We sat down with School of Rock Doylestown's Cameron Ralston to talk about School of Rock’s impact, his background, and to gain insight into his educational philosophy.

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Cam, a musician and educator from Chalfont, Pennsylvania. My musical journey began in elementary school (Butler Bears, represent!) with the alto saxophone and continued through middle school, when I discovered the bass guitar and convinced Unami’s band director to let me switch to the bass. This sparked my passion for rock music, trying to teach myself through bands like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. The limitations and ambiguity of self-teaching an instrument led me to join School of Rock Doylestown. After an inspiring trial lesson, I enrolled in the Performance Program, with my first show featuring Black Sabbath. School of Rock not only honed my musical and performance skills but also introduced me to a community of like-minded young musicians, many of whom I still play with today.

Following years of participation in the Performance Program, House Band, and lessons in multiple instruments, I graduated School of Rock while participating in Central Bucks High School South's jazz band, marching band, and symphonic band. I pursued a degree in Jazz Performance at the University of the Arts. While there, I deepened my expertise in electric and acoustic bass while performing in the Philadelphia jazz and musical theater scene. After college, I combined my music career with seven years in Early Childhood Education, where I gained valuable insights into child development and teaching philosophies.

In 2021, I returned to School of Rock Doylestown, first as a bass instructor and later expanding my role to include teaching keys and guitar, and directing shows. Now, as General Manager, I bring together my passions for music and child development to help every student, from budding musicians to seasoned multi-instrumentalists, realize their full potential.

Sounds like School of Rock has had a profound impact on your life! As a musician and educator, we’d love to know your responses to some commonly-asked questions.

• What’s the best way for a young child to start their musical journey? Is there an age you recommend for private lessons?

At School of Rock, we offer a variety of music programs that are perfect for kids of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're introducing your child to music for the first time or enhancing their musical skills, we have a program that fits their needs.

For younger children, I highly recommend our Rookies Program for kids ages 6 and 7. This high-energy, group-based class is designed to engage kids in a fun and supportive environment. Students get hands-on experience with real instruments, participate in rhythmic activities, and express themselves through singing and movement—an excellent way to foster a love for music early on.

For children age 8 and older, private music lessons become a great choice. This coincides perfectly with our Rock 101 Program, where kids learn to play songs in a band setting while mastering the basics of their instrument. Our private lessons, whether for guitar, bass, piano, or voice, are customized to balance fun and skill development. At this age, students have the physical coordination needed to make significant progress in their instrument or voice while developing essential life skills such as patience, self-motivation, and the ability to think long-term.

• What are the cognitive benefits of learning music? What are the advantages of performance-based music education?

Learning music, whether through singing or playing an instrument, has a powerful impact on brain development. At School of Rock, we've seen firsthand how music education can improve memory, attentiveness, and cognitive function in students, especially during their first few months of focused learning. 

Playing music strengthens visual memory and enhances cognitive flexibility, which not only benefits musical skills but also helps students in all areas of learning. These cognitive benefits are amplified in group settings, such as our Rock 101 and Performance Program.

Our group music programs go beyond just playing songs—they also build executive function skills like problem-solving, strategic thinking, and communication. For example, when a student gets lost in a song, they must quickly ask themselves, “Where am I in the song? Where is the rest of the band? How can I get back on track?” These quick-thinking skills develop over time and help students improve both on and off the stage. Additionally, students learn to evaluate how their individual musicianship impacts the performance of the entire band, fostering collaboration and critical thinking. Beyond cognitive skills, learning music at School of Rock nurtures creativity and enhances communication skills, both of which are essential for personal and academic growth.

• How far can a child get teaching themselves an instrument? Is YouTube an effective teaching method?

Great question! I started learning the bass guitar on my own at age 10. I quickly grasped the basics of the instrument and taught myself how to read simple guitar tablature. However, after a few months, I hit a plateau and lost some of my motivation. That’s when my parents recommended I try School of Rock.

Working with a School of Rock instructor was a game-changer. They provided me with a structured framework to build my skills, offering personalized instruction that challenged me when needed. This is something that self-learning, especially through platforms like YouTube, couldn’t offer at the time. While YouTube tutorials provided helpful live band videos, they lacked the customized guidance I needed to truly grow as a musician.

Today, with YouTube being an even more popular learning tool, I still believe there’s a limit to how much one can achieve through online videos. Personalized lessons at School of Rock are far more effective for progress. Unlike YouTube teachers, School of Rock instructors tailor each lesson to meet the specific needs of their students, providing one-on-one attention and expert guidance to help students reach their full potential.

Great, thank you! Your answers were really valuable and insightful. School of Rock Doylestown seems like a great place for students to learn music and thrive.