SW Austin
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

SW Austin

Map
School of Rock SW Austin
9600 I-35
Ste I-100
Austin, TX 78748
512-282-7625
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 - 3 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

Refine your music skills at School of Rock in southwest Austin. We are proud to offer music classes to help teach our community how to play instruments with skill and confidence, teaching everything from drums, guitar, songwriting, house band and vocals. Students can develop skills in playing popular local genres of classic, 90s, and 2000s rock. Our school is the perfect location for students to grow their skills in a supportive and encouraging learning environment and then go on to perform at one of the many live venues in the area. Austin has a thriving music scene, well-known for live music, making School of Rock an excellent place to study.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

At School of Rock SW Austin, 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 SW Austin, 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 Austin
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

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

School of Rock SW Austin'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 SW Austin 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 Austin.

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 SW Austin 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 Austin.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Austin

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Austin

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock SW Austin 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 SW Austin, 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 SW Austin 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 SW Austin, 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 Austin.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Austin

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock SW Austin 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 Austin 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 SW Austin, 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 Austin 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 SW Austin, 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 Austin

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Alex Vallejo
Director of Operations
Alex Vallejo is best known as the drummer of the award-winning Austin, Texas rock band VALLEJO.

Aside from performing in his band VALLEJO, Alex is also the VP of Austin music production label VMG (Vallejo Music Group), board member and artist consultant at the Austin Music Foundation, operations director for School Of Rock (Southwest Austin/Round Rock, TX), co-founder of the Pachanga Latino Music Festival, sits on the advisory board of EQ Austin and is also a partner and talent buyer for EPS Presents.
Music Director Justin Pratt
Justin Pratt
Music Director
Justin Pratt is a San Marcos, TX based musician who plays Guitar, Bass and Vocals. Justin studied Music performance at Los Angeles Musician’s Institute and is well versed in Rock, Blues, Country and R&B. Justin currently performs with Broken Arrow and Sami and The Engine.
Drum Teacher Vinnie Ambrosone
Vinnie Ambrosone
Drum Teacher
Vinnie Ambrosone was born and raised in Corning, NY. His father was a professional Jazz drummer who encouraged Vinnie to pursue his dream of playing drums professionally. After graduating from high school, Vinnie started earning money for playing and became a professional drummer, which he still is to this day. After honing his skills with cover bands and playing original music throughout the northeast, Vinnie moved to Austin, Texas in 1999 to further pursue his dreams.

As a result of this move, Vinnie began to meet and work with many professional musicians covering genres like Rock, Blues, Americana, Funk, and Country. Vinnie was asked in 2004 to audition for the legendary Bill Hamm of ZZ Top fame. Vinnie worked as a touring country/rock drummer for Bill and performed in arenas and stadiums opening for the likes of Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Big & Rich, Diamond Rio, and many other Texas regional acts. There are many artists he has performed with over the years and continues to perform throughout Texas and the Southwest.

With over 30 years of touring and recording, Vinnie brings a vast knowledge of experience and he is dedicated to helping the students of School of Rock pursue the same dreams he had as a kid. Vinnie is a drum teacher at School of Rock SW Austin.
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Grady Humble
Grady Humble
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Grady's musical journey started with his family. His grandmother had a piano and his father had a guitar. He started picking out all the drum parts and playing them on the dashboard of the car to the radio. Eventually, Grady’s grandmother bought him a drum set and he started practicing. In 19991, Grady moved to Austin and has been a part of the music scene as a working drummer ever since.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher Ben Jones
Ben Jones
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Coming from a musical family, Ben began his musical journey at the young age of 5 years old when his father began to teach him to play drums. By the time he was 15, Ben was fluidly switching between drums, piano, guitar, bass, trumpet, and trombone, had been selected for his district’s All-District band, and was functioning as both a vocalist and the keyboard player for his church’s worship group. He went on to continue playing wind instruments, adding saxophone and clarinet to the list.

Ben studied music at Louisiana Tech University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. During his collegiate career, he studied music theory and composition, piano, and guitar. Ben received multiple vocal scholarships for concert choir and chamber singers and served as a member of the university’s guitar ensemble and as a piano accompanist. He played various instruments in the pit orchestra for the university’s theater productions and was a baritone soloist for the chamber singers. During this time Ben also tutored peers and private students alike in music theory, piano, and voice.

Ben has performed with numerous bands in Louisiana, Florida, Texas, and Arkansas in various capacities as a vocalist, keyboardist, drummer, guitarist, and bassist. Being at School of Rock, he is thrilled to be able to pass along his knowledge to aspiring musicians.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher Francis Nieves
Francis Nieves
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Francis José Nieves is a vivacious composer, conductor, and pedagogue known for his diverse artistic interests and his leadership in the fine arts. Born and raised in Fort Hood, Texas, Francis holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting, studying under world-renowned choral director and Grammy Award winner Dr. Craig Hella Johnson. Additionally, he holds his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Studies from Texas State University, studying under Brigette Bellini and Dr. Richard Novak.

In his graduate scholarship, Francis conducted every major choral ensemble in the university, including the Conspirare Youth Chorus of Austin, Texas. He was the founding producer of the first and only Texas State University School of Music choral podcast “TXST Choirs Today!” where guest composers and artists share their innovations in the choral world. Guests include recent Grammy Award nominees Jake Runestad, Stacy V. Gibbs, Craig Hella Johnson, Ralph Allwood, and many more.

Francis is a Character/Leggero tenor specializing in early, opera, and sacred music. He has performed as a member of the Texas State Men’s Chorus, University Singers, Chorale, Symphonic Chorus, Rock Ensemble, and Opera. His most recent performance was conducting Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb with the Texas State University Singers. His performance credits include Mollicone’s “Lady Bird: The First Lady of the Land” in the role of LBJ's Advisor for the opera’s world premiere, as well as Don Curzio in Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro”, Buoso’s dead body in Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi”, and in the chorus of “HMS Pinafore” by Gilbert and Sullivan. Francis was featured as a soloist in the 2018 Texas Music Educators Association Conference with the Texas State Chorale in “Considering Matthew Shepard” under the direction of Dr. Craig Hella Johnson.

Francis has performed with local ensembles including the early music group Les Ancients presenting Aaron Copland’s “In the Beginning” and for the world premiere of Robert Fayrfax's “Missa O Quam Glorifica.” Francis has served as Assistant Director and Choir Scholar for the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, Texas, where he performed in 2016 as a soloist in their tour through Germany and the Czech Republic, performing and recording Russell Schulz's “Requiem.”

Francis has recently collaborated with composer Dr. Steven Sodders and Dr. Joyce Wu for the world premiere of “Waking Up Drunk on a Spring Day” at Austin Community College and Dr. Collin Kemeny and the UT Composition Department for the world premiere of the operetta, “Wet Dirt.”

Over the summer, he keeps up his chops as the frontman and guitarist for his rock band, Cosmic Decay.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Cory Anderson
Cory Anderson
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Cory Anderson's love of music began with violin in the middle school orchestra. He began to teach himself guitar when he was 13 years old. Cory went on to win Akins High School's 2010 Battle of the Bands with his group, Resonant Requiem. Since 2012, he's been the rhythm guitarist and backup vocalist for the country cover band Broken Arrow.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher JD Brunson
JD Brunson
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Born in the dense suburbs of North Houston, JD started playing guitar six days before his 15th birthday when his parents bought him a guitar and amp for Christmas. Since that fateful day, JD has been involved in several professional projects playing multiple instruments involving sounds and genres including, though not limited to, punk, pop punk, grunge, classic rock, blues rock, prog rock, indie rock, garage rock, psychedelic rock, noise rock, country, bluegrass, cowpunk, soul, gypsy jazz, and traditional jazz.

Since 2014, JD has spent a sizable amount of time touring and playing in front of people and accruing life experience. JD also took lead songwriting roles in most of these projects, and even in vocals in his own project. With guitar being his primary instrument, JD also plays and teaches electric bass, upright bass, drums, and piano. He studied jazz guitar at Lone Star College Tomball in Houston in 2015 and 2016 and again for a semester at ACC here in Austin during the coronavirus pandemic. With an Associate Degree in Art from Lone Star Community College, JD is well-rounded both academically and musically.
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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