Explore School of Rock

Pasadena

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

School of Rock is proud to serve Pasadena and the surrounding areas in Los Angeles with music lessons taught by real, practicing musicians. We teach everything from singing to piano, bass guitar, drums, and keys. Students in Pasadena get to learn a wide variety of styles, from blues and classic rock to punk and 80s metal. At School of Rock, you can perform live shows and develop your skills in a supportive learning environment. With enough practice, maybe you'll one day rise to the level of performing at one of the major music venues in Los Angeles.

Programs we offer

Rock 101

Ages 8-13

Performance

Ages 8-18

Rookies

Ages 6-7

Little Wing

Ages 4-5

Songwriting

Age 12 and over

Online

All Ages

Adult Program

Ages 18+

House Band

Age 17 and Under

AllStars

Age 17 and Under

Rock 101

Ages 8-13

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock Pasadena'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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock Pasadena 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

Ages 8-18

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

Rookies

Ages 6-7

At School of Rock Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, 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

Ages 4-5

At School of Rock Pasadena 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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Pasadena 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.

Online

All Ages

At School of Rock Pasadena, 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 Pasadena for students over 18

Adult Program

Ages 18+

School of Rock Pasadena'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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena.

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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena.

House Band

Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock Pasadena 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 Pasadena'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 Pasadena 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.

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 Pasadena

Guitar Lessons

Drum Lessons

Singing Lessons

Bass Guitar Lessons

Keyboard + Piano Lessons

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Pasadena

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Pasadena

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Pasadena 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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Pasadena

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Ryan Schiff

District Manager

Born and raised in Long Island, NY, Ryan began playing guitar at age 13 after seeing the movie "La Bamba" about rock legend Ritchie Valens. He studied with Grammy-nominated guitarist Steve Briody for several years before starting his own projects and soon became an instructor himself. While still in New York, his band Code Anchor independently released several EPs and one full-length album, "Rosada," while touring extensively nationwide from 2005-2009. A co-writer in the band, Ryan also played lead and rhythm guitar while singing lead and backup vocals. Memorable stages include the Vans Warped Tour at Nassau Coliseum and headlining bills at some of New York City's greatest venues like CBGB's and The Knitting Factory. It was during this time that Ryan began teaching at School of Rock in NY. Hungry to pursue new musical ventures, Ryan departed from Code Anchor and moved to Los Angeles in 2009. Since then, he's been busy writing, producing and performing with his newest project, Lou Pine. As a Sony/ATV artist, Lou Pine’s music has been featured on television shows like “Chicago Fire,” “Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word” and “Food Paradise." Ryan enjoys playing every genre, including jazz, funk, country and folk, but credits the blues and rock n' roll as his main influences. He is the district manager at School of Rock Pasadena.

Cole Holden

Music Director, Drum Teacher

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Cole grew up in a household surrounded by music and was interested in drums from a young age. At the age of 10, he finally picked up the sticks and never put them down after being inspired by the likes of John Bonham, Dave Grohl, and Stewart Copeland. By age 12, he was in his first band and performing at church, school, and around town; things were starting to pick up for him. He became known in his community as the young drummer with pocket, swagger, and a rock-solid backbeat. His personality and work ethic opened doors and created new opportunities in high school to work with the musical theater program and marching band, and serve as a leader for both school and friends’ bands. This is when Cole knew for certain that music was his calling.

Cole moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music to study and perform with some of the greatest musicians in the world. He is not just a versatile drummer but a well-rounded musician, having majored in Professional Music with concentrations in performance, music production, and music business.

Cole is dedicated to bringing out the best in our students’ musical abilities and he strives to offer the opportunities and knowledge that lead to building a professional skillset no matter the age or level of the student.

Johnnie Gilmore

Assistant General Manager, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher

The minute he first picked up the electric bass, Johnnie Gilmore knew he'd found his calling. Since then, Johnnie has meticulously honed his craft and developed a unique voice as a musician and songwriter—first as a music student at Wesleyan University, then as a prolific street performer and local fixture in his hometown of Boston, and now as a working musician here in L.A.

Johnnie keeps a busy performing schedule that has seen him touring across the U.S., opening for living legends like The Wailers, Stu Hamm (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani), and Fareed Haque (Sting, Garaj Mahal), and playing festivals including SXSW, Topanga Days, and Hong Kong's Freespace Happening. Johnnie has also released two solo albums on RMI Records and has been featured in Forbes, No Treble, and For Bass Players Only magazines. Johnnie also plays piano and sings (albeit mostly in the shower).

As a private music teacher with over five years of experience, Johnnie has worked with beginners who didn't know a major scale from a metronome to working professionals and everyone in between, and at all levels, he believes in teaching what and why to play, as well as how. This way, his students don't just learn new skills, they get inspired—and more importantly, so do their audiences. Johnnie loves teaching and is thrilled to be in the School of Rock in Pasadena community.

Carli Rabon

Studio Coordinator

Carli N. Rabon is a creative director, cinematographer, casting director, and project manager from St. Louis, Missouri. She enjoys collaborating on projects with recurring themes in docu-style portraits, music, fashion, the unknown, and the weird. Video is her favorite form of creative expression due to the powerful ability to blend visuals, sound, color, and time.

Musically, Carli played piano for eight years and also participated in her school choir and show choir. Music is the undertone to her life and her work, and she’s thrilled to be supporting the School of Rock community!

March Adstrum

Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher, Vocal Teacher

March Adstrum has been performing shows around Los Angeles for the last four years in her own project, and in friends' bands. Her studio EP, "Veins, Vines, Cables," came out in 2021, and she went on a west coast tour for the record in July of 2022. March recently graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a degree in performance and composition. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, March's musical style is influenced by the sound of bands like Nirvana and Death Cab for Cutie.

Jesse Bergen

Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher

Born to two musicians, Jesse grew up surrounded by rock. At the age of 7, Jesse joined the School of Rock program as a rookie guitar player. Over the next few years, he branched out into various instruments and styles, all while climbing the ranks through the SOR program all the way up to the house band. Jesse says that the school not only ignited his passion for music, but also gave him a sense of community that he now wants to pass on to the next generation.

Since graduating from School of Rock, Jesse has featured on several albums and played countless gigs around LA. When he’s not teaching, Jesse is playing gigs around LA with his metal band, Diabology.

Bijon Bruner

Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher

Bijon Bruner is a vocalist currently studying jazz at California State University of Northridge. Having grown up singing, she’s explored a number of genres including classical, musical theatre, jazz, and more. Throughout her schooling, she has dabbled in various instruments such as violin, guitar, piano, and ukulele with voice remaining her primary focus.

From a young age, Bijon knew singing and performing were her callings. After trying out multiple genres of music she’s found her passions largely lie in blues, folk, rock, and more. For her, there has never been a stronger calling than music.

Tomás Natoli Cristi

Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher

Tomás Natoli Cristi, born in Santiago de Chile, is a dedicated musician and educator with a bachelor's degree in vocal performance. In addition, he is a self-taught guitarist, pianist, and bassist, demonstrating his versatility.

Tomás's musical journey began with the guitar at a young age, but discovering his talent for singing led him to win an award for musicianship of his generation. This recognition inspired his continued exploration of music and fueled his lifelong passion for performing.

As a teacher, Tomás strives to instill a deep love for music in his students. He believes in understanding music as a whole, not just mastering an instrument. By encouraging the exploration of various genres and techniques, he aims to cultivate a rich, comprehensive appreciation for music in every student.

Alex DiDonato

Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher

Alex is a professional session and touring guitarist, bassist, and songwriter hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area. He was drawn to music early in life, first learning piano at age 5 and then taking up the trumpet when he was 7 years old. In his early teens, Alex fell deep in love with guitar and bass, teaching himself to play and immediately starting bands and writing songs. His high school indie rock band, Finish Ticket, garnered attention early, so much so that he dropped out of college to tour the nation full-time.

Alex has spent the last decade with Finish Ticket and has learned much between signing multiple record deals (Atlantic, Elektra, Better Noise), touring the world with the likes of Twenty One Pilots and Fitz & the Tantrums, performing over 300 concerts (including multiple major festivals and late-night television appearances), and writing, recording, and producing two full-length albums and a wealth of singles and EPs.

Comfortable in a wide variety of genres, Alex is eager to listen and help students learn whatever it is that inspires them and believes that it’s the individual’s passion for music that is most important to foster and help grow.

Clint Dodson

Drums Teacher

Clint Dodson is a drummer, percussionist, composer and educator at School of Rock Pasadena. He has studied and performed with various artists, including Vinny Golia, Tony Malaby, Steve Lehman, Randy Gloss, Vicki Ray, Stephen Horenstein and John Hébert. Clint has studied drum set with Dana Hall and Joe LaBarbera. He is also a devoted student of Hindustani music, studying tabla with Subrata Bhattacharya and Swapan Chaudhuri. Clint’s work aims to find the midpoints between disparate musical approaches, from avant-garde jazz to experimental electronic music and punk to contemporary classical. It’s an approach that encourages musical fluency beyond genre boundaries in order to hear and improvise more freely.

This openness to a wide range of styles also informs Clint’s educational approach. He has taught various foci of drumset playing, as well as classical and rudimental percussion, to a wide range of students. He has also been active as a teacher of composition and improvisation to a wide range of instrumentalists.

Max Dolinsky

Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher

Max Dolinsky is a drummer, bassist, and pianist from Chicago, Illinois. Max was a School of Rock student for 12 years and is a multiple-time House Band and AllStars member. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago with a B.A. in audio engineering, Max has moved out to LA to pursue a life in music!

G Gallihugh

Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher

In 2010, G fell in love with School of Rock as a student, who then became an instructor, music director, and franchisee. He graduated from Berklee in 2018 after studying Electronic Music Production & Sound Design. G releases dance music under the name, "Grem," and writes music for the publishing company, Earthprogram, in conjunction with EMPIRE. He's written with artists such as Au5, Kyle, Varien, Cali Cartier, Yoe Mase, and more. G cares deeply about the community School of Rock creates. He has a mathematical approach to music, focusing on the theory, sound design, and underlying mechanisms that make music possible.

Niko Gemini

Guitar Teacher, Bass Teacher, Piano Teacher

Niko Gemini is a Russian-born musician and songwriter. He moved to the US in 2011, after graduating from Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory College, to start his career as a professional musician. After joining Davey Suicide for their "The Reckoning" tour, Niko became a permanent member of the band and also one of Dean Guitars' officially endorsed artists.

In 2016, Niko started his new band CRY VENOM together with Jacky Vincent (ex-Falling In Reverse). Their first full-length album, "Vanquish The Demon," was released via King Records (Japan). The band went on their first "Vanquish The West" tour, following it up with a performance in Japan at Loud Park'17 music festival alongside Slayer, Devin Townsend Project, Meshuggah, Alice Cooper, and others.

Pearce Gronek

Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher

Pearce is a versatile musician, producer, and educator with a passion for igniting musical talents in others. Pearce began honing his skills at the tender age of 4. He started on the drums, then picked up guitar and bass shortly after, all while forming a strong relationship with music of all types. He attended School of Rock from ages 8 to 12 which introduced him to the world of live music and the joy of sharing music with others. His time at School of Rock prepared him to launch his own budding career as a gigging musician.

In his early teens, Pearce was a mainstay in the Cleveland music scene playing with groups of many musical styles spanning from rock to jazz to gospel. While gigging was his main musical inclination, he also fronted many bands and fell in love with recording and music production as a creative outlet throughout his teens. In high school, Pearce also acted as the neighborhood's music teacher and taught kids of all ages within Cleveland.

After his formative years of growing as a musician, Pearce took his skills further and attended Berklee College of Music where he primarily studied music production and music business. His experience at Berklee provided him with a network of world-class musicians and the preparation to enter the music industry. He landed in LA in 2022 where he’s made his way as a full-time producer, teacher, and touring musician. Pearce’s love for music is strong and infectious and he places a high value on nurturing young musicians and grow their passion the same way many have helped him along the way.

Eva Hilton

Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Eva Hilton is a multi-instrumentalist, a songwriter, and an educator who has explored a number of different roles in the music world. She started on classical piano at the age of 6, playing in competitions for nine years; however, she quickly realized all she wanted to do was collaborate with other musicians, play in bands, write songs, and share the joy of music with others through teaching. In high school, Eva taught herself how to play the bass and guitar and use music production software, and she is now a professional bassist and vocalist gigging around LA. Most recently, she has played with Tolliver, Jex Nwalor, and Boy Bloom, and is currently working on a couple of different solo and band projects to be released in 2023.

Eva is thrilled to be teaching at School of Rock Pasadena, where students can express themselves through music while building their musicianship skills. You can sign up for bass, piano, vocal, and guitar lessons with her!

Jaden Inzauro

Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher

Jaden Inzauro is a guitarist and bassist from Kansas City, where he fostered his deep connection to music by volunteering with the Kansas City Youth Jazz program. This experience allowed him to share his hands-on musical knowledge and nurture a shared love for the craft among students.

Over the years, Jaden worked at multiple recording studios helping artists in their creative vision by session playing, producing, mixing, and mastering. Later, he made the move to Chicago, where his appreciation for live music, blues, and rock flourished, ultimately leading him to become a mentee of renowned guitarists Buddy Guy and King Fish.

Now residing in California, Jaden passionately continues his musical journey by recording original works, teaching, and sharing his expertise with both emerging and seasoned musicians who share his love of music.

Kaylee Lashbrook

Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher

Kaylee is currently enrolled at the Los Angeles College of Music pursuing a bachelor's degree in Bass Guitar Performance. Kaylee found a love of music at an early age as a student at the School of Rock in Wilmington, Delaware. After high school, Kaylee went on to teach at the School of Rock in Hockessin, Delaware, where she taught bass guitar and keys.

Since moving to Los Angeles to attend college, Kaylee joined the power metal band Radiant and they are currently working on their first LP. Kaylee can also be seen playing and recording with other bands and musicians in and around LA. Kaylee is grateful to have found a new home at School of Rock Pasadena where she can spread her vast knowledge and love of music to students young and old. Kaylee’s teaching style is based on mutual respect and an empathetic approach to learning and enjoying whatever instrument her student is interested in.

Mikaiah Lei

Guitar Teacher, Bass Teacher

Mikaiah Lei is the guitarist and singer for the rock band THE BOTS. Mikaiah has been performing music professionally since the age of 18, touring internationally supporting artists such as Blur, Tenacious D, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Incubus just to name a few. Mikaiah has played festivals like Coachella, Glastonbury and more. Having worked professionally in the music industry for over 10 years, Mikaiah can help prepare students for what to expect, when pursuing a life or career in music.

Justin Lottie

Drum Teacher

Justin Lottie has been playing drums since he was 10 years old. He joined the drum line at Diamond Bar High School and that changed his entire life. Justin received a scholarship to Xavier University in New Orleans for music performance, has played almost all major venues throughout Los Angeles, and toured the United States and Mexico with his band, Dankrupt. He is currently in four bands and has three albums out! He loves teaching and enjoys playing drums as a career.

Mikayla Mayhew

Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher

Mikayla was born in the small town of Ridgefield, Washington, and gained a passion for music at a young age; she first started playing guitar at the age of 10. Her love and curiosity for music were immediately matched by a thirst for learning which led to her enrolling in group-based music lessons and an introduction to the world of live music.

In high school, Mikayla joined a jazz band where she picked up the bass. Shortly after, it led her to start a band of her own, and she started gigging at the age of 15. After high school, Mikayla went to school for education later leading her to work as a social worker with houseless teens in Portland, OR.

For the last several years, Mikayla has been touring consistently with her band Blackwater Holylight. They have written and recorded 3 LPs and toured all over the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Europe. With a 4th LP and more world tours ahead, Mikayla’s infectious passion to play is inspiring young women and people far and wide to follow their hearts and pursue their musical dreams!

Paige Pedersen

Keyboard Teacher, Vocal Teacher

Paige Pedersen is a singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. While her affinity for music began in a church pew in Orlando, FL, she later found her voice in the jazz, folk-rock, and funk genres. In addition to writing her own music, she has toured with The Sofia Camille Band in places like Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, etc. and has opened for Trippie Redd with her bandmates.

Paige’s passion is performance. She believes that truly inspiring and entertaining moments in a show happen when musicians express themselves and share who they are with an audience. Whether it’s playing the piano or singing back up, she strives for excellence and impact.

Francisco Zamudio

Drum Teacher

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Francisco Zamudio was surrounded by the art that only L.A. can create. As a boy, his love for music was in his blood as he listened to his mother’s heavenly voice as she sang around the house and for her church choir. Francisco's brother showed him rock and roll at an early age and he took to the drums as a natural. He threw himself into the music scene and quickly developed his ability all on his own.

Francisco learned from some of his favorite artists and played along with many of the great musicians throughout Los Angeles, many of them coming from other parts of the world. Music became more than just fun and became a way of life when Francisco added music journalism to his repertoire with the understanding that there is always much to learn and experience in the world of music. Currently, he plays for Thrash Metal Legends, HIRAX, and writes for the world-famous KNAC.com.

“Knowledge is only as valuable as when you share it.”

Corey Rose

Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Corey Rose started drumming at the age of 8, quickly learning that it was her greatest joy in life. She grew up in a musical household with a professional banjo player for a father and was always encouraged to follow any musical curiosity. This encouragement took her far, as she went on to compete in jazz competitions throughout high school, including Wynton Marsalis's Essentially Ellington Competition at the Lincoln Center.

Corey then toured internationally in punk bands (G.L.O.S.S. and Vexx) throughout her twenties, touring all of Europe multiple times, making several loops around North America, and touring Colombia in 2019. More recently, she played Corona Capitol festival and Primavera with Current Joys, and then went on to tour the USA opening for Current Joys.

Now, as a Pasadena resident, Corey is a drummer for hire, involved in projects ranging stylistically from country to improv jazz to psychedelic rock. She plays and tours with King Tuff, Color Green, Selland and Star, and Grave Flowers Bongo Band. She often does session work on the weekends and works as a drum technician for the bands Jawbreaker, Surf Curse, and Bikini Kill. She has been teaching drum lessons and band camps for over 15 years and even organized her own girl’s rock camp called Turnt Up in Berlin, Germany.

Corey aims to inspire students to be as excited about drumming as she is and loves the power of watching kids progress down the road of becoming musicians. Drumming has taken Corey all over the world, and she knows it can do the same for you!

Benton Roswell

Drum Teacher

Born and raised in Boulder Colorado, Benton began playing drums at about twelve years old after attending his first concert, Avenged Sevenfold. In the years that followed, Benton played in progressive and thrash metal bands that were active in the Denver music scene.

Benton made the move from Boulder to Los Angeles to attend The Los Angeles College of Music, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in drum performance. Here, he began to perform a variety of genres and styles while studying under some of the best musicians that LA has to offer.

As a former School of Rock student, Benton is thrilled to get the opportunity to share his passion for music and teach drums at the School of Rock in Pasadena to those who are just beginning their musical endeavors!

Natalie Staples

Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher

Natalie Staples is a singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles. Their journey in music began in the choir and theater programs in their small hometown in Connecticut. Though they started with choir and theater, Natalie pivoted to indie/pop music, where they truly found themself and their community. They pursued their passion at Berklee College of Music in Boston, earning a Bachelor of Music in Songwriting with voice as their instrument.

Since moving to Los Angeles in September of 2021, Natalie has performed at many venues all across the city. With a deep passion for songwriting and performing, they love to convey emotions through music, creating meaningful connections with their audience.

Natalie is thrilled to be working at the School of Rock in Pasadena, where they can combine their love for music with their passion for working with kids, inspiring the next generation of musicians.

Sandra North

Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Voice Teacher

Sandra North is an LA-based Swedish country/rock singer & songwriter. She started singing, dancing, and playing instruments very early on as a child but it wasn’t until her move to Los Angeles in 2015 that she started pursuing her career and artistry for real! Raised in a small town in Sweden, she was struck by country music the second she put her feet in the United States. Upon the release of her own music in 2019, many of her songs received great success on charts and radio stations around the world, earning her award nominations and spots in festival lineups across her home country. Although she once suffered from stage fright, Sandra’s passion for music lies on stage! This year she has been performing all over the LA area, showcasing her music on some of the city’s major venues like The Hotel Café, Desert 5 Spot, Hard Rock Café, and Universal CityWalk.

Ryan Majoris

Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher

Ryan is a multi-instrumentalist originally from New Jersey. After attending Berklee College of Music, he toured the country for several years with different acts spanning multiple genres such as acoustic, metal, and rock and roll. He has played in theatre productions, cover bands, and wedding gigs all over the country.

Ryan now composes and produces music for film and television along with teaching lessons in LA!

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

I am beyond happy with School of Rock.

The entire staff and my guitar instructor are so welcoming, patient and kind. I'm an 'older' beginner and really excited to be on this journey. Such an incredible experience.

Mary D, Pasadena, CA

As parents we couldn’t be happier.

The approach that School of Rock implements on the students is one of a kind. They take the time to engage the student with fun, all the while teaching them fundamentals of music. My son LOVES School of Rock and so do we!

Nicole N, Pasadena, CA

Amazing first lessons for both kids!

We are so excited to start learning at School of Rock!

Marie B, Pasadena, CA

I highly recommend School of Rock!

The owner is absolutely wonderful! There's friendly staff and my daughters both love it! It's a great place overall!

Karina L, Pasadena, CA

Explore School of Rock

Pasadena

Location Specifics

Upcoming Special Hours:

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

Programs we offer

The Path to Take the Stage

The Path to Take the Stage

The Path to Take the Stage

The Path to Take the Stage

The Path to Take the Stage

THE PATH TO TAKE THE STAGE

The Path to Take the Stage

The Path to Take the Stage

The Path to Take the Stage

Music Lessons in Pasadena

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Adults

Intermediate to Advanced Guitar Lessons

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

Beginner Drum Lessons for Adults

Intermediate to Advanced Drum Lessons

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

Beginner Singing Lessons for Adults

Intermediate to Advanced Singing Lessons

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

Beginner Bass Lessons for Adults

Intermediate to Advanced Bass Lessons

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Adults

Intermediate to Advanced Keyboard Lessons

Reviews

I am beyond happy with School of Rock.

As parents we couldn’t be happier.

Amazing first lessons for both kids!

I highly recommend School of Rock!

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