East Hartford
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

East Hartford

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Map
School of Rock East Hartford
36 Main Street
East Hartford, CT 06118
860-962-7625
Hours
  • Monday: 1 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 1 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 1 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 1 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 1 PM - 9 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

School of Rock in East Hartford, CT is proud to offer revolutionary music education programs to the East Hartford community and surrounding towns such as Glastonbury, South Windsor, Windsor, and Manchester. We teach students how to play instruments, sing, and perform on stage with skill and confidence. With lessons from our expert instructors in a supportive and encouraging environment, students can learn to rock out on guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals across many genres including perennial favorites like pop, modern rock, and '80s metal. The Hartford area has a rich history of local musical talent with artists such as drummer Jeff Pocaro (Toto), Hammond organist Grayson Hugh, singer Mark Sayers McGrath (Sugar Ray), guitarist Doug Wimbash (Living Color), and songwriter JME Strchild. Our students get to perform at many popular local live music venues including Arch Street Tavern, Pratt & Whitney Stadium, Carmine’s Bar | Grill | Stage, Parkville Market, Crystal Bees, Infinity Music Hall, and the Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival. Take the first step towards stardom and join School of Rock in East Hartford, CT today!

Programs we offer

Rock 101 music program in East Hartford for kids and beginners
Rock 101
Ages 8-12

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock East Hartford'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 East Hartford 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 East Hartford are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock East Hartford 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 12-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 East Hartford
Performance
Ages 13-18

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

Rookies music program for children in East Hartford
Rookies
Ages 5-8

At School of Rock East Hartford, our music program for children with no previous musical experience (typically ages 5 to 8 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 East Hartford, younger students who are not ready for a more comprehensive program like Rock 101 can start in Rookies. Additionally, students who have completed the Little Wing program will progress into the Rookies music program. No prior musical experience is needed for Rookies. Once your child is ready for private music lessons (typically older than first or second graders), they will graduate into our Rock 101 program.

Little Wing music program for toddlers and preschoolers in East Hartford
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

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

Adult music program in East Hartford for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock East Hartford'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 East Hartford 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 East Hartford.

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 East Hartford 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 East Hartford.

House Band program for gigging at local venues in East Hartford
House Band
Ages 13-18

The School of Rock East Hartford House Band music program allows students between the ages of 13 and 18 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 East Hartford's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at Connecticut 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 East Hartford and the rest of Connecticut. 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 East Hartford

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock East Hartford

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock East Hartford

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock East Hartford 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 East Hartford, 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 East Hartford 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 East Hartford, 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 East Hartford.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock East Hartford

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock East Hartford 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 East Hartford 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 East Hartford, 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 East Hartford 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 East Hartford, 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 East Hartford

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

General Manager, Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher Kyle
Kyle
General Manager, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Kyle is a multi-instrumentalist who has been involved in the music industry from a very early age. With over two decades of drumming experience and guitar playing, Kyle has been involved in almost every aspect of live music from performing to managing and everything in between.

Kyle's musical journey started at the age of 8 through a traditional fife and drum corps. From there, he moved to the drum set where he eventually played for several local and regional touring bands. By the age of 19, Kyle was not only performing but also dabbling in the vast world of event production. From music festivals to corporate events, Kyle spent the next 12 years touring the country with many major shows. With his roots based in Connecticut, Kyle continued pursuing his passion by managing local talent and working in music retail as an instrument dealer, while simultaneously teaching privately and managing one of the largest music education programs in the state.

Kyle is very excited to be a part of the School of Rock family and is eager to help grow the brand all across Connecticut. He also serves as the drum sergeant in the First Company Governor's Foot Guard based right here in Hartford. Kyle's favorite bands are the Beatles and Dream Theater, and he enjoys finding new local music at shows in his spare time.
Owner Scott Rownin
Scott Rownin
Owner
School of Rock East Hartford’s owner, Scott Rownin, is an entrepreneur and inventor of the “SafeRide” mobile app to halt texting while driving, and a drummer of 35 years.

After being asked to accompany his daughter’s band in the fourth grade for a performance of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five,” parents approached him about teaching their elementary school kids as well. “That was the spark,” he said. Right around the same time, Scott ran into an adult while living in Westport, CT, who was a student at a local School of Rock, and “it just dawned on me that this would be a great business.” When Scott got in touch with School of Rock, he learned that the company had been looking for someone to come into the Hartford area for a long time. Scott now lives in Simsbury with his wife Lauren, a local realtor, and their two kids who are both School of Rock students (of course).
Singing Teacher Alisa
Alisa
Vocal Teacher
Alisa is a Pop/R&B singer-songwriter from Northeastern Connecticut. She has written and performed her original music, fronted cover bands, and collaborated with artists from all over the world. Her soulful tone is influenced by powerhouse voices like Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey. As a self-taught musician, Alisa brings a unique aspect to her teaching and uses music as an outlet to channel pain, power, and passion.
Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Antonio
Antonio
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Antonio is a vocalist from New Britain, CT. He has been singing since he was 4 years old in his church and has used his voice to become very successful in his singing career. Anthony has performed on Carnival Cruises, at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos, and many others. His musical influences are The Temptations, Boyz II Men, and Luther Vandross.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Pat
Pat
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Pat's musical journey started at the age of 13 with an instant love of the guitar. Since then, he has played in numerous original bands and tribute acts. Pat has recorded three albums with his main band and has also spent countless hours in the studio producing records. His bands have played all over the Northeast and spanning as far west as Ohio and as far south as Virginia.

Pat's love of music, in general, has roots in the very early stages of his life and has been growing since day one. That love of music and recording specifically carried onto college where he studied audio engineering. Along with playing music, he has been in teaching roles throughout his twenties working with elementary schools in Connecticut. The most rewarding thing to him is being able to teach music to our younger generation, including his daughter who is now starting her musical journey!

“If you get confused, listen to the music play!”
Drum Teacher, Singing Teacher Claire
Claire
Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Claire’s love of music and performing began with musical theater as a kid. Soon, she started playing percussion as well as singing. Her fascination with how music was made continued on through high school, where she began writing and arranging music for herself and her friends to sing and play together.

Claire went to college for music, receiving her Bachelor of Music in Music Composition and Bachelor of Arts in Music History from UConn in 2020, where she studied percussion and sang with choirs in Italy, France, and Austria. During the summers, she worked at the Young People’s Center for Creative Arts (YPCCA), seeing young people learn their love of music similarly to how she once did. Now, Claire runs the Bristol Central High School Percussion Ensemble, and teaches music students of all ages!

Claire’s lessons can vary greatly in style depending on the student. She meets students where THEY are, musically, using tools that work for the individual to strengthen rhythmic and harmonic understanding, practice techniques, and healthy habits, as well as breath support and mic control for vocalists.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Mac
Mac
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Mac is a multi-instrumentalist starting with the trombone in elementary school. He switched to the bass guitar and has been performing in bands and ensembles ever since, taking up more instruments along the way.

Mac has recorded albums and toured with multiple bands, has attended university music programs, and performs regularly locally. He now brings his instrument and performance expertise to School of Rock fulfilling his desire to give back to the musical community.
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

My kids are playing the instruments they want to learn

My kids love going to their music classes. They are playing the instruments they want to learn: drums, keyboard, and guitar. The staff is great to work with and great to my kids!

My two kids can’t stop talking about coming back to School of Rock every week

School of Rock in East Hartford may have just opened but my two kids can’t stop talking about coming back every week. Friendly staff and a great program using all of your typical “rock band” instruments. I think we have a drummer and pianist in the family.

What I like about the program is that my kids LOVE it!

This is so different from the music lessons that existed when I was a kid. These kids are actually making music and learning to play as a band. The performances are so impressive, and watching the kids gain confidence and express themselves on stage is priceless.

The structure around how kids learn is amazing.

Taking lessons to learn an instrument is one thing, but learning how to be a part of a band is on another level. These kids are learning how to communicate, respect people and their opinions, and how to be accountable for themselves. It’s more than just music here.

It's the best music program in the city.

Dedicated instructors and staff, vibrant atmosphere, and most importantly, it's fun! My 8-year-old has grown leaps and bounds in skill and personal confidence. If you're thinking about checking it out, don't wait, just do it!

The kids have a great time while learning to play.

Lifelong skills and relationships are born here. The staff shares their passion for music and are very professional and accommodating. Wish I had this type of exposure to music when I was growing up!

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