Ian Draves is the general manager of the Cedar Rapids/Marion school.  Music was a great tool of healing for Ian for many years.  Besides managing the school, he also shares his wisdom with kids through classes.

Music connects people, it also helps some people heal and get through life's challenges.  Ian Draves utilized music as a tool to help him through loss, which led to lifelong friendships and helped create a sense of belonging.

"If the possibility is there for me to give that sense of belonging and the ability to better someone's life, I will always do my best to achieve that," he said.

Draves has played music for more than two decades, and has been teaching for about 13 years.  He says the best part is being able to connect with people from all walks of life.

"Music is a very vulnerable ting to participate in, and with that we share the most about ourselves.  Whether you're 6 or 86, we all find something we can connect with each other," he said.

While being the general manager comes with logistical planning and paperwork, working with people of all ages in music is what makes the job special.  There's a classic saying "if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life".  Many people can't say that, and Draves looked at that statement as a very optimistic one.  But this job changed his perspective.  "What I've been able to do with School of Rock, it truly doesn't feel like labor to get financial compensation as much as it's doing what I can to continue sharing the love for music in all shapes and sizes," he said.

More about Ian:

Favorite song to play:  Ian says he's known as a "funk bassist" and anything with a good groove is what he likes to play.

Fun fact:  Ian says he has none.  We'll share one for him...he's had the opportunity to meet and share an adult beverage with one of the world's most renowned bass players:  Victor Wooten.