Somerville

Explore School of Rock

School of Rock Somerville

School of Rock

Explore School of Rock Somerville

School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Somerville

Map
School of Rock Somerville
14 Davenport Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-8300

Location Specifics

Across from Brunch by De Martino and Mono Mono Records and a couple doors down from Connie's Music Center, Shop Rite and Starbucks

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Hours
  • Monday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: 11 AM - 7 PM

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

Expand your musical knowledge at the School of Rock in Somerville and surrounding areas, including Hillsborough and Bridgewater with quality music lessons taught by real, practicing musicians. Students can enroll in keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, singing, songwriting or drum lessons in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. With our revolutionary music program, students can rock out on major stages like the New Jersey Balloon Festival, an annual three-day event in Readington, New Jersey where the kids have played on the same stage as Styx, Bare Naked Ladies, The Band Perry, Plain White T's, Pat Benatar, and George Thorogood to name a few.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

At School of Rock Somerville, 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 Somerville, 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 Somerville
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

At School of Rock Somerville 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 Somerville, 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 Somerville, 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 Somerville is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Somerville who have completed our Rock 101 program can move to our Songwriting program once they’re ready. Additionally, new students who have prior experience with and basic knowledge of an instrument can also begin Songwriting. The program culminates with a live showcase where students perform their original compositions in bands at a local music venue. Students taking the Songwriting Program online will remotely record their original songs to produce a demo of the class's music.

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

School of Rock Somerville'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 Somerville 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 Somerville.

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 Somerville 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 Somerville.

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

The School of Rock Somerville 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 Somerville's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at NJ rock venues throughout the year.

What To Expect
  • A GIGGING MUSICIAN'S EXPERIENCE
  • FREQUENT LIVE PERFORMANCES IN COMMUNITY

The Path to Take the Stage

Performance is the core of School of Rock's educational approach. Therefore, we create additional opportunities for students to perform on stages throughout Somerville and the rest of NJ. The House Band music program allows each school's most talented students the opportunity to join a band and play routinely in front of live audiences. Once a member, students will gain real music experience associated with gigging musicians and will become leaders and mentors inside the School of Rock community.

The AllStars national tour features the best child and teen musicians
AllStars
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock AllStars Tour takes the very best students from around the world and sends them on a nationwide summer tour across the United States. Less than 1% of School of Rock students are selected each year to represent School of Rock as an AllStar. All Performance Program students are eligible to audition for this prestigious program. The intensive audition process starts off with video submissions followed by live auditions. Once selected, AllStar students will have an authentic touring experience including traveling on a tour bus, doing tour publicity and starring in nightly performances at famous venues and festivals during a two-week tour.

What To Expect
  • A MULTI-CITY, COUNTRY-WIDE MUSIC TOUR EXPERIENCE
  • PERFORMING ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST FAMOUS STAGES IN THE WORLD

The Path to Take the Stage

Becoming an AllStar is the highest level of achievement for a School of Rock student. They play on legendary stages large and small, including The Knitting Factory, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Troubadour and Lollapalooza. AllStar students often go on to have accomplished careers in the music industry. Former AllStars have gone on to become touring artists, star in Broadway musicals, get signed to record deals, become finalists on talent competitions like "The Voice" and "American Idol" and have other notable roles in the music industry.

Music Lessons in Somerville

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Somerville

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Somerville

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Somerville 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 Somerville, 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 Somerville 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 Somerville, 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 Somerville.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Somerville

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Somerville 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 Somerville 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 Somerville, 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 Somerville 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 Somerville, 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 Somerville

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Music Director, Owner Dante Cimino
Dante Cimino
Music Director, Owner
Dante Cimino is a long-time (16 years+) School of Rock staple, having worked with the original Paul Green school, and going on to manage three schools of Rock (Philadelphia, Doylestown, Princeton, and now Somerville). An accomplished musician and Sony Records recording artist with bands like Dandelion and Rudy and Blitz, Dante is no stranger to knowing what it takes to be a great rock musician, and his teaching prowess and relationship with his students is legendary in SOR circles. Dante took up the Music Director position at the Somerville School of Rock in November 2021, and has truly helped shape the school's culture from day one.
General Manager Ally Charlton
Ally Charlton
General Manager
Ally is a seasoned performer with over a decade of experience and a background deeply rooted in music. She draws inspiration not only from iconic female rock vocalists but also from the rich rhythms and melodies of funk and soul. She began performing as a singer at 12 years old and she is also a multi-instrumentalist dedicated to expanding her musical repertoire.

Ally has been with the team at the School of Rock in Somerville, New Jersey for over two years and leverages her expertise to enhance our musical education program. Her gentle approach extends beyond the stage, as she now focuses on guiding and nurturing talent as our General Manager. Drawing from her passion for uplifting young singers and musicians, Ally is committed to cultivating a vibrant and inclusive community dedicated to the artistry of music.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Robbie Skorge
Robbie Skorge
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Robbie Skorge is a multi-instrumentalist performer, teacher, and composer from Somerville, NJ. His main instrument is keyboards, which he actively plays in the bands like Ross Griswold and the Second Line, Woke Robot, Wig Party, Castle Lane, and more, spanning genres from rock, funk, New Orleans, and R&B to Afro-Peruvian jazz fusion and electronic music. He is also the music director for Antioch Baptist Church in East Orange, NJ.

Actively using Ableton Live to perform and compose, Robbie is a sought-after music programming guru, able to teach and solve complex audio and midi setups for live bands and music producers. This is in addition to teaching piano, drums, guitar, and bass. He enjoys teaching multi-instrument students to share overlapping concepts among the different instruments and helps students record their own musical projects. Some of his music has been featured on Comedy Central, and he hosts a funk and jam band jam at Roxy and Duke’s in Dunellen, NJ every second Thursday of the month.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher Seth Choynake
Seth Choynake
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Seth Choynake has been singing since he was young and was in choir for most of his school years. He took vocal lessons from the outstanding professors at Raritan Valley Community College and has been playing piano for over four years under the instruction of well-renowned musicians in the New Jersey community.

Seth continues to perform original music and covers at various venues throughout the state. He is excited to share his passion for music with the young musicians of the future at School of Rock Somerville.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Paul Nagy
Paul Nagy
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
A New Jersey native with nearly 6 decades of experience in the music industry, ranging from performance to sound reinforcement to sales, service, and collecting musical instruments (specializing in the electric guitar), Paul’s advice is often sought after by area professionals on the purchase and collectability of various musical instruments.

Paul toured as a sound engineer in the tristate area during the height of the 70’s club scene and has appeared with acts on the east and west coasts on guitar and bass. He is currently performing with his band “The Paul Nagy Project.”

Paul has been a music instructor for 45 years and is now teaching at the Somerville School of Rock where he has been a staff member for the last 8 years.
Brendan Healy
Drum Teacher
Brendan Healy is a a drummer/songwriter from New Jersey. He has toured all of the country and has a life full of musical experiences playing all different styles. He is currently recording a second album with his band American Grim. Drumming and songwriting are his passions in life. At School of Rock Somerville he gets to share his experiences and help mould the musicians of the future as a drum teacher.
Show Director, Drum Teacher Mike Avin
Mike Avin
Show Director, Drum Teacher
Mike Avin is a percussionist, composer, and educator from Bridgewater, NJ. As Somerville School of Rock alumni, he vividly remembers what it was like to be a student trying to balance learning and improving on the instrument, learning material for performance and house band, school assignments, and other extracurricular activities. This shared experience with the current students has allowed Mike to develop a close bond with everyone he teaches and enables him to better craft a curriculum that suits
each individual student’s wants and needs.

As a drummer for 15 years, Mike has grown proficient in many different genres including Rock, Country, Metal, Jazz, Orchestral, and more. He graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan High School in 2017 and was a member of the award winning and nationally
recognized BRHS Wind Ensemble and BRHS Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist. He was a snare drummer in the BRHS Drumline which consistently won “Best Percussion” awards in the USBands competitive circuit for the duration of his four years. After high school, he went on to earn his B.A. in Music Industry (Business) from Ramapo College of New Jersey. At Ramapo, he was an in-demand session drummer being consistently called on by students and faculty alike to play drums on many recording projects and served as a hired percussionist for the drama department and choral ensembles. Mike also spent four years as the section leader of the Ramapo College Concert Band and was a founding member of the Ramapo College Percussion Ensemble. Over the course of his career, Mike has shared the stage with internationally recognized bands, names, and ensembles including: REO Speedwagon, 3 Doors Down, Kansas, Don Felder, Tracii Guns, the New Jersey Wind Symphony, and many more at renowned venues like Lucas Oil Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Starland Ballroom, The Stone Pony, Highline Ballroom, The Javits Center, Carnegie Hall, NJPAC, and more.

As an educator, Mike has taught students as young as 5 and as old as 70. He takes a “new-old school” approach in the classroom, blending old school methods and subjects with modern technology and curriculum. Though he considers what a student’s music
tastes are, he exposes every student to Jazz, orchestral, Latin, Reggae, and rudimental styles of drumming. He demands for all his students to be well-rounded musicians and refuses to call his students “drummers” as he feels the word “percussionist” is a far more
fitting term. He ensures that all his students are taught universal musical concepts such as theory, aural skills, and musicianship; and that his students can all read and write sheet music. In addition to encouraging participation in all School of Rock programs, Mike also pushes for active involvement in a student’s scholastic music programs such concert band, jazz band, and marching band. The more time a student spends in front of a teacher and playing with other musicians, the better they’ll become.
Studio Coordinator Hailey Natareno
Hailey Natareno
Studio Coordinator
Hailey has been a lover of music and the arts for her whole life and began following that passion at age 13 by joining her local choir. Since then, she has picked up multiple instruments, including ukulele, keyboard, vocals, and, most recently, bass guitar.

Hailey is currently a student at RVCC. She joined School of Rock Somerville as Studio Coordinator in January 2023 and has combined her love of music and her experience in early childhood development and education to take on the role of Little Wing Instructor. She hopes that by this she will have a hand in inspiring the new generation to gain a love for music.
Drum Teacher Kurt Koester
Kurt Koester
Drum Teacher
Kurt Koester is a drummer, singer, and songwriter who lives in Warren, NJ. He grew up in New Providence, NJ, and graduated from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA in 1994. Throughout his high school and college years, he played drums and sang in several rock and jazz bands, playing gigs from Montreal to New Orleans. In addition, Kurt often found himself on stage as an actor, performing in plays and musicals. But his drumming skills were most frequently requested for local theater productions and he has been in the orchestra pit for dozens of performances including Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma, Bye Bye Birdie, and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. He also worked as a DJ on the radio for four years and emceeing for private, school, and business parties. His love of music knows no limits!

At School Of Rock Somerville, Kurt is a drum teacher, and even more recently took the title of Rock 101 Director. He considers his teaching style as “constantly evolving”—each student is unique so, as a teacher, he finds himself trying something new or different all the time. There are few things more exciting than a young musician making a musical discovery or breakthrough and Kurt feels truly privileged to help play a role in that process.

Although he has a basic plan of beginning blocks to start with, Kurt lets the direction of the lessons and training be partly decided by the students themselves—what sparks their interests and what builds on the initial strengths they demonstrate. Most importantly, the kids (and occasional adults) must be having fun! Loving music is the first step toward proficiency.
Singing Teacher Olivia Weiss
Olivia Weiss
Vocal Teacher
Olivia Weiss is a vocal teacher and rock vocalist from Pennsylvania. She has been teaching for five years and performing professionally for nine. Olivia started as a School of Rock student, where she got her first touring experience in the AllStars program. She is also classically trained through twelve years of private instruction and higher education.

Olivia majored in Music Production and Engineering, as well as Vocal Performance, at Berklee College of Music. She currently performs, writes, and produces music for her band Palinoia.

Olivia's teaching approach relies heavily on applying healthy vocal techniques throughout songs and creating a confident and technically sound vocalist out of every one of her students.
Drum Teacher Mike Downey
Mike Downey
Drum Teacher
Mike Downey is a drum teacher who has been practicing music since the age of 7. Starting on piano, he soon switched to bass to play in a Green Day-inspired trio with his brothers. Over the years, Mike picked up the guitar and drums to become a more versatile band member. Over the last 12 years, drums have become his main focus. Taking inspiration from Dave Grohl, Chad Smith, and Bud Gaugh, he has a hard-hitting groovy style.

Currently, Mike plays drums and sings backup in his band Nerve Damage, playing in bars and basements anywhere from New Brunswick, New Jersey to Burlington, Vermont.
Studio Coordinator, Rock 101 Director Jessica Saravia
Jessica Saravia
Studio Coordinator, Rock 101 Director
Jessica is a percussionist and bassist from Central New Jersey. Jessica is a studio coordinator and also spends some of her time instructing groups at School of Rock Somerville. She is eager to help students collaborate with each other, do what they love, and become the strongest musicians they can be!

As a former School of Rock student and House Band member, Jessica has a passion for all things music and has been playing drums, bass, keyboard, ukulele, and some guitar for over eight years. She has professionally performed in numerous musical theatre orchestras, playing shows like In the Heights, Mamma Mia, Guys and Dolls, Elf, and more repertoire as seen on Broadway! Her additional experience comes from holding leadership positions in marching band, jazz ensemble, and concert/symphonic band.

Jessica occasionally jams with friends and loves to improvise in all genres, ranging from post-hardcore to Latin jazz and blues. She is currently studying psychology in college and learning how art affects the brain has strengthened her love for performance, songwriting, and music entirely!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher George Allan
George Allan
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
George is a bass teacher, guitar teacher, and sound designer from Bloomsbury, New Jersey. Now primarily a rock bassist, he began taking classical piano lessons in the third grade before picking up both the bass and guitar later on to play in garage bands throughout high school and college.

George began teaching in 2017, first in after-school enrichment, then as a Rookies and Little Wing Teacher at School of Rock. His goal with every student is to inspire a passion and confidence in music through teamwork and cooperation.

George earned an MFA in Sound Design in 2023.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Marcus Carollo
Marcus Carollo
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Marcus is delighted to be a part of the School of Rock community in Somerville, New Jersey. With over a decade of experience as a bass guitarist, he brings a dynamic and engaging approach to music education. His background in music began with his school orchestra many years ago; now, as a bass teacher, this foundation has inspired him to incorporate key music concepts into all of his lessons.

As a bass guitar teacher at School of Rock Somerville, his ultimate goal is to inspire everyone under his instruction. Whether you are a beginner in Rock 101 or you are a more advanced player trying out for the House Band, Marcus is here to guide you step by step.
Guitar Teacher Johnny Charles
Johnny Charles
Guitar Teacher
Johnny Charles is a guitar teacher at School of Rock Somerville with over 40 years of experience in both teaching and live performances. He specializes in various genres, including rock, blues, country, and jazz. Johnny has shared the stage with many legendary artists over his career including B.B. King, Johnny Winter, and Dr. John, among many others. His original albums have received international recognition, gracing the airwaves around the world.

Locally, Johnny's band frequently lights up the New Jersey music scene at venues like Michael's in Raritan, Bernie's Hillside in Chester, the Stanhope House in Stanhope, and Muddy Waters in Asbury. His contributions to the world of music have earned him a place in the NJ Blues Hall of Fame, and in 1995, Johnny was honored with a Regional W.C. Handy Award. Johnny Charles continues to inspire and teach the next generation of guitar enthusiasts, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.

Reviews

It Builds Confidence.

My son has learned so much about music and what it takes to put on a show. By performing in a band on stage he has boosted his confidence and stage presence. Thank you to all the hard-working staff!

Taught by the best teachers.

My son has had a wonderful experience at School of Rock. The instructors are amazing and he has made great friendships with other young musicians. He is always happy when he comes home!

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