Columbus
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Columbus

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Map
School of Rock Columbus
949 W 3rd Ave.
Columbus, OH 43212
614-686-7625
Hours
  • Monday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 9 AM - 2 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

Programs we offer

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

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

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

Rookies music program for children in
Rookies
Ages 6-7

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

School of Rock Columbus'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 Columbus 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 .

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 Columbus 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 .

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Columbus 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 Columbus, 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 Columbus 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 Columbus, 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 .

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Columbus 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 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 Columbus, 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 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 Columbus, 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

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Owner Chad Greenwald
Chad Greenwald
Owner
Chad is so excited to be one of the owners of School of Rock Columbus, a dream that came to fruition after eight years. He plays in every genre of popular music today and has been lucky to share the stage with artists like The Roots, Lalah Hathaway, Keane, Talib Kweli, Othello Mollineaux, Joe Lovano, and Flogging Molly. Chad has also worked with members of Walk the Moon, OAR, Styx, Bad Company, Stevie Wonder, lan Hunter, Allen Stone, Bobaflex, the Exies, American Head Charge, and Bone Thugs 'N' Harmony.

Chad currently performs in an amazing regional cover band, Zack Attack. He also works with the Newark Granville Symphony, Central Ohio Symphony,
and Capriccio Vocal Ensemble. Chad made his Hollywood debut in the Fall of 2015 when he appeared in the film, Miles Ahead, starring Don Cheadle and Ewan MacGregor, with a soundtrack scored by Herbie Hancock and Robert Glasper. He also has three degrees from The Ohio State University, including Music Education, Jazz Studies, and Classical Performance (he also has a minor in Art History).

Chad is overwhelmed with gratitude for the amazing instructors and students of School of Rock Columbus.
Owner Russell Miller
Russell Miller
Owner
When drums called his name at age 10, Russell never thought he'd end up owning a music school with his best friend and long-time bass player, Chad Greenwald. School of Rock Columbus is many things to Russell: a place for learning, a place to grow confidence, a place for healing, a place for friendship, and a place for fun!

Russell is currently in the band Zack Attack and tours the Midwest each weekend. He has thousands of gigs under his belt and, somehow, his wife of 20 years still loves him. Russell has two children and a big dog. He has shared the stage with Warrant, Kings X, played with rapper Tone Loc many years ago, and represented Ohio in the 2006 Guitar Center Drum Off.

Russell believes that music has value, creates purpose, and grows us. He wants to fill the world with music and good—this is why we are here.
General Manager Stuart McGachan
Stuart McGachan
General Manager
Originally from Scotland, Stuart is an accomplished guitarist, bassist, drummer, singer, and piano player. He holds a bachelor's degree in Sound Engineering from Abertay University. Stuart has played in many bands throughout the years, performing various styles of music, and taking on diverse roles within each band. He has toured internationally with We Were Promised Jetpacks, an indie/rock band from Edinburgh, Scotland. During his three years with the band, Stuart was an integral part of the writing and recording of their music and obtained valuable knowledge within the music industry.

Stuart has performed in front of thousands of people across Europe and North America, playing well-loved venues such as The 9:30 Club DC, Webster Hall NYC, The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, and Shepherds Bush, London. He has also toured with bands such as Death Cab for Cutie, Frightened Rabbit, and The Twilight Sad.

Stuart is honored to be General Manager of School of Rock Columbus and loves seeing so many kids and adults flourish in their musical journey.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Trebor Kershaw
Trebor Kershaw
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Trebor started taking piano lessons when he was 4 years old and started his path of being self-taught on instruments such as guitar, bass guitar, and drums when he was in middle school. Trebor has been in numerous bands, has performed throughout Ohio, and overall loves to play music and share it with others. Now that he is at School of Rock Columbus, he is excited to share his love for music and teach the ways of rock to all of his students!
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Katy Olson
Katy Olson
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Katy has been singing and rocking and grooving and shaking her whole life! She started her vocal training journey 12 years ago, and she is jazzed to join School of Rock Columbus as the Little Wings/Rookies program director and a Rock 101 vocal coach! Her favorite musical styles are jazz and musical theatre, and her favorite bands are twenty one pilots and ABBA. Even outside of singing, Katy loves to live creatively! She is an aerialist, an avid crafter, and an amateur pet photographer (although her only client is her cat, Olive). She can't wait to jam with you, so stop by and say hi! Just look for the singer with the rockstar hair!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Jack Doran
Jack Doran
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jack grew up in Worthington, Ohio, and did all the music groups he could in high school. When he went to Ohio State, Jack tried other studies, but making music and performing eventually took center stage. Playing in bands taught him much about how to get along with others, and how to negotiate anxiety. Jack performs in four bands: Hello Emerson, Lakehorse, Boomshanka, and Rat Dreams. He also hosts an open mic at a local coffee shop that hosts a variety of songwriters. Jack is excited to be a part of the School of Rock music community and hopes his students learn to use music as a tool to express themselves.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Little Wing Teacher Hailey Noll
Hailey Noll
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Little Wing Teacher
Hailey Noll is a singer born and raised in Hilliard, Ohio! She has been singing and performing for over 12 years and is a graduate of Wright State University, where she got her BFA in Acting and studied voice for her entire college career.

Hailey was a part of all of her school choirs starting from the seventh grade and is a proud alum of the Columbus Children’s Choir! She also works as a stagehand at local concert venues around Columbus, where she gets to learn more about the technical side of putting on a show. You can also catch her as a party princess at Paulette’s Princess Parties.

On the weekends, Hailey works at the oldest non-profit movie theater in Columbus, The Drexel! She loves to spend her free time recording music in her home studio, watching movies, painting, and playing Zelda and Animal Crossing on her Switch! She loves being a part of the School of Rock crew and she can’t wait to help students explore new techniques to expand their musicianship!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Little Wing Teacher Gordon Perkins
Gordon Perkins
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Rookies Teacher, Little Wing Teacher
Gordon is originally from Columbia, South Carolina, and moved to Columbus to work as a full-time performer and to find opportunities in the Columbus music scene. He had his first guitar lesson at 7 years old followed by experience in middle and high school bands, which gave him an early foundation to deeply study music.

With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in theatre, Gordon started his School of Rock career in Charlotte, North Carolina where he first taught guitar, bass, vocals, beginner keys, and Rookies classes. He also became involved in directing bands and teaching at a School of Rock summer camp. Also post-graduation, Gordon joined his first band, WAGS, which started in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

His favorite styles of music are blues, rock, jazz, funk, and bluegrass, although his appreciation and curiosity of all musical genres knows no bounds. Gordon is stoked to have Columbus be the place to revive his role as a School of Rock instructor!
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Joshua Riedy
Joshua Riedy
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Josh Riedy is a percussionist from Centerville, Ohio. He began his marching career at Centerville High School under the direction of Tim Fairbanks. He obtained a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, then a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from Wright State University. Josh marched in the UC Bearcat Bands under the direction of Nick Angelis and marched five seasons as center snare and section leader with Cincinnati Tradition which included their back-to-back DCA class A championships in 2016 and 2017. His highest marching achievement was marching in the snare line of the 2011 Madison Scouts. He currently is a percussion staff member with the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands and has teaching experience with multiple high school programs.

Alongside his love for the marching arts, Josh grew up playing drum set since the fourth grade and was trained in the art of jazz by local Dayton drummer, Jim Leslie. It wasn’t until after his master's degree that he started exploring the art of rock more in-depth. Since 2020, Josh has joined a strong cover band based out of Cincinnati called R2R (Reel 2 Real) and played in a rock/reggae band called the Meager Kings and played with them on the 2023 311 Carribean Cruise boat.

Josh’s newest passion has been street performing with buckets on the streets of the Greater Columbus area!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Walter Engel
Walter Engel
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Walter has been playing guitar for over a decade, and more recently he has been performing live and recording with an indie rock band called Soda Straw. He took private lessons for a few years from three different guitar teachers; this allowed him to learn a variety of styles and techniques on guitar. He was also in his school’s orchestra program for five years. During that time he played viola and composed his own original sheet music, eventually performing it live with a quartet (violin, viola, cello, bass).

Walter's influences on guitar range from classic rock legends to more modern alternative players. His broader musical influences include neo-soul, grunge, jazz, and blues. In middle school, he started recording his own music with both analog and digital technology. He recorded to 1/4” reel-to-reel tape, as well as a 4-track Portastudio cassette recorder. Later in high school Walter taught himself how to record on Ableton Live, and produced dozens of tracks, playing keyboards, and guitars, programming drums, and singing. After high school, he went to a recording school called Groove U where he learned how to work in a studio with an analog console. He also engineered recording sessions for a band at that studio. Walter can’t wait to get playing with you and make some great noise!
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Daniel Hartman
Daniel Hartman
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Daniel hails from the sunny coast of Southern California where he began his musical journey. It was here that he began learning to play the drums and started to rock his way through Los Angeles. During this time, he played in multiple metal bands, punk bands, funk bands and rock bands at bars, parties, and local music shows around the greater Los Angeles area. He took his drum studies very seriously, often playing for up to three hours a day to improve, and even attending summer programs at the Berklee School of Music in Boston Massachusetts.

After Daniel graduated from high school he moved to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he began learning other instruments since his drum kit would not fit in his dorm room. He started by picking up the ukulele, then the bass, and finally the guitar. In his time at CU Boulder, he was the co-founder of the CU Jam Society, a student organization that organized an open jam forum for students in places around campus. He would frequently sit in on sessions on each instrument, but primarily on drums and bass.

After graduating from college with a degree in business administration, Daniel became "Mr. Hartman" as he moved to New Orleans to become a math teacher. In an attempt to surround himself with music, Daniel could be found at local shows around the New Orleans area every day of the week. He began focusing on his guitar playing and attempting to incorporate it into his teaching at his school.

Looking for a change of pace, Daniel moved back to Colorado where he joined an indie rock band as a bassist and began frequently playing shows around the Denver area. He helped compose a full album and learned over three hours of cover songs. He would also sing backup vocals and lead voice in many of the cover songs the band would perform live. Now, he lives in Grandview and is working on producing his own full album. He also is currently recording with another band in the Columbus area and frequently plays shows around the city.

Daniel is a very nice guy so feel free to say hi next time you see him!
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Danny Kerr
Danny Kerr
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Danny grew up in Marysville, attended OSU, and now lives in Columbus. Danny started learning the guitar at age 8 and performed at the Grand Old Opry with his high school show choir and at Nationwide Arena as a part of the choir for Andrea Bocelli.

Currently, Danny performs locally as an acoustic singer-songwriter, but he has played in bands with varying styles such as playing bass for a metal band in high school. He is super excited to work at School of Rock and have the chance to help students grow a love of music!
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Sadie Storts
Sadie Storts
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Sadie is a voice, guitar, and keys instructor at School of Rock Columbus. She is so excited to teach and share the musical knowledge she has learned in her own musical journey. Sadie currently attends the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, majoring in Commercial Music Production. Upon graduating, she hopes to make use of her degree in the music industry as a producer and singer/songwriter.

Sadie has experience working in large and small ensembles as well as performing in a solo environment. She volunteered for many years in numerous programs helping youth. Sadie understands the demands of the music industry including being a multi-instrumental musician and she is committed to the musical growth and journey of students at School of Rock. With her depth of knowledge in theory and the fundamentals of music as well as many years of training, Sadie is capable of teaching these skills and dedicated to helping students find their voice in the world of music.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Grant Gilliland
Grant Gilliland
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Grant first began his musical journey at the age of 11, picking up the bass guitar at the insistence of a fellow guitar-playing friend. He began plucking away at songs on the radio until he got enrolled in his first real lessons with an instructor at a music shop in Dayton, Ohio. Grant eventually bought his own guitar as well and started making his own recordings at home, covering songs he liked as well as making originals.

Grant joined his first band in the eighth grade, playing bass in a local indie rock band. His weekends were soon filled with gigs at coffee shops, house parties, high school "Battle of the Bands" events, and VFW halls with some of the finest indie, hardcore, and punk bands from Dayton as well as touring bands from neighboring states. He played bass in two other bands in the hardcore/metalcore genre before shipping off to art school in 2001.

While earning his BFA in Illustration from The Columbus College of Art & Design, Grant spent a great deal of time going to shows and diving deep into many music genres that inspired him, mainly punk/hardcore/metal. His love of playing and rehearsing was replaced with CD and merch collecting, and very intent listening, especially since he didn't have a computer or a smartphone yet! Music was his primary source of entertainment and escape while working on his many painting, drawing, and design projects. Always returning to the bass and guitar in the summer, he developed several music projects with friends, writing original material and recording demos.

Since graduating, Grant played in three different bands in San Francisco, CA where he lived from 2005 to 2018. One band, in particular, gave him the experience of touring as well as opening for larger metal acts such as Anvil and Sabaton. During this time, Grant further developed his love for classic rock and heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Saxon, and Motorhead. Nowadays, he can be seen playing guitar and doing vocals in the band DENIM COBRA. The band plays their own original songs in the hard rock/heavy metal genre. Since forming in May of 2021, the group has brought their loud Sabbath-like riffs and ZZ Top-like guitar moves to crowds at Spacebar, Dirty Dungarees, Big Room Bar, and 934 Fest.

Grant can also be seen in the halls of School of Rock Columbus, where he brings his enthusiasm for playing and performing to up-and-coming rockers of all ages!
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Baylee Richardson
Baylee Richardson
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Baylee is currently studying Vocal Music Education at Capital University and expects to graduate in 2025. She is from Massillon, Ohio and attended Perry High School.

Baylee has loved music for as long as she can remember and began singing at the age of 3. She was involved in band, choir, and theatre while growing up. She sings in the Chapel Choir, Philomel chamber ensemble, and Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop at Capital University. She also studies privately under Dr. Maryann Kyle and specializes in belting technique.

Baylee loves performing and is an avid fan of musical theatre, pop, and rock! She is excited to make music here at the School of Rock in Columbus, OH.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Aaron Joseph
Aaron Joseph
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Aaron grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He was fascinated by music at an early age and knew he wanted to be a part of it. He started with guitar, then moved on to bass and violin. During this time Aaron realized he had a natural curiosity and talent for stringed instruments. He gravitated to the versatility of sounds and techniques one can build on the fretboard.

Out of high school, Aaron started working and playing guitar for Shadowbox Live from 2016-2022. He now plays in the Brian Clash Band and teaches guitar and bass at the School of Rock in Columbus. Aaron is very excited to help students reach their musical goals and grow as musicians!
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

What I like about the program is that my kids LOVE it!

This is so different from the music lessons that existed when I was a kid. These kids are actually making music and learning to play as a band. The performances are so impressive, and watching the kids gain confidence and express themselves on stage is priceless.

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!

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