Bedford

Explore School of Rock

School of Rock Bedford

School of Rock

Explore School of Rock Bedford

School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Bedford

TAKE 20% OFF YOUR MUSIC CAMP PURCHASE! USE CODE NOVSALE20 AT CHECKOUT.   VIEW CAMPS
Map
School of Rock Bedford
12 Court Road
Bedford, NY 10506
(914) 234-0418

Location Specifics

Please park either in the Playhouse parking lot or on the street.

Get Directions
Hours
  • Monday: 1 PM - 8 PM
  • Tuesday: 1 PM - 8 PM
  • Wednesday: 1 PM - 8 PM
  • Thursday: 1 PM - 8 PM
  • Friday: 1 PM - 8 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Upcoming Special Hours:

  • 11/28/2024 - 11/29/2024: Closed
  • 12/24/2024 - 12/25/2024: Closed
  • 12/31/2024 - 01/01/2025: Closed

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

School of Rock in Bedford, New York proudly serves the local community and surrounding areas like Bedford Hills, Pound Ridge, and North Stamford, with a revolutionary music education approach. Our quality music lessons are taught by real, practicing musicians and students can learn to rock out on guitar, keyboards, drums, and vocals, across many genres. We're located in historic Bedford Village and have been a premier source of music education for over 15 years. At School of Rock, students can jam together, perform live music, and develop their skills in a supportive and encouraging learning environment. Our students perform at community-based events like Bedford Village Elementary School Harvest Fest and the John Jay Homestead Barn Dance. Our students also regularly play at local venues like District Social! Join the band and visit School of Rock Bedford today!

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

At School of Rock Bedford, 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Bedford'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 Bedford 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 Bedford.

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 Bedford 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 Bedford.

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

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

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Bedford

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Bedford

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Bedford 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford.

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Bedford

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Bedford 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 Bedford 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Bedford. 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford 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 Bedford Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Bedford 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 Bedford 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford’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 Ben Malmed
Ben Malmed
Music Director
Ben Malmed started his career at School of Rock in October 2010 as a 23-year-old and immediately fell in love with the mission and community. Watching students go from the lesson room to the stage, gaining confidence, and having fun continues to be a source of inspiration for him. In 2015, Ben was promoted to Music Director of School of Rock Bedford and named Music Director for AllStars Northeast in 2022.

Music of all kinds is held with great value in Ben's family and notably, his grandparents were professional singers at the Metropolitan Opera. Ben started piano lessons at 5 years old which gave him a strong foundation in music theory, metronome practice, and technique. The switch to other instruments was made easier as he decided to pursue rock music and take up guitar and bass. He eventually studied with some of the world's best musicians at Berklee College of Music.

Ben also works as a studio musician, producer, live sound engineer, bandmate, and performer. His original touring band, Fundimensionals, recorded two albums and performed at many concert venues and festivals before parting ways. They received local airplay on 107.1 The Peak for their song "Deer On The Hutch" and were featured in Relix Magazine.
General Manager Halley Jonas
Halley Jonas
General Manager
Halley Jonas is a Connecticut native and currently living just down the road in Stamford. Her School of Rock journey started in 2012 as a vocal student at the Fairfield school—then “roadie’d” until she aged out at the end of her senior year in 2016. She came back as a studio coordinator in 2019 and became the General Manager of School of Rock Bedford in 2023. School of Rock was her gateway into music performance and gave her the confidence and opportunity to form a few garage bands with folks from surrounding towns.

Outside of the school, Halley is the mother of a middle-aged rescue chihuahua, engaged to an illustrator working on her first graphic novel, and has an ever-growing collection of wacky tattoos. Catch her at the front desk!
Studio Coordinator Peter Sabia
Peter Amato
Studio Coordinator
Peter is a recording artist, music producer, and songwriter based in Peekskill, NY. He began experimentation with rhythm and melody at a young age on a Casio keyboard in his grandmother's Bronx apartment. This led him to write and record original songs through his teenage years, playing guitar, drums, keys, singing, and rapping.

Self-taught and learning through the recording process, Peter further honed his skills by studying, working, and earning a master's degree in Music Production, Technology, and Innovation at Berklee Valencia. He now works out of his home studio to produce all types of music, audio recordings, and soundscapes.

Peter started with School of Rock Bedford in November 2022 and plays an important role in keeping operations running smoothly with a smile. During the week, you can say what's up and give him a fist bump in the main office.
Lou Caldarola
Drum Teacher
Lou Caldarola has been an active member of the music scene for over 30 years and is one of the area's most in-demand session and live drummers. Lou is also an original staff member at School of Rock Bedford. He attended University of Bridgeport, majoring in Music, and studied with Howard Zwickler for a year before leaving Bridgeport to pursue a career in live performance. He has since recorded and performed with multiple original projects. In 1996 Lou joined Connecticut prog-metal band Soundscape and released three albums, "Discovery," "Iago" and "Grave New World." He has a long list of recording credits to date and his live performances number in the thousands. Currently Lou is involved with Kicksville, a national project that defies definition. He also keeps busy playing live with Limelight (the world's longest-running Rush tribute band!), The Furious Bongos Zappa Project, The Joe Gareri Instrumental Project and various other bands and artists. Lou is also an experienced studio engineer, booking agent and manager. He is a drum teacher at School of Rock Bedford.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Will Burgaleta
Will Burgaleta
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Not long after his first word was uttered, Will was singing and grooving along to the music of The Beatles, Steely Dan, Frankie Valle, and whatever else was in his parents' record collection.

A graduate of Purchase College's Conservatory of Music with a Master's Degree in Studio Composition, Will has always had an engaged and studious approach to music of all styles ranging from blues, boogie, and classical, to jazz, pop, and metal. He brings the same level of dedication and enthusiasm to his teaching style, emphasizing the student, not the method. In addition to being the music director, keyboardist, and backup vocalist for Rockland County-based Dark Side of the Hudson Pink Floyd tribute band, Will is an in-demand freelance composer/arranger.

He also performs in several bands, including the eclectic art rock group Diazepam as keyboardist/vocalist, as well as his classic rock cover band Critical Mass where he performs the same duties. Will can also be heard on guitarist/virtuoso Bert Elliot's "Asylum in Playland", where he plays alongside Yankee's legend Bernie Williams, bassist professional Stu Hamm, and drummer extraordinaire Atma Anur.
Michael O'Rourke
Drum Teacher
Michael O'Rourke started playing the drums in the fourth grade. He joined the school band and orchestra, and then started taking private lessons. He played the drums throughout the rest of elementary, middle and high school, participating in NYSSMA and marching band as well. Once in college, he decided to major in English and Journalism with a minor in Film. He kept studying music, though, with various teachers by going to clinics and playing in rock bands with friends. He also took part in several productions on campus that utilized his drumming. Michael has over 10 years of experience teaching private lessons on drums and even a little on bass and guitar. He's taught in various music stores and participated in many workshops that instruct in an interactive way. Currently Mike is playing with two original bands. The first is called Soundswell, which is a jam band based in Long Island and NYC. The other is called Darlene Graham and the Shades of Green Band, which is a children’s music group that plays in the same area. The shows are interactive and fun for the whole family and often take on a theatrical component. He is excited to spread his love for music and drums with students at School of Rock Bedford as a drum teacher.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Alan Kingsbury
Alan Kingsbury
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Alan is a guitar teacher and bass guitar teacher at the School of Rock in Bedford. He also owns and operates Haymarket Studios in Beacon, New York. He began writing and performing music with bands in the Denver, Colorado DIY punk and metal community when he was 12 years old. Some of the songs he wrote with his friends while procrastinating doing homework allowed him to make records and tour the world. Alan prioritizes relationships, fun, experimentation, and a process-oriented approach to teaching guitar and bass.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Lily Oyen
Lily Oyen
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Lily Oyen is a singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Katonah, NY. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in studio production from SUNY Purchase. Lily has been immersed in music from a very young age, having been classically trained in piano and voice since childhood. Because of this, she truly understands the importance and impact of music education in children and adults alike, and strives to work with all of her students to find passion and joy in their musical journey—whether they’re already experienced or just beginning!
Drum Teacher Will Ponturo
Will Ponturo
Drum Teacher
Will grew up in Connecticut and fell in love with the drums at a young age, starting on a tiny kit at the age of 5. He eventually graduated from Berklee College of Music and studied many styles of drumming and percussion from around the world.

Will has played in numerous bands throughout the years covering many genres including jazz, heavy metal, and folk. He currently tours and records drums and guitar.
Drum Teacher Jack Rago
Jack Rago
Drum Teacher
Jack Rago is an alum of the School of Rock in Bedford, NY, with more than five years of experience in the Performance Program and several years in the audition-based House Band. His versatility behind the kit and commitment to excellence can be heard in several local heavy metal and progressive rock projects that he's been a part of.

Jack has also been working in the public school system as a teacher's aide and looks forward to bringing his passion for music and love for teaching kids back to School of Rock as an instructor.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher Ethan Famodu
Ethan Famodu
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Ethan Famodu is a ballad enthusiast whose muse is the guitar. He is a former School of Rock student and was selected for the 2019 AllStars program.

Ethan plays in the groups APLO (pronounced Apollo) and Old Country Landscaping and plays with artists like Kevin Wulf, and Hudson King. He also writes and records his own solo material. His chief influences are Bob Dylan, Pinegrove, Led Zeppelin, and The Band.
Guitar Teacher Mark Kornhaas
Mark Kornhaas
Guitar Teacher
Mark began his musical journey at a very early age and recalls his family was heavily rooted in the arts. His father was an avid music fan and brought 10-year-old Mark along to see Robert Cray. When Mark turned 13, he received his first guitar as a birthday gift. Mark found himself playing guitar endlessly and studied with a local jazz great that got him hooked on the blues and continues to foster that relationship to promote an environment of endless learning and growth. Additionally, he worked for East Coast Music refinishing guitars for high-profile national musicians. ]

Mark has sat in with many local bands playing lead guitar and completed some studio recording sessions for some well-known acts. He received a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Purchase College. For the last 30 years, Mark has had a vested interest in supporting and mentoring young students as they begin exploring music. “Music is one of the purest art forms as it helps set a path for self-discovery.”
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher David Langan
David Langan
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
David Langan is a guitarist and songwriter from New York’s Hudson Valley. While currently enrolled in the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, his passion for song started long before that when his parents first showed him rock and roll. David studied music—specifically guitar—under Jason Bowman at the Rock Academy in Woodstock, NY before attending SUNY Purchase. During that time he familiarized himself with the art of guitar and song, learning how to play styles such as funk, folk, rock, metal, and more.

After just over a year of playing, David was invited to join Rock Academy’s showband, with which he toured the northeast U.S. He has also played his own compositions with previous band Interference in clubs across Albany, Poughkeepsie, and Kingston, before disbanding the project to attend SUNY Purchase. As of March 2022, David is working on continuing to compose with a new group of musicians at SUNY Purchase and teaches guitar and bass at School of Rock Bedford.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Vincent Mandracchia
Vincent Mandracchia
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Vincent Mandracchia is a Westchester native raised in Rye, New York where he began his musical learnings in church choir and band classes. He eventually picked up the electric guitar and joined his high school jazz band. Vincent found the most passion in learning guitar and pursued it further by becoming a jazz guitar major at SUNY New Paltz, as well as later picking up a second concentration in composition.

Vincent's biggest influences are '70s bands like Steely Dan, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and modern experimental groups like Animals as Leaders.
Vocal Teacher Bri Barbosa
Bri Barbosa
Vocal Teacher
Bri is a multifaceted artist, singer, songwriter, and music instructor from New York, with cultural roots in Colombia and Puerto Rico. Committed to staying true to her heritage, she blends Spanglish R&B and pop, creating a unique sound that reflects her diverse background. In addition to her artistry, Bri is passionate about guiding others on their musical journeys, offering vocal, songwriting, and production lessons in both English and Spanish allowing her to connect to a diverse student body.

As an honors graduate from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Bri has showcased her talents at notable venues such as NYC's Bitter End, Boston's Red Room, Berklee’s Performance Center, and various cultural festivals and local restaurants. Bri's teaching centers on fostering creativity, building confidence, and the exploration of one’s unique musical identity. She tailors her approach to each student's individual goals.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher Billy Buono
Billy Buono
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Billy Buono is a working keyboardist currently attending Purchase College for studio production. Billy has been playing live music for several years and plays in multiple bands that play all over New York. On top of that, he has been writing music almost as long as he's been playing and is currently perfecting his craft by taking piano lessons from jazz legend Andy LaVerne.
Vocal Teacher Christian Leigh
Christian Leigh
Vocal Teacher
Christian is a singer and actor from Long Island, New York. He attends Manhattanville College and is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.

Christian has loved music and performing his entire life and has trained in classical and contemporary styles since 2016. He is fascinated by all voices and is passionate about helping others get to know their own. If he had a biopic, it would be narrated by Will Arnett.
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

Shows are a lot of fun.

I was very nervous when I started a Performance Program, but I felt very welcomed and comfortable very quickly. Shows are a lot of fun to be in and the people in them are very nice.

The performance aspect is great.

It is so amazing for the kids to get a chance to be a part of a group and learn what it's like to perform in front of people.

An invaluable experience.

The opportunity for a child/teen to learn an instrument AND play in a band setting culminating in a live performance is an invaluable experience that has no equal.

Our son loves this program.

We loved that he improved so much. He took guitar lessons for four years before School of Rock and didn't really make much progress. In one week at one of the summer camps he improved so much.

Being in a band promotes learning and growth.

"Being in a band has been a great way for my son to learn and grow as a person. He improves musical skills and other life lessons, like what it means to not want to let your band members down, how to make mistakes and move forward, and how to be supportive to others."

  1. Locations
  2. School of Rock Bedford

By submitting your email address you are verifying that you are 13 years or older.