Wayne
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Wayne

Map
School of Rock Wayne
1055 Hamburg Turnpike Suite 1-A
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 653-5432

Location Specifics

We are located on the side of the shopping plaza by Vinnie's Pizzarama next to Jersey Mike's.

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Hours
  • Monday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 11 AM - 3 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

School of Rock is happy to serve Wayne and surrounding communities such as Franklin Lakes, Fairfield and Lincoln Park with quality music lessons from real, practicing musicians. We teach everything from the classics of singing to piano, bass guitar, drums, and more. At School of Rock, students can perform live shows and develop their skills in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. With enough practice, they may one day rise to the level of performing at one of the many live music venues in New York City or New Jersey.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

Rookies music program for children in Wayne
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock Wayne, our music program for children with no previous musical experience (typically ages 6 to 7-years-old) is called Rookies. Rookies students have one weekly group music lesson where they learn fundamentals like chords, rhythm and song structure. Kids get to learn and experiment with multiple instruments so they can later decide which one they ultimately want to continue pursuing in Rock 101.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE OF SIMPLIFIED ROCK INSTRUMENTS TO TEACH KIDS TO PLAY MUSIC

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire students to learn and develop a strong musical proficiency. At School of Rock Wayne, 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 Wayne
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

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

Remote student playing guitar
Online
All Ages

At School of Rock Wayne, our students can take online, one-on-one music instruction from the comfort of their homes. We call this program School of Rock Remote. This online music program contains weekly one-on-one instruction conducted by our expert School of Rock instructors in a safe virtual lesson room.
 
Students will receive their training using our proprietary education program, The School of Rock Method™, which couples live video lessons with our proprietary Method App™, SongFirst Approach™ and Method Books™. 

What To Expect
  • ONE WEEKLY 1-ON-1 LESSON
  • LESSONS CONDUCTED USING SECURE VIDEO TECHNOLOGY

THE PATH TO TAKE THE STAGE

All of our music programs for kids, teens, and adults are designed to help students gain amazing musical proficiency. School of Rock’s online music lesson program is no exception. Online guitar lessons, online piano lessons, online drum lessons, online singing lessons and online bass guitar lessons are all offered through the School of Rock Remote online program.

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

School of Rock Wayne'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 Wayne 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 Wayne.

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 Wayne 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 Wayne.

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

The School of Rock Wayne 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 Wayne'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 Wayne 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 Wayne

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Wayne

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Wayne

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Wayne 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 Wayne, 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 Wayne 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 Wayne, 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 Wayne.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Wayne

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Wayne 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 Wayne 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 Wayne, 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 Wayne 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 Wayne, 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 Wayne

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Wayne. 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 Wayne, 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 Wayne 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 Wayne Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Wayne 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 Wayne 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 Wayne, 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 Wayne, 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 Wayne’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 Charlie
Charlie
General Manager
Charlie started his School of Rock journey years back as a substitute drum teacher at School of Rock Somerville and School of Rock Wayne. Within a few months, he had become School of Rock Somerville’s lead drums teacher and was promoted to Show Director while also becoming a drum teacher for School of Rock Bedford. Soon after, Charlie committed his time solely to School of Rock's Somerville school.

After a successful run as Show Director and teacher, Charlie left School of Rock to fulfill some lifelong dreams while he pursued his own artistry and passion with his band The Silencer. He also became a notable professional Wrestling Commentator and Personality.

Around 2019 Charlie came back to School of Rock Somerville full-time as Music Director. In that time he helped cultivate the culture and community that has made parents and students alike so proud to call School of Rock their home ever since.

In November 2021 Charlie continued his career growth with School of Rock by becoming the General Manager of the Wayne school. Since then he has continued to grow in his role while dedicating himself to Wayne’s community by enriching lives through performance-based music education.

“It is my commitment to the students, staff, and families of our Wayne school to always give 100% of my dedication and focus to ensure that our school is a continuing success.”
Studio Coordinator Robin
Robin
Studio Coordinator
Robin is from Maplewood, New Jersey, where she fell in love with music at just five years old. She explored classical music as a member of the Columbia High School Chamber Choir and later embraced gospel music with the Voice of Victory Gospel Choir at St. John’s University.

Robin’s passion for music and the arts has always been a driving force in her life. At 19, she moved to New York City to pursue her dreams, earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from St. John’s University. She also has a strong background in advertising and marketing, which has shaped her professional journey.

Over the past eight years, Robin has gained significant experience in digital advertising, mastering coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. She has contributed her skills to well-known companies such as Nickelodeon, Discovery, Roku, NBC Universal, Buzzfeed, and Comcast.

Currently, Robin is pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Science at Montclair State University, where she’s combining her love for music with her expertise in computer programming. She is now embarking on an exciting new journey, aiming to create innovative and meaningful digital experiences.
Music Director, Drum Teacher Justin
Justin
Music Director, Drum Teacher
Starting as a drum instructor at School of Rock Wayne, Justin worked his way into Assistant Director and Show Director roles in his first two years. He is currently the Music Director at School of Rock Wayne. During his time with the school, Justin has run or assisted in countless performance programs and end-of-season shows. He’s even gone as far as to perform with our students live on stage when needed.

The enthusiasm and passion Justin brings to not just his lessons but the culture of our school is something that is guaranteed to ignite our already growing performance programs and team. Being aligned with our values and methods is something we take great pride in here in Wayne. Justin has exemplified what it takes to be a mentor, educator, and leader among our students.

Currently performing with the progressive hard rock project Answer Infinity, Justin is not only a drummer/percussionist but a songwriter as well. He frequently works as a session and live drummer for many artists locally, including fellow artist and long-time friend Matt Colligan and the Brooklyn outfit Bedlam Barrio. Justin has toured across both coasts of the country, performing at many venues. Among the most notable are The Whisky a Go Go, The Gilman, The Gramercy Theater, Webster Hall, and The Stone Pony.

A versatile musician with a passion for sharing his love and knowledge of drumming with his students, Justin is well-versed in many genres, including rock, progressive rock, metal, pop-punk, pop-rock, funk, jazz, Latin, and blues.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Angelo
Angelo
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Angelo is a professional musician with over 40 years of experience in guitar, bass, and piano.

Born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania, his musical journey and passion began listening to his mother’s Elvis Presley records at the age of 4. Angelo began his first formal study of music on the violin at 8 years old and continued his studies in the years to follow with the clarinet, drums and then finding his primary instrument, guitar, at age 12.

Angelo formed his first band playing bass guitar in 1978 and played with a number of different bands through his high school years. In 1982 he met my lifelong friend and acoustic guitar partner Mario Noche who he still performs with whenever possible.

While playing guitar in a rock band in 1991 Angelo met his wife, the lead singer, Rosa Tiongson. Over the years they have performed together in various groups from a duo to full bands. In 1996 they married and moved to NYC.

In 2002 Angelo met jazz musician and former Dizzy Gillespie pianist/musical director Mike Longo and began training with him. From January of 2004 until March of 2020 he worked with Mike as the sound/technical director for Jazz Tuesdays in New York’s Greenwich Village. Working with jazz greats such as Mike Longo, Jimmy Owens, Paul West, Annie Ross, Jon Faddis, Bob Cranshaw and others has been an incredible musical education. In 2017 he produced Mike’s release “Only Time Will Tell” reaching #15 on the Jazz Week “Jazz Album” chart.

Angelo's music philosophy is simple... "It is universal."
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher Alexsa
Alexsa
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Alexsa is a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist with over a decade’s worth of experience. She began playing guitar, bass, and drums in school and she participated in jazz, concert, and marching band. Outside of school, she spent the majority of her spare time studying the essential rock and metal legends.

By her senior year, Alexsa was chosen to be the marching band Pit Captain and was the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award recipient in jazz band. She and her many bands actively participated in the high school’s yearly “Hey Jude“ concert, which raised money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Following graduation, Alexsa went on to perform, record, and gig with several bands as a guitarist and vocalist. In 2022, Alexsa began her studies as a Music Major with a concentration in Classical Guitar.

She is driven by an undying passion for music and the desire to constantly be learning. As a teacher, she is extremely dedicated to helping young musicians reach their musical goals and fullest potential.
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Show Director R.J.
R.J.
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Show Director
RJ is a multi-instrumentalist originally from Lincoln Park, New Jersey. While primarily known for his drumming skills, RJ is also proficient with various other instruments. His musical style is influenced by rock, indie, R&B, and jazz, drawing inspiration from artists such as Underoath, John Mayer, Paramore, and Stevie Wonder.

Growing up as the only artistically inclined child in his family, RJ found his passion for the arts by participating in local art competitions, being involved in music programs from elementary school through high school, playing the drums for his hometown church, joining his high school pit orchestra, and becoming a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Since 2018, he's been deeply engaged in New Jersey's underground music scene, actively participating in diverse musical projects and showcasing his talent at various events and venues, from Asbury Lanes to Anime Magic! (Chicago).

RJ is currently focused on his projects OFF-KNOWNEOUS and BUFF CHIQ, all while balancing his responsibilities as an instructor at School of Rock of Wayne, a drummer at his church, taking on freelance drumming gigs, and producing video content for his social media channels.
Assistant Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher Jean
Jean
Assistant Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Jean is a multi-instrumental educator, who loves making noise, playing, recording, and teaching music to all ages.

His first teaching gig began four years ago on guitar and in the last 2 years has evolved into instruction on his other disciplines. Jean also has experience as a recording studio assistant and intern at Barbershop Studios. There he learned audio production as a means to be in control of all the aspects of music creation and expression.

His formal introduction to performance and music education came when he enrolled in the performance program at Ramapo College and performed in choral and diverse weekly groups.

Performing in bands out of college mainly as a Bassist and Vocalist, Jean honed his skills as a performer and recording artist.

“It is my belief that music is an integral part of life for it’s role as a universal language helps one to express ideas, capture moments and culture in ways that words simply can not. So I always like to approach music wide eyed just like a beginner.”
-Jean
Singing Teacher, Show Director Jonathan
Jonathan
Vocal Teacher, Show Director
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Jonathan grew up singing traditional contemporary gospel music at Fountain Baptist Church. He then moved to Boston, expanding his talents through formal training at Berklee College of Music, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music. While studying his own voice, he was heavily influenced by many artists, including Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross and Donny Hathaway. Jonathan’s elastic tenor voice and huge presence enabled him to accompany Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, James Taylor, Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams and Oleta Adams on stages throughout Boston. In addition to performing at venues such as the TD Garden, the Harbor Lights Summer Festival and the Berklee Performance Center in Boston, Jonathan performs covers and original material with his band at nightclubs across the United States. He is a recording artist through his company, Seamless Soul Music Group, where he collaborates with popular artists. He also records music through Nashville’s ColorBlind Soul Productions. Jonathan is a vocal instructor at School of Rock Wayne.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Aaron
Aaron
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Aaron is from Wayne, New Jersey, and fell in love with blues music at a young age. He was the third-place winner in the blues category of the 2019 International Wilson Guitar Competition and Festival in Brookfield, WI, and has had original music featured in numerous publications, including Rolling Stone France. Other awards include Outstanding Soloist at the West Milford Jazz Festival and the Livingston Jazz Festival.

Aaron is a former School of Rock student and had the opportunity to tour as a House Band student, having life-changing opportunities such as performing with Kofi Baker in front of hundreds of people at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival.

Aaron had the privilege of attending the Manhattan School of Music Precollege program and is a graduate of the jazz program at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he received a Presidential Scholarship.

Aaron’s love for gospel and blues styles features the use of bottleneck slide guitar, combined with a passion for the jazz tradition, to create a unique sound. He holds the blues in the highest regard and believes it is the most honest music there is. Aaron’s biggest influences are the Allman Brothers Band, Pixies, DEVO, Pavement, Wilco, Bill Frisell, and John Coltrane.

More recently, Aaron has played guitar backing up artists such as Azealia Banks, and tracks guitar whenever needed. Aaron performs and releases original music with his groups Damn Janis and Hullabaloo Workshop.
Guitar Teacher Nicole
Nicole
Guitar Teacher
Nicole, a dedicated guitarist and former student of School of Rock, brings her passion for music to her role as an instructor at the School of Rock in Wayne. Coming from Clifton, New Jersey, Nicole's musical journey began at a young age, she was drawn to the magic of music since her earliest years. Early on, she found herself captivated by the guitar, feeling an instant connection to the instrument that would become her lifelong passion.

In her junior year of high school, Nicole joined the jazz band and won an Outstanding Soloist award at the State Jazz Band Finale in her first year.

As a former student of School of Rock, Nicole's journey as a musician has been nothing short of exhilarating. From performing at iconic venues like the Bitter End in NY, The Starland Ballroom, and The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio, to The Met in Philly, her experiences have shaped her into the instructor she is today. Inspired by the likes of Mateus Asato, Isaiah Sharkey, John Mayer, Derek Trucks, and Prince, Nicole's love for gospel and blues styles resonates deeply in her musical expression.

Driven by an unyielding passion for music and a desire for constant growth, Nicole aims to help young musicians achieve their musical goals and reach their fullest potential. With a commitment to sharing her love for music and guitar, Nicole is excited to be part of the School of Rock in Wayne team, guiding students on their musical journey.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher Gracie
Gracie
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Gracie is a vocalist and piano instructor at the School of Rock in Wayne, New Jersey. She has been pursuing performing arts as early as 3 years old. She started through a family-run dance studio owned by her abuela. Through the dance school, she had the opportunity to begin singing at all of the dance recitals and performances.

Gracie sang behind closed doors mainly until breaking out of her shell to join the theatre community at age 16. She earned lead roles such as ChaCha from Grease, Lois Lane from Kiss Me Kate, Vanessa from In the Heights, and, ironically, Tomika in the off-Broadway performance of School of Rock.

Gracie received a golden ticket on American Idol where she was sent out to Nashville and auditioned for judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. She is more than grateful for the experience. Her motto is “never give up, and always strive to be better than you were yesterday.”

Gracie believes failure is the best learning experience for success. While her theatre background and vocal training are extensive, she's enjoyed taking her music journey into the gigging and teaching industry! She's done live performances in Newburgh, NY in the Hudson Valley at places like Silk Factory, Hurricane, Toasted, and Icy Tina's. She is still performing and making music her number-one priority. She enjoys working with her students at School of Rock Wayne and giving them a space to be themselves and also endure in the art of music.
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

The staff genuinely care.

Staff put their heart and soul into continually creating better and better programs for our kids. They genuinely care for our children and see them as individuals each with their own talent.

There's so much positive reinforcement!

The instructors are my favorite part. They dish out positive reinforcement like candy on Halloween. You can really tell that they love music and are really interested in sharing their knowledge.

I've learned so much in six weeks!

The adult program is a great way for an adult who is learning to play, but maybe not ready to be in an independent band, to connect with others looking for a group to play with and learn together. There's a real learning piece to it.

Love the staff members.

They are polite, accommodating and are always willing to work with you!

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