands have participated in gigs that uplift the community.
Each year, students who have been involved in performance programs have an opportunity to audition for School of Rock’s house band. Top students from this audition are invited to play extra gigs throughout the year.
Recently, the band played at the Yee Haw Fest, a fundraiser for Pali Elementary, playing Western-themed music such as Dolly Parton. They’ve also done Palisades fire relief shows, which featured the X Ambassadors and Fitz and the Tantrums as headliners.
“That was an amazing event, just a perfect example of how we love to be part of the community, to bring joy and opportunity and share our love of music with our community,” Salmons says.
California Roadhouse will be opening at the Santa Monica Pier and School of Rock house bands are planning to host pop-up events to raise excitement for the new venue.
This fall, School of Rock house bands also played sets during the Run Travis Run 5K, a running event hosted by Travis Barker. School of Rock Venice played in November at the Venice Fest, an arts and musical festival.
GET INVOLVED
School of Rock’s prolific song-first approach programming is available in several locations throughout Los Angeles for all ages as young as 4.
Musical proficiency is built by integrating thrilling stage performance and song-based learning. Music theory, technique, stage presence and confidence abound as students progress into higher levels of the program.
School of Rock’s tiers of programming include Little Wing, for ages 4-5; Rookies, for ages 6-7; Rock 101, for ages 8-13, and Performance for ages 8-18, in addition to AllStars, Songwriting and adult programming. . To learn more about School of Rock or activate your free trial, visit Venice.SchoolofRock.com or WestLA.SchoolofRock.com.
