Encinitas
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Encinitas

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School of Rock Encinitas
165 S El Camino Real Ste C
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 230-5968

Location Specifics

Located in El Camino Commons near Rico's Taco and the 99 Cent Store.

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Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 9 AM - 4 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

School of Rock in Encinitas, CA is proud to serve the Encinitas community—as well as surrounding areas like Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, Olivenhain, La Costa, San Marcos, and greater San Diego North County—with a revolutionary approach to performance-based music education. Encinitas is home to world-famous musicians, like Switchfoot and Tom DeLonge (Blink-182), whose impact on the music industry can not be overstated. We harness this rich musical history by teaching our students to rock out on guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and vocals across every genre of music including rock, funk, pop, R&B, metal, electronic, and much more spanning the '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, and today. Encinitas has a robust arts scene and our students have performed at community-based festivals like the annual Switchfoot Bro-Am. Take the first step on your musical journey to stardom and join School of Rock Encinitas today!

Programs we offer

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

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

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

Rookies music program for children in Encinitas
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock Encinitas, 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 Encinitas, 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.

Little Wing music program for toddlers and preschoolers in Encinitas
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

At School of Rock Encinitas our Little Wing music program for preschoolers and toddlers teaches students foundational music skills by playing games and participating in other interactive musical activities. Little Wing students have one weekly group music lesson in which they use classic rock songs to learn about rhythm, song structure, melody and dynamics through play.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE HAND PERCUSSION & OTHER TOOLS TO LEARN RHYTHM PATTERNS & MUSIC SYNTAX

The Path to Take the Stage

The Little Wing music program is the first step in a young musician's journey. At School of Rock Encinitas, toddlers and preschoolers who show an interest in music should start with Little Wing. As they get older, they will progress into the Rookies program, followed by Rock 101 and the Performance 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 Encinitas, 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 Encinitas is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Encinitas 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 Encinitas, 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.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Encinitas

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Encinitas

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Encinitas 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 Encinitas, 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 Encinitas 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 Encinitas, 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 Encinitas.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Encinitas

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Encinitas 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 Encinitas 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 Encinitas, 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 Encinitas 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 Encinitas, 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 Encinitas

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Music Director, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Adam West
Adam West
Music Director, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Adam West is a self-taught musician who started playing music at the age of 9. He excelled at drums and by the age of 14, Adam started playing local San Diego shows in a band called Keeper. Later on, he joined Monarch, with former School of Rock instructor Matt Smith and current School of Rock instructor Casey Trask, and has filled in on tours around the country for The Great Electric Quest.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher John Argus
John Argus
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
John Argus has been playing guitar, bass, and drums for over 25 years. He has played in multiple bands since high school and currently plays for his church team and works with local rock band Switchfoot!

John's passions are music and teaching, so being a part of School of Rock Encinitas is the dream job! When he’s not teaching here, John works in the medical field as an EMT!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Casey Trask
Casey Trask
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Casey Trask is a guitarist from San Diego, California. Growing up on the most classic of thrash metal and rock n’ roll, Casey has been in bands since he was 14 years old. The first notable band was the local thrash outfit MONARCH, playing local gigs around San Diego and eventually winning the Wacken Metal Battle USA competition which earned them a spot at Wacken Open Air Festival 2019.

Casey also joined the band DEATHRIDERS in 2012 for a short time, featuring Neil Turbin (ex-Anthrax vocalist), and then later joined the power metal band CAGE in 2014, releasing the album ANCIENT EVIL in 2015 and touring multiple times a year in the U.S. and Europe. This would also make way for the forming of THE THREE TREMORS featuring Tim “Ripper” Owens (ex-Judas Priest vocalist) and Harry Conklin (Jag Panzer vocalist) with Casey and the band CAGE as the backing band and songwriters, releasing two full-length original albums and multiple tours in the U.S. and Europe.

In 2023, Casey was asked to join the band TRAUMA (the former band of Cliff Burton from Metallica), embarking on a six-week U..S tour with MARTY FRIEDMAN and QUEENSRYCHE.

Casey has also toured with the Texas neo-classical metal act HELSTAR, as well as TIM “RIPPER” OWENS'S solo band, along with working on new songs with the late STEVE GRIMMETT of Grim Reaper who sadly passed in 2022. Casey is still active in the bands TRAUMA, MONARCH, CAGE, and THE THREE TREMORS, as well as multiple cover/tribute acts around Southern California—LIGHT UP THE SKY (Tribute to VAN HALEN), KISSED ALIVE (Tribute to KISS) and MUERTE (Tribute to Death). He was also a student under MEGADETH guitarist Kiko Loureiro’s mentorship program for six months in 2022.
Show Director, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher Ciera Baker
Ciera Baker
Show Director, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Ciera (they/them) is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who started to learn bass and vocal technique at the age of 15. They became a student at School of Rock Oceanside at the time and went on to be in multiple show seasons on bass and vocals.

Ciera went on to take Music Technology at Mira Costa, as well as play in a few local groups. Their past groups include Creature Culture and The Matriarchs and their current acts include Romantic Theory and crbstmpr (both solo projects). Ciera’s musical influences include pop, pop punk, post-punk, nu-metal, synth wave, web-core, industrial, and riot girl.
General Manager Brian Ulery
Brian Ulery
General Manager
Brian comes to San Diego via Chicago and he has been performing, recording, and touring for over 30 years. From rock, to blues, to country, and pop, he has played and collaborated with a wide variety of incredible talent.

Brian has a long history in professional event management organizing the national Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, Ironman Triathlons, and local Switchfoot Bro-Am. He is also an avid runner, rock climber, surfer, and dreamer.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Eric Mariscal
Eric Mariscal
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Eric is proficient in guitar, bass, and keyboards and specializes in vocals. He has spent many years singing live as part of a choir and in local bands. Being an instructor is a perfect fit for Eric and allows him to continue his passion for music and performance.

Eric has performed at venues such as House of Blues, SOMA San Diego, Whisky A Go Go, Del Mar Fair, Queen Bees, Humble Heart, and Holding Company. He is currently in a band called Home By Five and is always creating or playing music when he can.
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher David Bartel
David Bartel
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
David is a Chicago native and proficient in guitar, keyboard, and bass guitar. He is currently enrolled at Palomar College working on a degree in music composition, performance, and education.

David has performed with several bands at venues such as the House of Blues, Whisky a Go Go, the Troubadour, the Key Club, and Bottom Lounge. He is currently the guitarist for solo artist Olive Zalevsky.
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

School of Rock has the BEST teachers.

My kids have been given not only music lessons but opportunities that challenge them. Not only have their music playing abilities improved but they have grown in self-confidence and learned teamwork.

School of Rock has exceeded our expectations.

My daughter has been enrolled for 3+ years and absolutely loves it. She has been challenged, tried new things and even learned to write songs. She used to be very shy and now she has the confidence to get up on stage.

The immersion learning approach is awesome.

Our son is learning songs and genres always in the context of mounting a show. I believe this approach keeps the students fully engaged and highly motivated. Our son has learned and grown so much since joining.

We've had the best experience!

My son is always happy to go to his lessons and do his home practice. The instructors are kind, competent and friendly. We're looking forward to the next season.

Our daughter is progressing quickly

Excellent instruction and feedback from the teacher. Our daughter is progressing quickly and we are very happy. So is she!

My child's confidence has improved

My child's confidence has improved. Their skill has improved. They really enjoy and look forward to their time at School of Rock with their coach and bandmates.

Plenty of options for students

Plenty of options for students to work with different teachers and classes. Very responsive and friendly staff and flexible with school schedules and student's needs.

My daughter has blossomed since starting School of Rock

My daughter has blossomed since starting School of Rock. She started off with only voice lessons and eventually gained the confidence to begin playing with the band and doing the shows. Great group of instructors and she is making friends with common interests.

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