Waldwick
School of Rock

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Waldwick

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School of Rock Waldwick
152 Franklin Turnpike
Waldwick, NJ 07463
(201) 444-4425

Location Specifics

Next to Madison Dog Resort, across from APC.

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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 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 12/22/2025: Closed
  • 12/25/2025: Closed
  • 12/25/2025 - 01/02/2026: Closed

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

School of Rock Waldwick is proud to serve the Waldwick community and surrounding areas with a revolutionary education approach. With lessons from our expert instructors, students can learn to rock out on guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and vocals across genres. By jamming in a band together with friends while learning to read and play music by ear, students gain the confidence to truly be a rock star. Our students perform at community-based events and regularly play at local venues! Join the band and visit School of Rock Waldwick today!

Programs we offer

Rock 101 music program in Waldwick for kids and beginners
Rock 101
Ages 8-13

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock Waldwick'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 Waldwick 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 Waldwick are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock Waldwick 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 music program for teens in Waldwick
Performance
Ages 8-18

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

Rookies music program for children in Waldwick
Rookies
Ages 6-8

At School of Rock Waldwick, our music program for children with no previous musical experience (typically ages 6 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 Waldwick, 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.

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 Waldwick, 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 Waldwick is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Waldwick 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 Waldwick for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Waldwick'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 Waldwick 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 Waldwick.

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 Waldwick 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 Waldwick.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Waldwick

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Waldwick

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Waldwick 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 Waldwick, 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 Waldwick 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 Waldwick, 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 Waldwick.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Waldwick

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Waldwick 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 Waldwick 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 Waldwick, 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 Waldwick 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 Waldwick, 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 Waldwick

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Eric
Eric
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Eric is a fantastic example of what School of Rock can do for a budding musician. He is a former School of Rock student, was part of his school's House Band, and successfully auditioned for the School of Rock AllStars in 2006. Some of the memorable places Eric has played include B.B. King's Blues Club, World Cafe Live, and Royal Oak Theatre.

Eric truly understands the School of Rock Method. Today, he is part of several touring groups including an Allman Brothers Tribute Band called A Brother's Revival. You should see him play the pedal steel guitar! When not at School of Rock Waldwick, he also plays with several Grateful Dead tribute bands.

Check out Eric's latest project with Ed Sheerhan, One Shot, on Netflix.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Show Director Charlie
Charlie
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Show Director
Charlie’s musical knowledge and devotion are deeply rooted in his early childhood when he was exposed to tons of the greatest classic rock hits and artists through listening to his father’s collection of CDs. Cutting his teeth on over a decade of meticulous classical piano training and many performances at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Charlie got more involved with rock and roll music during high school when he co-founded his first band with a close friend. He transferred his musical knowledge from the piano to the electric guitar and even began to forge his abilities as a vocalist.

Since then, Charlie has relentlessly pursued greater knowledge and experience in the art of music through countless hours of practice and study, as well as involvement in an abundance of projects, studio work, and live performances across the Greater New York area. He sings and plays rhythm guitar, bass, and keyboards for studio tracking sessions with his rock band, The Vespids.
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Wayne
Wayne
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Wayne is a New York-based drummer who has enjoyed a diverse career as a professional musician for almost 30 years. During that time Wayne has kept busy playing for numerous Broadway shows including Cats, Lion King, Music Man, Annie Get Your Gun, Hairspray, and Billy Elliot, among others.

Wayne also played for the National Tours of 101 Dalmatians and Hair. In the jazz genre, Wayne has performed and recorded with alto sax great Richie Cole’s Alto Madness Orchestra, appearing at such venues as The Jazz Standard in New York City, The Cape May Jazz Festival in New Jersey, and the Kristianstad Jazz Festival in Sweden.

Wayne can be seen performing with the New York ska band Mephiskapheles and is heard on their self-titled EP. A particular career highlight for Wayne was a 2014 performance at Carnegie Hall with Ladysmith Black Mambazo featuring bassist Bakithi Kumalo, and special guest Dave Mathews, in a celebration of South African music. Wayne hopes to continue on this musical journey by playing the many different styles of music that he’s fortunate enough to encounter.
Drum Teacher Paul
Paul
Drum Teacher
Paul is a versatile drum set player and percussionist, adept in a wide array of musical genres, including jazz, hip-hop, Afro-Caribbean, rock, funk, and classical.

Throughout his career, Paul has collaborated with renowned jazz artist Ed Schlosser, who is also the pianist for Rita Moreno and has shared the stage with prominent musicians such as Calvin Hill of McCoy Tyner and guitarist Bruce Radtke. Paul's experience spans various musical styles; he has performed with the Brazilian rock band Blue Sour, progressive rock group NoView, and is currently a member of the metal band Mallek. As a Gio Cymbal Endorsed Artist, he showcases his skills with top-quality equipment.

In addition to his performance work, Paul serves as an A&R Executive at Manickat Records, where he focuses on identifying, developing, and managing a roster of Pop Punk bands. His experience at ACM Records involved overseeing logistics for a large-scale regional event with significant corporate sponsorships, including Guitar Center, School of Rock, VH1, IHOP, and Sonicbids.

Paul holds an MBA in Music Management, Copyright, and Marketing from William Paterson University. He is also dedicated to education, working with special needs students in the Public School Arts/Technology program.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Show Director Aurora
Aurora
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Show Director
Aurora is a New Jersey native who grew up in Jacksonville, FL, where she started her musical journey by taking piano lessons at the young age of six. Being a multi-faceted artist since childhood, she also took an interest in dancing and performance theatre. It wasn't until eighth grade that she decided to take her musical practice more seriously, focusing on piano, singing in her school choir, and playing clarinet in the school's band. She went on to study classical piano in Jacksonville at the prestigious high school Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.

She underwent four years of rigorous college-level training; performing in masterclasses with world-renowned artists, playing in concerts at local venues, and traveling abroad to study at music conservatories in Paris, France, and Brussels, Belgium. In her graduating year, she joined the school's jazz band which went on to win a Grammy signature award. Following high school, Aurora attended college at the University of Central Florida and continued her piano practice by teaching lessons at a music school. She continued gaining performance experience through volunteer work, putting on curated concerts for patients at local hospitals and nursing homes.

Aurora is excited to be back in New Jersey with School of Rock Waldwick, and is elated to share the passion she finds in teaching music to others!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Jack
Jack
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Jack DeSalvo, born in New York City, developed his extraordinary guitar style from a deep immersion into modern jazz, classical guitar and his own prolific compositional output. He has studied guitar with Bill Connors and Leonid Bolotine, composition with Ariada Mikéshina (herself a student of Richard Strauss) and at Berklee College of Music as well as with composer and theorist George Russell. DeSalvo performs mainly with his own trio and quartet and the group Quintrepid. All About Jazz calls Quintrepid “ a swinging collective with a fresh sound”.

Hailed in The Wire magazine as “masterful”, Jack DeSalvo has performed on over 100 albums with over 30 under his name. He has performed worldwide, including at jazz festivals and clubs in Europe.

“When you listen to Jack DeSalvo, it’s immediately apparent that he has an enormous musical vocabulary. Renaissance classical, garage rock, straight-ahead jazz, downtown skronk and traditional mandolin melodies are all part of his musical DNA. But when you hear DeSalvo improvise on classical guitar, you’re hearing the music of that precise moment. He has many influences (and there are as many poets, philosophers, and thinkers as there are musicians)…” – Mitch Goldman, WKCR

Jack DeSalvo is a founder of, and producer for Unseen Rain Records and also a multi-instrumentalist playing (besides classical, steel-string, 12-string and electric guitars) cello, mandolin, banjo, keyboards, etc.

With over 14 years of experience as a college music professor, Jack has mentored students who excel across all facets of music study. He has also taught individual lessons for over 30 years. He eagerly looks forward to returning to teaching one-on-one lessons, inspiring new generations of musicians eager to learn and grow. Jack has been a long time friend of School of Rock Waldwick and we are thrilled to have him on our staff.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Phil
Phil
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Meet Phil, a passionate guitar teacher & dedicated music professional based in New Jersey. With more than a decade of teaching experience, he specializes in blues, jazz, rock, and R&B. His teaching philosophy centers on building a solid technical foundation while aligning lessons with each student’s goals and musical tastes. He emphasizes ear training, improvisation, and active listening to help students play what they hear and enjoy the process of learning.

As a guitar teacher at School of Rock Waldwick, Phil works with students to understand their objectives and to tailor a progressive curriculum that covers techniques like bending, hammer-ons, legato, sweep picking, scales, chords, and harmony. He integrates live performance and style-specific elements to keep lessons engaging and relevant, encouraging students to explore favorite genres and tracks.

Beyond the classroom, Phil has developed programs for summer music programs focused on live performance, improvisation, harmony, and ear training. He also coordinated client showcases. Notably, he performed guitar for Bill and Hillary Clinton at a NYC fundraiser, showcasing his versatility and stage presence.

Phil embraces the patented School of Rock curriculum and uses the app to enhance every lesson.
Vocal Teacher, Show Director Ginny
Ginny
Vocal Teacher, Show Director
Get ready to be inspired by Ginny’s incredible musical journey! She’s been singing her heart out since she was just seven years old, starting with private vocal lessons that set her on a path of pure musical magic. When her teacher suggested the School of Rock, Ginny found her true home—where she rocked out with countless groups, each time leveling up her skills and stealing the spotlight. Her talent skyrocketed, earning her a spot in the House Band in record time!

After School of Rock Waldwick, Ginny headed to William Paterson University, where she earned a BA in Popular Music, with a cool focus on classical voice, plus a minor in Music Business—talk about a well-rounded superstar! And the excitement doesn’t stop there: she made her international opera debut in the summer of 2025 in beautiful Trentino, Italy, culminating in a big performance at the Trentino Music Festival. She’s also shared the stage with legendary artists like Kenny Rogers and Norah Jones, adding some serious star power to her resume.

Today, Ginny brings her experience back to School of Rock Waldwick, now as a vocal teacher and Show Director. She keeps the music alive right here in our community, performing regularly with her band, "Ginny Lackey and the HiFi Band". Catch her live and experience the fun, talent, and pure joy she brings to every show!

Fun Fact: She loves spending time with her three dogs, and when not doing music she likes to paint.
Vocal Teacher, Rookies Teacher Nicole
Nicole
Vocal Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Meet Nicole — a musical superstar with a passion that’s as big as her smile! She’s a classical voice major at William Paterson University and has been rocking the music education world for over 20 years. Whether it’s singing, strumming, drumming, or tickling the ivories, Nicole loves teaching it all — voice, guitar, drums, piano, ukulele, bass, and childhood music! Her musical journey kicked off at age eight when she joined her church’s children’s choir, and from that moment, she knew she was destined to share her love of music with others.

Nicole’s musical adventures don’t stop there! She’s been a dedicated music minister for more than two decades, currently serving as the cantor, guitarist, and choir director at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Leonia, NJ. When she was just ten, she took center stage in musical theater shows all over Bergen County. From there she grew and eventually her talent took her overseas to perform in Italy, Belgium, and France — singing in some of the world’s most breathtaking cathedrals!

Outside of School of Rock Waldwick, Nicole is the lead guitarist of her band Lavender Roses, where she rocks out and spreads musical joy. She’s also a proud member of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity, where she’s the Vice President of Ritual and Sergeant-At-Arms of her chapter, Theta Kappa.

And just for fun — did you know Nicole loves dill pickles and binge-watching the Golden Girls? Yep, she’s got a zest for life and a heart full of rhythm, ready to share her musical magic with the School of Rock Waldwick. Get ready to rock out and have a blast!
Drum Teacher Tom
Tom
Drum Teacher
Meet the School of Rock Waldwick rhythm guide and groove guru! Tom is a seasoned percussionist and drum instructor based in New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Caldwell University, and has built a dynamic career blending performance, education, and collaboration.

As a percussionist, Tom performed across a wide range of venues and events, mastering diverse percussion instruments and collaborating with ensembles to create cohesive, captivating sounds. As a drum teacher, Tom has developed a comprehensive, style-diverse methods of delivering personalized lessons that boost student confidence and skill. He has also led group workshops, maintains safe, organized practice spaces, and manages scheduling to maximize studio time and student engagement.

Tom’s work reflects a commitment to artistic expression, technical versatility, and inspiring others to explore their musical passions, including through the School of Rock Waldwick curriculum, and is excited to use the School of Rock Method app to further students' education.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Marc
Marc
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Music lover and arts enthusiast hailing from Millburn, NJ! From jamming out as a Music Instructor & Assistant Music Director at School of Rock in Montclair to helping customers at other music schools, Tom has been all about spreading the joy of music. Whether it's tuning up guitars or coordinating epic live shows he is always finding the right note. He thrives on creativity and connection. Always ready to turn up the volume on fun and good vibes! Marc teaches guitar and bass guitar at School of Rock Waldwick and has over 2 decades of teaching experience. He is very hands on and passionate about amping up the fun while getting important concepts across while fully embracing the School of Rock curriculum and patented Method App.
Studio Coordinator Jennifer
Jennifer
Studio Coordinator
Meet Jennifer: Our Studio Coordinator

With a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, Jennifer is skilled at managing multiple tasks. From overseeing the front desk to coordinating schedules, she keeps everything running smoothly.

Jennifer has earned a reputation for providing exceptional customer service, ensuring that every customer feels valued. Whether responding to inquiries or keeping students on time, she handles our operations with ease.

Fun Fact: Jennifer’s first concert was a mind-blowing Weezer show at the iconic Roseland Ballroom!

One of the coolest surprises for Jen at the School of Rock? The genuine camaraderie among our students! She’s amazed at the community we’ve built here, where kids willingly support each other.

Jennifer’s journey with SoR began at our very first school in South Hackensack, where she caught one of the early Paramore shows—talk about a killer introduction!

Jennifer is a Wyckoff native but now resides in Midland Park. We are happy to have her on our team.
Owner, General Manager Susan
Susan
Owner, General Manager
Susan started on flute in the fourth grade and by the seventh grade, she was using a special woodwind pick-up and guitar pedals for her flute. She was hooked.

Susan has a Fine Art, Art History, and Archaeological Anthropology degree from Parsons School of Design and the New School. So of course she does music! After running a successful nonprofit gallery in NYC, she launched a successful internet start-up.

However, Susan never forgot her roots in rock & roll and joined School of Rock Waldwick in 2010 as a voice and keys instructor. She was hooked on their innovative approach to teaching with her first show in September 2010. She teaches piano, vocals, and guitar. She has been a show director and Music Director. Susan became General Manager in 2017 and owner in 2020.
COO, Owner Kurt Haller
Kurt
COO, Owner
Kurt took on the role of owner and COO for the School of Rock Waldwick after leaving a position as Manager of Strategy & Business Transformation Practice at The Hackett Group. Previously, he was in procurement and logistics for Mercedes-Benz in Montvale.

Kurt is from Switzerland, where he earned several business degrees. He spent many years working for the Lucerne Blues Festival (Europe’s largest blues festival.) Kurt also has a passion for cars.
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

From a beginner drummer to a performer!

Within a month I was playing in a band, a few months later I started backup vocals and next month I’ll be the lead singer for a couple of songs, on top of playing drums in some more. It’s been a great experience! I love the adult band.

It's my daughter's Second Home.

She has been with the school since she was seven. Her biggest passion is vocals. We have had so many fabulous and diverse performance experiences thanks to School of Rock.

Great kids programs and birthday parties!

We just had his birthday party there and he and his friends had a blast. If your child enjoys music I would highly recommend checking out School of Rock.

My granddaughter loves it.

There is a variety of programs offered which gives the opportunity to learn about more than one genre. The faculty is very diverse which also means kids have the opportunity to learn from different perspectives.

School of Rock has helped my daughter improve and build confidence.

My wife and I are so pleased with the progress our daughter has made at your school.
Thanks to your school and your team, you helped her build confidence and I can only imagine how far she will take this. There has been a marked improvement when she started at School of Rock.

The staff is committed to helping children build confidence.

Everyone one who works there are is committed to helping children strive and build confidence in whatever path they choose. I have been referring people to School of Rock since we started there. We are so very grateful for all you do for our kids.

We love that the kids learn individually AND in a band.

We love that kids get to learn individually and perform in a band! They get to see how their individual work supports the bigger picture right from the start! And, they make new friends which is awesome.

The teachers are so dedicated and patient with our son.

I love how dedicated the teachers are to teaching the basics and allowing for fun in the process, and for their patience as our son navigates the music and his excitement for love for rock and roll!

School of Rock Waldwick has been a bright spot for my son

School of Rock Waldwick has been a bright spot for my son during this past year and its pandemic challenges! I'm sure it was not easy to organize, but Susan and Rich kept the environment safe, comfortable, and engaging.

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