Cincinnati
School of Rock

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Cincinnati

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School of Rock Cincinnati
6710 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45227
(513) 586-7625
Hours
  • Monday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 3 PM - 8 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM - 8 PM

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

School of Rock Cincinnati is happy to offer Cincinnati, Madisonville, Oakley, Madeira, Mariemont, Kenwood, Sycamore, Blue Ash, Hyde Park, Indian Hill, Anderson, and surrounding areas with quality music lessons taught by real, practicing musicians. Students can learn an array of instruments ranging from guitar to bass guitar, keys, vocals, drums, and more, and how to play a variety of styles like jazz, blues, and funk. Cincinnati is no stranger to talent, with acts like Bootsy Collins, the Isley Brothers, Phillip Paul, Walk the Moon, Afghan Whigs, Foxy Shazam, The National, and Liz Phair calling the city home. With the level of mentorship students receive at School of Rock Cincinnati, they may even one day get to perform at great local venues like the Woodward Theater, The Redmoor, Riverfront Live, Bogarts and Southgate House Revival.

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

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

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

School of Rock Cincinnati is happy to offer Cincinnati, Madinsonville, Oakley, Madeira, Mariemont, Kenwood, Sycamore, Blue Ask, Hyde Park, Indian Hill, Anderson, and surrounding areas with quality music lessons taught by real, practicing musicians. Students can learn an array of instruments ranging from guitar to bass guitar, keys, vocals, drums, and more, and how to play a variety of styles like jazz, blues, and funk. Cincinnati is no stranger to talent, with acts like Bootsy Collins, the Isley Brothers, Phillip Paul, Walk the Moon, Afghan Whigs, Foxy Shazam, The National, and Liz Phair calling the city home. With the level of mentorship students receive at School of Rock Cincinnati, they may even one day get to perform at great local venues like the Woodward Theater, The Redmoor, Riverfront Live, and Bogarts.

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 Cincinnati for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Cincinnati'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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati.

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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati.

Music Lessons in Cincinnati

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Cincinnati

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Cincinnati

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Cincinnati

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Assistant General Manager, Little Wings and Rookies Director, Bass Guitar Teacher Shannon Ullrich
Shannon Ullrich
General Manager, Little Wings and Rookies Teacher
Shannon’s musical journey started at age 11 as the best (and only) trombone player in the 6th grade band. Her high school jazz director once told her that “variety is the spice of life.” Shannon took that as a challenge. She has played in concert bands, jazz bands, pit orchestras, and has even played trombone in a punk band. At the age of 14 she received a bass guitar for Christmas. She quickly fell in love with the bass and started her School of Rock journey at Mason. Since then she has been in more than 10 School of Rock shows on bass guitar, trombone, and vocals.
Shannon has always had a passion for working with kids, starting out as a camp counselor. She has been surrounded by music her whole life and believes in cultivating a love for all kinds of music from a very young age. Shannon teaches our Little Wing and Rookies classes and put together
the first ever Rookies performance.
Music Director Matt Flynn
Matt Flynn
Music Director
Matt Flynn began playing saxophone in the 5th grade band and in high school began playing the electric bass and electric guitar. In his twenties, Matt discovered the vast world of percussion and joined the Miami University Steel Band and in 1999 took a trip to Ghana to study music and dance. After graduating from Miami University, with a degree in Religion and Philosophy, he began a Master's Program at Florida State University with a focus on Tibetan Buddhist Studies. While working on his degree, Matt joined Mas N' Steel and the FSU African Ensemble where he studied privately with Damascus Kafumbe learning various Ugangan melodic instruments. He has been working with children for the past twenty years first through AmeriCorps, then through various school programs, and also with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. In 2012, Matt helped form the Queen City Silver Stars, an ensemble primarily focused on the rhythms of Africa and the Caribbean, using the steel drum as its main melodic instrument. Matt has been teaching private lessons for the past eight years in the Hamilton area.
Assistant General Manager, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher Jubilee O’Connor
Jubilee O’Connor
Assistant General Manager, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Jubilee O’Connor (they/them) is a bassist, pianist, singer, and songwriter from Dayton, Ohio. After obtaining their BA in Jazz Studies at The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Jubilee began performing in jazz clubs and venues across Cincinnati such as Caffe Vivace, Memorial Hall, and The Hard Rock Casino. They frequently perform with groups like the JJJ Trio and the We Create Jazz Ensemble.

Jubilee has performed with artists such as saxophonist Tia Fuller, singer Carla Cook, and Cincinnati legend Kathy Wade. They are the bassist in a local indie band, Hyssop, who released their first self-titled album in the summer of 2020. Additionally, Jubilee writes original music on piano and guitar and performs them at various open mics and clubs in their free time.
Drums Teacher  Joseph Alsept
Joseph Alsept
Drum Teacher
Joseph Alsept has been playing drums since 2012 and has been passionate about them ever since. There are quite a few drummers he loves, but his biggest influences are Ringo Starr and John Bonham. He joined the School of Rock Mason and started doing the adult shows in 2017. He started teaching at the School of Rock in Cincinnati in 2020. He has done 15 adult shows between the Mason and Cincinnati schools.
Vocal Teacher Desmond Bunting
Desmond Bunting
Vocal Teacher
Desmond started singing from a young age by being a part of his father’s Baptist church choir. Growing up he performed in jazz choirs, musicals, and other musical opportunities in his hometown Phoenix. Currently, Desmond studies Vocal Performance and German at UC and has performed in operas at CCM in Cincinnati.

Desmond loves all types of music, especially R&B, and has a background in keys as well! With a vast knowledge of many musical styles and backgrounds, Desmond has learned to adapt and perform in various settings and is always looking for ways to broaden his musical taste.
Stephanie Cable Guitar Teacher
Stephanie Cable
Guitar Teacher
Stephanie’s love of music started at a young age as she was bitten by the theater bug in elementary school. Stephanie went on to study Theater at BGSU where she graduated and moved onto performing with various bands and landing roles in community theaters. Steph began doing private lessons several years and also obtained her CPS teaching certification. Stephanie has called Cincinnati her home for the last 15 years and currently plays every Sunday for Legend Community Church and does various performances throughout Cincinnati with her musician friends. She is very excited to be apart of the SOR team and is eager to share her love of music with the SOR family.
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher Rachael Cloe
Rachael Cloe
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Rachael has been singing and playing music in bands since 2016. In those bands, she wrote original songs, recorded, and performed around the Cincinnati area. Rachael graduated from Berklee College of Music with a bachelor's degree in Music business and started teaching virtual piano lessons during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rachael plays piano, ukulele, and sings. She wants to keep improving her artistry and learn bass and drums next. Rachael has multiple Little Wing and Rookies classes where she teaches students music through exploration. She believes in making learning fun and rewarding.
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher John Clooney
John Clooney
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
John is a multi-instrumentalist from Cincinnati, Ohio. Coming from a musical family, he discovered a passion for music at an early age. John picked up drums at 7 years old, followed soon after by guitar and bass.

In the intervening years, John has gone on to work as a session musician and played in many local and national touring acts. He hopes to share his excitement for music with students of all ages.
Bass Guitar Teacher Mason Daugherty
Mason Daugherty
Bass Guitar Teacher
Mason Daugherty is a bass teacher who's been playing professionally in a myriad of genres since 14. He holds a degree in Jazz Bass from Morehead State University and is currently pursuing his Masters at CCM. His expertise includes both electric and upright. He is very excited to be joining the team at School of Rock.
Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Hadley Duke
Hadley Duke
Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Hadley was born with a love of music that she just couldn't shake, resulting in her getting her first guitar and microphone when she was just 4 years old. She grew up in a musical and music-loving family and began studying guitar when she was 8 years old.

Throughout school, Hadley explored songwriting, joined band and choir programs, and participated in every musical activity her small Illinois town had to offer. She attended a Music Business summer camp at Anderson University in Indiana during high school, which quickly confirmed that music is what she wanted to do forever. She graduated from Anderson University in 2021 with degrees in Music Business and Journalism.

Hadley has two songs available to download and stream and is in the process of learning how to produce and record her own music. She has lived in the Cincinnati area since May 2021. Hadley is so excited to join the School of Rock Cincinnati team and looks forward to sharing her love and passion for music while helping students discover their inner rock stars.
Drum Teacher Matt Gatto
Matt Gatto
Drum Teacher
Matthew Gatto grew up with a lot of talented musicians in the family and at a very early age he began his musical career. He started first as a guitarist in high school but eventually, his focus shifted more to the drums. In his early twenties, he wanted to expand his musical creativity and talent and he attended Musician’s Institute to acquire an associate's degree in their drum program.

Matt relocated to Cincinnati and has played in many groups including cover and original bands. His specialties include funk, hip-hop, jazz, reggae, New Orleans, R&B, rock, and more. He now produces a lot and does session drumming. Matt has a hard work ethic and loves to teach drums and pass his knowledge down.
Singing Teacher, Drum Teacher Sam Gorman
Sam Gorman
Vocal Teacher, Drum Teacher
Sam comes from a musical family and learned how to play drums and sing at the annual Gorman Family Christmas Jam. Sam studied voice and drums at Denison University, graduating in 2013. He still plays with several classmates from Denison. Sam likes to make and keep it FUNKY!
Guitar Teacher Brandon Harris
Brandon Harris
Guitar Teacher
Brandon Harris is a guitarist who has been playing since he was 12 years old. Inspired at a young age by classic acts like the Who and Black Sabbath, Brandon loves nothing more than playing loud. Though Brandon is a self-professed modern-day metalhead, he has cut his teeth in various genres performing in jazz, metal, punk, rock jam bands, and even mariachi.

Brandon has a musical education consisting of a combination of private lessons and college courses. Something Brandon prides himself on is his past work in the mental health field where he was able to intertwine music with clients to help illustrate the ability to overcome challenges big and small. He believes music education can make everyone feel important, strong, and confident in themselves. Brandon is very excited to continue to help individuals pursue fulfillment through the joys of learning guitar.
House Band Director, Drum Teacher Michael Horrigan
Michael Horrigan
Drum Teacher
Michael started playing musical instruments when he was in grade school. He has performed, recorded, and/or toured on bass or drums with original bands Liquid Hippos, The Love Cowboys, Great Uncle Short Fuse, Throneberry, The Afghan Whigs, The Twilight Singers, Howlin Maggie, Todd Almond, Brendan Benson, 5 Horse Johnson, and The Hiders. In addition, he has performed in musical theater productions in Cincinnati, New York City, and Peterborough, New Hampshire.

He has been writing and recording his own original music since the 1990s and continues to do so on his own as well as with his wife.

Michael was a drum instructor at the School of Rock Mason from 2012-2020 and a show director from 2013-2016.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Rob Keenan
Rob Keenan
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Rob Keenan is a guitarist, singer/songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Cincinnati, OH. He is a local solo performer and was in the internationally recognized duo Dawg Yawp.

Rob has been singing most of his life and began piano lessons at the age of 7. He started writing songs on the guitar in high school and fell in love with music. Rob played and recorded with his band Echoes and continued studying at Indiana University, graduating with honors at The Recording Workshop. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and since has performed and toured nationally.

The sitar/guitar/synth psychedelic folk duo Dawg Yawp played NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert in 2017 and has been featured on Consequence of Sound, Conan O’Brien’s “Team Coco,” and beyond. He teaches guitar, bass, keys, and vocals at School of Rock in Cincinnati and NKY. Rob loves all things sound!
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher Nick Kimbrell
Nick Kimbrell
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Nick Kimbrell is a Cincinnati native who has been playing guitar and drums since he was 9 years old. He comes from a musical family and has always been around music.

Nick has a deep appreciation for many different types of music, but some of his favorite genres are punk, grunge, new wave, and hair metal. He is fascinated by rock n' roll history and has dedicated countless hours to researching and finding obscure connections between his favorite artists.

Before settling on Psychology, Nick briefly studied Special Education at the University of Cincinnati. This background in music and education inspired Nick to pursue a position at School of Rock, enriching young minds with the magic of rock n' roll!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher Jake Kolesar
Jake Kolesar
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard Teacher
Jake Kolesar is thrilled to join the School of Rock team! An active member of the Cincinnati music scene, he plays bass in the local indie rock band The Earthly Delights and in the jazz guitar duo YesterSwing. Specializing in keyboard and guitar, Jake has recorded original music and performs regularly as a solo artist. As a teacher, he strives to cater to the unique goals of each student, focusing on the styles that they are most interested in learning. Jake is also passionate about teaching songwriting, improvisation, and music theory.
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher Alex Lail
Alex Lail
Little Wing Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Alex has loved music all her life. She started singing in choirs at 8 years old and never looked back! She went on to play flute, marimba, vibraphone, and tuba throughout her schooling. Her focus has since shifted to bass guitar and vocals. Some of her favorite performances include playing at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Kentucky Derby with the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band.

After working at Disney World Resort for two years, Alex moved back to Kentucky to pursue teaching. She taught preschool for four years before joining the team at School of Rock Northern Kentucky, where she still gets to teach littles and help them foster a deep, lasting love for music. Music education is one of Alex’s passions and her goal is to imbue every child she meets with that same love and devotion.
Singing Teacher Mary LeMasters
Mary LeMasters
Vocal Teacher
Mary started singing in choirs and getting solo opportunities in grade school. She began taking musical theater and classical voice lessons at 12 years old. Mary also took piano lessons on and off throughout high school and briefly took drum lessons. She was a part of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir (now known as the Cincinnati Youth Choir) and toured in Europe, singing in Ireland, England, and Wales. Mary went on to study Vocal Performance at NKU, ultimately graduating with a degree in Public Relations concentrating in music and communication, and a Master of Science in Communication from Purdue University.

In undergrad, Mary studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria singing the role of Pamina in excerpts from Magic Flute. She has a vast range of musical knowledge and has sung in a variety of genres including opera, classical, rock, R&B, pop, jazz, folk, and more. Mary enjoys being a member of YPCC (Young Professionals Choral Collective) and has rocked many solos with this group. She performs at weddings, parties, and other opportunities that pop up. Mary loves going out to see a wide variety of live music including opera, musicals, rock bands, EDM shows, folk artists, and many more!
keyboard teacher Danny Manning
Danny Manning
keyboard teacher
Danny Manning is a professional musician who has toured extensively and worked with artists from the bands Journey, Toto, The Romantics, Santana, Tommy Tutone, Kansas, Los Lobos, Ben Folds, Boston and many more. He holds a BA in sax with secondary emphasis on piano from Alderson Broaddus University and an MM in Conducting from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Locally he performs on keys, sax, and vocals with The Tuna Project, Sunburners, Leroy Ellington and Just Strange Brothers and tours nationally and internationally with The Philip Myers Band. His professional musical directing credits include RAGTIME, AIDA, CHILDREN OF EDEN, TOMMY, WONDERFUL TOWN, FUNNY GIRL and more. He is the past director of the Xavier University Singers and former Assistant Band Director at Walnut Hills High School.
Singing Teacher Jeannie Marie
Jeannie Marie
Vocal Teacher
Guitar Teacher Justin Martin
Justin Martin
Guitar Teacher
Justin has been trying to pick out a melody on any instrument you put in front of him since grade school, eventually settling on guitar and bass in his early teens. A series of fun if ill-fated garage bands developed throughout his college years and beyond, accompanied by further study of all the guitar’s possibilities across different styles. As time wore on, collaborative musical endeavors unfortunately had to be placed on the back burner, but Justin still spent his free time exploring jazz, expanding his keyboard playing, and mining the depths of music history through internet and record bin alike.

Guitar of course remained a constant through it all, and through a strange confluence of life events that is best recounted in person he eventually began focusing primarily on solo acoustic finger-style playing. Over the past several years this had led to him learning dozens of popular songs across nearly every genre imaginable, developing a repertoire he is hoping to bring to performance in the very near future. In the meantime, he is also excited to get back to his electric guitar roots with School of Rock, exploring the myriad possibilities of the instrument along with the students he is teaching.
Singing Teacher Allison Moll
Allison Moll
Vocal Teacher
Allison hails from the mean streets of NKY but has lived in NYC for the last 16 years. Music, especially singing, runs deep in her family DNA and she has been singing publicly since she was 4 years old. Most of her childhood she was known as the youngest of The Monroe Sisters and sang all over Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois. Knowing her love of music and singing she joined any choir she could, her favorite being Show Choir and singing with her Jazz Band in high school which led to her getting to sing all over Europe when she was 16. Growing up a preacher’s kid she dreamed to grow up and be Amy Grant. She has performed on multiple stages, churches, clubs, bars and parks. She also enjoyed every musical she could audition for and loves winning lottery tickets to Broadway shows but tries hard not to sing along.

Allison most recently has served as the Creative Arts Director at Forefront in NYC leading bands and singers. As well as working on her own recording project, she also has had the privilege of singing BGVs on more than a dozen projects and loves working in recording studios. She loves the process of learning a song and working with multiple people to create a beautiful sound and emotion. No matter how long it takes. After working with a vocal coach in her late 20s she realized the great need for stretching her voice and confidence. She constantly talks about her high school choir director and music mentors that saw something in her she hadn’t and would have never seen herself. They pushed her to not only be a better musician but to see singing in a whole new holistic way. But she also credits 8 years of piano lessons and her oldest sister for her love of harmonies as she would always demand she sing the melody so Allison and her other sister had to find the harmonies. Now she loves teaching them.

Allison has a deep love and connection to singing and finds her joy and passion there. She believes music can bring people together like nothing else can. She and her husband and son have just returned to their roots in Cincinnati which is where they met and married. She has 4 kids all who are incredible musicians and loves singing with them. She had a dream to be the next Partridge Family so she is crossing her fingers that her son, Ellis, will be the drummer that will complete the band. And that they aren’t embarrassed to jam with her.
Drum Teacher Eric Moreton
Eric Moreton
Drum Teacher
Eric Moreton was active in the Cincinnati music scene for 35 years, playing and recording with bands such as Sluggo, Middlemarch, BuBu Klan, Black Magic Rhythm, and the Ready Stance.

From 2005 to 2020, he taught at Wert Music in Erlanger, Kentucky. He also taught lessons privately during that time.

Eric is versed in most styles of music, with emphasis on Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk, Hip Hop, Funk, and the Blues.
Keyboard Teacher Alex Nicodemus
Alex Nicodemus
Keyboard Teacher
Alex Nicodemus is a versatile pianist, composer, and educator with backgrounds in jazz, R&B, rock, and more. Alex has played piano for Cincinnati jazz fusion group Bumpin’ and R&B singer Chaya Jones. Knowledgeable in jazz music, he has played in jazz trios and quartets at venues such as the Phelps Hotel, Brew River, and Ghost Baby. Alex wants to see his students grow and develop a love for music. Currently, he studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Guitar Teacher Mark O'Keefe
Mark O'Keefe
Guitar Teacher
With the arrival of the Beatles in 1963, Mark became smitten with the guitar. He convinced his parents he wanted to learn to play so they gave him lessons. At age 15, Mark’s first band The Parliaments played on a local LIVE TV show.

During high school and college, Mark honed his skills playing with friends in a variety of bands. Even while pursuing a career in the health care profession, Mark played weekends and eventually met friends to form a band called Streetwise that played in the Cincinnati area for 30 years. In 1995, Mark won an area-wide guitar competition sponsored by Q102 radio and the late megastar Jimmy Buffett. The prize for this was to perform live on stage with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band at Riverbend Music Center.

Mark has performed in bands, trios, duos, and various church worship bands and still does today. He is proud to be a guitar teacher at School of Rock in Cincinnati, OH.
Guitar Teacher Sergio Reyes
Sergio Reyes
Guitar Teacher
Sergio Reyes is a Colombian multi-instrumentalist musician with more than 18 years of music experience including formal education in music theory and singing. He started his music journey at age 15 founding the alternative rock band D Blanko a Negro in Fusagasugá, Colombia in which he was the main songwriter, guitar player, lead singer, and at one point, producer.

He was part of some other musical projects like:
Black Road (alternative rock - guitar player/singer/songwriter/producer),
The Sawyers (progressive rock/Rush tribute-singer/synth player),
The Freaks (alternative rock - singer/songwriter), and
The Luxo (alternative rock - singer/songwriter).

Sergio has also participated in jazz big bands as a singer like the ASAB big band and the Escaleno’s big band.

Nowadays, he is the lead singer of the ska band La Bregadera (Colombia). The band is launching an album by the end of 2023 and they’ve had the pleasure to play on the same stage with legends of ska like Bad Manners. Sergio is also the producer of Road to Nowhere (an online series in which he talks about his music career) in which he mentions, among others, his soloist project Nowhere Man in which he records songs playing all the instruments. He’s planning on launching an album in 2024 as a soloist with that format.
Drum Teacher Stephen Schwarz
Stephen Schwarz
Drum Teacher
Stephen (pronounced Stef-en) Schwarz has been a drummer for what seems like his his entire life. He started playing drums at the age of 10, when his sister and her band would leave their equipment he would sneak in and play their drums. Stephen’s parents finally got him his own drum set when he was 17 and he never looked back. He has been playing professionally since that time and still currently plays with three local bands. Stephen has played with some of Cincinnati’s largest touring bands including Prizoner, Relics & Bad Habit. He also owned and operated the best drum shop in the area. Stephen’s teaching style is a bit unorthodox as he is self-taught, but his technique and style are both well developed.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Cameron Smith is something of a performing arts renaissance man, dipping his toes into all of the different artistic pools, but being careful to never fully submerge himself into any of them. However, he certainly comes close.

Cameron has been playing guitar since the age of 12, bass since the age of 16, keys since the age of 20, and singing throughout his whole life. He has only recently picked up drumming, but he really likes it and is hungry to learn more.

Born in Chicago, but raised in both Cincinnati and Northern Michigan, Cameron was homeschooled until college, where he moved to Southern California to enroll in the Young Americans College of the Performing Arts and earn his degree. Founded in 1962, The Young Americans was the first show choir in existence. It was here Cameron learned to sing professionally.

The Young Americans tour and outreach programs allowed Cameron to travel the world and work with thousands of kids of varying ages and backgrounds. He has toured the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Germany, Poland, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan (where he spent most of his time). He toured mainly as a singer and guitarist, but also did some tap, jazz dance, and hip hop, and even ran sound and lights!

Cameron has also worked two summers at the Boyne Highlands Dinner Theater as a performer and house bassist. It is the oldest dinner theater in America, with notable alumni including Marc Cherry, Stephanie J. Block, Eden Espinosa, and Mark L. Wahlberg. He also spent a summer working at the French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, where he taught and directed bands at the Rock Shop, where the band Maroon 5 formed. He was featured in the pit orchestras at FWF for the shows Pippin, Theory of Relativity, Mean Girls, Zombie Prom, and Spring Awakening.

Cameron is proud to be teaching guitar, bass, and vocals at School of Rock in Cincinnati. He aims to help kids and adults achieve their goals, and to develop a voracious appetite for music, as well as a deep passion for on-stage performance. He hopes to reveal to students the great strength they have within themselves and the impact that they have on everyone around them.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Jacob Snow
Jacob Snow
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Jacob Snow joined the School of Rock Mason location as a bass student when it first opened in 2012, where he played in the house band and made the School of Rock All Star Team in 2014. After graduating, he formed a band with other former School of Rock students, where they released music together and performed all over the Cincinnati area. Jacob has now returned to School of Rock Cincinnati as an instructor, where he will be teaching bass and guitar!
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Justin Stapleton
Justin Stapleton
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Justin was 12 years old when he got his first guitar. He asked for a drum set for his birthday, but his parents thought a guitar would be easier to control the volume. Undeterred by this twist of fate, Justin started learning Nirvana and knew immediately that getting a guitar was one of the best things to ever happen to him.

Since then, Justin has become obsessed with learning all the instruments in a rock band. As time went on, he acquired a bass to get funky, a drum set to get groovy, and a synthesizer to get weird. This journey led to Justin playing in multiple different bands, including alternative, jazz, crust punk, synth pop, and hardcore. From “Isn’t She Lovely” to “Raining Blood,” Justin loves to listen to all types of music under the rock umbrella and spends his spare time writing songs. Justin has never been able to get enough music into his life and is eager to cultivate this obsession in all those who want to rock!
Jim Swartwout Piano Teacher
Jim Swartwout
Piano Teacher
Jim Swartwout is one of the newest members of the School of Rock team, but by no means new to the music business. He has been active in just about every conceivable venue for decades; 11 years at Howl-at-the-Moon, 6 years at Waterfront piano bar, dozens of club bands, duos, trios, big bands (Swingtime and Lee’s Junction), hundreds of studio sessions for songwriters, ad agencies, film scores, churches, theaters…most recently music director for the sold-out run of “Falsettos” at the Aronoff this summer. Come in and share our mutual love of music, learn a lot and have some fun!
Guitar Teacher Mike Troyer
Mike Troyer
Guitar Teacher
Mike Troyer started playing guitar and taking lessons when he was nine years old in southern Indiana. He then went on to play with friends and bands in basements, garages and small venues all the way through college. The music ranged from polka to punk, but he has always favored blues, rock n' roll and alternative music. Family and profession (in his case, scientific research and teaching) took him in many different directions, but Cincinnati has now become his home base to connect with other local musicians. Mike’s children first enrolled at School of Rock, and then later he joined too. Mike is now co-director of our Adult Performance Program and helps Adult Band members quickly prepare for live, onstage shows at local area venues. He is a guitar teacher at School of Rock Cincinnati.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher Jay Mobley
Jay Mobley
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Jay Mobley is a singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist originally from Upstate New York. He has been playing guitar since he was 4 when his dad taught him his first few folk chords. Jay's passion for playing music with others grew at summer camp in the Adirondacks as a kid, and he has been playing in bands and as a solo artist ever since. After studying classical composition in college, he played in the antifolk bands Dufus (NYC) and 23 Psaegz (Rochester), and fronted bands in Northampton and Boston, Massachusetts.

One time, Jay rode his bicycle across the United States with a friend, playing folk music along the way. They stopped through Cincinnati, and he fell in love with the city, deciding to get his master's degree in Composition at the College-Conservatory of Music here. Now, he plays guitar and sings in the indie band Cousins. Jay still writes music for classical ensembles and gets to the Adirondacks when he can.
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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!

I love the inclusivity and welcoming environment that allow kids to be exactly who they are.

I love the variety of the performance programs. I love the inclusivity and welcoming environment that allow kids to be exactly who they are. My daughter feels at home at School of Rock Cincinnati!

I wish this would have been around when I was growing up!

Our three kids have truly developed a passion for music thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of their teachers and the performance program! I wish this would have been around when I was growing up!

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