Wilmington
School of Rock

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Wilmington

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School of Rock Wilmington
820 Town Center Dr #130
Wilmington, NC 28405
910-660-7625
Hours
  • Monday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

Wilmington, North Carolina is home to classic rock, beach music, and Americana. School of Rock Wilmington is the premier music school in our area. Here, students can learn to play musical instruments with skill and confidence thanks to help from quality instructors. The area boasts a vibrant music scene and is a popular location for shooting film and TV. Some famous musicians from the area include Charlie Daniels and the Avett Brothers who are from western NC but played in Wilmington regularly when they were coming up. The legendary singer/songwriter Tift Merritt was born in Raleigh but spent much of the 90's in Wilmington. School of Rock students may find themselves performing at the well-known Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

At School of Rock Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, 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.

Remote student playing guitar
Online
All Ages

At School of Rock Wilmington, 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.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Wilmington

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Wilmington

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Wilmington 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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Wilmington

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Owner, Chief Roadie Norm Giblin
Norm Giblin
Owner, Chief Roadie
Norm Giblin is a lifelong lover of music, especially rock and roll! In his early years, he would secretly learn rock songs like "Stairway to Heaven" on the piano, while he was supposed to be practicing the classical music assigned by his teacher.

Norm was drawn to Wilmington by the vibrant music scene, so when the opportunity came up to open a School of Rock here, he jumped at the chance! When he’s not working, you can find Norm playing the keys in various band projects.
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher Andrew Hirst
Andrew Hirst
Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Andrew Hirst is a singer, piano player, and composer with an itch for Classic Rock! Andrew is the music director, but also teaches piano, vocal, and guitar lessons at School of Rock Wilmington. With his B.A. in Music Education, Andrew has spent 10+ years teaching, playing, and singing across the country. From singing opera and performing in Carnegie Hall, to jazz trios and Classic Rock cover bands, Andrew has experience in all genres of music and is ready to help find the perfect song to get you rockin’! Andrew is so excited to join the band at School of Rock in Wilmington, and hopes to see you there!
Piano Teacher Lynnea Charles
Lynnea Charles
Piano Teacher
Lynnea Charles has spent nearly two decades playing the piano and mastering her craft. Lynnea is comfortable with all styles of music, but these days she focuses on playing rock and roll. Several years ago, Lynnea decided to share her gift with others and start teaching. Since then she has not only taught private piano lessons, but she has also taught students how to perform in a band setting, which makes Lynnea a perfect fit for piano teacher at School of Rock Wilmington! Lynnea considers teaching music not just a career, but a passion, and that is evident in her positive attitude. Lynnea relocated to Wilmington from the Raleigh area and dove right into the local music scene, collaborating with other area musicians in band projects. Be on the lookout for Lynnea on stages around town!
Paul Glaser Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Paul Glaser
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Paul Glaser grew up in a musical family and started playing guitar at a young age. By the time Paul was a teenager he was already teaching guitar and bass! A lifelong student of music, Paul is always looking for ways to grow as a musician. While earning his communications degree at UNCW, Paul collaborated with a variety of other musicians and bands and developed a particular fondness for jazz/funk/fusion, but at heart he is a true music lover and enjoys all genres, especially rock and roll! Paul’s current projects include a solo act incorporating a loop pedal, and also a three piece improvisational group. Paul teaches guitar and bass at School of Rock Wilmington.
Drum Teacher Brad Dean
Brad Dean
Drum Teacher
Brad Dean, has been playing the drums professionally for over 40 years! He has played in countless bands including the local favorite “The Other Guys”. Brad is comfortable playing and teaching a wide variety of music, including pop, rock, soul, jazz, praise, and contemporary christian. He also plays a variety of other instruments such as guitar, keys and harmonica, but he is most at home at the drum kit in the pocket! In addition to teaching drums at School of Rock, Brad is also the music director at a local church and remains active in several local bands.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher  Andrew Covil
Andrew Covil
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Andrew Covil began his musical journey at a young age playing cello in an orchestra, but discovered guitar in his teens and has been rocking ever since! No stranger to the stage, Andrew can be seen playing around Wilmington in various projects, including a duo that plays out a couple of times a week. He is comfortable playing and teaching a variety of genres, but has a deep love for the blues, which is evident in his playing. Always looking to further hone his craft, he is currently in college working on a fine arts degree in guitar. Andrew teaches guitar and bass at School of Rock and is eager to share his knowledge with a laid back, low pressure attitude.
Keyboard Teacher Michael Meeks
Michael Meeks
Keyboard Teacher
Michael Meeks has been playing music for most of his life. He started out as a percussionist at a young age, and then transitioned to piano in his early teens. His early instruction focused on classical music, but as he got older he transitioned to rock and blues via ragtime. He loves the improvisational nature of the blues, but also loves exploring other genres. Classic bands such as The Grateful Dead, The Doors, and The Beatles are tops on his influences list. In his spare time you can find him at the beach, riding his bike, or jamming with his friends or in one of his band projects. Mikey teaches keyboard at School of Rock Wilmington. He makes his lessons fun and upbeat with his constant smile and positive attitude!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher Spencer Carlson
Spencer Carlson
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Spencer Carlson teaches guitar and singing lessons at School of Rock Wilmington. Spencer began studying music at a young age and began performing while still in grade school! His music studies culminated in a bachelor's degree from the Berklee College of Music.

Spencer's influences include Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins, Pink Floyd, and John Mayer, but he will tell you that Jimi Hendrix is the one artist who brings the biggest smile to his face when he hears him. When not teaching guitar or singing lessons, Spencer can be seen playing all along the East Coast in the popular band Tuesday’s Gone. Spencer is also an avid songwriter and writes/plays/sings for his band The Highway Robbery.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Aaron Van Nynatten
Aaron Van Nynatten
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Aaron is a multi-instrumentalist with a penchant for jazz music! He started playing music at a young age when his uncle gave him his first guitar and hasn’t stopped. With years of playing and a degree in music under his belt, he has experience with guitar, drums, keys, bass guitar, and vocals, as well as classical instruments such as viola and cello.

Aaron teaches guitar, bass, keys, drums, and vocals at the School of Rock in Wilmington, North Carolina. He is truly a Jack of all instruments!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Joe Sprunt
Joe Sprunt
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Joe has been playing instruments from a very early age. He studied violin from childhood through high school and started playing guitar at 11 when he discovered his love of classic rock.

Joe currently plays lead and rhythm guitar with a local Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band called Tuesday’s Gone and has toured across the country. His passion for music and performance is evident in his teaching style as he strives to teach each student how to use their instrument as a means of creative expression. Joe teaches guitar and bass guitar at the School of Rock in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Drum Teacher Brian Winslow
Brian Winslow
Drum Teacher
Brian is a heavy metal and hard rock lovin’ drummer who has been playing drums for over a decade. His passion for music and drumming came from being in his middle school band program, as well as seeing the bands that he loves like Sleep Token perform live.

Brian is a drum instructor here at the School of Rock in Wilmington, North Carolina, and loves seeing his students nail new drum parts. We can’t wait to see him get acquainted with the local music scene and are grateful to have him here as an instructor!
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

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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