Ann Arbor
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Ann Arbor

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School of Rock Ann Arbor
6101 Jackson Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 686-3333

Location Specifics

On Jackson Road between Baker and Zeeb.

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Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 10 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 3 PM - 8 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 3 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

School of Rock Ann Arbor is proud to serve the Ann Arbor community and surrounding areas with a revolutionary education approach. With lessons from our expert instructors, students can learn to rock out on guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and vocals across genres. By jamming in a band together with friends while learning to read and play music by ear, students gain the confidence to truly be a rock star. Our students perform at community-based events and regularly play at local venues! Join the band and visit School of Rock Ann Arbor today!

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Ann Arbor 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.

Adult music program in Ann Arbor for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Ann Arbor'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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor.

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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Ann Arbor

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Ann Arbor

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Ann Arbor

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Ann Arbor. 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor’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, Vocals Teacher, Ensemble Teacher Alice
Alice Askren
General Manager, Vocals Teacher, Ensemble Teacher
Alice is originally from Coloma, Michigan and has a B.A. in Music from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance at the University of Michigan, with concentrations in Performance Arts Management & Entrepreneurship, and Popular Music. When not at School of Rock Ann Arbor, she is working on an album called Jelly Brain, which will blend elements of metal, rock, and pop.

Alice's greatest influences as a singer include Lady Gaga, Freddie Mercury, MARINA, Boston, Demi Lovato, Breaking Benjamin, and Avenged Sevenfold.

Alice grew up on heavy metal, but nowadays listens primarily to indie pop artists like LØLØ, Jax, Melanie Martinez, MARINA, and AJR. Her Spotify playlist also features metal, classic rock, reggaetón, hip hop, and other genres.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Ensemble Teacher Kedar Desai
Kedar Desai
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Ensemble Teacher
Kedar is originally from India and discovered his passion for Western music during his teenage years, which led him to master the guitar and bass. Now Kedar is also honing his skills on drums and keyboards while expanding his vocal range and delving into the realms of recording and music production.

Although Kedar holds a bachelor's degree in computer science, music remains his truest calling. Kedar's goal is to immerse himself further into the world of music, reducing his screen time in favor of creating and working with music.
Drums Teacher James Balina
James Balina
Drums Teacher
Originally from Allen Park, James began his musical journey at six years old, demonstrating an early aptitude for rhythm and timekeeping. Initially self-taught, he honed his craft before pursuing formal training at the Detroit Institute of Music Education. His proficiency on the drum set spans a wide array of genres, including rock, pop, R&B, jazz fusion, funk, and gospel music, where he regularly performs in a church ensemble setting.

In addition to his versatility, James has been a member of the hard rock and metal band Fatal Conceit since 2020, having shared the stage with bands and artists including Eva Under Fire (Better Noise Music), Nonpoint (361 Degrees Records, Metal Blade), Stryper, Kaleido, Boys of Fall, and Kayla King (Noise Machine). His drumming style is influenced by renowned artists such as Andersen .Paak, Larnell Lewis (Snarky Puppy), Sarah Thawer, and Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta), shaping his dynamic approach across both secular and sacred musical contexts, and in his teaching at School of Rock Ann Arbor.
Jordan Knapp
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jordan is a multi instrumentalist who plays guitar, bass, drums and keys. He has been playing more than 15 years and studied theory at Ventura College. He also has vast experience in recording and music technology, gigging, songwriting and even experience building Larrivee guitars while in California. Jordan loves music and is always trying to improve, his passion is helping others reach their musical goals.
Kelsey Detering
Vocal Teacher, Piano Teacher
Kelsey Detering is a vocalist, pianist and singer/songwriter from Ann Arbor, MI. She has been singing and playing on various stages for her entire life and has a background in choir, operetta, musical theatre, classical piano and, most importantly, rock n' roll. Thus, she sings and plays a variety of musical genres, and firmly believes that the best music comes from a melting pot of influences. Additionally, she also has a passion for music theory and is a self-taught guitarist.
Drums Teacher Drums Teacher
Emilie Felax
Drums Teacher
Emilie is a drummer from Birmingham, MI, currently studying Music Business at Wayne State University (Class of 2025). She has spent the past four years drumming in Wayne State’s jazz program, honing her skills and versatility behind the kit.

Growing up in a musical family, Emilie was inspired to pick up instruments by her older brother. Her drumming draws from a wide range of influences, including John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Zac Farro (Paramore), Dave Grohl (Nirvana), and jazz legend Steve Gadd.

Raised on a blend of pop and country from her mom’s side and grunge, hard rock, and metal from her dad’s side, she’s developed a diverse musical taste. Today, she’s especially drawn to modern emo rock like Paramore, Pierce The Veil, and Deftones. A self-taught guitarist and seasoned drummer with experience in jazz, pop, and rock, Emilie brings passion, precision, and energy to every lesson at School of Rock Ann Arbor.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drums Teacher, Ensemble Teacher Zachary Tabor
Zachary Tabor
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drums Teacher, Ensemble Teacher
Zachary Tabor is a newly transplanted musician from Arkansas. He graduated from Arkansas State with an Associate’s and Henderson State University with a Bachelor's in guitar, specializing in jazz.

In 2023, Zachary launched his performative poetry and folk-punk project Zachary Tea, blending music and spoken word to create a unique live experience. His work has since been published six times, showcasing his voice both on stage and in print.

After settling in Michigan, he joined the Ann Arbor–based pop-punk cover band Darnell Don’t Like Citrus in 2025, bringing his high-energy playing to local stages. Now, alongside performing, Zachary teaches music lessons at School of Rock Ann Arbor and is working toward his certification in music therapy, combining his love for music with a passion for helping others.

Zachary's influences include Jon Foreman, Relient K, Blink-182, Wes Montgomery, Jeff Buckley, Victor Wooten, AJJ, Sparklehorse, Daniel Johnston, The Beatles, andTom Petty.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocals Teacher, Guitar Teacher Victoria Horne
Victoria Horne
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocals Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Victoria has been making music for essentially their whole life. Though not starting formal training until grade school, there was always music and singing around the house. Victoria grew up listening to a wide range of genres including classic rock, big band jazz, musical theatre, disco, Motown, classical, and country. This melting pot of genres has inspired Victoria's continued discovery of new sounds, most recently venturing into genres like post-punk, noise, and ska.

Victoria graduated from Eastern Michigan University in Spring of 2021, earning a degree in music therapy, and spending the first several years of their career working in hospice. While recently making a transition to teaching, that experience has largely informed Victoria's teaching philosophy. Victoria has a passion for cultivating the inner artist in all of us and at School of Rock Ann Arbor, focuses their approach on supporting individual goals and promoting a positive relationship with music making.

Currently, Victoria plays flute, keyboard + piano, and vocals in the local indie-rock band, TOADALLY.
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

It's the place to go for music!

In just one year, my son's guitar skills have improved so much and he now has the confidence to perform in front of an audience. The guitar instructor is amazing and so is the rest of the staff.

The teachers are excellent.

Our son has been in the Rock 101 Program for some time now. He loves it. It’s so amazing to see how he’s progressed. The fact that he’s able to play in his own band with his peers is great.

My son loves School of Rock.

Great place learn to play music. Very nice and helpful staff and owners.

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