Strongsville

Explore School of Rock

School of Rock Strongsville

School of Rock

Explore School of Rock Strongsville

School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Strongsville

Map
School of Rock Strongsville
16888 Pearl Rd #4
Strongsville, OH 44136
(440) 572-7655

Location Specifics

We are located in the "Taste of Excellence" plaza by Michaud's Event Center and Shintos.

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Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 2 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 12/24/2024 - 12/28/2024: Closed
  • 12/30/2024 - 01/01/2025: Closed

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

School of Rock in Strongsville, Ohio proudly serves the local community and surrounding areas like Brunswick, Medina, and Berea with a revolutionary music education approach. Our quality music lessons are taught by real, practicing musicians and students can learn to rock out on guitar, keyboards, drums, and vocals, across many genres. Considered to be the birthplace of rock and roll, the Cleveland area has been home to numerous popular artists and groups such as Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails, Kid Cudi, and Tracy Chapman. At School of Rock, students can jam together, perform live music, and develop their skills in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. Our students perform at community-based events like Strongsville Home Days and Rock the Lot. Our students also regularly play at local venues like The Winchester and Harvest Saloon! Join the band and visit School of Rock Strongsville today!

Programs we offer

Rock 101 music program in Strongsville for kids and beginners
Rock 101
Ages 8-11

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock Strongsville'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 Strongsville 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 Strongsville are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock Strongsville 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 11-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 Strongsville
Performance
Ages 8-18

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

Rookies music program for children in Strongsville
Rookies
Ages 7 - 8

Students must be 7 or 8 years old to qualify for the class. At School of Rock Strongsville, our music program for children with no previous musical experience 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 Strongsville, 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.

Adult music program in Strongsville for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Strongsville'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 Strongsville 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 Strongsville.

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 Strongsville 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 Strongsville.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Strongsville

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Strongsville

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Strongsville 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 Strongsville, 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 Strongsville 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 Strongsville, 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 Strongsville.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Strongsville

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Strongsville 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 Strongsville 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 Strongsville, 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 Strongsville 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 Strongsville, 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 Strongsville

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Ed Sotelo
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Though he played in a few bands during my college years, it wasn’t until the late 90s that Ed connected with Cleveland’s thriving punk rock scene. Ed's experience being around so many creative people taught him that rock music is an art, a craft and an essential part of his life. In the early 2000s, Ed connected with Cleveland rock band Cobra Verde. They toured, recorded a few albums and even found themselves on the soundtracks of "The O.C." and "True Blood."

Since then, Ed has played in a bunch of original bands. Currently he's busy with groups like The Jack Fords, Mike St. Jude and the Valentines, and Brazilian folk ensemble Chamba Music. Ed considers himself a student of musical history, and a big fan of music from around the globe, made by people from times and places very different from our own.
Chris Buhoveckey
General Manager
Chris started playing drums/percussion at the age of 11 and has not looked back since. He possesses a love for teaching, and even taught in public schools for several years. Never turning down the opportunity to learn something new, Chris has studied under local greats such as Jeff Babinski (Maura Rogers and The Bellows) and Andy Herrick (Chimaira). He has studied and performed many different styles/genres of music, such as rock, metal, country, hip-hop, rap, jazz and more. Chris currently plays with local cover band Pop Fiction. He encourages you to take a chance and try something new because you never know what will happen.
Keyboard Teacher Shane Sorboro
Shane Sorboro
Keyboard Teacher
Shane has been banging the piano keys since before he can remember. His parents and grandparents both played piano as well so there was always one around. Growing up, Shane drew most of his inspiration from two keyboardists Andrew McMahon and Ben Folds Five... tho he loves all styles and genres of music. Over the years, he studied under multiple instructors and has become well versed in theory and proficient in different styles of playing. He loves writing and creating original music in his spare time as well! Shane began teaching at School of Rock in 2017. Nothing makes him happier than sharing his knowledge and passion for music with others.
Guitar Teacher Mike Kearns
Mike Kearns
Guitar Teacher
Mike Kearns was born and raised in New Jersey. Early influences include a massive family record collection covering everything from Stravinsky to Springsteen, violin lessons, a life-changing viewing of A Hard Day's Night on a tiny TV set, and the New York rock station WNEW-FM. He came to Ohio to study composition and guitar with Dr. Loris Chobanian at Baldwin-Wallace, graduating with honors, and has lived in the Cleveland area ever since. Mike's range of musical activities have included rock, classical, jazz and musical theater, including appearances with Cameo Theater rock musical productions of "Godspell", "Rent", and the world premiere of "Macbeth: A Rock Opera". Currently he performs with Shadow of Doubt: a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute; Mike, Jim and Bill Do the White Album; and AT33. Recorded output includes collaborations with local-area musicians Chris Tuma, Elvis Manson, Dee DePrator, and Rhys Miller. For over 20 years Mike worked in IT management while maintaining a highly active musical career. He is thrilled to be with School of Rock working with the coolest staff and students and there's no looking back!
Tim Moon Music Director
Tim Moon
Music Director
Vocal enthusiast, Pianist, writer and composer Tim Moon began his musical journey as a backup singer to his Mom at the ripe old age of 3. Soon, at 4 years old, he began playing piano, writing endlessly complex music by hitting random notes on the piano all while insisting all notes were musically intentional.

Tim started his first band and began playing in every high school show he could. Being an acoustic guitar rock singer was DEFINITELY in his future. Then, at the ripe age of 19, Tim saw Ben Folds play piano and decided that being in a piano rock band was DEFINITELY in his future. He obsessively read every theory book he could find in the learning of this process.

But as High School rolled into college, Tim continued his classical voice and piano development. College was boring and nothing happened….Until Tim started Don’t Fear the Sun and went on tour, had a stint on Warped Tour, quit his job, moved to Cleveland because of a national tour in support of this big band at the time but ultimately the tour ended in catastrophic train wreck which left him unemployed and living in a new city.

In his first stint at School of Rock, which lasted 7 years, he at one point had 44 students a week and developed a pedagogy teaching classical mechanics to sing contemporary music.

While this story can continue, the next chapter included a new band, working for an artist, writing for other artists, working with professional vocalists and being a Creative Director for a Warner Music Group Recording Studio.

But nothing was better than working with the kids at SoR, so he came back, proceeding the legend himself, Tommy Rich.
Joe Stefano Director of Staff Training and Development
Joe Stefano
Director of Staff Training and Development
Playing drums since the age of eight, and playing in rock bands steady since the age of 11, Joe has been a part of the music scene for 20 years. Dabbling in all genres, he is well-versed in funk, jazz, reggae, afro-cuban and drum corps, and is deeply rooted in rock. In high school, Joe was the recipient of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award in 2001, and was the percussion section leader in marching band. He has played in various groups such as Detagoh, The Recent Vintage, Drop Notion, Switchbladd Scarlett, The Stereo Riot, Surrounding Cities and many more. One of the original staff members at both the Cleveland West and Highland Heights School of Rock, Joe loves teaching music and giving students every bit of knowledge that he can.
Singing Teacher Jessi Nemeth
Jessi Nemeth
Vocal Teacher
Jessi Nemeth grew up in Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. She had a love of music from a very young age, and even though her parents weren't musicians themselves, they exposed her to an eclectic mix of different types of music. Always gravitating to singing, Jessi started private voice lessons at the age of 14. From then on, throughout her teens and twenties, she became extremely passionate about performing many different genres of music including rock, musical theater, choral, and classical. Jessi went on to attend the Kent State School of Music where she majored in vocal performance in classical voice. During that time she was introduced to The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus. She performed with the Blossom Festival Chorus with The Cleveland Orchestra over the course of five years.

In 2009, Jessi moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she and her sister formed their rock band, The Rubicons, in early 2012. In 2013, she moved to Cleveland where the world of the local music community opened wide for her. Along with singing in The Rubicons, Jessi has joined many other artists in the Cleveland music community in one way or another; singing lead, backup, and joining recording sessions at various recording studios in NorthEast Ohio. She also formed an acoustic rock duo called Jessi Rose and Fabián, and sings in multiple other projects as well.

In December 2021, she joined School of Rock Cleveland as a vocal instructor and is thrilled to help current and future musicians find their voice, and confidence to perform in whatever capacity they desire.
Rookies Director, Singing Teacher Elise Bonezzi
Elise Bonezzi
Rookies Director, Vocal Teacher
Elise began her singing endeavors and discovered her love for music at 7 years old. She dabbled in songwriting and put on performances for her family, friends, and stuffed animals. Elise started vocal and keys lessons at the age of 12 and began picking up personal gigs at private and church events, talent shows, and so on. She went on to be in choir, her high school musicals, and bands of her own. Elise specializes in singing the National Anthem, having done so for college and upper-level sports events and Veterans Day ceremonies. She performed the anthem at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery for five years. Before graduating high school she was invited to audition for The Voice in Nashville and made it to the final set of auditions in Hollywood before being let go in May of 2019.

It wasn’t until she entered School of Rock and was selected to be in the Headliners group that Elise developed a love for helping others discover their musical passion. She had the privilege of being a student alongside kids younger than her and realized she wanted to help mentor them the same way that she was mentored and inspired by her instructors. She is more than grateful for her time at School of Rock as a student, and now as an instructor!

Elise is currently going to school at Cleveland State University and majoring in Music with a focus in Vocal Performance. You can catch her playing gigs around Cleveland with her bands Rose Collective and Classic Friday.
Show Director, Drum Teacher Julian Goldthwaite
Julian Goldthwaite
Show Director, Drum Teacher
Julian is from Akron, OH, and has been drumming since he was 3 years old. He grew up playing music with his dad, mostly blues and rock. At 16, Julian marched with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. From there he started teaching high school drumlines in Akron. Julian marched a total of three years with the Bluecoats, aging out in 2007. He also marched for three years with Matrix indoor percussion ensemble, which opened the door for him to teach at Youngstown State University. Later, Julian moved to Texas to teach drum lines and work at Promark, the drumstick manufacturing company. During this time, he also taught the Glassman Drum and Bugle Corps until 2010.

Since then, Julian has moved back to Ohio where he teaches out of Brunswick High school and Marion Harding High School. In 2015, Julian was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers to create a bucket performance ensemble. From there he started writing and performing with the QStix, which would later change to the 216Stix and you can see them perform at home games. Julian has played drums in many bands from many different genres. Currently, he plays in a band with his dad, The Immortal Porpoises. Julian lives to teach and perform!
Keyboard Teacher Steve Musichuk
Steve Musichuk
Keyboard Teacher
Steve comes from a musical family and began piano lessons at the age 4. He studied classical piano performance at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music when he was in seventh grade. Steve briefly studied jazz piano with Pat Pace in Akron and Music Theory at Tri-C. He got his first keyboard at 15 years old and immediately began playing in bands. He played in numerous original and cover bands throughout the Northeast Ohio area. Now retired, Steve still fills in with local area bands when called upon. He has been teaching the keyboard at School of Rock since 2012.
Studio Coordinator, Rookies Teacher Mia Gonzalez
Mia Gonzalez
Studio Coordinator, Rookies Teacher
Mia has been surrounded by music her whole life and grew up listening to various genres from new wave to jazz. If you asked her, she’d say her music path began when she sang in front of her family for the first time (but it really started when she became a Hannah Montana mega fan and saw her in concert at age 5!). From that moment on, Mia immersed herself in everything music, from performing songs for her family and friends to listening to music all night and stealing the auxiliary cable in every family car ride.

Mia became a School of Rock student at 13 and her passion for music and performing only grew. As a student, she picked up keys, drums, and bass in addition to singing. Here is where she found her deep love for singing and playing bass

After graduating, Mia took a gap year and decided to pursue music as a career. She now works at the School of Rock in Strongsville, Ohio as a Studio Coordinator and instructs our Rookies program. In her roles, Mia has found a new passion for teaching and showing kids music. You can catch her performing vocals and bass with her band Berry Box!
Drum Teacher Aidan Forrey
Aidan Forrey
Drum Teacher
Aidan Forrey picked up his first pair of drumsticks at the young age of 7 years old. Throughout his childhood, Aidan was part of many of his school ensembles. As he got older and continued his involvement in music, Aidan decided to pursue music as a career and graduated from Cleveland State University with a bachelor's degree in music performance.

Aidan has played with various local bands, who all have a strong passion for the creation of music. He primarily grew up on classic rock, but then found love for so many other styles including jazz, hip-hop, Latin, country, and metal. Any kind of music is welcome! Aidan loves teaching and showing everyone his love and passion for drumming. Every day is another step in his musical journey where he learns from not only peers but his students as well.

Aidan hopes that you love music as much as he does. You can check out Aidan in his main band, Whiffler, which tries to take something from every genre of music. Always remember that music is the one thing that connects us all!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher TJ Maclin Jr.
TJ Maclin Jr.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
TJ Maclin is a former School of Rock student and embraces the performance-based music education approach. After graduating high school, he started recording and touring with his band Thaddeus Anna Greene. They shared the stage with the likes of Welshly Arms and a host of other local and regional powerhouses. TJ then attended Tri-C’s famed jazz studies program where he studied with musicians like Joe Hunter and Dan Wilson. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in music production.

Going by the moniker Peachcurls, TJ is currently writing, producing, and releasing his own music. It can be heard on TV shows like the Netflix series Freeridge and HBO’s Rap Sh!t. He is also a voice actor, comedian, and comedy writer. TJ wrote on the animated miniseries Daytime Noir, which premiered on FX and is available to stream on Hulu.

TJ's youthful spirit and creative expression make him a welcome addition to our roster of teachers at the School of Rock in Strongsville, Ohio.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Eric Thompson
Eric Thompson
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Eric is originally from Youngstown, Ohio, and is a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher at the School of Rock in Strongsville. Outside of School of Rock, Eric tours with his band Madame Marlowe and does various hired session guitar work.

Eric attended Dana School of Music in Youngstown where he studied guitar under Francois Fowler and obtained his bachelor's degree in music performance with an emphasis in music production.
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

Thanks, School of Rock!

Everyone gets to play with the group, regardless of experience! It gives new players the chance to play in a band in front of a live audience.

School of Rock helped them live Out A Dream!

School of Rock programs really are amazing! The performance program is like living a dream, and the sense of accomplishment for my kids is tremendous!

What A Difference!

Before School of Rock, my son wanted to play the drums but didn't actually spend time practicing and was bored by his lessons. Now he loves to play the drums, is excited for his lessons and is able to pick out drum beats from songs that he hears.

Great Staff!

The staff is fantastic at making you feel welcome right from the first minute you walk through the door! They are professional musicians who are incredibly patient in their teaching!

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