St. George just got a little louder. A new music school is turning up the volume on teamwork, stage time and all-out jam sessions.
“What makes School of Rock different from traditional lessons is that our students learn by performing together,” said Jesse Marrott, owner and general manager of School of Rock St. George. “They apply what they learn in lessons to real rock bands that play real gigs.”
The School of Rock St. George held its grand opening on Nov. 8, and Marrott said it was a packed day of live music and community energy. Families enjoyed free music lessons and guided tours of the new space and were inspired by a standout performance from the School of Rock Las Vegas House Band.
Things ramped up midafternoon when the first student to sign up at the St. George school, Cameron Bell, smashed a guitar onstage and pumped his fist to a cheering crowd. Marrott said the House Band delivered an unforgettable set that left “everyone buzzing,” with many families signing up for the Rock 101 and Performance Program after the show. The event wrapped up with raffles for a free instrument and a free month of lessons.
Inside the music: What School of Rock offers
Marrott said School of Rock is the world leader in performance-based music education, offering one-on-one lessons paired with group band practice and live shows to help students of all ages build confidence and become skilled musicians.
School of Rock has been around for more than 25 years. Marrott said it has grown into a global network of more than 600 schools in 23 countries, giving students opportunities to perform on professional stages, collaborate with peers and even tour nationally or internationally through programs like School of Rock AllStars.
“For me, opening this location in St. George was about bringing that same life-changing opportunity to my own community,” he said. “Music has been a huge part of my life since I was a kid, and I’ve seen firsthand how it can boost confidence, creativity and connection. I wanted to create a place where kids and adults alike could discover that same love for music and performing."
Marrott’s own musical journey began early. He started playing classical piano at 8 and was hooked immediately. By 12, he said he had picked up the drums and was performing in his middle school symphonic and jazz bands while continuing his piano studies. In high school, he turned to the “dark side,” joining a punk band as the drummer and exploring songwriting and production.
“Though my career was great, I always felt the pull of songwriting and performing music,” he said. “I continued writing and jamming over the years, but now my three kids were my new bandmates.”
When he and his family moved to St. George, his wife’s hometown, Marrott said it felt like the right moment to take the leap. Opening the School of Rock gave him a chance to reconnect with the passion that has shaped his life and create a place where young musicians in the community can discover that same spark.
School of Rock opens with a performance-focused approach to music education, St. George, Utah, Nov. 8, 2025.
“St. George is full of talent, creativity and energy, but until now, there hasn’t been a space dedicated to helping young musicians perform together, collaborate and grow in a structured yet inspiring way,” he said. “We go beyond music lessons and get our students practicing and performing in real bands and on real stages.”
He said the primary goal of the School of Rock is to serve as a community hub where students build teamwork, discipline and confidence through performance. Whether a student dreams of touring the world or simply wants to play music with friends, School of Rock provides the tools and support to make it happen.
The School of Rock is jamming at 250 Red Cliffs Dr., Suite 31, in St. George, inside The Shoppes at Zion. Visit their website at stgeorge.schoolofrock. com for more information.