Carlstadt
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Carlstadt

Map
School of Rock Carlstadt
301 Hoboken Road
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
201 322 7625
Hours
  • Monday: 2 PM - 8 PM
  • Tuesday: 2 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 2 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Thursday: 2 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 2 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM - 3 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Upcoming Special Hours:

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

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

School of Rock in Carlstadt, NJ is proud to serve the Carlstadt community—as well as surrounding areas like Rutherford, East Rutherford, Lyndhurst, and Wallington—with a revolutionary music education approach. With lessons from our expert instructors, students can learn to rock out on guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and vocals across every genre including rock, pop, blues, soul, funk, and R&B. By jamming in a band together with friends while learning to read and play music by ear, students gain the confidence to truly be a rock star. Our students perform at community-based events like the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce Events and the Summer Concerts in Carlstadt and Rutherford and regularly play at the Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ. Take the first step towards stardom and join School of Rock in Carlstadt, NJ today!

Programs we offer

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

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

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

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

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

At School of Rock Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt, 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 Carlstadt , 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 Carlstadt is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt , our students can take online, one-on-one music instruction from the comfort of their homes. We call this program School of Rock Remote. This online music program contains weekly one-on-one instruction conducted by our expert School of Rock instructors in a safe virtual lesson room.
 
Students will receive their training using our proprietary education program, The School of Rock Method™, which couples live video lessons with our proprietary Method App™, SongFirst Approach™ and Method Books™. 

What To Expect
  • ONE WEEKLY 1-ON-1 LESSON
  • LESSONS CONDUCTED USING SECURE VIDEO TECHNOLOGY

THE PATH TO TAKE THE STAGE

All of our music programs for kids, teens, and adults are designed to help students gain amazing musical proficiency. School of Rock’s online music lesson program is no exception. Online guitar lessons, online piano lessons, online drum lessons, online singing lessons and online bass guitar lessons are all offered through the School of Rock Remote online program.

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

School of Rock Carlstadt '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 Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt .

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 Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt .

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

The School of Rock Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt '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 Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Carlstadt

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

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

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Carlstadt

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

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

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt , 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 Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt , 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 Carlstadt .

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Carlstadt

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt , 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 Carlstadt 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 Carlstadt , 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 Carlstadt

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

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

Owner, General Manager Dave Santamaria
Dave Santamaria
Owner, General Manager
Dave is a drummer and audio engineer with over 20 years of music retail, pro audio, and sound engineering experience. Dave was in several bands and opened for acts such as Type O Negative and Bile. He has done sound engineering for Bel Biv Devoe, Tanya Tucker, KRS ONE, Doug E. Fresh, Curtis Blow, the Jordanaires, and Rhett Akins, to name a few.

Dave is also an amazing multi-format DJ. He has a deep devotion to enriching lives in the communities and is a positive mentor here at School of Rock Carlstadt. Fun music fact: Dave has played at CBGBs!
Owner, Music Director Dominique Abita
Dominique Abita
Owner, Music Director
Dominique is a trained rock, opera, and jazz vocalist with over 20 years of experience having sung on many stages and toured with a band. She has a master's degree in Music from Catholic University and loves to teach.

Dominique also plays guitar, bass, and keys. She encourages all students of every age to make music, and she is dedicated to developing the instructors and the programs at School of Rock Carlstadt. Fun music fact: Dominique has performed at Carnegie Hall!
Drum Teacher, Singing Teacher Eitan Ofeck
Eitan Ofeck
Drum Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Eitan Ofeck (pronounced AY-tawn OH-fek) is a New Jersey-based drummer. Eitan was born and raised in New Jersey and from a young age he had rhythm. After an offhand recommendation from his father, Eitan took his first drum lesson at sleep-away camp and from that point on, he was hooked. Honing his craft back at home, he got so good that his middle school band teacher, who was teaching him at the time, had nothing else to teach him.

Eitan’s next step was to take drum lessons at School of Rock. There, he would join his local school’s House Band and toured on the national level with the School of Rock AllStars, playing at Lollapalooza on two separate occasions. Outside of this, Eitan has played in the metal band Lunatic Fringe and made a splash in the New Jersey metal scene.

Eitan’s love of drums is only surpassed by his love for his family and friends. He is a gentle giant with a kind soul. Eitan specializes mostly in rock and metal music but can also play other popular styles such as pop, disco, bossa nova, and fusion among others. The number of genres he can play is growing every day. Eitan also teaches beginner vocals and has been singing for several years!
Drum Teacher Justin Wojna
Justin Wojna
Drum Teacher
Justin Wojna is a drummer, audio engineer, and producer based in New Jersey. He recently graduated with his Bachelor of Music in audio engineering from William Paterson University. His love for music started when he played drums for the first time as part of his middle school jazz-rock band. Shortly after, he joined his local School of Rock where he learned how to collaborate with talented musicians and enhance his drumming skills.

Justin’s time in House Band gave him the opportunity to perform at exciting venues such as Summerfest, Morey’s Piers, The Bitter End, The Knitting Factory, and Debonair Music Hall. He currently enjoys working as a session drummer and producer for various clients. Justin’s favorite genres are classic rock, funk, and blues, but he can also play soul, pop, disco, and more. He always favors tight grooves and pockets, no matter the genre. Justin is always looking to expand his drumming knowledge and share his love for music with everyone that he meets.
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher Gabe Vega
Gabe Vega
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Gabe Vega is a bassist and guitarist from New Jersey. Gabe has been playing music since he was a kid in middle school. Music is his passion and he wishes to share it with other like-minded students. He has played many shows and concerts including legendary venues like Bergen PAC and The Stone Pony.

Currently, Gabe studies at Montclair State University, working towards his degree in Music Education and Music Pedagogy. Some of his favorite genres include rock, jazz, funk, metal, R&B, folk, and classical.
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher Omar Elshafi
Omar Elshafi
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Omar is an experienced guitarist and musician. He has been playing for over a decade and gigging for over five years. Omar has been a part of local New Jersey rock/indie bands who have played throughout the East Coast area at venues like Elsewhere, House of Independence, White Eagle Hall, and Mercury Lounge. He also enjoys playing solo and with a trio for local jazz gigs. He has a primary focus on guitar but enjoys playing bass and drums.

Omar is interested in many aspects of music and has an understanding of the different disciplines that help build a strong musician.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher Faith Anguita
Faith Anguita
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Faith grew up in the town of Belleville, NJ. She started singing at the age of 11 as an enrolled School of Rock student! At the age of 14, she started performing regularly in her high school choir and a cappella group, and for most family and friend events.

While in high school Faith started developing her passion for music more and more and started picking up other instruments including the ukulele and piano. After graduation, she started studying music performance at Five Towns College in New York, and even after leaving school she kept at her craft and started songwriting and making music at home. She has had many accomplishments in her life thus far and is looking forward to this new and exciting adventure at School of Rock Carlstadt.
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Kristen Jeudi
Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Kristen is a proud alumna of the School of Rock family, embarking on her musical journey in May of 2018 with her first Performance Program show, Green Day vs Red Hot Chilli Peppers. From September 2018 until her senior year in 2021, Kristen was a valued member of the House Band. Throughout her time at School of Rock, Kristen achieved the prestigious title of the first-ever Vocal AllStar at her school, leading to exciting opportunities such as recording with the AllStars team and representing School of Rock on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram.

With impressive accomplishments under her belt, including an invitation to sing the National Anthem at MetLife Stadium for a New York Guardians vs. Los Angeles Wildcats game and performing at the Live United Live Music Festival to benefit youth mental health at Spyglass Ridge Winery in Sunbury, PA, Kristen is eager to share her passion for music with all of her students and beyond.
Alexis Aguilar Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher
Alexis Aguilar
Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Drum Teacher
Alexis is a professional musician based in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is experienced with a variety of instruments but primarily specializes in guitar and the electric bass. Alexis’ goal is to engrave the essence of music to the future of the world and inspire those who have yet to embark on their musical journey.

“During my early education, music has always captivated my interest. I decided to follow my heart and dedicate my time to truly pursue music in my higher education and career. Since then, music has allowed me to celebrate many achievements in my life. I have been fortunate to experience many fruitful opportunities such as travel, networking and having the most fun performing on a variety of stages. There are many opportunities yet to come my way but as a kid, I would never have thought that music could open as many doors as it has for me. Even if music is not in your career path, it is very important to me to inspire those to pick up an instrument and learn to enjoy every minute of the journey.”

Fun Fact: Alexis is the only musician in his family of athletes and professional dancers.
Keyboard + Piano Teacher Desiree
Desiree Bottigliero
Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Desiree began her musical career at age 8 with the viola. She quickly excelled and became part of the advanced ensembles in her school. In high school, Desiree performed in the pit orchestra, symphonic orchestra, concert orchestra, and small ensembles and performed annually at the Ridgewood Tree Lighting for 4 years. Desiree expanded her repertoire by learning the violin, cello, and piano with vigor. After high school, Desiree performed with the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra as their youngest violist while also pursuing her collegiate education until she transferred out of state.

Desiree has been teaching viola, violin, cello, and piano for over 6 years. She served as a teacher’s assistant at the Ridgewood Summer Music Academy for 4 years where she taught larger orchestra groups as well as private lessons for orchestral strings. At Sam Ash, Desiree honed her teaching skills in private lessons for all 4 instruments. Now, she is very excited to share her experience and knowledge with the students of the School of Rock in Carlstadt!
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

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

Reviews

What I like about the program is that my kids LOVE it!

This is so different from the music lessons that existed when I was a kid. These kids are actually making music and learning to play as a band. The performances are so impressive, and watching the kids gain confidence and express themselves on stage is priceless.

The structure around how kids learn is amazing.

Taking lessons to learn an instrument is one thing, but learning how to be a part of a band is on another level. These kids are learning how to communicate, respect people and their opinions, and how to be accountable for themselves. It’s more than just music here.

It's the best music program in the city.

Dedicated instructors and staff, vibrant atmosphere, and most importantly, it's fun! My 8-year-old has grown leaps and bounds in skill and personal confidence. If you're thinking about checking it out, don't wait, just do it!

The kids have a great time while learning to play.

Lifelong skills and relationships are born here. The staff shares their passion for music and are very professional and accommodating. Wish I had this type of exposure to music when I was growing up!

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