School of Rock is happy to celebrate Rachel Bandler's two year anniversary! Not only is Rachel a talented vocalist, she teaches our students guitar, bass and keys as well! She is one of our trusted directors in our performance program and directed Talking Head's Stop Making Sense Show last season! We got to ask her a few questions to get some more insight on music outside of the School of Rock walls.
1. What's your favorite thing about working at school of rock?
Rachel: Honestly, It's really hard for me to pick my favorite thing about working at school of rock - that's a good thing! I mean I get to show up to work every day and teach kids how to play Led Zeppelin, what more could I ask for? I'll say my favorite moment so far was directing the Stop Making Sense Talking Heads show last season. I got to get kids excited about dancing like David Byrne and wearing giant suits - it was so awesome.
2. Are you working on any musical projects? If you are, what are they and what's your part in them?
Rachel: I am currently working under the moniker JewelOsco. I write the songs, sing and play lead guitar with a rotating cast of musicians and producers. I have some tunes out on Spotify and have some new ones coming soon!
3. Who or what inspired you to start playing music?
Rachel: I give all the credit to my dad for inspiring me to play music. He introduced me to my favorite bands and made music a huge part of my childhood. My first two favorite albums are the same as his. The record player was the centerpiece of my childhood home and we were always gathered around that thing as a family. We spent family trips at record stores and I was quizzed on rock trivia during road trips, you get the picture, it's no wonder I turned out the way I did!
4. Give me your top 5 albums of all time.
Rachel: This was really difficult! Top 10 would be way easier, I cheated and did 6
- Stop Making Sense- Talking Heads
- Violent Femmes- Violent Femmes
- Sound Of Silver- LCD Soundsystem
- Animals- Pink Floyd
- The White Album- The Beatles
- White Blood Cells- The White Stripes
Thanks for being part of our School of Rock family! Here's to many more years!