live breakdown: featuring the brakes!
Step inside the world of a working band with the first installment of Live Breakdown, a new music workshop series at School of Rock Cleveland featuring local Cleveland musicians, artists, and staff bands. This interactive workshop for teen musicians combines live performances, songwriting discussions, behind-the-scenes insights, and a student jam session. Our first featured band, The Brakes, will share their experiences as active performers in the Northeast Ohio music scene.
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: School of Rock Highland Heights (299 Alpha Park, Highland Heights, OH 44143)
Ages: 12-18
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced Musicians
Cost: $75 per attendee
New workshop series: Live Breakdown
At School of Rock Cleveland, we are proud that our staff are active working musicians, so students have a unique opportunity to learn directly from people who are still out performing and creating music every week.
Live Breakdown is a new workshop series designed to connect young musicians with active artists from the Cleveland music community. Through live performances, demonstrations, Q&As, jams, and interactive learning, particpants gain an inside look at the creative and practical skills it takes to succeed as a musician.
Each workshop highlights a different local band, artist, or School of Rock staff project, giving students the chance to learn directly from musicians (and their own instructors!) who are actively writing, recording, performing, and building careers in music!
Meet The Brakes
The Brakes are a Cleveland-based, female-fronted blues-rock band whose sound draws from rock, blues, funk, soul, and jazz influences. They are made up of current School of Rock Cleveland staff members, Hannah Sowry (vocals), Zeke Brake (guitar), Wes Cespedes (guitar), Preston Murphy (bass), Grady Wessollek (drums), plus Cole Brake (sax). Their performances feature a combination of original music and creative interpretations of songs by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Prince, and Childish Gambino.
The Brakes are known for their drive, creativity, and collaborative approach to making music, often playing with new musicians whenever they get the chance. As working musicians in the Northeast Ohio scene, they bring real experience from playing shows, writing music, and being out in the local music community.
What You'll Learn
Live Performance Preparation
Discover how professional bands rehearse, build setlists, organize rehearsals, and prepare for successful live performances.
Songwriting and Arranging
Learn how original songs are developed from initial ideas into fully arranged pieces through collaboration, experimentation, and revision.
Booking Shows and Gig Preparation
Gain insight into how local bands secure performances, communicate with venues, promote events, and manage show logistics.
Networking in the Music Community
Explore how musicians build relationships with other artists, venue owners, promoters, and industry professionals.
Band Communication and Collaboration
Understand how successful bands make creative decisions, navigate challenges, and work together to achieve their goals.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is designed for musicians ages 12–18 with intermediate to advanced experience on their instrument who are interested in live performance, songwriting, and learning more about what it takes to play in a working band.
Students do not need to be currently enrolled at School of Rock Cleveland West, Highland Heights, or Strongsville to attend. The workshop is open to young musicians throughout Northeast Ohio. Students are welcome to bring their own guitar or bass if they would like to participate in the jam session with members of The Brakes. Bringing an instrument is encouraged but not required.
Ready to Sign Up?
Sign up using the "Enroll" button below. If you have any questions, please contact us at 440-684-7625 or highlandheights@schoolofrock.com.