Glenbrook
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Glenbrook

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Map
School of Rock Glenbrook
3139 Dundee Rd.
Northbrook, IL 60062
(224) 904-7625
Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

School of Rock in Glenbrook is proud to offer music classes to help teach our community and surrounding areas such as Northbrook, Deerfield, Glenview, Wheeling, Northfield, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, and Riverwoods how to play instruments with skill and confidence. We teach everything from keyboard to bass guitar, songwriting, and vocals for all levels. At School of Rock, students can perform live shows and develop their musical ability in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. Glenbrook offers a few great spots for students to take the skills they learned at School of Rock and go on to perform at local venues such as the iconic Landmark Inn, built in 1885, which has dining and live music.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

At School of Rock Glenbrook, 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 Glenbrook, 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 Northbrook
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

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

School of Rock Glenbrook'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 Glenbrook 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 Northbrook.

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 Glenbrook 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 Northbrook.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Northbrook

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Northbrook

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Glenbrook 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 Glenbrook, 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 Glenbrook 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 Glenbrook, 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 Northbrook.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Northbrook

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Glenbrook 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 Northbrook 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 Glenbrook, 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 Northbrook 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 Glenbrook, 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 Northbrook

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Northbrook. 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 Glenbrook, 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 Northbrook 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 Glenbrook Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Northbrook 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 Northbrook 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 Glenbrook, 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 Northbrook, 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 Glenbrook’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, Director of Music Operations, Drum Teacher Dave
Dave
Owner, Director of Music Operations, Drum Teacher
Dave's passion for music and performing developed at a very early age. His musical journey began in grade school when he joined both concert and marching band, and he bought his first drum kit at age 12 where his passion for rock music grew. He continued in both performance groups throughout grade school and college at Western Illinois University. This journey then grew as Dave and his best friend and School of Rock coworker Adam Instefjord started a band that specialized in 90s punk rock covers. Dave and Adam also write, produce, and record their own original music and continue to release albums. Currently, Dave is playing with multiple Chicago-land area bands. He is a founding member of the Chicago punk rock trio The Mizzerables, who have released their third album "Whatever... This Sucks." One of the projects that takes up most of Dave’s time is The Student Body, a high-energy rock cover band that specializes in party rock anthems. You can catch The Student Body at festivals, casinos, weddings, corporate events, and more. Dave currently teaches drum lessons at the School of Rock in Oak Park and is the Music Director for the School of Rock Glenbrook in Glenbrook.
General Manager Erica
Erica
General Manager
Erica grew up in Michigan and her passion for music began at a young age when her mom and two older sisters were constantly playing classic and 80’s rock records in their home. This eventually led to an obsession with MTV and music videos as a kid and then attending tons of rock shows and festivals as a teen and adult. After graduating from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree, she started her career in Project Management and Technology Sales, working her way up through several global IT organizations. Then in 2014, Erica was introduced to School of Rock when her now fiancé, Dave, who is also the Music Director in Glenbrook, invited her to attend a School of Rock performance that he directed in Oak Park.

Ever since then, she has been inspired by the extraordinary talent and continued growth of the kids, and has wanted to be part of the sense of belonging and community that School of Rock brings to everyone involved. Erica was lucky enough to have the opportunity to make a career change and recently joined the School of Rock family as the General Manager of Glenbrook. She is so excited to be surrounded by music everyday and to potentially make a difference in the lives of young musicians! Outside of work, Erica enjoys traveling the globe, hiking, gardening, hanging out with her French Bulldog Silvio Dante, true crime books and podcasts, and of course, going to as many rock shows as possible!
Music Director, Assistant General Manager, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Nick
Nick
Music Director, Assistant General Manager, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Nick grew up in the west suburbs of Chicago and started his life in music by picking up a bass guitar at age 15. Influenced by bands like Rush, The Who, Tool, and Soundgarden, he became immersed in every element of the musical process, from songwriting to music production and beyond.

After earning his Bachelor of Music from Columbia College Chicago in 2013, he spent four years with the Nick Moss Band, an internationally known blues/rock band. Pulling on experience gained from years of touring the continental United States, northern Europe, and beyond, he works with his students to fully enrich their musical lives, as well as make them better players.
Adam
Owner, Regional Director
Adam is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. He first picked up a guitar at the age of 12, immediately started his first band in the eighth grade and has been performing both locally and nationally ever since. Over the years he has decided to expand his musical prowess and learned how to sing, play bass guitar and drums. Another concentration that Adam has pursued is audio recording and production. He chose to continue his education at The Recording Workshop in Chillicothe, OH, where he received certification in Audio Recording and Production.

Adam currently plays in multiple bands, including playing bass and singing in Chicago-based cover-band The Student Body. Adam started his career at School of Rock Oak Park in 2013. He started his tenure as an instructor, was promoted to Music Director and is now the Regional Director of both School of Rock Oak Park and School of Rock Glenbrook. During his years with us, he has taught guitar, bass guitar and production, directed countless shows, taught Rock 101 and Rock 201, and taught Project Studio and Oak Park’s House Band.
Amy
Owner
Amy is a former corporate marketer and the owner of School of Rock Oak Park and School of Rock Glenbrook. Starting at an early age, Amy recognized a tension between art and business. It began when her doctor dad left his medical practice to pursue a career in art and her stay-at-home mom went off to law school and started her own successful career. As a result, Amy has spent most of her work life blending the two sides, building her career in sales and marketing at Blue Cross and Blue Shield and, at the same time, pursuing artistic interests. While she developed her business skills in web marketing, sales strategy and technology adoption, she also hosted art shows, crafted and sold jewelry in local boutiques and galleries, and generally sought opportunities that would enable her to marry her business skills with her love of art. When her daughter, at the time only 12 years old, attended summer camp at School of Rock Chicago, Amy suggested that they should consider opening a school in Oak Park. Amy learned that School of Rock was a franchise opportunity and a light bulb went off. She knew that she would be the person to make it happen. In early December 2012, Amy and her ever-supportive husband, Bob, converted a 50-year-old combination warehouse and office building into the vibrant home of School of Rock Oak Park. After having built the largest School of Rock in the world in Oak Park, she is setting her sights on bringing the same magic, energy, and passion to the communities of Northbrook and Glenview with School of Rock Glenbrook.
Drum Teacher Chris A.
Chris A.
Drum Teacher
Chris is a drummer/percussionist based in Chicago. He holds a degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University and teaches percussion ensemble, marching drumline, and private lessons at various schools throughout the Chicagoland area.

In addition to his teaching, Chris keeps a busy performance and recording schedule. He can regularly be seen performing with groups ranging in styles from jazz, country, singer-songwriter, indie pop, punk, metal, hard rock, and classical.
Singing Teacher Christina
Christina
Vocal Teacher
Christina is so excited to be joining the School of Rock Family. She grew up on 70s classics, R&B, gained an appreciation for classical music through her grandparents, and was a teenager in the 80’s, which says it all right there. From the coffee table “stage” with a hairbrush mic, where she sang to the imagined packed arena, to the stage with live humans, Christina took every chance she could to sing in choirs, as the lead in her high school musical, and was classically trained through high school. That training served her well and, meshed with her rock voice, created a National Anthem range. She has sung at major and minor league, and local games. Her classical voice also found her singing in the church choir for 10 years, and currently serves her as a sound healer.

Christina teaches yoga and has come to discover how breathing techniques and physical poses contribute to an increased breath capacity overall, improving performance.

Over the last 20 years she has performed in small local bands. Her own influences include the power houses of Janis Joplin, Susan Tedeschi, Linda Ronstadt, and Joanna Cotten. Current projects include The Island of Misfit Toys and her newest project, Christina Michelle & the Badass Muthas, both with friends in the Grad School program. She has also recently begun learning guitar. Music is where she is meant to be. It is Home. Christina has discovered how to become one with the music, because it lives in her soul.
Drum Teacher Colin
Colin
Drum Teacher
Colin is a Chicago-based percussionist and drummer who actively performs in a multitude of contemporary and classical music settings. He began his musical journey at age 10 by joining the band program at school. As he got older, he played in various punk, rock, and indie bands throughout high school and eventually decided to pursue music as a career. Colin went on to receive a Bachelor of Music degree in Commercial Music from Millikin University (2012) and a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2015). He can most regularly be seen playing with The Phantom Broadcast, an experimental rock outfit that pushes the boundaries of indie, post-rock, classical, and jazz, and can be heard on their latest full-length album Antiquities. He can also be found playing drums for the Chicago pop-rock band King Mixer.

Colin also enjoys teaching young musicians of all ages throughout the Chicagoland area. Aside from his work with School of Rock, he serves as a percussion teaching artist with the Chicago Arts and Music Project and with Sistema Ravinia in Waukegan. He also teaches privately and instructs marching percussion at a handful of public schools, most notably John Hersey High School, Buffalo Grove High School, Elk Grove High School, Glenbrook North High School, and Homer Jr. High. Colin believes that learning music can be fun, inspiring, and lead to growth in all aspects of life and hopes to share his passion with all of his students.
Guitar Teacher Kyle
Kyle
Guitar Teacher
Kyle was captivated by music at a very young age, listening for hours with his father to the artists of XRT. Inspired by the rock ‘n roll of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he picked up a guitar and took lessons throughout his childhood. In high school, it was the attitude and rebellious nature of pop punk bands like blink-182 that led him to form a band with his friends and begin performing music for others. Being a quiet natured kid from the suburbs, the stage allowed him a platform of self expression unlike any other. He pursued this creative outlet in college, earning a degree in Music Performance from Columbia College Chicago. It was here that he first heard The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, forever expanding his conceptions of music and songwriting. Since then, music has continued to be a central part of Kyle’s life, whether it was repairing and building stringed instruments, or performing the sounds of funk, soul and Motown with the Chicago based Second Hand Soul Band. Now a guitar and bass instructor at School of Rock, he is excited to share his lifelong passion with others.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Michael B.
Michael B.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Michael has been studying music since he was 4 years old when he started piano lessons and first heard his parents' vinyl copy of "Pet Sounds." While being trained in classical piano, Michael eventually found himself drawn to Billy Joel, Ben Folds, and rock operas. He studied music, theatre, and voice at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan before moving to Chicago with his indie pop/piano rock band Common Shiner.

In his 12-year tenure with that project, Michael charted nationally in the AC format (thanks to major support from Midwestern radio stations), toured the continental U.S., and made a slasher movie parody music video that went viral across the globe with over 12 million views. Michael has also voiced radio commercials and characters nationally and won a Kennedy Center Special Award for Theatrical Sound Design in 2006. Current endeavors include Otter Finn, Foster, Front Runners, and solo projects.
Charley Drums Teacher
Charley
Drums Teacher
Charley is an active percussionist, drummer, and educator in the Chicagoland area. He currently performs as a percussionist with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and spent the 2019-21 seasons playing with The Orchestra Now (TON) in New York. He’s performed in prestigious venues across the country including Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Chicago Symphony's Orchestra Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Charley comes from a family of musicians and started studying music at the age of 5, and started on drums at age 8. He went on to study major in music, graduating from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2017 and from the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA with a Master of Music degree in 2019. As an educator, Charley believes in creating a fun, safe, and creative environment for all students to learn how to use two pieces of wood to express their musical voices. Charley is a drum teacher at School of Rock Glenbrook in Northbrook, IL.
Guitar Teacher Bryan
Bryan
Guitar Teacher
Bryan has been playing the guitar since 2004 and specializes in genres ranging from rock & roll, country, western, funk, and jazz. His musical heroes include Derek Trucks, Trey Anastasio, and Jack Johnson for their abilities not only as guitar players and songwriters but also for their positive influences on the communities surrounding them.

Bryan followed his passion for music into adulthood by majoring in Contemporary, Urban & Popular Music at Columbia College Chicago, a track that covers music industry facets like theory, performance, business, and writing and production. Bryan has performed with several bands and has real-world experience touring around the country with these groups, as well as teaching group and private lessons.

As an instructor, he believes anybody with enthusiasm, patience, and a willingness to practice can become a great musician. Bryan is currently returning to school, seeking a degree in Psychology. He hopes it will help him understand how our creative minds understand and learn music and other art forms. Bryan is an advanced guitar teacher at School of Rock in Northbrook, IL.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher Alex K.
Alex K.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Alex has been playing music since the age of 9, starting with piano lessons for three years before taking up the saxophone. He took every chance he could to play music with others, which gave him experience playing many different styles of music. While studying both classical and jazz music, Alex also performed with a variety of bands ranging from funk to bluegrass, ska, blues, and more.

Alex graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2014 with a B.A. in Music, where he worked with many renowned musicians, including Lee Konitz, Benny Golson, Kevin Eubanks, Gerald Clayton, and Barry Harris. Since then, he has gone on to release an album with The Giving Trio, featuring some of his own original compositions, as well as play and collaborate with various musicians around Chicago. Currently, Alex is the saxophonist for the soul and funk band The Heavy Sounds.
When he is not playing music, you can likely find Alex playing chess or other board games, or reading the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Alex is an advanced keyboard teacher at School of Rock in Northbrook, IL!
Singing Teacher Katie
Katie
Vocal Teacher
Katie is a vocalist, guitarist, performer, and songwriter originally from Salinas, California. She studied jazz voice at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music before earning a BFA in Musical Theatre at Indiana University in 2023. She has performed as a vocalist at various venues and festivals such as the Monterey Jazz Festival and San Jose Jazz Festival.

Katie grew up in a musical household and began taking private lessons when she was 8 years old. Over the years she has played violin, guitar, clarinet, piano, and alto saxophone. Katie spent her time in college playing rhythm guitar and singing with various bands in Bloomington, IN. She has written for her former band, Middle Name Basis, and continues to write and perform her own solo work. Katie teaches voice lessons and Little Wing class at School of Rock in Northbrook, IL.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Studio Coordinator Chris K.
Chris K.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Studio Coordinator
Chris moved from West Virginia years ago to pursue a music career in Chicago. In that time, he has covered ground in many genres including rock, metal, traditional, folk, jazz, fusion, and electronic music. Having studied music composition at Columbia College Chicago for his first two and a half years in the city, Chris has studied with many of Chicago's finest musicians and has appeared with acts such as Can I Get an Amen string band and soul/pop singer Sarita Songbird.

Chris has diverse musical interests and a strong dedication to preserving music history while not allowing the past to inhibit the future. He has years of experience teaching guitar and bass and directing shows at School of Rock Oak Park and adds Studio Coordinator to his role at School of Rock Glenbrook in Northbrook, IL.
Drum Teacher Nick L.
Nick L.
Drum Teacher
Nick grew up in the Twin Cities and quickly became an active member of the area's youth music scene after picking up drums at the age of 11. He was admitted to Northwestern University in 2021 for Jazz Performance, where he quickly became involved in student bands in the area. In 2022, he made the switch to a Music Education major to pursue his love of teaching music to others. He is still pursuing this degree today, along with a degree in Political Science.

As someone who began learning drumset in a similar setting, Nick truly believes in the performance-based methods at School of Rock. He hopes to synthesize his formal music education training and his experience as a student, learner, performer, and human to create well-rounded musicians who can play and have fun with others! Nick teaches drums at the School of Rock in Northbrook, IL.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Thomas S.
Thomas S.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Tom’s love of teaching is only surpassed by his passion for music. A Northbrook native, Tom began playing at age 12, joining every rock band he could. He’s been a guitarist or bassist performing in touring bands for many genres of music, ranging from metal to jam-band and reggae to new-wave pop. His songwriting skills and musicianship are showcased in record releases by such acts as Chicago-favorite Chia Pet and Tranquility Bass.

Tom has a master’s degree in Education from National Louis University and over 25 years of classroom teaching experience. Tom’s student-centered educational philosophy meshes perfectly with School of Rock’s performance-based, developmentally appropriate approach. While he enjoys music production with multiple digital audio workstations, performance is the ultimate thrill for Tom. In his words, “The opportunity to share my knowledge with young musicians and make others happy by connecting through music is such a gift.”

Thomas teaches guitar and bass guitar at the School of Rock in Northbrook, IL.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Matt W.
Matt W.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Matt grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and began playing music from a young age through private lessons and school band. He soon began as a student at the School of Rock in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, where he participated in the performance program, performed in the school's House Band, and was selected for the AllStars program.

Matt's time as a School of Rock student ultimately led him to study music, and more specifically guitar, at Columbia College Chicago. Since graduating, Matt has been pursuing music on multiple fronts, from teaching guitar, bass, drums, keys, and general music theory at all different levels, to playing in multiple projects on multiple different instruments.
Drum Teacher Stephen T.
Stephen T.
Drum Teacher
Stephen has been a working professional drummer since the age of 12 when he played for a community theater revue in his hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He found his footing as a kid playing along to records and forming neighborhood garage bands. In the Southern atmosphere of blues and humidity, Stephen mastered all the percussion instruments moving gracefully from the high school marching band drum line to playing at college bowl games around the country while getting his bachelor's degree in music and business at the University of Southern Mississippi. His continuing musical education includes lessons with Kevin Katich, Ryan McDiarmid, Alex Acuña & Dave Elitch.

Stephen has played in bands of various genres including pop, classic rock, new wave, indie, blues, and even a live nightclub act with a DJ. He believes versatility is a working drummer’s secret weapon. For the last several years Stephen was the drummer for the Hollywood, CA-based band Continuous Signal (a Pink Floyd Tribute), playing theaters all over Southern California and an annual show in Mexico.

Stephen has actively taught private drum students of all ages since 2017. His students are drawn to a teaching style that promotes a safe environment that is instructive and encouraging. He is experienced in teaching children with special needs, including ADHD and autism. After relocating to the Chicago area, Stephen teaches drums at the School of Rock in Northbrook, Illinois.
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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