Fayetteville NY
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Fayetteville NY
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School of Rock Fayetteville NY
311B Towne Drive
Fayetteville, NY 13066
315-554-9103
Hours
  • Monday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Building Confidence and Community at School of Rock Fayetteville NY

At School of Rock Fayetteville NY, we offer more than just music lessons. We build a community that fosters personal growth. Our performance-based music education combines one-on-one instruction with group rehearsals, helping students develop both musical proficiency and essential life skills.

Our approach is proven to build confidence, teamwork, and resilience. An independent study found that after joining our programs, 96.2% of parents saw a boost in their child’s self-confidence and 95.9% reported improved teamwork skills.* Find out why we're different from other music lessons near you and visit our school today.

*Disclosure: Independent survey administered from 4/26-5/7/2025. Data is self-reported experience of 1,443 parents of School of Rock students under age 18. Informational purposes only.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

At School of Rock Fayetteville NY, 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 Fayetteville NY, 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 Fayetteville
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

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

School of Rock Fayetteville NY'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 Fayetteville NY 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 Fayetteville .

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 Fayetteville NY 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 Fayetteville .

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Fayetteville

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Fayetteville

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Fayetteville NY 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 Fayetteville NY, 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 Fayetteville NY 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 Fayetteville NY, 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 Fayetteville .

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Fayetteville

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Fayetteville NY 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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville NY, 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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville NY, 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 Fayetteville

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Fayetteville . 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 Fayetteville NY, 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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville NY Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville NY, 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 Fayetteville , 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 Fayetteville NY’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, Music Director, Drum Teacher Stephen Port
Stephen Port
Owner, Music Director, Drum Teacher
Stephen Port is the Owner and Music Director of School of Rock Fayetteville NY, which he opened alongside his wife, Karly, in February 2025. The school brings together Stephen’s background in professional performance, music education, and administration, with a shared vision to create an inclusive, high-level music community rooted in real-world performance.

Stephen spent over a decade touring internationally as a drummer with punk and hardcore bands including Polar Bear Club, Off With Their Heads, Another Breath, and Mayflower, and as a guitarist with GhostXShip. His career took him across multiple tours of the United States, Europe, United Kingdom, and Australia. This included full runs on the Vans Warped Tour, Reading & Leeds Festival alongside Foo Fighters and The Cure, and Australia’s Soundwave Festival with Metallica, Blink-182, and Linkin Park. One of the defining moments of Stephen’s career came when he was unexpectedly asked to fill in on drums for Bad Religion—his all-time favorite band (and the first band he ever saw live in 1996 at Syracuse’s Lost Horizon). At the time, Polar Bear Club was opening the tour when Bad Religion’s drummer needed to step away for a family emergency. Stephen was asked if he could learn “a few songs” to help cover a set; after a brief rehearsal and explaining that he already knew their entire catalog, he went on to play seven shows with the band. That experience continues to shape how he prepares students today: always be ready for your moment, because it will come.

After stepping away from full-time touring, Stephen moved to Denver, where he became an administrator at Swallow Hill Music, a respected non profit music school. After returning to Central New York, he served as a music program coordinator for an Access CNY program supporting individuals with traumatic brain injuries, leading a weekly rock band and adapting music education to meet a wide range of abilities. During this time, he also taught private drum and guitar lessons and completed a Bachelor of Technology in Business Administration from SUNY Morrisville.

Opening School of Rock Fayetteville NY has allowed Stephen to bring all of these experiences together. His personal mission is to remove the gatekeeping, luck, and “right place, right time” barriers that often limit musicians, and to give students of all levels access to professional equipment, real venues, and large audiences.
Owner, General Manager Karly Port
Karly Port
Owner, General Manager
Karly spent her early childhood on the East Coast before moving west as a teenager, eventually returning east after more than a decade. Creativity has always been a steady thread in her life, shaping how she connects with others and navigates challenges. She believes deeply in the value of having a supportive environment where people can express themselves and grow.

As General Manager and co-owner of School of Rock Fayetteville NY, Karly opened the school alongside her husband, Stephen, combining their shared vision for music education and community impact. Together, they built School of Rock as a family-owned, locally rooted space dedicated to helping students grow both musically and personally. Karly is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where students and families feel supported from their very first visit.

Outside the studio, she enjoys reading, creating art, writing, exploring new ideas, and spending time with loved ones — usually with a competitive game of Mario Party close at hand.
Assistant Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Tim Wood
Tim Wood
Assistant Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Tim has been immersed in music since the early ’90s, beginning as a self-taught keyboardist and guitarist before earning his first professional gig at 15 with the Stan Colella Youth All-Star Jazz Band, led by a fixture of Central New York music history. That early experience sparked a lifelong commitment to music in all its forms.

He later launched his own original projects, hiring local musicians and college music majors to perform music he composed and transcribed — moving seamlessly from acoustic campfire songs to jazz fusion to hook-driven rock, pop, and R&B. Additionally, he spearheaded a classic album series where his band performed note-for-note renditions of classic records, including Abbey Road by The Beatles and Strange Days and The Soft Parade by The Doors. His background blends classical and jazz study with real-world arranging, bandleading, and production.

After building a home studio and recording extensively — both his own work and demos for local artists — Tim stepped away to raise and begin to homeschool his two young children. He now brings decades of broad musical experience to School of Rock Fayetteville NY, focused on developing skilled, confident, and collaborative musicians.
Assistant General Manager, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher Jordan Del Rosario
Jordan Del Rosario
Assistant General Manager, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Jordan has a long history with School of Rock, beginning at the Downingtown, PA location in 2005 as a guitar instructor, show director, and sound/lighting technician. From there he evolved into numerous roles involving House Band, AllStars, and other School of Rock events and festivals. In 2006, he co-founded the band Cheers Elephant, with whom Jordan has played thousands of shows across the country, recorded numerous albums, and racked up millions of plays on Spotify.

In 2014, Jordan made the move to California and began teaching at School of Rock Tustin. From 2014-2024, he was acting Music Director overseeing AllStar tours, House Band trips to Las Vegas and Summerfest, and helping the school grow to over 300 students.

From 2024-2025, Jordan made a brief stop in Denver, CO where he directed shows and taught lessons for School of Rock Denver and School of Rock Highlands Ranch. While in Colorado, he founded the Grateful Dead tribute band Dead & Friends. In Late 2025 he moved to Syracuse, NY forming a new version of Dead & Friends and taking a position at School of Rock Fayetteville NY.

Jordan is an avid musical gear nerd. On top of building and repairing guitars and amplifiers he has his own effects pedal company specializing in vintage circuits built with old stock components. When he is not teaching, building, or tinkering, he can be found hiking in nature with his wife and dog.
Studio Coordinator, Vocal Teacher Nina Pelligra
Nina Pelligra
Studio Coordinator, Vocal Teacher
This is Nina, the vocal harmony lady. At School of Rock Fayetteville NY, she prepares our vocalists for their band practices and local performances, developing skills in ear training, stage presence, and healthy singing techniques. She is also the one greeting you at the front desk, overseeing scheduling, and keeping daily operations running smoothly.

On Tuesday evenings, you'll find her directing Syracuse's Rock Voices, a non-auditioned community choir. On the weekends, she’s known for creating a cappella looper covers on YouTube or jamming and harmonizing with her School of Rock colleagues in Dead & Friends band. At Syracuse University, she earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Industry, where she focused on choral music, voice, and studio recording.

Beyond that, she has spread her love for vocal arts by leading vocal harmony workshops, recording and producing studio albums for collegiate a cappella groups, recording session vocals, and directing semi-professional a cappella groups. Whether from in the studio, on stage, in a classroom, at the piano, or behind a desk, Nina’s goal is to create strong, welcoming, healing communities around music.
Show Director, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Kiera Walsh
Kiera Walsh
Show Director, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
From a very early age, Kiera found her life-long passion for music. She began reading sheet music at three years old after her parents signed her up for a preschool music program, and started classical piano lessons at five.

Kiera has also had a long history with School of Rock. Starting as a student in 2016 at School of Rock Downingtown, PA, Kiera originally studied guitar, but soon added on vocal, keyboard, and bass lessons. There, Kiera completed 30 seasonal shows, 5 years with her school's house band, and four years as a School of Rock Allstar. With her school's house band, she had the opportunity to play at the Fillmore in Philadelphia in 2022.

After enrolling in Syracuse University in 2023 as a Political Science major, Kiera picked up a minor in Jazz Studies, with a concentration in piano and vocals. Her band, After Hours, has played many shows since her freshman year, featuring Kiera on vocals, keyboards, guitar, and the occasional bass and drums.

Kiera has been working at School of Rock Fayetteville NY since it opened as a teacher and show director. She intends to remain in Syracuse and pursue a masters in Music Business at Syracuse University after she obtains her Bachelor's degree.
Show Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Mike DeGiovine
Mike DeGiovine
Show Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Mike has been playing guitar since the age of 12, and since then music has had a significant place in his life. Having played in a wide range of bands and live settings, his musical experience spans genres from rock and metal to jazz and classical, with early influences like Metallica and Led Zeppelin later giving way to a broadened musical outlook shaped by hearing Coltrane’s A Love Supreme and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

With aspirations of becoming a teacher, Mike enrolled at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York, where he graduated in 2010 with a degree in music education. Several years later, he moved to China to work as a music and English teacher from 2013 to 2021, teaching concert band, choir, and performance-based groups similar to School of Rock ensembles.

After his tenure in China, Mike returned to New York and began working at OHM BOCES in New Hartford, where he continues to work today. Though many years have passed since he was that 12-year-old boy picking up the guitar for the first time, Mike’s love for music and education remains as strong as ever. Mike brings his experience to School of Rock Fayetteville NY.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Cooper Pokrentowski
Cooper Pokrentowski
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Cooper is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer from Syracuse. After Graduating from East-Syracuse Minoa High School in 2018, he attended the Crane School of Music, majoring in music education. He now spends his time outside of School of Rock Fayetteville NY playing gigs in the CNY area, either solo, or with a band.

Cooper’s personal style blends elements from R&B and soul artists like D’Angelo and Prince with those of classic rock groups like Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, and Eagles. Cooper is currently working on his first solo album.
Drum Teacher Vatressa Teamoh
Vatressa Teamoh
Drum Teacher
Vatressa Teamoh is a drum teacher at School of Rock Fayetteville NY. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Business from the Crane School of Music, where she performed in a variety of ensembles including Jazz Ensemble, Latin Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble. Her time at Crane allowed her to deepen both her technical skills and her understanding of collaborative musicianship.

Outside of her formal training, Vatressa has performed as the drummer in numerous bands, gaining extensive experience in group performance across a wide range of genres — from rock to jazz fusion and everything in between. This versatility allows her to connect with students of all musical interests and skill levels.

What Vatressa enjoys most about teaching at School of Rock is watching students not only learn their instruments, but develop a genuine love for music. She believes it’s not about being the best player in the room or sounding like a professional — it’s about connecting with one another, connecting with the songs, and making music together. Seeing students grow in confidence and build bonds with their peers is one of the most rewarding parts of her role.

A passionate studio drummer, Vatressa is especially proud of the music she has recorded and released on streaming platforms with other artists. She plans to continue recording and collaborating throughout her career, as she finds the creative process of bringing songs to life in the studio both fun and deeply fulfilling.

Vatressa’s own journey as a musician is something she often shares with her students. She began as a shy and quiet drummer who didn’t feel confident playing loudly or hitting hard — she didn’t even break her first drumstick until college. By high school, however, she was confidently performing in front of large crowds and truly playing out. She reminds her students that every musician’s journey is unique — growth takes time, but it is always worth it.
Drum Teacher Brandon Morse
Brandon Morse
Drum Teacher
Brandon Morse is a drum teacher at School of Rock Fayetteville NY, bringing over 30 years of drumming experience to his students. A student of Recording Arts & Sciences, Brandon combines deep performance experience with an understanding of how music comes together both on stage and in the studio.

Throughout his career, Brandon has performed on virtually every major stage in Syracuse and was a member of the 2013 SAMMY Award–winning Mike McKay Band. His decades of live performance experience give him real-world insight that he passes directly to his students — from stage presence to groove, timing, and musical professionalism.

What Brandon enjoys most about teaching is the moment when “the lightbulb turns on.” Whether it’s a new rhythm clicking into place or a student gaining confidence behind the kit, he finds those breakthrough moments incredibly rewarding.

One of the projects he is most proud of is his current band, LARZ, which is quickly becoming the most exciting musical chapter of his career. Continuing to grow creatively keeps his teaching fresh and inspired.

Brandon also understands what it feels like to be unsure at the start. He was once hesitant to take lessons himself, but he quickly discovered that great teachers produce great students — who often grow up to become great teachers themselves. That full-circle perspective fuels his passion for helping the next generation of musicians find their confidence and voice behind the drums.
Studio Coordinator Michael DiGiorgio
Michael DiGiorgio
Studio Coordinator
School of Rock Fayetteville NY Studio Coordinator Michael's journey with music started with his own parents, his mother being a trained vocalist, and his father loaning him his collection of 80's and 90's rock CDs. He is a singer and drummer first and foremost. He took drum lessons for nine years and continued to play in bands and participate in choirs during his time in college. He has a Bachelor's degree in both physics and music from Colgate University, and a Master's degree in Audio Arts from Syracuse University.

He is directly knowledgeable of multiple realms of audio gear, and has also worked at both Sweetwater Sound and Guitar Center. He's an avid listener, and, while metal may currently be his preferred genre, he is always excited to hear new music!
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!