Dublin
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Dublin

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Map
School of Rock Dublin
6727 Dublin Center Drive
Dublin, OH 43017
(614) 766-7200

Location Specifics

We are located right off of I- 270 & Sawmill Rd. next to the AMC movie theater.

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Hours
  • Monday: 1 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 1 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 1 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 1 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Saturday: 9 AM - 3 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

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

School of Rock Dublin is happy to serve the Dublin and Columbus, Ohio areas with quality music lessons from real, practicing musicians. While our students are most fond of guitar and keyboard, we teach everything from singing to piano, bass guitar and drums. While the Dublin area is particularly fond of classic rock, we love a bit of everything out here, so we teach our students an eclectic mix of musical styles to build a powerful skillset. At School of Rock, you can perform live shows and develop your skills in a supportive learning environment. With enough practice, maybe you'll one day rise to the level of Dublin area greats like Twenty One Pilots.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

Rookies music program for children in Dublin
Rookies
Ages 5-7

At School of Rock Dublin, our music program for children with no previous musical experience (typically ages 5 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 Dublin, 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.

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

School of Rock Dublin'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 Dublin 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 Dublin.

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 Dublin 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 Dublin.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Dublin

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Dublin

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Dublin 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 Dublin, 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 Dublin 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 Dublin, 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 Dublin.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Dublin

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin, 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 Dublin 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 Dublin, 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 Dublin

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Dublin. 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 Dublin, 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 Dublin 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 Dublin Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin, 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 Dublin, 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 Dublin’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, Studio Coordinator Michelle Wehinger
Michelle Wehinger
General Manager, Studio Coordinator
Michelle has been working with students for over a decade. Originally in school for engineering, Michelle began tutoring local band students and fell in love with teaching. She received a bachelor's degree in Childhood Studies in 2017 and a master's degree in Education in 2019, both from The Ohio State University. She has tenure working in traditional classrooms, museums, and educational administration.

Michelle played music throughout her childhood, taking piano lessons from kindergarten through college. In high school, she played keys in her school’s jazz band. Recently, Michelle’s musical expression lies within coordinating local meetups and tournaments for music and rhythm video games.

Michelle is thrilled to be working alongside both students and music. She considers it the perfect combination.
Music Director, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Jenna Keller
Jenna Keller
Music Director, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Jenna Keller is a musician from Columbus, Ohio. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Music from The Ohio State University, with a focus on education, theory, and vocal anatomy. She plans on eventually obtaining a master's degree in either the education field or speech pathology. Jenna has been in vocal lessons/ensembles since the age of 9, and has been playing the piano since childhood, but became more serious about the instrument in college. She started playing the bass guitar while teaching here and has found a passion for that as well.

Jenna has experience playing and teaching many different styles of music and loves helping her students find music that inspires them. Her favorite genre leans toward indie rock/new wave, but she is no stranger to hard rock, classical piano, pop, or musical theatre. Her primary experiences in performing are from choral ensembles, operas, and musicals, but she does occasional gigs with some of our other instructors too!

Jenna began working at School of Rock Dublin as an instructor in 2022, then as Studio Coordinator in 2023, and is now Music Director as of 2024. The happiness and success of her students is the most important thing in her world, and she is always excited to make music with them!
Studio Coordinator, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Allison Ackerman
Allison Ackerman
Studio Coordinator, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Allison received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in 2017 with a focus in voice and music therapy. At the conservatory, she had the privilege of studying voice with Nancy Maultsby.

Allison has experience teaching and performing voice, guitars, ukulele, piano, and violin in individual and group settings with a variety of musical styles. She has been a member of various musical groups and performances, including the music instructor for Creative Identity in Laguna Beach, CA.

Allison is delighted to be in her hometown of Columbus teaching the future of the rock & roll scene!
Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher Adam Wesley
Adam Wesley
Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Adam Wesley was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and began performing professionally when he was 19 years old. He has continued to exercise his craft in many artistic aspects and disciplines for over two decades.

As a musician, Adam has attributed his vocal and instrumental talents to projects all over the country with bands including Fox + Ram, The Elizabeth Kill, and Modern Bronze. In addition to music, Adam is a passionate photographer, videographer, editor, and graphic designer. See Adam perform locally with his cover band, BOOMBOX RIOT!
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher Ben Reineke
Ben Reineke
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Ben plays regularly in Dayton and Columbus with a range of ensembles spanning from orchestras, rock bands, brass bands, pit orchestras, and his own musical projects. He has performed at venues such as the Schuster Center, the Dublin Irish Festival, and the Dayton Masonic Center. Currently, Ben performs in Columbus with the indie pop band Blucone and the Dublin Silver Band.

Ben earned his bachelor's degree in Music at Miami University in 2020 with a focus on percussion. Since graduating, Ben has worked with several high school band programs in Ohio including Dublin Coffman, Whetstone, Brookville, Lebanon, Piqua, and Sycamore High School. In the summer of 2019, Ben was the Percussion Specialist at a summer camp called French Woods Festival for the Performing Arts (NY). He performed instrument maintenance, taught private lessons, and coached students ages 5-18 during group rehearsals.

Ben is thrilled to work with all the future rock stars who come to School of Rock Dublin!
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Chase Forney
Chase Forney
Drum Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Chase Forney is a drummer from Marysville, Ohio. Chase’s musical journey began in middle school and continued into high school and college.
While his background is mostly with marching percussion, Chase has played the drum set for jazz band, show choir band, and the athletic bands at Marysville High School and Bowling Green State University.

Chase has been teaching music since 2017 at Marysville High School and hopes to continue teaching the next generation of drummers.
Drum Teacher Doug Queen
Doug Queen
Drum Teacher
Doug has been obsessed with rock n' roll since he was young, listening to older groups such as Blue Oyster Cult and Iron Maiden. At the age of 13, Doug was inspired to become a drummer after he attended an Avenged Sevenfold show. Doug was influenced by rock and metal drummers such as Neil Peart, James Owen Sullivan (aka The Rev), Mike Portnoy, and Todd Sucherman, and he began his drumming career in the Dublin Jerome marching band to harness his technical skills. After graduating high school, Doug attended Miami University and started a new local rock group called Wicked Messenger while studying arts management and entrepreneurial music business.

Today, Doug remains passionate about his role as the drummer, backup singer, and songwriter for Wicked Messenger. From the art of performance to musicality, Doug absorbs and implements influences from every inch of the rock n' roll spectrum and understands what it takes to bring a song or a performance to life. Doug is excited to meet, teach, and inspire a new generation of rock stars to follow their passions and achieve their goals!
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher, Drum Teacher Henry Ruppe
Henry Ruppe
Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher
Henry has played music all his life. He started with piano lessons as a kid and played guitar in his high school show choir. He started performing with original and cover groups and playing in the pit orchestra on cruise ships in his adulthood. Finally, he has settled down as a freelance composer for film and commercials. In addition to these experiences, he has taken courses from Berklee in subjects including jazz theory and synthesis, further enriching his musical and technological expertise.

Although the guitar is his primary instrument, Henry enjoys singing and playing keys, bass, and drums. He strives to stay sharp on all of them. At School of Rock Dublin, he wants to demystify music by giving students tools to approach it analytically, and he hopes to teach them how to express themselves with their instruments.
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Julien Brandon
Julien Brandon
Drum Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
From the first moment Julien picked up a pair of sticks, the course of his life changed forever. Starting in the fifth grade, he quickly gained a love of drums and pursued it into high school, playing marching snare in the Bishop Watterson Marching Band and going on to play drums for Cap City. During that time, Julien formed his own band called Social Reaction, a hard rock band that plays at multiple venues around Columbus and releases original music on all streaming platforms. He also spent time playing for Lonely Fossa, an indie band based in Columbus.

Julien is a former student of the School of Rock in Dublin, OH, and played for the school's House Band. He returns as a teacher to continue passing on the art of drums and embark upon new experiences for drumming. He is also pursuing a Jazz Composition degree at The Ohio State University and can not wait to continue exploring the boundless world of music!
Singing Teacher Katie Shiveley
Katie Shiveley
Vocal Teacher
Katie Shiveley graduated from Ohio Northern University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Theatre Performance and Arts Administration. Coming from generations of barbershop quartet singers, she started performing on stage and couldn't be stopped. Katie began playing numerous brass instruments by age 8 including French horn, trumpet, and mellophone. She continued playing these instruments all the way up to her college years where she had a traveling opportunity to perform in Dublin, Ireland, and London, England.

In addition to singing in various school choirs, Katie performed with the Ohio Northern University Singers on a six-week national tour in 2016. Along with her professional training, she performed in numerous shows throughout her time in college. Katie is thrilled to be working with people who also love music and performing, and hopes her passion will encourage them to chase their dreams and find their voice!
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Macie Zhong
Macie Zhong
Vocal Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Macie has always had a love and passion for music. Starting at the age of 4, she began her classical training in piano as well as music theory. Soon after, Macie added viola to her repertoire, studying under members of the Columbus Symphony. Over the years, Macie has gotten the privilege of performing with various groups in the Ohio Theater and other venues. Although her main instrument is the piano, she also has experience teaching and performing vocals, guitar, and bass.

Macie enjoys a variety of musical genres including indie, folk rock, and so much more. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, she has founded her own podcast and hopes to continue to grow her knowledge in music production and audio engineering. Macie is so excited to join the School of Rock community in Dublin, OH, and share her love of music with students!
Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher McKinnon Murphy
McKinnon Murphy
Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
McKinnon has been playing guitar since he was 12 years old. Starting off, he received inspiration from bands such as AC/DC and Green Day. Later, McKinnon began focusing on country and bluegrass music from artists such as Garth Brooks and Billy Strings. He continued playing music through school, participating in band and jazz band, and also being active in choir and musicals.

McKinnon has worked with children of every age and background throughout his entire career, having tenure with childcare, camps, and tutoring. He looks forward to combining his passion for music with his experience with education and childcare.
Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher Mike Ballon
Mike Ballon
Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Mike’s interest in music, and especially rock, developed very early. The first song that hit him was "Slow Ride" by Foghat when he was 6 years old. By the time he was 11, Mike became more exposed to pop culture and made friends who exposed him to new styles of music. He was eventually introduced to many other bands and with the rise of Punk and New Wave, he gained a broader horizon, and a desire to play many styles of music.

After moving to Columbus, Mike jumped into the scene, bought some gear, and started teaching himself. Mike formed a band and played a 4-song set of original songs with a pair of co-workers, opening for a band with which they had become friends. Soon he formed a cover band, RUBIX CUBES, that still plays shows today. He also formed two others in the Hardcore Rockabilly genre and recently joined a former bandmate in his band, The Molars.

School of Rock harkens Mike back to his youth, and exactly what he wishes he had: intelligent instruction, teaching songs, and playing in a group to learn all aspects of playing and performing. He is thrilled to be a part of such a concept.
Drum Teacher Nico Linik
Nico Linik
Drum Teacher
Nico Linik has been playing and performing in Columbus for years. Outside of his main bands Cellar Dwellar and Dairy Family, he seeks to play in as many styles, genres, and groups as he can. He has an intense passion for all things music, and he understands how important community and encouragement to learn are to someone's growth as a musician.

Nico has played a part in putting together virtual festivals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting open jams that bring musicians together, and running a revered house venue and artist collective. He is always trying to improve and hopes to push himself and future rockers to be the best musicians they can be.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Phil Farris
Phil Farris
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Phil Farris is a musician and music teacher based in Columbus, OH. His love of music first took off after starting electric bass at age 9 and has since grown to include playing guitar, upright bass, and piano as well.

As a former music performance student at Belmont University and a former Nashville freelancer, Phil has learned from great teachers and personal experiences in the music industry. He is familiar with a variety of genres including rock, metal, funk, R&B, folk, jazz, and classical, and he tries to be versatile both as a player and teacher.

Phil is always looking forward to helping students to enjoy playing music, and to find their styles!
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Tommy Caradonna
Tommy Caradonna
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Tommy graduated from the Musicians Institute and shortly thereafter was hired by Lita Ford as bassist to tour her RIAA-certified Gold and Platinum release album, Lita. He also appeared in several MTV videos. Later, Tommy was hired to tour with Alice Cooper for his RIAA-certified and multi-platinum Trash LP and appeared in some of Alice Cooper's videos. Tommy toured again with Lita Ford in support of her Dangerous Curves LP and appeared in the “Playing with Fire” video. He later joined White Lion on tour supporting their Main Attraction LP and appeared in their home video “Escape from Brooklyn.”

Other notable milestones for Tommy include being signed to A&M Records with Multiplug and touring with blues artist JD Simo. Additional recording credits include The Beat Angels and Red Badge of Discourage. Tommy co-wrote, co-produced, and played on two Razorbliss albums: Comedy of Errors and American Gomorrah.

For the past decade, Tommy has had tenure with Columbus’s #1 band, The Reagonomics, stepping in to take his brother’s place as bassist and vocals.
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

Suddenly my son loves music!

I tried different activities for my 4-year-old, and none of them really held his interest. Then we tried School of Rock and my son LOVED it. He looks forward to it every week, and he has so much fun.

Looking Forward To The Next Show!

My son loves the music he learns how to play. That's a huge difference after the programs he tried before. I wish he would be that eager to go to regular school and sports practice!

My 6-year-old is so happy at School of Rock!

My son has tried a lot of activities but nothing interested him. With this program, the kids don't learn music like in a classical school and they have fun! The teachers are very professional and adapt themselves to their students.

Live Performances Build Self Confidence.

My son enrolled 18 months ago with little previous music instruction. He has learned enough bass guitar to pick up additional songs by himself at home. His confidence has increased, as well as his ability to work with peers.

The teachers are interested in teaching what the kids want to learn.

I love how they're interested in teaching what the kids want to learn rather than forcing them to play music they don't want to play. Everyone there is super nice and keeps in touch with the parents. I also like how you can see what the teacher has to say about the class online.

Personal and friendly service from the staff.

The communication , service, friendliness and personal “touch” care each student receives.

Our son loves the programs, engagement with other students and the variety of performing styles.

The School of Rock Dublin team members are all kind, supportive and helpful. Our 9 year old son has been enrolled since he was 5. He loves the programs, engagement with other students and performing different styles and instruments. Thank you School of Rock, you sure ROCK.

My son is special needs and they are so friendly and accommodating.

Something for everyone! My son is special needs and they are so friendly and accommodating. Such a wonderful program!

My child looks forward to "rocking out" and her confidence has skyrocketed.

We have tried many other activities and classes, but Kenley was not interested. She looks forward to “rocking out” and brings her skills home to write songs, sing, play piano, and get creative. Her confidence has sky rocketed since starting at School of Rock. We love it!

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